Jesse Bailey

written by Chris Cunnane with InterSystems   Supply chain leaders are under constant pressure to move faster, reduce costs, improve resilience, and respond to disruptions in real time. Yet despite billions invested in technology, many organizations still struggle with stockouts, delayed shipments, excess inventory, and unreliable forecasts. The problem may not be the supply chain itself. It may be the data behind it. Most organizations today operate with more supply chain data than ever before. ERP systems, warehouse management platforms, transportation tools, supplier portals, IoT devices, and analytics dashboards generate a nonstop flow of information. On paper, this should create unprecedented visibility. But visibility is not the same as confidence. When inventory data is delayed, supplier updates are inconsistent, and demand signals are fragmented across systems, organizations are forced to make critical decisions using incomplete or unreliable information. The result is a distorted picture of reality, and costly mistakes follow. Companies expedite shipments they didn’t need. They over-order inventory “just in case.” They miss shortages that were hiding in plain sight. And they spend valuable time reconciling conflicting reports instead of solving problems.   The Real Problem: Fragmented Data The challenge isn’t a lack of data. It’s that the data…

Special Guest Blog Post written by Bart A. De Muynck   The past few years have exposed just how fragile our supply chains can be. From tariff shocks to pandemic disruptions, from inflationary pressures to mounting parcel surcharges, the landscape has shifted beneath our feet. Companies that once managed logistics as a back-office function are now grappling with its role as a front-line business risk.   What’s often missed in this conversation is the role of freight audit and payment (FAP). Long considered a tactical necessity, FAP has quietly become a strategic imperative. And as I explored in the Better Supply Chains Market Radar: Freight Audit & Payment, the companies that treat it that way are the ones best equipped to weather today’s volatility.   Why FAP Has Become Mission-Critical   When tariffs can add 15–20% to input costs almost overnight, or when the elimination of the U.S. de minimis exemption threatens to reshape cross-border e-commerce, companies need more than visibility. They need real-time intelligence and agility.   Traditional FAP approaches—manual audits, siloed spreadsheets, reactive error correction—are no longer sufficient. Modern FAP platforms, powered by AI and advanced analytics, enable shippers to:   Audit with precision at scale, uncovering hidden…