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The Design-to-Source Era Has Arrived

by | Sep 24, 2025

Photo by Asfand Effandi on Unsplash

Summary

By embedding AI-driven sourcing intelligence right into the design phase, manufacturers can slash costs, reduce risks, and speed innovation across their supply chains.

For modern manufacturers, supply chain costs are rising from every direction: raw materials, logistics, compliance, labor, and financing. For companies managing complex bills of materials (BOMs), especially in high-precision and engineered- to-order sectors, the margin for error is shrinking while the cost of inefficiency is growing. 

At the same time, innovation cycles are accelerating. Customer demands shift quickly, product designs evolve rapidly, and expectations around delivery speed and customization rise continuously. This is placing unprecedented pressure on procurement and supply chain teams to balance agility with cost control. 

The solution lies in rethinking the traditional linear model and embracing a smarter, more connected approach that starts not at the point of purchase, but at the very beginning: design. Welcome to the era of design-to-source— powered by data, driven by collaboration, and increasingly enabled by artificial intelligence. 


Read this article in full in our Integr8 Playbook, “Global Trends & Supply Chain: Planning for a Shifting World,” here.

George Stasiw, Samsung SDS

George Stasiw is a recognized thought leader in manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and technology innovation. With a foundation built at IBM and advanced AI studies at MIT, he is now a prominent voice for design-to-source solutions at Samsung SDS. George thrives when brainstorming with organizations looking to enhance procurement processes, optimize BOM management, and connect their design and sourcing teams. Start a conversation with him at g.stasiw@samsung.com.

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