Santiago Hernandez

At MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, Scott Luton sat down with RD Deshmukh, Chief R&D Officer at ID Logistics US, to explore how supply chains must evolve to keep pace with a rapidly shifting retail and e-commerce landscape. From AI deployment to warehouse design and customer expectations, RD offers a clear message: the old playbook no longer applies; and those who fail to adapt risk falling behind quickly.   A “Day-One” Mindset for Continuous Change Drawing from his experience at Amazon, RD emphasizes the importance of maintaining a “DayOne” mindset, which is one rooted in curiosity, adaptability, and constant reinvention. “Be curious, be innovative… the day you’re not curious, it will kill you,” he explains. In today’s environment, where disruption is constant, this mindset isn’t optional. It’s essential. Leaders must prepare their teams not just to respond to change, but to expect it. As RD puts it, the only certainty is that “tomorrow is going to change.” This philosophy underpins how ID Logistics approaches innovation, engineering, and customer solutions; always with an eye toward flexibility and resilience.   AI: Start with the Problem, Not the Technology While artificial intelligence continues to dominate industry conversations, RD cautions against rushing into implementation without…

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…