Charles Redding

Special Guest Blog Post written by Karin Bursa, Founder and CEO of NIRAKIO and Supply Chain Now Host   Artificial intelligence is no longer a “what if” in supply chain — it is here. In fact, Gartner predicts that 50% of cross-functional supply chain management solutions will use intelligent agents to autonomously execute decisions in the ecosystem by 2030. But how do leaders move from hype to real impact? During our recent Supply Chain Now Power Panel, I asked five senior executives to share where they see AI making the biggest impact. Their answers revealed not just excitement, but a roadmap for how supply chains can evolve. Here is how they responded, in their own words. Q: Where do you see AI making the greatest impact in your supply chain? Eliza Simeonova – VP Global Supply, Mars Pet Nutrition “AI forces operational discipline. Clean data is no longer optional. The system itself demands it. I also see AI shaping supply chain synchronization — aligning suppliers, factories, warehouses, and customers in new ways.” Whitney Shlesinger – VP Global Planning & Logistics, McCormick “For me, it’s about people. Employees want to move beyond non-value-added work. AI allows us to free them up…

The right match unlocks efficiency, visibility, and cost control—without drowning in unused features Special Guest Blog Post written by e2open   When picking a Transportation Management System (TMS), shiny features, slick dashboards, and buzzwords can be distracting. But here’s the truth: real ROI doesn’t come from having the most bells and whistles. It comes from finding a TMS that fits your transportation complexity like a glove.   Too simple, and you’ll outgrow it before the ink is dry. Too complex, and you’ll be paying for tools you don’t use. Nail the fit, though, and other KPIs like cost savings, faster execution, and happier customers will slide into place.   How to pick a TMS that fits your freight   Carriers and LSPs running on legacy systems miss out on the real-time visibility and cost control a modern TMS delivers, leaving them slower, less efficient, and easier to undercut. Let’s unpack how to look beyond flashy features and choose a TMS that works for your business:   Match complexity first. The biggest ROI driver is aligning your TMS with your transportation complexity. Get that right, and everything else follows.   Consider adaptability and scalability. Your TMS should grow with you. Look…