Supply chains need structured data to thrive

An interview with Slync's Corey Bertsch on why structured and contextualized data is what modern supply chains require
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Tell us about your company and role

Slync.io is a Dallas-based logistics solutions company. We sell technology solutions to some of the world’s largest logistics service providers as well as large shippers. We deliver various industry solutions with a combination of our flexible technology platform and our people with deep logistics domain experience across multiple modes and verticals. Our vision is to be the primary logistics technology partner for our customers. As Vice President of Solutions Management, I look after Slync’s solutions roadmap and development to ensure our products meet the strategic needs of our customers to give them a competitive edge in the industry.

You were at DHL for 17 years. How have things changed?

Supply chain has become a primary strategic focus at the C-level, whereas before, many of the supply chain functions such as procurement, transportation, warehousing and compliance were more tactical and siloed in nature.

The shift towards eCommerce has brought significant changes in consumer buying patterns, as well as expected service levels, which has forced supply chains to adapt.

Those on the forefront of this transformation have fared much better, and tend to look at their supply chains as orchestrated and collaborative networks, rather than as individual units.

The past two years have really highlighted the fragility of our supply chains and how disruptions can impact the end consumer. I believe technology is one of the key drivers that will collectively enable our industry to get through the other side of the situation we’re currently facing.

From a technology perspective, the most exciting advancement has been the gradual shift towards cloud-based, multi-tenant solutions that allow customers to collaborate and share information with their logistics partners in real-time from anywhere in the world.

Nonetheless, there is still a huge opportunity for innovation in our industry. Some of the biggest multinational companies still operate much of their supply chains by using manual email and paper based processes and outdated technology, even as billions of dollars of investments continue to enter the space.

[This article was originally posted by Supply Chain Digital. To continue reading, visit supplychaindigital.com.]