This perspectives article outlines and discusses the future of supply chains. The existing challenges and flaws in supply chains design and management are described, motivating the need for the next‐generation supply chains. We present a holistic paradigm for viewing and analyzing supply chains as networks of networks with various dimensions, hierarchies, and players with their various forms of decision‐making. Cyber‐Physical Systems is offered as a key enabler to obtain a digital supply chain exhibiting the features of heterogeneity, interoperability, modularity, customizability, decentralization, autonomy, and cooperativity. The role of virtual assistants is described, along with research directions to create the technology for establishing true digital supply chains. The role of Process Systems Engineering (PSE) is outlined with the hope that the ideas discussed will motivate the PSE community to become active participants in attaining the next‐generation supply chains.

中文翻译：

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数字化供应链：行业视角


本 Perspectives 文章概述并讨论了供应链的未来。描述了供应链设计和管理中存在的挑战和缺陷，从而激发了对下一代供应链的需求。我们提出了一个整体范式，用于将供应链视为具有各种维度、层次结构和参与者及其各种决策形式的网络的网络。信息物理系统是获得数字供应链的关键推动因素，该供应链具有异构性、互操作性、模块化、可定制性、去中心化、自主性和可合作性等特征。描述了虚拟助手的作用，以及创建建立真正数字供应链的技术的研究方向。概述了过程系统工程 （PSE） 的作用，希望讨论的想法能够激励 PSE 社区成为实现下一代供应链的积极参与者。