As 2025 draws to a close, it’s that time again when spreadsheets go quiet, procurement portals slow to a trickle, and even the most stubborn overdue POs seem to resolve themselves (or at least hide until January). Another year of wrestling with inventory levels, debating SAP vs. Coupa, and dodging meaningless KPIs has flown by faster than a rushed RFQ.
I’ve spent the past twelve months pondering AI’s role in making supply chains more resilient (and occasionally wondering if it could also negotiate better supplier discounts over eggnog). From ego traps in tech rollouts to the eternal quest for perfect PR-to-PO conversion times, it’s been a year of lessons – mostly that optimisation never truly ends, it just pauses for mince pies.
To all my fellow supply chain warriors, data enthusiasts, and anyone who’s ever stared at an MRO catalogue in despair: thank you for reading. (And yes, I’ve switched off comments on the blog – turns out maintaining a zero-comment streak is my most impressive KPI yet. No spam, no trolls, just pure, unadulterated silence. Bliss!)
May your holidays be stocked with just the right amount of inventory; no overstock of family obligations, no stockouts of good cheer.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with seamless implementations, zero downtime, and perhaps a few well-deserved days off the grid.
Cheers,
JS Roos
