1.7 Conclusion

Information technology, including advanced ERP, is a game changer. As your firm’s central nervous system, your ERP system is at the heart of IT enablement. Imagine the possibilities. From autonomous vehicles to inventory visibility to coordinated decision-making to getting inside customers’ lifestyles, IT is changing the way you manage value-added activities across the supply chain to provide higher levels of customer service at lower costs. It is no longer hyperbole to say that IT is now part of all things SCM.

This reality, however, should spark a little concern. If everything is connected to IT and depends on IT, what do you do if the unthinkable happens? You need to step back and do a little scenario analysis. Given your connected life, what would happen if the internet went down—and stayed down? Now, scale your thoughts up to the firm level—then to the national and global economy levels. IT security may be one of the top challenges of the next century. It certainly will be one of the most important.