GOODQUESTION
“Digital transformation” THIS OFTEN IMPLIES A NEW TECHNOLOGY is being implemented. I’d rather talk about operational transformation: Start with a goal around the business problem, process, and outcomes, then use tech to enable that goal. –Steve Shebuski Vice President, Pre-Sales Solutions, MCA Connect IT DOESN’T MEAN MUCH now that most businesses have transitioned to a digital-first business model. A better approach is to focus on how your service improves the digital experience. For example: a unified, real-time TMS platform that connects digital work ecosystems. –Mike Trudeau EVP Business Development, Montway Auto Transport “Supply Chain Resilience” IT HAS BECOME A MARKETING LABEL for everything from technology to operating models. Perhaps “robustness” better captures what supply chains need—the strategic depth to withstand shocks. –Joe Adamski Managing Director, ProcureAbility
“Future-Proof” Doesn’t Hold Up “Future-proof” is an empty promise. There’s no guarantee that solutions, such as warehouse automation, will remain immune
to change. A better term is “future-readiness.” This requires partners who evolve the solution with you: modernize your tech stack and equipment to grow and adapt as your business changes, instead of declaring the project future-proof at go-live. –Garrett Freeman Sales Director, Swisslog No technology can truly predict what’s ahead. A better term is “adaptable.” Business conditions, operational challenges, and customer needs will always evolve. What matters is how quickly organizations can adjust their systems to change, maximize workforce productivity, leverage automation, and continue exceeding customer expectations. –Steve Pullo EVP Professional Services, Made4net
statement of autonomy: Does a human approve every action or does it run unsupervised? And who is accountable? –Vlad Kadurin Chief Product and Operations Officer, Ship.Cars EVERYONE SLAPS IT ON A PRESS RELEASE whether there’s a real model behind it or not. Better phrasing would be “AI outcomes.” Show me the positive outcome to which an AI model or agent contributed, the data it used, and who’s responsible if it goes wrong.
“Real-time Visibility”
EVERY VENDOR CLAIMS IT. Most deliver a dashboard showing you what already happened. The better term is “operational awareness”: knowing not just what the data says, but what it means and what to do next. Visibility without action is just a prettier spreadsheet. –Michelle Jones Director Solutions Consulting, Logistics Reply DATA IS CALLED REAL TIME even when carrier APIs, scans, and telematics update on different schedules. I’d call it “action-window visibility”: Does the information arrive early and reliably enough for an operator to change the outcome before the window to act closes? –Syed Faisal Logistics Tech Lead, TechnBrains “AI-Powered” THIS COVERS EVERYTHING from autocomplete to software
I WOULD RATHER SEE companies define supply chain resilience with specific metrics:
–Scott Frederick CMO & LTL Carrier Relations, Logistics Plus, Inc.
“dual-sourced for our top 20 SKUs,” “45 days of safety stock on critical components,” or “alternate routing through three independent ports.” –Paul Brinkman President, Trans-Solutions Consulting
A MORE USEFUL TERM IS “supply chain certainty”: understanding risk, planning
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contingencies, maintaining visibility of critical shipments, and having the expertise and options to act quickly. –Andrew Austin
that acts entirely on its own. A more accurate replacement is a
Chief Quality Officer, Priority Freight USA
October 2026 • Inbound Logistics 7
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