Digital transformation, proper data management, and collaboration are the foundation for moving toward more efficient and lower-risk supply chains , agreed specialists from the panel Toward Predictive, Intelligent, and Safe Logistics , organized within the framework of the #SoyLogístico Association ‘s Logistics Breakfast .
Ernesto Zavala, Director of Transportation at Waldo’s , shared the company’s experience implementing systems such as ERP, WMS, and TMS , which have led to tangible improvements in its operations.
“Today, we’ve reduced the time it takes for merchandise to arrive in stores to 72 hours and improved transportation availability by 15% with the same base of carriers. This translates into greater punctuality and a lower risk of delivery discrepancies,” he noted.
According to Zavala, complete traceability and the use of predictive models allow for optimizing service windows, reducing theft, and better negotiating with carriers thanks to shared data.
For Isaías Servín, International Operations & Service Manager at Hamilton Beach , no company can remain static in the face of technological changes and consumer habits.
“Anyone who isn’t thinking about digitizing and implementing advanced systems will suffer in their profitability. The goal remains delivering the product just in time and in the right quantity, and to do that, we need tools that allow us to anticipate disruptions,” he stated.
The executive emphasized that the quality of the information is just as important as the technology used, since “the success of the prediction depends on the data that feeds the systems.”
From another perspective, Enrique Vázquez, director of Recurso Confiable , emphasized that predictability should not be seen as a futuristic aspiration, but rather as a practical exercise in data management and logistics partners .
“Efficient operations translate into safe operations. Properly managing information allows for negotiations with carriers, anticipating restrictions at delivery points, and reducing risks. Ultimately, predictability equals lower risk ,” he stated.
The executive warned, however, that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has not yet replaced human decision-making. “AI models help analyze data, but the final decision remains with humans.”
The panelists agreed that the biggest challenge is not only technological, but also cultural. Employee adaptation, trust in the systems, and collaboration across departments and with external partners are crucial for any successful implementation.
“If we continue to operate in silos, no strategy will succeed ,” said Servín, emphasizing that generational transition and a change in mindset are part of the process toward truly intelligent logistics.
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