Building Smarter Supply Chains: Nancy Lourdes Alonso Islas on Digital Traceability and Automation 

Nancy Lourdes Alonso Islas is transforming how global supply chains operate through technology-driven materials management. From ERP integration to real-time traceability, she shares insights on building digital ecosystems that improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enable data-driven decisions across industries.

In complex, asset-intensive industries, supply chains are only as effective as the technology that supports them. Nancy Lourdes Alonso Islas, North America Offshore Materials Manager for a global provider of oilfield services and technology, is leading a transformation in materials management by integrating automation, ERP systems, and digital traceability platforms.

Her approach goes beyond traditional supply chain improvements. By centralizing demand signals, automating workflows, and linking multiple systems in real time, Nancy has created a technology-driven ecosystem that reduces human error, accelerates fulfillment, and provides actionable insights at every stage of the process. This enables organizations to respond to dynamic operational demands while maintaining efficiency, financial discipline, and sustainability.

In this interview, Nancy explains how her work leverages advanced technologies to streamline global operations, deliver real-time visibility, and strengthen operational resilience. She also discusses lessons learned from implementing large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and how these practices can inform tech leaders and innovators across multiple sectors.

EW: Nancy, among your technology innovations for supply chain optimization, you led the design and deployment of a global traceability platform. Can you describe the architecture and technology choices that make it effective for real-time materials management?

NI: Our key design principles were traceability, compliance and ease of use. The global traceability platform I led was based on three principles: Real-time visibility, Standardization, and Control. Its architecture is based on a modular cud-enable service integrated with our ERP systems to consolidate material, logistics, and maintenance data across geographies. We selected technologies that prioritize scalability, interoperability, and automation. This platform combines different APIs to connect multiple ERP instances, and a centralized data lake to enable analytics and predictive insights. Data Dashboards give operational teams real-time visibility into stock levels, consumption trends, and potential shortages. At the same time, we implemented role-based access and intuitive user interfaces so end users can interact with system efficiency. 

EW: Integrating complex ERP systems like SAP or Oracle with automated materials workflows is notoriously challenging. How did your team overcome these integration hurdles?

NI: We mainly focused on scalability, interoperability, and automation. It would have been easier to escalate solutions to different geographies, but making the platform easy to implement and adopt by end users was key to our design approach.  Interoperability was a critical consideration; architecturally speaking, we wanted to have a cloud-native and modular system integrated with our ERP interfaces via APIs while consolidating material, logistics, and maintenance data into a single source of information.

EW: Digital transformation often requires automating manual processes. Which parts of materials management benefited most from automation, and what measurable improvements have you seen?

NI: The main areas that benefit from automation are material requests, transfers, and material accuracy. Previously, these processes were manual, time consuming, and focused for error detection. In reducing manual data entry and standardizing processes across geographies, we made sure that every transaction is traceable and auditable. This has also helped us to improve efficiency and compliance, while we strengthen operational reliability and financial discipline across our materials supply chain.

EW: Real-time visibility is critical for decision-making. How does your platform collect, process, and present data so that planners, warehouse teams, and operations leaders can act with confidence?

NI: Our platform collects data from multiple sources: ERP systems, RFID tags, automated material requests, and different APIs—that all communicate within a data cloud that is our centralized data layer. Data is processed through automated workflows and analytic engines while validating transactions and flag discrepancies, and generating predictive insights for inventory and logistics planning. Data is available through a role-based configuration that allows end users to have access to specific information. This ensures that each user sees data relevant to their responsibilities. 

EW: Traceability platforms generate extensive data streams. How do you filter, analyze, and transform this data into actionable insights without overwhelming users?

NI: Our approach is threefold: Filter, Analyze, and Visualize. First, we filter data at the source using automated validation rules and event triggers, so only relevant information is showed for further analysis. Next, analytics engines process data to identify trends, anomalies, and predictive insights. Finally, insights are transformed into intuitive, role-specific information so planners can see forecasts, historical consumption, real-time stock levels, etc. By focusing on relevance, context, and clarity we ensure users can act quickly and with confidence to use this platform as a decision enabler, rather than a data burden for reactive decisions.

EW: Technology adoption in global operations often faces resistance. What strategies have you used to ensure teams across different geographies and business lines embrace digital tools?

NI: Technology adoption is probably the most challenging to achieve. Teams often have established ways of working. To drive adoption, I focused on engagement, training, and accountability. Involving the right people at early stages in the design and roll out process can help us to ensure that we meet real operational needs through real feedback. Second, we implemented structured training sessions, combining virtual module learning, virtual sessions, and one-on-one training with key stakeholders that we had previously identified to help us to drive the adoption within maintenance and operational teams. Last but not least, we foster cross-functional alignment through regular, monthly, and quarterly reviews for KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that helped us to make performance transparent at all levels.

EW: Cybersecurity and data integrity are top concerns in digital supply chains. How do you ensure that global traceability systems maintain security while remaining accessible for operational users?

NI: Cybersecurity and data integrity are topics that our company is very focused on as we acknowledge that data is our most strategic asset. Data accuracy and integrity are key to the success of initiatives like Global Traceability. Our approach balances robust security with operational role-based accessibility through multifactor authentication.

We make sure that each user can only access data and functions they need based on their role. This protects sensitive data at all times. Strict cybersecurity protocols combined with role segmentation and user centric design  maintains the trustworthiness of data while enabling timely and confident decision-making across our global supply chain.

EW: Your work demonstrates that digital tools can also support sustainability goals. Can you provide examples of how automation and traceability reduce environmental impact in supply chain operations?

NI: Digital tools in materials management don’t just improve efficiency, they also contribute to sustainability. For example, our automation of material requests and transfers reduces the need for redundant shipments and paperwork, which directly lowers fuel use and energy consumption.

Similarly, our traceability platform provides real-time visibility of stock and movement across offshore rigs and central warehouses. This enables better planning and consolidation of shipments, avoiding unnecessary trips and minimizing emissions. These initiatives show that embedding automation and digital traceability strengthens operational reliability while supporting  measurable environmental benefits, aligning supply chain performance with broader corporate sustainability goals.

EW: Beyond oil and gas, what lessons from implementing digital traceability and automation can technology leaders apply in other sectors with complex supply chains?

NI: The lessons from digital traceability and automation in oil and gas can be applied to any complex supply chain.  From the food industry to retail stores, to manufacturing, to logistics, health care, or any sector with complex, high value supply chains to improve reliability, efficiency and resilience.

EW: Emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and predictive analytics are reshaping supply chains. How do you see these innovations intersecting with traceability platforms, and what advice would you give tech professionals aiming to future-proof their operations?

NI: These advanced technologies  are transforming supply chains by turning traceability platforms into proactive decision-making tools. My advice for tech professionals is to start and try to integrate emerging technologies gradually on high-value use cases, and engage teams early through training and clear demonstration of benefits. 

This approach future proofs operations, making supply chains more agile, efficient, and resilient.