Logistics is producing more data than ever before. But are businesses actually making better decisions with it — or simply creating a bigger problem for themselves?
In the latest episode of Logistics Business Conversations, recorded at Parcel & Post Expo in London, Paul Hamblin is joined by Robert Jordan, CEO of iFactory, for a timely discussion about data, AI and what comes next for the logistics industry.
And one phrase from the conversation may stick with you: the “data junkyard”.
As AI, automation, sensors and connected systems continue to transform logistics, the amount of information being generated is growing at extraordinary speed. But Robert argues that the real challenge is no longer simply collecting data.
It is knowing what to do with it.
Is logistics ready for what comes next?
During the conversation, Robert and Paul explore how AI is changing the way businesses think about data, why some companies may be sitting on far more valuable information than they realise, and how the relationship between people, technology and decision-making could look very different in the years ahead.
There are also some uncomfortable questions.
How much data is too much?
What happens to the information businesses no longer actively use?
Who owns it?
And as AI becomes increasingly embedded within business systems, how confident can companies really be about where their most important information ends up?
From data rich to decision rich
The logistics industry has spent years becoming increasingly connected.
But having more information does not automatically mean making better decisions.
Robert explains why the next stage may be about moving beyond being data rich and becoming decision rich and why businesses that get this wrong could find themselves falling behind as AI develops further.
The discussion also touches on parcel logistics, profitability, operational visibility, automation, data security and how organisations should be thinking about their data strategy now rather than waiting for the technology to move ahead of them.
So, is your data helping your business – or are you simply adding to the junkyard?
Listen to the full episode of Logistics Business Conversations below.
