This week, we explore how AI, trusted data, and planning agents are redefining supply chain planning, helping planners shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, autonomous, decision-centric planning.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠

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In this episode, SAP’s Lori Harner explains why now is the moment to reimagine supply chain planning with AI, as volatility, sustainability, and talent pressures rise. Together, we discuss the “planner of the future,” real-life customer use cases with agents, how SAP helps organizations move beyond spreadsheets, and how governance, data quality, and six core planning pillars enable the journey from efficiency to resilient, autonomous planning.

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Guest: Lori Harner, Vice President and Global Head of Product Marketing for Supply Chain Planning, SAP

Lori Harner is the Vice President and Global Head of Product Marketing for supply chain planning at SAP. With a long track record of building and leading high-performing teams, Lori brings a customer-first mindset to her role, driving innovative solutions that meet the complex needs of today's supply chains. Prior to joining SAP, Lori built the product marketing function and team for WEX, a leading financial services firm. Her extensive experience also includes leadership positions at Microsoft, Blue Yonder, E2open, and others. When not driving supply chain innovation, Lori enjoys an active lifestyle in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She has a passion for the outdoors and loves hiking, walking, and biking.  

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Show Links:

• SAP POV:  Reinventing Planning for a New Era of Supply Chain
• AI-Infused Supply Chain Planning: IDC Info Brief & Infographic
• Webinar: Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizes: Register,or view a previous webinar video & transcript

Supply Chain Management: 

⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ 

⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠  

Follow Us on Social Media : 

Lori Harner: LinkedIn

Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, 

SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠  

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Chapters:

00:00:00: Intro

00:00:56: Guest’s Introductions

00:01:36: Why transform planning now?

00:03:36: How AI addresses industry‑specific challenges across different industries

00:05:12: Day in the life of the planner of the future

00:08:40: Real‑world early adopters

00:11:09: How SAP helps bridge the adoption gap and help with a true business planning culture

00:14:28: Data, trust, and governance

00:17:02: Common pitfalls in planning transformations

00:19:20: What is the Future of Supply Chain?

00:21:44: Outro