July 24, 2025 • 22 mins
Disruption is now a constant in freight and logistics. From shifting trade policies to strained infrastructure and rising security threats, supply chains face pressure on all sides. The companies that stay ahead are the ones using real-time data to stay flexible, responsive, and resilient.
This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Maneet Singh, Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer at Odyssey Logistics, about how a strong data foundation is transforming the way freight moves. Maneet breaks down Odyssey’s approach to predictive analytics, AI-powered planning, and integrated platforms that drive speed, sustainability, and better decision-making across the board.
In this episode:
This week, host Ellen Wood speaks with Maneet Singh, Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer at Odyssey Logistics, about how a strong data foundation is transforming the way freight moves. Maneet breaks down Odyssey’s approach to predictive analytics, AI-powered planning, and integrated platforms that drive speed, sustainability, and better decision-making across the board.
In this episode:
- How real-time visibility creates true freight agility
- The role of structured data in AI success
- Why integration is the key to operational speed
- How Odyssey uses data to cut emissions and boost resilience
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to Speaking of Supply Chain, a meeboch podcast.
This is a show for logistics professionals looking to learn
more about the latest innovations in supply chain. Each episode
will feature a conversation on topics such as mitigating supply
chain disruption and reducing risk, current automation trends, sustainability initiatives,
and more. Let's dive right in.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Hello, and welcome to Speaking of Supply Chain, where we
explore trends, current events, and innovations impacting the logistics and
supply chain industries. I'm your host, Ellen Wood. In recent years,
intermodal transport has become increasingly complex, with companies navigating unpredictable
trade shifts, critical infrastructure constraints and persistent labor shortages and
(00:52):
rising cargo security threats. Today, I'm here to explore these
pressing challenges with Maneit Singh, CIO, chief Digital Officer of
Auditsey Logistics, who will share how advanced data driven solutions
can help businesses overcome these and other obstacles to keep
their supply chains moving money.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Welcome, Thank you, Han.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
It's great to have you here. So we are on
our topic today, which is not necessarily just transport, which
is a huge component of the supply chain, but really
some of the digital components that are affecting the transport
industry right now. We've got disruptions all the time. Right
(01:37):
now in our political landscape, we've got some political disruptions
with tariffs and supply chains making some sweeping changes to
the way that they source and distribute their products. So
port closures, how is data technology being leveraged to help
customers get that flexibility or the visibility that they're talking about.
(02:03):
That's you know, endemic of supply chains right now.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Yeah, it's a very relevant and pertinent question, and it's
a it's a question every company is trying to come
up to grips with. In our industry, at least ongoing
to disruptions are definitely putting unprecedented pressure on supply chains.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
It gets worse.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Because the demands of shippers are not easing up as well.
They want to have a visibility, they want to have
more predictability and reliability of the work we do. But
the fact is, disruptions are not going to go away.
These demands from customers shippers are not going to go away.
So it's incumbent on us to figure out when I
say ask the businesses to what do we do to
(02:47):
make sure we manage it? We manage our own experience
and more importantly, manage our customers experience as well. So
at Ardiscy, what what we have been doing is is
focusing on that we can control. And one of the
things that we've been investing a lot in past year
and a half is data. We have many systems, as
(03:07):
most logisative companies do, but we are building AI powered
systems on our own data so we can use that.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
To be more predictable in how we service our customers.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
We can have the visibility that they want, so although
the world around us is changing, we are able to
manage how we service our customers so that itself is
almost like we are controlling our destiny. We are controlling
the narrative and using data and technology that we have
at our disposal, adding AI on top of it as
well to make it better for us and our customers.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Well, and it's interesting that you bring up AI. I mean,
obviously everyone is talking about AI. It's in every conversation now,
but past the obvious AI, it's exciting, it's fun. It
can automate several logistical functions, outplanning returns, those types of things.
(04:02):
What we don't see is how logistics providers or shippers
use or think about AI. So can you tell us
a little bit more about the AI that you're using.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
In that case, the thing with AI is AI has
been there for forever, like for years and years.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
What's new or newer.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Is a gen AI LLM, the large language model that
has made because of the computation we have now available.
It made it more CHATGPT type like, very more conversational AI. Right,
So businesses have been using AI for a long time.
Logistics and supplies and usually has been lagging behind in
the uptic of technology.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
But we have been using AI for years now.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
We are using more of a conversational AI to make
it even faster for our salespeople.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
For example, for our for our customer service people, for
pricing people.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
So people that are using information that are that are
stored in share point other places, it takes time to
create a proposal.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
We have automated that using AI.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Big component of using jen AI is having control of
our own data. So earlier I talked about how it
is important to make sure we have data warehouse, a
data leg that that takes information from all different systems
and it's in a structured way that it can be leveraged.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
By GENAI tools.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
We have done that now, so that enables us to
have more conversational data access on our own data, which
is where the real improvement is. We are able to
give access to that information to our customers as well,
so they can have they can make analysis of the
of their information using our data leg So those things
are some of the use cases we've been using. The
(05:45):
route planning, the route automation that is also in the
works right now. We are building a platform that takes
advantage of all these new technologies, data and AI that
that that's going to make us better for us and
our customers all right.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
One area where I know a number of supply chains
are trying to use some of this data and analytics
is in their sustainability practices in their environmental regulations and
making sure that they are in alignment and within those
regulations which are becoming more stringent and they're also just
(06:24):
becoming more universal. It's you know, it's not only certain
geographies that are having to deal with this now. A
lot of the new environmental regulations are looking both up
and downstream to make sure that compliance is taking place
across the supply chain and not just with holding the
(06:45):
responsibility on one individual link of that chain. So how
are you utilizing those those data and that analytics monitoring
tools in order to either measure or manage or reduce
those types of emissions that I know companies are keeping
an eye on.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Yeah, so sustainability is a major industry challenge, and you
know we talked about the demands that are there to
provide this information.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
We take it a step further. We want to be
more sustainable.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
So whe whether something's required of us or not, we
want to do it anyway because it's the right thing
to do for the environment. So it actually if we
do it right, it improves profitability as well. So what
we have done in past is we started we have
a program called Project Clover Least that's our proprietary program
(07:35):
where we started a couple of years back in at
Least reporting out on the backside emissions on the lanes
that we use. So that was going better and then
we can do it for each customers. Now we are
able to since we're building our own propriety platform and
we have access to our data, we.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Are able to.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Identify the lanes or the more transportation that are more sustainable.
We are we are able to provide to a customers
what is you know, maybe less expensive or sometimes it's
more sustainable approach, so they can decide. So, using using
all the data and analytics we have and the integrations
we have built with our different modes of transportation, were
(08:16):
able to provide that that service and that information to
our customers as well. We also have rail as a
mode of transport, which provides a much more sustainable solution.
So we are able to provide options to a customers
and and and then choose what's what's best for the
environment or for the customer too.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Yeah, I imagine that kind of flexibility is is a
huge benefit to your clients because you know, when it
comes to transport. Yes, of course there's there's an expense involved,
There's a cost. There's obviously time, which is another factor
that needs to come into it. But given that supply
chains are being looked at from beginning to end in
(08:54):
terms of their sustainability in carbon footprint, being able to
pull that lever in the dis vision making process makes
that a whole lot easier for some of these companies
that may have the additional time or may have the
additional budget. But this is where they need to really
draw the string a little bit tighter.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Absolutely, absolutely, you know, doing the right thing is usually
the right thing to do, and we are able to
provide that capability to our customers as well, you using
technology that we have built.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
So one of the risks of technology is of course,
you know, cybersecurity, and it's just another one of those things.
You know, companies are being targeted left, right and center
with cybersecurity and hackers and you know, nefarious individuals trying
to bring down the structures that we've worked so hard
(09:45):
to build up. So it's these risks are getting hard
to predict because they're just coming at us from from
all sides. When it's that uncertain, how what does that
cybersecurity strategy look like for AUDU see in making sure
that that data is maintained but also.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
Safe.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Yeah, it's a cybersecurity is you know, doesn't matter how
much investments you make in technology for revenue growth or
or high EBITA initiative, cybersecurity continues to.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
Be the number one thing.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
You know, one bad misstep and you pay a lot right,
So yes, you cannot undermine devastating. It takes years of work.
It wipes away in a heartbeat if something goes bad.
So you know, we continue to invest in cyber cyber cybersecurity,
the the the advances in the AI and gen Ei.
Speaker 4 (10:44):
It actually has made.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
The cybersecurity thread even worse because they're they're much more
persistent actors who can keep attacked, have different kinds of
kinds of attack vectors. So we we have been investing
a lot. We have deployed different levels of u UH measures,
US different different access access across the ODC. So system
wise we have done a lot of work already where
(11:06):
we are doing more of his governance. If individuals continue
to be the single point of failure on a lot
of cybersecurity issues, and you know, it doesn't matter how
much technology you do, one click which takes it all out.
So we have a lot more of user training with phishing,
simulated fishing and all that. We continue to double down
on that. We actually have gone a step further which
(11:28):
I have not been in any other companies. Our employee
bonus is tied to the click rates. That makes it
real for everybody.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Oh wow, Yeah, that is.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
It's you know, it's important, and you know, if you
if you have two more clicks, it counts negatively. So
we have we have taking very seriously on all aspects,
people being the number one aspect.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Okay, that's that is is quite a stance to take.
I like that. We had a cybersecurity training recently here
within our company, and it was a little disheartening to
see how many people fell for the trick messages, and
I was just thinking in the back of my head,
you know, I hope it wasn't me, but I hope
(12:17):
someone would have said something if I had. But yeah,
they're they're coming faster and faster, and they they look
very real. I think that's that's the hardest thing is
that they look so real and figuring out which ones
are safe versus which ones are not, you know, can
can really confuse a lot of individuals. So that's that's
(12:38):
interesting that you're using that and bonusing based off of
being that smarter individual. That's that's an interesting take on it.
I really like that.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
I felt for one of those tests, myself and my
team had a field dare.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
That just shows how real they look when when they
can fool the experts, then it really is a true threat.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Yeah, yep, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
So one other thing, I mean, I guess that that
kind of leads into it. You're using multiple systems. It
relies on, you know, making all of those systems talk
to one another and be able to access the information.
How are your digital transformation initiatives? Digital twins, internet of things,
(13:29):
advanced analytics. I'm not sure which all you're using? Are
enhancing the interoperability of them? So you know what makes
it easier for these things to talk to each other?
Is it making it more efficient and resilient for your clients?
Tell us a little bit about those initiatives.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
That's about ear worth of work.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Okay, well, then let's let's maybe break it down into
a high level.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
It's a very relevant question because again, when I joined
a couple of years back, I had to look at
entire technology landscape and figure out what's the most optimal
approach because the easy answer is change it all, and
that's the most expensive answer to the start over.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
So that wasn't going to work.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
So where I settled on was having an ecosystem that
is interconnected and driven by data. So connected systems and
integrated data that was the MONTHRA that we started. We
have been upgrading a lot of systems that have been outdated,
so obviously those things had to be done. But once
(14:37):
we have the data in place and we started building
our platform, I talked about the few things we've been
doing is having tight integration between within our systems and
also systems with the customers, whether it's API or EDI
or what have you. We are doing a lot of
those investments as well, so that way for our customers
the transaction is seamless. If they have ERP systems and
(15:01):
the supply chain systems, we connect to them directly so
they don't have to log into our systems. So we're
making those those experience much more seamless. Within I know,
we do use digital doing on things like a network
optimization process, so we have customer data so we can
look at all the information and create digital twin and optimize.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
So what makes sense.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
And you know, we have built a platform now for
few of our customers and we have helped them save
millions of dollars in operating costs using that.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
So we are using all tools at our disposal.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Haven't used much of IoT yet, but that that's coming
up next as well, but between advanced analytics, digital twins,
gen AI. Those are the technologies we've been using to
get better and better across board.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
And you mentioned when you started that the easiest way
would have just been to you know, startup or from
scratch everything new. But technology adoption in sopply chain tends
to be on the low side. These these are companies
that are a little bit a verse to those types
of implementations. It's just a it's a big lift, you know,
(16:11):
to your point, trying trying to make them work together
is a is a huge task, but trying to put
one in is also you know, a big undertaking. So
for supply chain leaders who are looking to improve their
overall digital strategy, what's a practical first step that can
help them really make an impact when they're considering a
(16:34):
technology adoption.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
Yeah, so I have a.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Rather unique view on adoption because technology adoption is a
very common phrase using most companies. I believe that if
you're talking about adoption, you already lost the game because
I believe in you implement technology where the business wants
it so they can't wait to have it. So you
dont you're not talking adoption, You talking that all right,
(17:00):
are you using or not? And if not, why did
you ask me to do it? So it's more of
a tighter alignment with the business before you start that investment.
It's not like you build a shiny toy and wait
for people to come and use it. Especially our industry,
we don't sell technology. We use technology, so it has
to be driven by usage and very tightly aligned with
(17:21):
the business. So for exam, when I joined here, obviously
that the option was to start over not going to happen.
I started with that tech audit, like a very comprehensive
audit of all systems and processes and people and to
understand what are the issues we have. Just because we
have an old system doesn't mean they had to replace it,
but what is the value going to bring it? So
(17:42):
it took me two three months to go through the
process and make sure that I was aligned with business.
They understood why we had to make the changes, and
there's a time to make the changes and then what's
coming out of it. So first few months we spend
a lot of time in getting the alignment and after
that I've very thankful that the partnership I have with
my business counterparts in Odyssey is the best I've ever
(18:05):
had in my life, which is pretty cool. I mean
in our industry where the adoption is an issue. Here,
our business users they can't wait for us or deliver things,
but they're going to use it and they can. So
I often say that I want my business users to
be mad at me because I'm not moving fast enough
that to me success.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Well, I wouldn't call people being upset with you success,
but I can see where you're going there that you know,
when they are the ones driving the need for the technology,
then your adoption rate you know that they're buying is
already established. You don't have to sell anything to them.
(18:46):
They're they're ready for it, they want it, and they're
the ones leading the charge rather than some technology person,
salesperson C suite coming in and saying, hey, we're going
to do this. It's not from top down, it's bottom up.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Most of the programs that I have there's a business
owner and a technology owner. The business owns the outcome.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
Technology drives the execution, and that where the adoption thing
is resolved. In the get go.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
There are things that it would push for, you know,
server upgrade and cybersecurity, but even those people need to
understand why you're doing it, so they're going to question it.
So it takes effort, up front effort, a front alignment.
But once you get there, it becomes you're focusing on execution,
not all the other things around. You know, why is
it team asking me to do things that I want
(19:34):
to do?
Speaker 2 (19:37):
So I guess, you know, for I guess the last point?
You know, as a chief technology officer, chief information officer,
you know, what would your biggest piece of advice be
to our listeners as they're evaluating different technologies for different aspects.
It might be for you know, transportation, or it might
(19:58):
be for you know, just something like you said, data
security or sustainability, something else like that. What would your
number one piece of advice be for our listeners?
Speaker 3 (20:10):
It's the philosophy you bring to the table as a
chief anything like chief technology or digital officer is think
business and technology is a solution. Don't think technology and
how do you use it? Why are we doing it?
Technology and itself, unless you're a technology company, selling technology
technologies in itself is not a solution.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
It is not what you sell. We enable business, So
think business, use technology.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
I love that that's going to be the catchphrase for
this episode, all right, and that does bring us to
the end of today's discussion. Thank you so much money
for joining me and talking a little bit more about
some of this technology and what's available out there in
terms of transportation.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
Thank you, Ellen, I enjoyed the conversation.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
To our listeners, If you've found today's episode valuable, be
sure to follow Speaking of Supply Chain wherever you get
your podcasts and share it with someone who's shaping the
future of operations. Until next time, keep your data flowing
and your cargo rolling.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Meeboch Consulting is one of the largest and most globally
recognized supply chain consulting, engineering and advisory firms. For nearly
fifty years, we've helped clients achieve supply chain excellence and
sustainable competitive advantage across the entire spectrum of the supply
chain by delivering improvements and innovation strategically, tactically, and digitally.
(21:37):
To learn more, visit meeboch dot com. You've been listening
to Speaking of Supply Chain a meeboch podcast, keep connected
with us by subscribing to the show in your favorite
podcast player. If you like what you've heard, Please rate
the show that helps us to keep delivering the latest
in supply chain information. Thanks for listening, until next time.
You're listening to Speaking of Supply Chain, a meeboch podcast.
This is a show for logistics professionals looking to learn
more about the latest innovations in supply chain. Each episode
will feature a conversation on topics such as mitigating supply
chain disruption and reducing risk, current automation trends, sustainability initiatives,
and more. Let's dive right in.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Hello, and welcome to Speaking of Supply Chain, where we
explore trends, current events, and innovations impacting the logistics and
supply chain industries. I'm your host, Ellen Wood. In recent years,
intermodal transport has become increasingly complex, with companies navigating unpredictable
trade shifts, critical infrastructure constraints and persistent labor shortages and
(00:52):
rising cargo security threats. Today, I'm here to explore these
pressing challenges with Maneit Singh, CIO, chief Digital Officer of
Auditsey Logistics, who will share how advanced data driven solutions
can help businesses overcome these and other obstacles to keep
their supply chains moving money.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Welcome, Thank you, Han.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
It's great to have you here. So we are on
our topic today, which is not necessarily just transport, which
is a huge component of the supply chain, but really
some of the digital components that are affecting the transport
industry right now. We've got disruptions all the time. Right
(01:37):
now in our political landscape, we've got some political disruptions
with tariffs and supply chains making some sweeping changes to
the way that they source and distribute their products. So
port closures, how is data technology being leveraged to help
customers get that flexibility or the visibility that they're talking about.
(02:03):
That's you know, endemic of supply chains right now.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Yeah, it's a very relevant and pertinent question, and it's
a it's a question every company is trying to come
up to grips with. In our industry, at least ongoing
to disruptions are definitely putting unprecedented pressure on supply chains.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
It gets worse.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Because the demands of shippers are not easing up as well.
They want to have a visibility, they want to have
more predictability and reliability of the work we do. But
the fact is, disruptions are not going to go away.
These demands from customers shippers are not going to go away.
So it's incumbent on us to figure out when I
say ask the businesses to what do we do to
(02:47):
make sure we manage it? We manage our own experience
and more importantly, manage our customers experience as well. So
at Ardiscy, what what we have been doing is is
focusing on that we can control. And one of the
things that we've been investing a lot in past year
and a half is data. We have many systems, as
(03:07):
most logisative companies do, but we are building AI powered
systems on our own data so we can use that.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
To be more predictable in how we service our customers.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
We can have the visibility that they want, so although
the world around us is changing, we are able to
manage how we service our customers so that itself is
almost like we are controlling our destiny. We are controlling
the narrative and using data and technology that we have
at our disposal, adding AI on top of it as
well to make it better for us and our customers.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Well, and it's interesting that you bring up AI. I mean,
obviously everyone is talking about AI. It's in every conversation now,
but past the obvious AI, it's exciting, it's fun. It
can automate several logistical functions, outplanning returns, those types of things.
(04:02):
What we don't see is how logistics providers or shippers
use or think about AI. So can you tell us
a little bit more about the AI that you're using.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
In that case, the thing with AI is AI has
been there for forever, like for years and years.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
What's new or newer.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Is a gen AI LLM, the large language model that
has made because of the computation we have now available.
It made it more CHATGPT type like, very more conversational AI. Right,
So businesses have been using AI for a long time.
Logistics and supplies and usually has been lagging behind in
the uptic of technology.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
But we have been using AI for years now.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
We are using more of a conversational AI to make
it even faster for our salespeople.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
For example, for our for our customer service people, for
pricing people.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
So people that are using information that are that are
stored in share point other places, it takes time to
create a proposal.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
We have automated that using AI.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Big component of using jen AI is having control of
our own data. So earlier I talked about how it
is important to make sure we have data warehouse, a
data leg that that takes information from all different systems
and it's in a structured way that it can be leveraged.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
By GENAI tools.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
We have done that now, so that enables us to
have more conversational data access on our own data, which
is where the real improvement is. We are able to
give access to that information to our customers as well,
so they can have they can make analysis of the
of their information using our data leg So those things
are some of the use cases we've been using. The
(05:45):
route planning, the route automation that is also in the
works right now. We are building a platform that takes
advantage of all these new technologies, data and AI that
that that's going to make us better for us and
our customers all right.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
One area where I know a number of supply chains
are trying to use some of this data and analytics
is in their sustainability practices in their environmental regulations and
making sure that they are in alignment and within those
regulations which are becoming more stringent and they're also just
(06:24):
becoming more universal. It's you know, it's not only certain
geographies that are having to deal with this now. A
lot of the new environmental regulations are looking both up
and downstream to make sure that compliance is taking place
across the supply chain and not just with holding the
(06:45):
responsibility on one individual link of that chain. So how
are you utilizing those those data and that analytics monitoring
tools in order to either measure or manage or reduce
those types of emissions that I know companies are keeping
an eye on.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Yeah, so sustainability is a major industry challenge, and you
know we talked about the demands that are there to
provide this information.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
We take it a step further. We want to be
more sustainable.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
So whe whether something's required of us or not, we
want to do it anyway because it's the right thing
to do for the environment. So it actually if we
do it right, it improves profitability as well. So what
we have done in past is we started we have
a program called Project Clover Least that's our proprietary program
(07:35):
where we started a couple of years back in at
Least reporting out on the backside emissions on the lanes
that we use. So that was going better and then
we can do it for each customers. Now we are
able to since we're building our own propriety platform and
we have access to our data, we.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Are able to.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Identify the lanes or the more transportation that are more sustainable.
We are we are able to provide to a customers
what is you know, maybe less expensive or sometimes it's
more sustainable approach, so they can decide. So, using using
all the data and analytics we have and the integrations
we have built with our different modes of transportation, were
(08:16):
able to provide that that service and that information to
our customers as well. We also have rail as a
mode of transport, which provides a much more sustainable solution.
So we are able to provide options to a customers
and and and then choose what's what's best for the
environment or for the customer too.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Yeah, I imagine that kind of flexibility is is a
huge benefit to your clients because you know, when it
comes to transport. Yes, of course there's there's an expense involved,
There's a cost. There's obviously time, which is another factor
that needs to come into it. But given that supply
chains are being looked at from beginning to end in
(08:54):
terms of their sustainability in carbon footprint, being able to
pull that lever in the dis vision making process makes
that a whole lot easier for some of these companies
that may have the additional time or may have the
additional budget. But this is where they need to really
draw the string a little bit tighter.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Absolutely, absolutely, you know, doing the right thing is usually
the right thing to do, and we are able to
provide that capability to our customers as well, you using
technology that we have built.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
So one of the risks of technology is of course,
you know, cybersecurity, and it's just another one of those things.
You know, companies are being targeted left, right and center
with cybersecurity and hackers and you know, nefarious individuals trying
to bring down the structures that we've worked so hard
(09:45):
to build up. So it's these risks are getting hard
to predict because they're just coming at us from from
all sides. When it's that uncertain, how what does that
cybersecurity strategy look like for AUDU see in making sure
that that data is maintained but also.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
Safe.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Yeah, it's a cybersecurity is you know, doesn't matter how
much investments you make in technology for revenue growth or
or high EBITA initiative, cybersecurity continues to.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
Be the number one thing.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
You know, one bad misstep and you pay a lot right,
So yes, you cannot undermine devastating. It takes years of work.
It wipes away in a heartbeat if something goes bad.
So you know, we continue to invest in cyber cyber cybersecurity,
the the the advances in the AI and gen Ei.
Speaker 4 (10:44):
It actually has made.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
The cybersecurity thread even worse because they're they're much more
persistent actors who can keep attacked, have different kinds of
kinds of attack vectors. So we we have been investing
a lot. We have deployed different levels of u UH measures,
US different different access access across the ODC. So system
wise we have done a lot of work already where
(11:06):
we are doing more of his governance. If individuals continue
to be the single point of failure on a lot
of cybersecurity issues, and you know, it doesn't matter how
much technology you do, one click which takes it all out.
So we have a lot more of user training with phishing,
simulated fishing and all that. We continue to double down
on that. We actually have gone a step further which
(11:28):
I have not been in any other companies. Our employee
bonus is tied to the click rates. That makes it
real for everybody.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Oh wow, Yeah, that is.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
It's you know, it's important, and you know, if you
if you have two more clicks, it counts negatively. So
we have we have taking very seriously on all aspects,
people being the number one aspect.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Okay, that's that is is quite a stance to take.
I like that. We had a cybersecurity training recently here
within our company, and it was a little disheartening to
see how many people fell for the trick messages, and
I was just thinking in the back of my head,
you know, I hope it wasn't me, but I hope
(12:17):
someone would have said something if I had. But yeah,
they're they're coming faster and faster, and they they look
very real. I think that's that's the hardest thing is
that they look so real and figuring out which ones
are safe versus which ones are not, you know, can
can really confuse a lot of individuals. So that's that's
(12:38):
interesting that you're using that and bonusing based off of
being that smarter individual. That's that's an interesting take on it.
I really like that.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
I felt for one of those tests, myself and my
team had a field dare.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
That just shows how real they look when when they
can fool the experts, then it really is a true threat.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Yeah, yep, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
So one other thing, I mean, I guess that that
kind of leads into it. You're using multiple systems. It
relies on, you know, making all of those systems talk
to one another and be able to access the information.
How are your digital transformation initiatives? Digital twins, internet of things,
(13:29):
advanced analytics. I'm not sure which all you're using? Are
enhancing the interoperability of them? So you know what makes
it easier for these things to talk to each other?
Is it making it more efficient and resilient for your clients?
Tell us a little bit about those initiatives.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
That's about ear worth of work.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Okay, well, then let's let's maybe break it down into
a high level.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
It's a very relevant question because again, when I joined
a couple of years back, I had to look at
entire technology landscape and figure out what's the most optimal
approach because the easy answer is change it all, and
that's the most expensive answer to the start over.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
So that wasn't going to work.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
So where I settled on was having an ecosystem that
is interconnected and driven by data. So connected systems and
integrated data that was the MONTHRA that we started. We
have been upgrading a lot of systems that have been outdated,
so obviously those things had to be done. But once
(14:37):
we have the data in place and we started building
our platform, I talked about the few things we've been
doing is having tight integration between within our systems and
also systems with the customers, whether it's API or EDI
or what have you. We are doing a lot of
those investments as well, so that way for our customers
the transaction is seamless. If they have ERP systems and
(15:01):
the supply chain systems, we connect to them directly so
they don't have to log into our systems. So we're
making those those experience much more seamless. Within I know,
we do use digital doing on things like a network
optimization process, so we have customer data so we can
look at all the information and create digital twin and optimize.
Speaker 4 (15:20):
So what makes sense.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
And you know, we have built a platform now for
few of our customers and we have helped them save
millions of dollars in operating costs using that.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
So we are using all tools at our disposal.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Haven't used much of IoT yet, but that that's coming
up next as well, but between advanced analytics, digital twins,
gen AI. Those are the technologies we've been using to
get better and better across board.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
And you mentioned when you started that the easiest way
would have just been to you know, startup or from
scratch everything new. But technology adoption in sopply chain tends
to be on the low side. These these are companies
that are a little bit a verse to those types
of implementations. It's just a it's a big lift, you know,
(16:11):
to your point, trying trying to make them work together
is a is a huge task, but trying to put
one in is also you know, a big undertaking. So
for supply chain leaders who are looking to improve their
overall digital strategy, what's a practical first step that can
help them really make an impact when they're considering a
(16:34):
technology adoption.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
Yeah, so I have a.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Rather unique view on adoption because technology adoption is a
very common phrase using most companies. I believe that if
you're talking about adoption, you already lost the game because
I believe in you implement technology where the business wants
it so they can't wait to have it. So you
dont you're not talking adoption, You talking that all right,
(17:00):
are you using or not? And if not, why did
you ask me to do it? So it's more of
a tighter alignment with the business before you start that investment.
It's not like you build a shiny toy and wait
for people to come and use it. Especially our industry,
we don't sell technology. We use technology, so it has
to be driven by usage and very tightly aligned with
(17:21):
the business. So for exam, when I joined here, obviously
that the option was to start over not going to happen.
I started with that tech audit, like a very comprehensive
audit of all systems and processes and people and to
understand what are the issues we have. Just because we
have an old system doesn't mean they had to replace it,
but what is the value going to bring it? So
(17:42):
it took me two three months to go through the
process and make sure that I was aligned with business.
They understood why we had to make the changes, and
there's a time to make the changes and then what's
coming out of it. So first few months we spend
a lot of time in getting the alignment and after
that I've very thankful that the partnership I have with
my business counterparts in Odyssey is the best I've ever
(18:05):
had in my life, which is pretty cool. I mean
in our industry where the adoption is an issue. Here,
our business users they can't wait for us or deliver things,
but they're going to use it and they can. So
I often say that I want my business users to
be mad at me because I'm not moving fast enough
that to me success.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Well, I wouldn't call people being upset with you success,
but I can see where you're going there that you know,
when they are the ones driving the need for the technology,
then your adoption rate you know that they're buying is
already established. You don't have to sell anything to them.
(18:46):
They're they're ready for it, they want it, and they're
the ones leading the charge rather than some technology person,
salesperson C suite coming in and saying, hey, we're going
to do this. It's not from top down, it's bottom up.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Most of the programs that I have there's a business
owner and a technology owner. The business owns the outcome.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
Technology drives the execution, and that where the adoption thing
is resolved. In the get go.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
There are things that it would push for, you know,
server upgrade and cybersecurity, but even those people need to
understand why you're doing it, so they're going to question it.
So it takes effort, up front effort, a front alignment.
But once you get there, it becomes you're focusing on execution,
not all the other things around. You know, why is
it team asking me to do things that I want
(19:34):
to do?
Speaker 2 (19:37):
So I guess, you know, for I guess the last point?
You know, as a chief technology officer, chief information officer,
you know, what would your biggest piece of advice be
to our listeners as they're evaluating different technologies for different aspects.
It might be for you know, transportation, or it might
(19:58):
be for you know, just something like you said, data
security or sustainability, something else like that. What would your
number one piece of advice be for our listeners?
Speaker 3 (20:10):
It's the philosophy you bring to the table as a
chief anything like chief technology or digital officer is think
business and technology is a solution. Don't think technology and
how do you use it? Why are we doing it?
Technology and itself, unless you're a technology company, selling technology
technologies in itself is not a solution.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
It is not what you sell. We enable business, So
think business, use technology.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
I love that that's going to be the catchphrase for
this episode, all right, and that does bring us to
the end of today's discussion. Thank you so much money
for joining me and talking a little bit more about
some of this technology and what's available out there in
terms of transportation.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
Thank you, Ellen, I enjoyed the conversation.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
To our listeners, If you've found today's episode valuable, be
sure to follow Speaking of Supply Chain wherever you get
your podcasts and share it with someone who's shaping the
future of operations. Until next time, keep your data flowing
and your cargo rolling.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Meeboch Consulting is one of the largest and most globally
recognized supply chain consulting, engineering and advisory firms. For nearly
fifty years, we've helped clients achieve supply chain excellence and
sustainable competitive advantage across the entire spectrum of the supply
chain by delivering improvements and innovation strategically, tactically, and digitally.
(21:37):
To learn more, visit meeboch dot com. You've been listening
to Speaking of Supply Chain a meeboch podcast, keep connected
with us by subscribing to the show in your favorite
podcast player. If you like what you've heard, Please rate
the show that helps us to keep delivering the latest
in supply chain information. Thanks for listening, until next time.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.