There are three “game-changing” technologies that will have a major impact on supply chain operations in the coming years — or even months, in some cases.

Supply management is an ideal environment for exponential growth in technology, experts advise.

Essentially, we’re looking at a snowball effect: Once it starts rolling, it’ll get bigger and bigger.

Three key areas:

Robots. Don’t worry about The Terminator showing up to unload trucks on your loading dock. But robots that are capable of performing industrial chores are expected to grow from 2 million in 2007 to more than 9 million this year. Some companies are already using them on the warehouse floor.

Robots bring three distinct advantages:

• reduce labor costs
• decrease the cost of customization and on-demand production, and
• change cost considerations in outsourcing.

One warehouse manager offers this testimonial. Among the benefits (there are many more):

For each $20,000 robot his company purchases, it saves about $2 million over its expected lifespan. The robots don’t get tired, don’t make mistakes, don’t complain, don’t need vacations — they work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Computers. They’re getting better, bigger (in function), more efficient, and easier to use. As computers become more affordable, more supply chain operations will have the power to change directions on a dime. Production changes will be less of a hassle and headache, as solutions are easier to come by.

Nanotechnology. Scientists have learned to manipulate the atom, and they’re beginning to create practical applications. The possibilities are boundless. In supply chain operations, nanotechnology could revolutionize RFID applications — or even make them obsolete.