Supply Chain Management Technology 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of applying machine learning to supplier risk scoring?
- Automatically issuing purchase orders to the cheapest supplier
- Continuously evaluating supplier indicators to predict potential disruptions before they occur (Correct answer)
- Replacing contract negotiation with algorithmic bidding
- Eliminating the need for supplier audits
Correct answer: Continuously evaluating supplier indicators to predict potential disruptions before they occur
ML models ingest financial, geopolitical, and performance data to surface high-risk suppliers proactively rather than reactively.
Question 2: In a warehouse management system, what does 'wave picking' refer to?
- Picking orders one at a time in full from start to finish
- Batching multiple orders into scheduled release groups to optimize labor and equipment use (Correct answer)
- Using robotic arms to pick items from shelves
- Assigning picking tasks based on employee seniority
Correct answer: Batching multiple orders into scheduled release groups to optimize labor and equipment use
Wave picking groups orders released together so workers and conveyors can be coordinated efficiently across the fulfillment center.
Question 3: Which technology standard allows different supply chain partners' ERP systems to automatically share structured business documents without human rekeying?
- EDI (Correct answer)
- SMS notifications
- Email attachments
- FTP file drops
Correct answer: EDI
EDI transmits structured business documents like POs and ASNs directly between systems in machine-readable formats, eliminating manual data entry.
Question 4: A company deploys computer vision cameras at receiving docks to automatically verify incoming pallet counts and check for damage. This reduces which manual process?
- Demand planning review meetings
- Manual receiving inspection and count verification (Correct answer)
- Carrier invoice reconciliation
- Purchase order approval workflows
Correct answer: Manual receiving inspection and count verification
Computer vision automates visual inspection at receiving, catching count discrepancies and damage that manual checks often miss.
Question 5: What is 'dark warehouse' automation in supply chain management?
- A warehouse operated with minimal or no human workers, relying entirely on robots and automation (Correct answer)
- A warehouse with poor lighting to reduce energy costs
- A secret distribution center kept off public records
- A backup warehouse activated only during peak seasons
Correct answer: A warehouse operated with minimal or no human workers, relying entirely on robots and automation
A dark warehouse runs autonomously around the clock using robots, AMRs, and automated conveyors, requiring no human presence during operations.
Question 6: Which concept describes using shared, cloud-based supply chain platforms where multiple companies collaborate and exchange data on a single network?
- Vertical integration
- Multi-enterprise supply chain networks (MESCN) (Correct answer)
- In-house ERP consolidation
- Single-tenant SaaS
Correct answer: Multi-enterprise supply chain networks (MESCN)
MESCNs let buyers, suppliers, logistics providers, and other partners collaborate on one platform with shared visibility and workflows.
Question 7: In supply chain AI, what is 'demand sensing' as distinct from traditional demand forecasting?
- Using customer surveys to predict future orders
- Applying short-term signals like POS data, weather, and social trends to refine near-horizon demand forecasts (Correct answer)
- Setting annual demand targets based on prior-year sales
- Segmenting customers by purchase frequency
Correct answer: Applying short-term signals like POS data, weather, and social trends to refine near-horizon demand forecasts
Demand sensing uses real-time, high-frequency data signals to sharpen forecast accuracy in the immediate one-to-two week window.
Supply Chain Management Technology 4
What is the primary purpose of applying machine learning to supplier risk scoring?