Role of IT in Supply Chain Management: Why This Career Path Matters Right Now
Role of IT in Supply Chain Management is no longer a textbook topic—it’s a career goldmine.
If you’re a student, fresher, or career switcher wondering “Is IT still worth it?”, the answer is a strong yes, especially inside supply chain management. Companies don’t just move goods anymore. They move data, decisions, and digital intelligence.
According to Gartner, over 70% of global supply chains will rely heavily on digital platforms by 2026.
McKinsey reports that companies using advanced supply chain IT see 15–30% cost reduction and 20–50% faster order fulfillment.
That’s why recruiters aren’t just hiring supply chain managers.
They’re hiring IT professionals who understand supply chains.
And that’s where you come in.
Key Highlights
- 📦 Why the Role of IT in Supply Chain Management is exploding across industries
- 💻 High-demand IT career paths inside modern supply chains
- 📊 Real-world data, salaries, and market demand (with sources)
- 🌍 How companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Unilever actually use IT
- 🎓 Clear guidance for students and freshers choosing IT as a career
- 🔮 Future-proof skills you should start learning now
What Is the Role of IT in Supply Chain Management?
In simple terms, IT acts as the brain and nervous system of the supply chain.
It helps businesses:
- Predict demand
- Manage inventory
- Track shipments
- Collaborate with suppliers
- Reduce risks
- Improve product quality
Behind every “Delivered Tomorrow” promise is an IT system working 24/7.
Inventory Management – IT Careers That Keep Shelves Full
Inventory management used to live inside messy spreadsheets and gut feelings. Today? It runs on smart systems, real-time data, and automation. When a product shows “Only 2 left in stock,” IT is the reason that number is accurate.
This space quietly powers retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, healthcare, FMCG, and even aerospace. And it’s creating solid, long-term IT careers for people who like mixing tech with real-world impact.
Let’s break down the key roles shaping this field right now.
🔧 IT Roles You Can Target
- ERP Consultant (SAP / Oracle)
- Inventory Systems Analyst
- Data Engineer (Supply Chain Focus)
🧠 How IT Helps
- Real-time stock tracking using ERP systems
- RFID and IoT sensors to avoid overstocking
- Automated reorder points
🌍 Real-World Example
Walmart uses IT-driven inventory systems to reduce stockouts by up to 30%, saving billions annually.
Inventory Management (ERP Consultant • Inventory Systems Analyst • Data Engineer) 📦
What you’ll do: implement and tune ERP/WMS modules, design inventory rules, ingest IoT/RFID data and build pipelines so stock is accurate in real time.
Tech & skills to learn: SAP (S/4HANA), Oracle NetSuite, SQL, Python, ETL tools (Informatica/Airflow), RFID/IoT basics, Power BI/Tableau, basic statistics, business process mapping.
Fresher salary (India): ₹3.5–8 LPA typical for ERP/Inventory-focused entry roles (ERP consultant / junior inventory analyst). (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $60k–$95k for entry data/ERP roles; data engineer/ETL juniors can start higher (~$80k–$95k). (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: Demand for cloud ERP and inventory automation is rising — SCM software market CAGR estimates vary by source, but many analysts project high single-digit to mid-teens growth (e.g., ~9–14% CAGR across software and cloud ERP segments over the next 5 years). This drives hiring for ERP integrators and inventory data engineers. (SkyQuest Technology Consulting)
Developer insight / real-world use case: start by automating one SKU’s lifecycle: ingest sales, map lead time, set reorder logic, and expose a dashboard. That small, auditable project shows measurable ROI (reduced stockouts) and sells you to hiring managers.
Best practice: centralize inventory data in an ERP + use lightweight event-driven pipelines (Kafka / AWS SNS) so inventory is eventually consistent and auditable.
Demand Forecasting – Where Data Science Meets Business
Every wrong forecast shows up somewhere — empty shelves, excess stock, or missed revenue. That’s why demand forecasting has become one of the most critical decision engines inside modern supply chains.
Powered by data science, machine learning, and real-time market signals, forecasting now guides production, pricing, and inventory planning. Retailers, manufacturers, and e-commerce companies compete on how accurately they can anticipate demand. For IT professionals who enjoy patterns, probabilities, and business impact, this field sits exactly where strategy meets analytics.
📊 IT Career Paths
- Demand Forecast Analyst
- Data Scientist (Supply Chain)
- Machine Learning Engineer
🔍 Tools Used
- Python, R
- Power BI, Tableau
- AI forecasting models
IBM reports that AI-driven forecasting improves accuracy by 35% compared to traditional methods..
Demand Forecasting (Demand Forecast Analyst • Data Scientist • ML Engineer) 🔮
What you’ll do: build time-series forecasts and ML models that predict sales and plan replenishment; set up A/B tests for model improvements.
Tech & skills to learn: Python (pandas, scikit-learn), time-series libs (Prophet, ARIMA, tsfresh), ML frameworks (TensorFlow/PyTorch), SQL, feature engineering for seasonality/promotions, model monitoring, BI tools.
Fresher salary (India): ₹4–10 LPA for analyst / junior data scientist roles (varies by company & internship experience). (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $90k–$120k typical entry-level data scientist / forecasting analyst in tech/logistics hubs. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: AI and forecasting tools are a core investment for retailers and manufacturers; vendors and consultancies report double-digit growth in demand for forecasting capabilities (IMARC/industry reports note strong CAGR in analytics/adoption). (The Economic Times)
Real-world example: Amazon’s forecasting and “anticipatory shipping” experiments rely on similar models — start simple (SKU-level, weekly granularity), track forecast error (MAPE) and show inventory impact.
Best practice: measure forecast accuracy (MAPE) and business KPIs (stockouts, carrying cost) — not only model metrics.
Order Processing and Fulfillment – Automation Careers That Scale
The moment a customer clicks “Buy Now”, a race begins behind the scenes. Orders must move fast, accurately, and without manual intervention — at massive scale.
Order processing and fulfillment systems handle that pressure using automation, system integrations, and real-time workflows. This domain powers e-commerce, D2C brands, global marketplaces, and B2B distributors. As customer expectations shrink to same-day or next-day delivery, companies depend on IT professionals who can build fast, reliable, and resilient fulfillment systems.
💼 Career Options
- Systems Integration Engineer
- Automation Developer
- API Specialist
⚙️ IT Impact
- Automated order processing
- Real-time order tracking
- Reduced human errors
📉 Business Impact
Capgemini shows automation cuts order processing time by 60%.
Order Processing & Fulfillment (Systems Integration Engineer • Automation Developer • API Specialist) ⚙️
What you’ll do: integrate ecommerce, OMS (order management systems), payment gateways, warehouse systems and automate handoffs.
Tech & skills to learn: REST/GraphQL APIs, JSON/XML, middleware (MuleSoft/IBM/Informatica), Java/C#/NodeJS, automation (RPA tools), CI/CD, Docker, AWS/Azure basics.
Fresher salary (India): ₹4–9 LPA for integration/automation junior roles. (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $70k–$100k entry-level depending on region and company. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: automation in fulfillment (RPA + integration) has accelerated — consultancies report 20–60% process-speed gains when companies automate order flows. This sustains hiring for integration engineers. (Glassdoor)
Developer insight: build a PoC that connects a Shopify order webhook to a mock WMS and logs each state change — it demonstrates event reliability.
Best practice: design idempotent APIs and use message queues (RabbitMQ/Kafka) so retries don’t double-ship.
Logistics and Transportation – Tech on the Move 🚚
A single delayed truck can disrupt hundreds of downstream decisions. That’s why logistics has evolved into a data-driven operation where timing, routes, and costs are constantly optimized.
Modern logistics relies on GPS tracking, IoT sensors, route optimization, and cloud-based platforms to move goods efficiently across cities and continents. From shipping giants to last-mile delivery startups, this space offers IT careers where technology directly controls physical movement — and every improvement delivers measurable results.
🎯 Career Roles
- Transportation Management System (TMS) Analyst
- IoT Engineer
- GIS Developer
🌐 Technologies Involved
- GPS tracking
- Route optimization algorithms
- Cloud-based TMS platforms
🌍 Example
UPS saves over 10 million gallons of fuel annually using IT-driven route optimization.
Logistics & Transportation (TMS Analyst • IoT Engineer • GIS Developer) 🚚
What you’ll do: optimize routes, track vehicles in real time, integrate telematics and optimize multimodal transport.
Tech & skills to learn: TMS packages (BluJay, Descartes), GIS (PostGIS, QGIS), routing libs (OSRM), Python, SQL, IoT telemetry, cloud streaming (AWS Kinesis), optimization (OR-tools).
Fresher salary (India): ₹3.5–8 LPA for TMS junior analysts / GIS roles; IoT juniors may command ₹4–9 LPA. (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $65k–$95k entry-level for TMS/IoT/GIS engineering roles. Real-time telemetry & route optimization skills can push offers higher. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: transportation optimization and telematics continue to expand with electric fleets and sustainability targets — expect steady hiring. Companies like UPS and logistics startups invest in route optimization that saves millions in fuel. (Glassdoor)
Developer insight: a basic routing PoC that reduces 5–10% miles driven on a local delivery run is a huge resume win.
Best practice: instrument vehicles with inexpensive GPS + event logging; use batch optimization for daily routes and online re-routing for exceptions.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) – IT That Builds Trust
Behind every finished product is a network of suppliers working across borders, timelines, and regulations. Managing those relationships at scale requires more than emails and contracts.
Supplier Relationship Management systems bring visibility, performance tracking, and collaboration into one digital layer. In sectors like manufacturing, pharma, and FMCG, SRM has become a strategic function. IT professionals in this space help organizations strengthen trust, ensure compliance, and reduce supplier-related risks.
🧑💻 IT Career Paths
- SRM Platform Consultant
- CRM/SRM Developer
- Business Systems Analyst
🤝 Why IT Matters
- Digital contracts
- Performance dashboards
- Secure data exchange
📌 Best Practice
- Blockchain for supplier transparency
👉 Improves trust and reduces disputes..
SRM Platform Consultant • CRM/SRM Developer • Business Systems Analyst🤝
What you’ll do: implement SRM modules, automate supplier scorecards, and integrate procurement data for performance transparency.
Tech & skills to learn: procurement platforms (Jaggaer, Coupa), SAP Ariba, APIs, SQL, Tableau/Power BI, contract lifecycle management basics, basic blockchain concepts for traceability.
Fresher salary (India): ₹3–7 LPA for SRM/junior procurement IT roles. Seniority & domain knowledge raise pay fast. (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $60k–$95k depending on platform and industry. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: SRM and procurement platforms are in consolidation; private equity deals and SaaS growth show strong interest — companies want supplier visibility & risk controls. (Reuters)
Developer insight: build a supplier dashboard (delivery, quality, lead time) and automate one SLA alert — it’s immediately useful.
Best practice: store supplier events (shipments, quality tests) in a tamper-evident log (consider blockchain for high-trust scenarios).
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) – Smart Warehouses Need Smart Minds
Step into a modern warehouse and you’ll see less paper — and more screens, scanners, and robots. The real intelligence lives inside the Warehouse Management System.
WMS software coordinates inventory placement, picking logic, automation, and real-time decision-making. As warehouses push for speed and efficiency, this domain blends IT, operations, robotics, and cloud infrastructure. It’s an ideal career path for technologists who want their work to move products, not just data.
🏗️ IT Roles
- WMS Engineer
- Robotics Software Developer
- Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
🤖 Real Example
Amazon Robotics increased warehouse productivity by 40% (Source: MIT Technology Review).
WMS Engineer • Robotics Software Developer • Cloud Infra Engineer 🏗️🤖
What you’ll do: integrate WMS with robotics, implement picking logic, and scale cloud infra for warehouse automation.
Tech & skills to learn: WMS (Blue Yonder, Manhattan), robotics middleware (ROS), Python/C++, cloud (AWS/GCP), Kubernetes, automation PLC basics, vision systems basics.
Fresher salary (India): ₹4–10 LPA for WMS/junior robotics software roles; robotics juniors often start ~₹5–12 LPA depending on skill. (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $70k–$110k entry-level for robotics/WMS engineers in the US. Top robotics roles pay more. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: warehouse automation remains a major investment area — robotics adoption increases productivity dramatically (Amazon reported large gains using robotics). (Glassdoor)
Developer insight: contribute to a pick-path optimizer; even a 5% throughput improvement is valuable in operations.
Best practice: separate simulation (Gazebo) from production robots; test failsafes thoroughly.
Supply Chain Visibility – Careers Built on Transparency
Most supply chain problems don’t start as crises — they start as small delays no one noticed in time. Visibility changes that.
By turning fragmented data into real-time dashboards and predictive insights, visibility platforms help businesses see what’s happening across suppliers, warehouses, and transportation networks. This field creates IT careers for people who enjoy analytics, monitoring, and turning complex operations into clear, actionable intelligence.
🔍 Career Options
- Supply Chain Control Tower Analyst
- Data Visualization Specialist
📡 IT Tools
- IoT
- Cloud dashboards
- Predictive analytics
💡 Why It Matters
Visibility reduces disruptions by 50% (McKinsey).
Control Tower Analyst • Data Visualization Specialist🔭
What you’ll do: build the “control tower” — dashboards that show end-to-end flow, exceptions and predictive risks.
Tech & skills to learn: real-time data streaming, cloud data lakes, Tableau/Power BI/Looker, Python, Kafka/streaming, event modeling, domain KPIs.
Fresher salary (India): ₹4–9 LPA for junior control tower / data viz roles. (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $65k–$100k for junior visibility/analytics roles. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: visibility solutions tie into SCM software growth; analysts expect cloud-based visibility & sustainability tracking tools to grow quickly. (Default)
Developer insight: deliver a weekly “exceptions” email that lists shipments likely to miss SLA — it’s high-impact and low-friction.
Best practice: instrument the last-mile; integrate external carriers via normalized APIs to reduce blind spots.
Collaboration and Communication – IT That Connects the Dots
A supply chain can involve hundreds of teams, vendors, and systems. When communication breaks down, even strong plans fail.
Collaboration technologies connect procurement, logistics, warehousing, and leadership in real time. IT professionals working here design platforms that keep everyone aligned during day-to-day operations and high-pressure disruptions. It’s a people-focused tech career where clarity and coordination matter as much as code.
🧠 Career Roles
- Collaboration Platform Engineer
- Cloud Solutions Architect
🌍 Example
During COVID-19, companies with strong IT collaboration tools recovered 2x faster (Harvard Business Review).
Collaboration Platform Engineer • Cloud Solutions Architect🧩
What you’ll do: implement tools that let procurement, operations, and logistics coordinate in real time; design cloud architectures to support scale.
Tech & skills to learn: Slack/Microsoft Teams integrations, collaboration SaaS APIs, cloud architecture (AWS/Azure/GCP), microservices, security best practices.
Fresher salary (India): ₹4–11 LPA for junior cloud/collaboration engineers. (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $70k–$115k depending on cloud expertise & location. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: companies that had strong collaboration tech during COVID recovered faster; investing in these tools continues. (Deloitte)
Developer insight: build a simple bot that posts critical supply disruptions into Teams and tags owners — high adoption potential.
Best practice: design role-based notifications so teams see only what matters to them.
Quality Control and Traceability – Careers with Purpose
When quality fails, the consequences can be severe — recalls, safety risks, and lost trust. That’s why quality control has moved into the digital core of supply chains.
Traceability systems track products from raw material to final delivery using data, automation, and secure records. This field is vital in food, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. IT careers here appeal to those who want their work to protect consumers, not just optimize costs.
🧪 IT Roles
- Quality Systems Analyst
- Blockchain Developer
🛡️ Use Case
Food companies use IT traceability to identify contamination sources in seconds, not weeks.
Quality Systems Analyst • Blockchain Developer 🔬
What you’ll do: automate QC data capture, implement traceability from raw material to finished product, and enable fast recalls.
Tech & skills to learn: quality frameworks (ISO standards), traceability solutions, barcode/RFID, blockchain basics (Hyperledger/Ethereum), SQL, data engineering.
Fresher salary (India): ₹3.5–8 LPA for junior quality systems / traceability roles. (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $60k–$95k entry-level for QC & traceability engineers in regulated industries. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: traceability is exploding in food & pharma due to regulation and consumer pressure; sustainability & recall-reduction projects create roles. Verdantix and other firms cite rapid growth in sustainability/traceability software. (Default)
Developer insight: a small traceability PoC (batch → supplier → inspections) can cut recall response time from weeks to hours.
Best practice: capture immutable events (who/when/where) and link them to lot IDs early in the process.
Risk Management – IT Careers That Prevent Chaos
Disruptions rarely announce themselves. They emerge quietly — a supplier delay, a cyber vulnerability, a geopolitical shift — and escalate fast.
Risk management systems use analytics, monitoring, and scenario planning to identify threats early and guide responses. IT professionals in this space help organizations stay resilient in uncertain environments. It’s a career path for forward-thinkers who prefer prevention over damage control.
Supply chains face cyber risks, climate risks, and geopolitical risks.
🧑💼 Career Paths
- Risk Analytics Engineer
- Cybersecurity Analyst (Supply Chain)
📊 Data Point
PwC reports 73% of CEOs see supply chain risk as a top threat.
Risk Analytics Engineer • Cybersecurity Analyst — Supply Chain⚠️
What you’ll do: model supplier/country risk, monitor cyber risk in supplier software, and automate alerts for upstream disruptions.
Tech & skills to learn: risk modeling, Python/R, threat intelligence basics, SOC fundamentals, vendor risk management tools, scenario planning.
Fresher salary (India): ₹4–9 LPA for risk analytics / junior cybersecurity roles focused on supply chain. (Deloitte)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): $70k–$110k for entry cybersecurity / risk analyst roles in supply chain contexts. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: PwC and others highlight supply chain risk as a top C-suite concern — demand for analytic & cyber talent tied to supply chain security is strong. (Deloitte)
Developer insight: create a supplier risk scorecard and automate email escalations for scores above a threshold — it prevents surprises.
Best practice: blend quantitative risk scores with human review for high-impact suppliers.
Integrated Supply Chain – The Big Picture Career
At scale, optimizing one function isn’t enough. Real performance comes from connecting everything.
An integrated supply chain brings inventory, forecasting, logistics, suppliers, and customers into a single, coordinated ecosystem. IT professionals working at this level design architectures that span multiple systems and teams. These roles often evolve into leadership positions driving digital transformation across entire enterprises.
This is where senior IT leaders emerge.
🧭 Roles
- Solution Architect
- Digital Transformation Lead
Integration skills = leadership opportunities.
Solution Architect • Digital Transformation Lead🌐
What you’ll do: design end-to-end architectures (ERP, TMS, WMS, control tower), lead digital transformation and vendor selection.
Tech & skills to learn: enterprise architecture (TOGAF), cloud platforms, integration patterns, data governance, vendor management, leadership & change management.
Fresher salary (India): senior/junior hybrid roles uncommon at entry — aspiring architects typically start in related technical roles (₹6–12 LPA) then move up. (Glassdoor)
Fresher salary (Global — US proxy): architects typically are mid-senior — entry global compensation not typical; leadership roles pay $120k+ in the US once experienced. (Glassdoor)
Market / growth: integrated solutions and cloud ERP adoption remain the largest drivers of software spend — Gartner/Mordor/Technavio flag continued growth. (Gartner)
Developer insight: to become an architect, log projects that show integration of at least three systems (ERP, WMS, TMS) and measurable KPIs improved.
Best practice: document integration contracts and data models — that documentation becomes your playbook.
Increased Productivity & Cost Reduction – Why Companies Pay Well
- IT-driven supply chains boost productivity by 25%
- Cost savings reach $1–3 million annually for mid-size firms
(Source: Deloitte)
Product Improvement – IT Shapes What Customers Love
IT feedback loops help improve:
- Product design
- Delivery speed
- Customer satisfaction
That’s real impact.
Quick Skill Roadmap what to learn first
- SQL & Excel — non-negotiable.
- Python (pandas, ML basics) — for analytics & forecasting.
- APIs / Integration basics — REST/JSON, queues.
- ERP basics (SAP or NetSuite) — pick one.
- Cloud fundamentals (AWS/GCP/Azure) — deploy small projects.
- BI tools (Power BI / Tableau) — make dashboards that tell the story.
- Optional specializations: Robotics/ROS (WMS), GIS (TMS), Blockchain (traceability), Cybersecurity (risk).
Why Students Should Choose This IT Career Path 🎓
If you’re asking:
- “Will my IT job survive AI?”
- “Will my skills stay relevant?”
Supply chain IT answers yes to both.
🔥 Skills to Start Learning
- SQL & Python course
- ERP systems (SAP)
- Cloud platforms
- Data analytics course
Concluding Thoughts
The Role of IT in Supply Chain Management isn’t just about technology.
It’s about problem-solving, impact, and growth.
If you want:
- Stability
- Global exposure
- High-paying roles
- Real-world relevance
This path deserves your attention.
And honestly?
The world will always need supply chains.
They’ll always need IT experts like you. 💡
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the role of IT in supply chain management?
The role of IT in supply chain management is to connect people, data, and processes across the entire supply chain. IT systems help businesses plan demand, manage inventory, track shipments, collaborate with suppliers, and reduce risks using real-time data and automation. Without IT, modern supply chains simply cannot scale.
2. Is supply chain management a good career option for IT students?
Yes, supply chain management is an excellent career option for IT students. Companies actively look for IT professionals who understand ERP systems, data analytics, cloud platforms, and automation within supply chains. These roles offer long-term stability, global opportunities, and strong salary growth.
3. What skills are required for IT jobs in supply chain management?
Most IT roles in supply chain management require:
- SQL and basic data analysis
- ERP systems like SAP or Oracle
- Python or Java for automation and analytics
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Business process understanding
Strong problem-solving and communication skills are just as important as technical knowledge.
4. What are the highest-paying IT roles in supply chain management?
Some of the highest-paying IT roles in supply chain management include:
- Supply Chain Data Scientist
- Solution Architect (Integrated Supply Chain)
- Cloud and ERP Consultants
- Warehouse Automation and Robotics Engineers
These roles pay more because errors directly impact revenue, operations, and customer satisfaction.
5. Can freshers start a career in supply chain IT without an MBA?
Yes, freshers can start a supply chain IT career without an MBA. Many professionals begin as system analysts, ERP consultants, data analysts, or integration engineers. With hands-on skills and project experience, career growth depends more on technical expertise and domain knowledge than on formal degrees.
6. Which industries hire IT professionals for supply chain roles?
IT professionals in supply chain management are hired across:
- E-commerce and retail
- Manufacturing and automotive
- FMCG and consumer goods
- Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- Logistics and transportation
These industries rely heavily on IT to manage complex, global supply chains.
7. How does IT improve inventory and demand forecasting accuracy?
IT improves inventory and demand forecasting by using:
- Real-time sales and inventory data
- Machine learning models for prediction
- Automated replenishment rules
- Data visualization dashboards
This reduces stockouts, overstocking, and manual errors, helping companies respond faster to market changes.
8. Is supply chain IT future-proof as a career?
Yes, supply chain IT is considered future-proof. As companies invest in automation, AI, and cloud-based supply chains, the demand for skilled IT professionals continues to grow. Even with AI adoption, businesses still need experts to build, manage, and optimize these systems.
9. What is the difference between traditional IT jobs and supply chain IT jobs?
Traditional IT jobs often focus on software products or internal systems. Supply chain IT jobs focus on real-world operations, where technology directly affects production, delivery, and customer experience. The impact is more visible, and the business stakes are higher.
10. How can students start preparing for a career in supply chain IT?
Students can start by:
- Learning SQL, Python, and data basics
- Understanding supply chain concepts
- Practicing with ERP demos or case studies
- Building small projects related to inventory or forecasting
- Following real-world supply chain disruptions and trends
Early exposure to both technology and business context gives a strong advantage.
