Building resilient supply chains with data-sharing ecosystems

Helena Jochberger, Vice-President, CGI

---

The global supply chain landscape is fraught with challenges, from regulatory pressures to fluctuating market demands. In this evolving environment, resilience and efficiency are no longer optional; they are essential. In this interview with Business Reporter, Helena Jochberger, CGI, says leveraging data-sharing ecosystems to address these challenges and future-proof supply chains.

 

What is a data-sharing ecosystem?

 

A data-sharing ecosystem is a collaborative network in which commercial organisations, governments and individuals share, analyse and apply data using a unified platform. These ecosystems offer three key benefits:

• Transparency. Real-time visibility into supply chains enhances reliability and helps companies adapt to disruptions more effectively.
• Innovation. Collaboration among ecosystem participants fosters the development of new ideas and solutions that drive efficiency and competitive advantage.
• Compliance. Regulatory requirements, such as the EU Data Act, which mandate digital data passports for products, are easier to meet within a standardised ecosystem.

A digital data passport, for example, provides critical information about a product’s origin, CO2 footprint and use of hazardous materials, ensuring traceability and adherence to environmental standards.

 

Real-world application: Catena-X

 

Catena-X, an automotive data-sharing network founded in 2021, demonstrates the value of such ecosystems. During the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions revealed the need for real-time data exchange.

Catena-X enables automotive manufacturers to identify and address potential bottlenecks before they escalate, ensuring critical components are sourced and delivered on time.

 

For example, if a supplier cannot fulfil an order, real-time data allows the manufacturer to quickly find alternatives, adjust production timelines and minimise delays.

 

CGI’s role in supporting ecosystems

 

CGI provides comprehensive support to businesses aiming to adopt or join data-sharing ecosystems. Solutions and services include:

• Data strategy development, tailoring data management and sharing strategies to specific business needs.
• Security and cloud solutions, ensuring secure and efficient data exchange.
• Managed IT services support, operating data ecosystems for companies with limited resources.

This approach is especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may lack the infrastructure to build their own ecosystems but which can thrive by joining existing networks such as Catena-X.

 

The future of data-sharing ecosystems

 

Jochberger envisions a future where data-sharing ecosystems will become the norm across industries. The integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) will further enhance their effectiveness, enabling predictive insights and seamless collaboration.

 

“In a few years, we will see far more industry-specific data-sharing ecosystems,” Jochberger predicts, emphasising the potential for these platforms to transform global supply chain ecosystems.

 

Data-sharing ecosystems are revolutionising supply chains by fostering collaboration, enhancing transparency and ensuring compliance. As industries continue to adopt these platforms, supported by firms such as CGI, they will unlock new levels of resilience and innovation, ensuring a sustainable and efficient future for global supply chains.