It’s no secret that the supply chain has become key to enabling commerce and production around the world. But the employees who manage it have been unrecognized and considered as technicians at best. The Institute for Supply Management found that overdue recognition is finally coming to managers who can take control of costs and processes.
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If you’re involved in any way with technology you’re innundated with stories about how blockchain is changing the world and every bit data is now saved from corruption and theft because… blockchain. Is the hype justified? Should you have been developing blockchain oriented systems for the last year? Will your entire supply chain crumble because you haven’t converted to blockchain?

The advent of 3D printing for production at scale seems to be getting closer to reality. Sure 3D printers have been used for prototyping and remote delivery of pre-production items. And creating one-off parts and custom designs is becoming increasingly common. But forward thinking companies see a future in which goods are delivered by high volume 3D printers that can match manufacturing quantities and lower costs by using generic production materials that are printed in the shapes and quantities needed. That vision is not yet a reality but at least one company is delivering the first wave of production scale printers.