Karen Pretorius

Special Guest Blog Post written by Mark Holmes with InterSystems   A data gateway provides unified access to supply chain data from various sources, including enterprise systems, supply chain applications, data feeds, data warehouses, data lakes, data marts, and business entities. It helps companies meet their supply chain challenges head on and be ready for supply chain disruptions. Quick and easy access to live and historical data is critical for supply chain managers and practitioners, data analysts, stewards, engineers, and supply chain professionals in any industry. Here are just a few examples of industries that can benefit from a supply chain data gateway:   Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Consumer Packaged Goods In FMCG and CPG, the ability to make rapid, data-driven decisions is crucial for staying competitive in a fast-paced market. Companies can optimize their supply chain operations by using a data gateway that provides a unified and harmonized view of data. For instance, a logistics manager can monitor real-time data on inventory levels, customer orders, and transportation schedules to make better informed decisions and reduce lead times and costs while improving customer satisfaction. Healthcare In healthcare, a data gateway can improve visibility and inventory optimization by providing a…

A Legacy Behind the Mission At Manifest 2026 in Las Vegas, Scott Luton sat down with Stefan Groschupf, CEO & Founder of Centrum AI, to discuss how a new generation of technology is being purpose-built for today’s supply chain realities, rather than yesterday’s assumptions. What began with a lighthearted joke about multivitamins quickly turned personal. When Scott quipped that “Centrum” reminded him of a vitamin from the eighties and nineties, Stefan shared the real inspiration behind the name. “My dad… the biggest building he constructed was called Centrum,” he explained. “That was the inspiration. His legacy, a head nod to him.” For Stefan, the company name represents more than branding; it reflects a mission rooted in impact and responsibility.   Designing for Today’s Reality “We’re building a new tech platform for the supply chain industry that is really built on the foundation of the reality today,” Stefan said. That reality includes uncertainty, dirty data, data silos, and geopolitical shifts that are reshaping global trade. He offered a simple example: in many ERP systems, a lead time is entered as a fixed number — say 15 days. “That’s of course nonsense,” Stefan noted. “It’s anywhere between nine days and 18 days……