Seven strategies to bridge the data gap when optimizing logistics

There could be a big gap in big data for airlines and freight forwarders. More than half — 63% — of frontline employees within logistics organizations currently do not have access to real-time operational data, impeding both performance and agility, says Travis Eide, IDC’s research director of transportation and logistics.

This disparity underscores a critical disconnect between technological investments and on-the-ground realities. The mere presence of advanced technology is not enough; the real value lies in how effectively these tools are integrated into existing processes and made accessible to the workforce, according to Sean Tinney, Unisys vice president of solution management, Enterprise Computing Solutions. 

In a webinar sponsored by Unisys and presented by IDC, Tinney and Eide explored how this disconnect illustrates the critical importance of processes.

"The days of ‘Let me change the process without thinking about technology, or change the technology without thinking about the process’ are gone. We are forever now intertwined with our technology,” Tinney said.

Successful digital transformation involves more than just implementing new systems like AI, machine learning or Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The journey to logistics optimization, it turns out, is as much about refining workflows and empowering employees as it is about adopting the latest innovations.

Go from data silos to data flows 

For CIOs, addressing the data accessibility gap in your organizations should be a top priority. Here are seven strategies to consider: 

1. Audit data accessibility: Conduct an audit of who has access to what data across the organization. Identify the bottlenecks and barriers preventing data from reaching frontline employees. 
2. Invest in user-friendly interfaces: Ensure data is available, easily accessible and understandable. Invest in dashboards and mobile applications designed with the frontline user in mind. 
3. Offer training and digital literacy programs: Implement comprehensive training programs to ensure all employees are confident in accessing and interpreting data relevant to their roles. 
4. Invest in a culture of data-driven decision-making: Foster a company culture that prioritizes data over intuition. This can be done through company leadership commitments, regular frontline worker training and educational opportunities as well as cross-departmental data sharing.
5. Create feedback loops: Establish mechanisms for frontline employees to provide feedback on the data they receive. This can help refine what data is shared and how it's presented. 
6. Integrate data systems: Work toward integrating various data systems to provide a unified, real-time view of operations. Investing in middleware or employing APIs can help bridge gaps between different databases and software, ensuring data consistency and reliability. Also, establishing a centralized data warehouse or lake can help facilitate real-time data analysis. 
7. Ensure security and compliance: As you increase data accessibility, ensure robust security measures and compliance protocols are in place to protect sensitive information. This could include implementing end-to-end encryption and conducting regular security audits, ensuring all systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches.

By systematically addressing these areas, CIOs can empower logistics organizations to make more informed decisions and increase operational efficiency. Remember, the goal is to transform data from merely accessible to an integral, invaluable component of daily operations at all levels of the organization. 

Empowering the frontline for logistics excellence 

Prioritizing process optimization and data accessibility can help logistics companies realize the true potential of technological investments. The aim should be to foster an information ecosystem where data flows effortlessly and instantaneously to those who need it most. By ensuring frontline access to real-time data, CIOs can catalyze a new era of informed decision-making, agile responses and continuous improvement across the entire logistics operation. This data-driven approach lays the foundation for future innovations and positions companies to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive global marketplace. 

"We're working in an environment where collaboration is essential, and it's critical to success. Part of that collaboration includes sharing data that allows teams to make holistic and transparent decisions,” Eide said.

To learn more about how CIOs can better implement tech into logistics operations, watch the on-demand webinar or learn how to optimize your operations today.