Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence (CDSCE)

Our Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence is a unique bespoke one stop shop in the entire north of England that is sector-independent  promoting integration of digitalisation, excellence and sustainability in the context of operations, supply chain management and digital marketing. It is a clear example of our ambition towards creating dent in the existing business models specially towards digitalisation and excellence of their supply chain and operations. We listen to the organisations to conduct world-class and bespoke collaborative research and education activities solving problems emerged from their real world experience.

Our vision:

To provide a bespoke physical and digital hub to co-create innovation, impact and knowledge in digital supply chain and operation excellence.

Our mission:

To promote inter-disciplinary approach for human-led data-driven co-creation of innovation, impact and knowledge to excel the supply chain and operations of any business from any sector with various sizes. 

Please, watch here how our new Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence can help businesses of all sizes and from all sectors manage and improve supply chain needs:

In order to maximise benefits from our Centre for you, we encourage you to subscribe membership for our "Supply Chain Club" 

The Centre’s Digital Supply Chain Club, its flagship membership programme, plays a crucial role in connecting industry professionals and fostering innovation. By offering access to cutting-edge research, continuous professional development, networking opportunities, and collaborative projects, it helps members stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of supply chain management.

The Digital Supply Chain Club is guided by these principles, it seeks to:

• Address current and future supply chain and operation challenges.
• Achieve digital supply chain and operations excellence through the development and exchange of cutting-edge research and knowledge.
• Provide opportunity for dissemination of research in leading supply chain and operations management journals and industry literature, documenting and sharing our work to benefit the broader supply chain community.
• Inform teaching and learning; integrating real-world challenges into the curriculum will ensure that students and graduates are well prepared for the demands of their chosen industry. This hands-on experience is invaluable for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
• Create an inclusive environment for collaboration across various sectors. By offering both physical and digital spaces, this means professionals can work together effectively, regardless of their industry background. This approach not only fosters innovation but also broadens the scope of learning and problem-solving.

The rapid pace of digital advances is reshaping supply chain operations in profound ways. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics are at the forefront of this transformation.

AI tools are supporting organisations to optimise inventory, logistics, forecast demand, and enhance decision-making processes. Blockchain is ensuring transparency and traceability, reducing fraud and errors, whilst IoT devices provide real-time data, improving inventory management and reducing delays. Supporting decision making, big data analytics is helping organisations to understand complex data patterns, leading to more informed strategies. The Digital Supply Chain Club’s forum will be an essential hub for members to connect with cutting-edge research and to stay ahead in this rapidly changing environment. It offers a space to discuss technology integration, tackle data challenges, improve continuously, bridge skills gaps, mitigate security risks, and promote a positive workplace culture all for moving towards excellence.

Digital Supply Chain Club Membership Benefits:

The Digital Supply Chain Club’s annual subscription offers a comprehensive package for members to stay ahead in the digital and ever-changing landscape, including:

• Events and Networking: Providing opportunities for knowledge exchange in the supply chain field, the Digital Supply Chain Club will run four planned events per year. Events will feature presentations and debates on a critical and emerging supply chain and operations excellence topics. Members will hear from eminent speakers from the world of academia, industry and government at the forefront of the latest research and policy (attendees limited to three per Digital Supply Chain Club Member or five per Corporate Sponsor).
• Networking: via our events programme, members will have the opportunity to network with Members, specialists, academics and scholars, supporting cross-industry learning and developing opportunities for collaborative working.
• Research and Funding: Access to research updates and signposting to relevant funding opportunities.
• Consultancy and Expertise: Each member organisation will be invited to an annual meeting and an initial consultation with an academic expert. During this consultation, key challenges will be explored, and the academic expert will provide a fully costed proposal addressing the specific challenges discussed.
• Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence Testbed: Gain insights into the power of the Centre’s digital twin testbed as a tool for management and decision-making. Access will be granted to the Testbed demonstration platform to evaluate its potential for improving organisational performance. Further use of the Testbed will be conducted under a separately costed agreement.
• Digital Supply Chain Club Learning Portal: Access to a dedicated web resource with a knowledge base, including past presentations, University publications, and reports.
• Corporate Discount: Fee discounts (on multiple bookings) on planned Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence continuing professional development programmes. Examples include:

                 - Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Two Day Course for Mid-to-Senior Managers

                 - Business Insights and Decision Making One Day Course for Non-Technical Managers

Events and Networking 2025

The Digital Supply Chain Club will host an annual event series, with one event each quarter. These events, held in Newcastle Business School at our City Campus, offer valuable networking opportunities and aim to cultivate a shared understanding among organisations. Our goal is to help Club members acquire and integrate new knowledge into their strategic planning and operations.

In 2025, the events will cover:

1. Innovating Supply Chains for sustainable futures: The Journey from Digitalisation to Digitisation (March 2025)
2. Strategies for Supply Chain Resilience: Leveraging Digital Tools for Managing Demand (June 2025)
3. Data-Driven Strategies for Optimising Supply Chain Performance (September 2025)
4. Empowering Supply Chain Excellence: Developing Skills and Cultivating an Efficient Culture (December 2025)

Who Should Join?

The Digital Supply Chain Club is ideal for:

• Professionals in supply chain, operations, quality and production management: Individuals looking to enhance their knowledge, skills, and network within the supply chain industry.
• Organisations: Companies seeking to stay ahead of industry trends, gain access to cutting-edge research, and benefit from expert consultancy.
• Academics and Researchers: Those interested in collaborating on research projects and accessing funding opportunities.
• Decision-Makers: Leaders and policymakers aiming to enhance their understanding to inform practices and interventions, while utilising digital tools such as the Centre’s digital twin testbed for improved management and decision-making.

Joining the Digital Supply Chain Club offers you and your team access to valuable resources and connections, helping your organisation thrive in the dynamic field of supply chain management.

Eligibility:

• The Digital Supply Chain Club operates on a non-competitive basis.
• We do not accept applications from consultants or individuals.

Sign up:

Membership subscriptions are offered on a minimum 12-month basis. Please contact the Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence cdsce@northumbria.ac.uk to arrange an informal discussion and details of the application process.  

Contact us:

The Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence email is cdsce@northumbria.ac.uk if you want to contact us for signing up for the subscription or for receiving further information.