CB-Insights-供应链与物流值得关注的科技趋势-2020-46正式版

EMERGINGTRENDSSupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatch2020WHATISCBINSIGHTS?CBInsightsisatecarketintelligenceplatformthatanpointsonventpartnershipsandlionsofdatartups,patents,entionstohelpyouseetomorrow’sportunities,today.CLICKHERETOLEARNMORECovid-19hasupendedtheglobaleconomy,causingmajorsupplychaindisruptions.Nevertheless,arisingecosystemoftechnology-focusedsolutionsispromotingsupplychainresiliencetoaddresscurrentmarketuncertainty,particularlyforretailersandbrands.TheCovid-19pandemichascausedunanticipatedsupplyanddemandvolatility,bringinghighlevelsofuncertaintytotheretailandconsumerproductsupplychains.Tostaycompetitive,retailersandbraforecastandtrackinventory,efficioptimizelast-miledeliverytoctransformation,supplychaitfindwaystoaccuratelyrsacrosschannels,Aidinginthisolutionsareemergingtohelpbusinesomation,andcoordinationacrosstheirsuInthisreport,wediginto13techncrosssupplychainandlogistics—identifiedusingourdata-ExTTframework—inthecontextoftheretailandconsumerprodtsectors.WhilemajorretailerslikeTargethaveacquireddeliverymanagementtechnology—anecessarytrendforsatisfyingrisingdemandforhomedelivery—newthreateningtrendslikeroboticfulfillmentaregainingtractionassolutionsforfasteronlineorderfulfillment.Asdemandremainsuncertainacrossmanyretailcategories,experimentaltrendslikeon-demandwarehousingcouldhelpretailersandbrandsmanageinventorywithincreasedflexibility.Meanwhile,transitorytrendslikedigitalfreightmatching,whichaimstoefficientlymatchshippers(e.g.retailersorbrands)withcarriers,arefacingchallengesinthestrainedtruckingmarket.3SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchTableofContentsCONTENTSNExTTframework5NECESSARYDeliverymanagementsoftwareIoTfleetmanagementEnd-to-endvisibilityplatforms71013EXPERIMENTALAutonomoustruckingAutonomouslast-miledelivOn-demandwarehousingBlockchainforshippingTRANSITORYCrowd-sourceddeliveryplatformsDigitalfreightmatching232THREATENINGRoboticfulfillment34374043PredictiveinventoryforecastingDigitalfreightforwardingReturnsoptimization4SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchNExTTFRAMEWORKEmergingtrendsinsupplychain&logisticstechTRANSITORYNECESSARYIoTfleetCrowd-sourcedmanagementdeliveryplatformsDigitalfreightmatchingEnd-to-endvisibilityDeliverymanagementsoftwareplmsOn-demandwarehousiPredictiveinventoryforecastingRoboticfulfillmentAutonomouslast-miledeliverytDigitalfreightforwardingBlockchainforshippingEXPERIMENTALTHREATENINGLOWHIGHMARKETSTRENGTH5SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchNExTTTrendsWeevaluateeachofthesetrendsusingTheNExTTframework’s2dimensions:theCBInsightsNExTTframework.INDUSTRYADOPTION(y-axis):Signalsincludemomentumofstartupsinthespace,mediaattention,customeradoption(partnerships,customer,licensingdeals).TheNExTTframeworkeducatesbusinessesaboutemergingtrendsandguidestheirdecisionsinaccordancewiththeircomfortwithrisk.MARKETSTRENGTH(x-axis):Signalsincludemarketsizingforecasts,qualityandnumberofinvestorsandcapital,investmentsinR&D,earningstranscriptcommentary,competitiveintensity,incumbentdealmaking(M&A,NExTTusesdata-drivensignalstoevaluatetechnology,product,andbusinessmodeltrendsfromconceptiontomaturitytobroadadoption.strategicinvestments).6SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchNecessaryDELIVERYMANAGEMENTSOFTWAREStartupsandcorporatesareofferingsoftware-onlysolutionstoholisticallymanagethedeliveryprocess,integratingwithcourierstoproviderouteoptimization,orderpooling,fleetmanagement,analytics,andmore.InMay2020,TargetacquiredthetechnologyassetsofdeliverystartupDeliv,withareportedinterestinthestartup’sabilitytopoolordersgoinginsimilardirections.WhileDelivwasatheacquisitionhighlightsTarget’spmanagementtechnology.d-sourceddeliveryplatform,terestindeliveryMorebroadly,anumberofdeliverymanagementandrlyfocusedonOneofthesesolutions,Israel-bSeriesDfundinginApril2020,attraVentures.g,raised$30MinorslikeSalesforceBringg’sSaaSplatformhelpsenterpriseclients(includingretailers,grocers,andrestaurants)managedeliveryoperations,leveragingreal-timedataandartificialintelligence(AI)toenabletracking,routeoptimization,fleetmanagement,orderpooling,andmore.Bringg’ssoftwarecoordinateswithcrowd-sourcedlogisticsplatformslikePostmates,DoorDash,andGlovo,amongothers.7SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchSource:BringgOthersoftwarestartups—likeLogi—alsoleverageAI-analyzeddatpooling,anddeliveryfleetmash,andOptimoRouteplanning,orderBeyondstartups,anumbegSAP,Infor,e.Inearly2020,Oracle,andUPS,offerdeliveryUPSupdateditsinternaldriverrofeature“dynamicoptimization.”Thetform,ORION,tobilitywillallowORIONtorecalculateindividualorderroutesthrououtthedayastrafficlevels,pickupcommitment,andotherexternalfactorschange,accordingtoUPS.Last-milefulfillmentcapabilitieshavebecomeacentralfocusduringtheCovid-19crisis.Asconsumersstayawayfromstores—andretailersdealwiththechallengesoffulfillingmoreonlineorders—makinglast-miledeliverymoreefficientisessential.Bycustomizingforrouteplanning,orderpooling,andmore,retailersarelookingtosaveonlast-miledeliverylaborcostwhileincreasingthespeedoflast-milefulfillmentforshoppers—which,inturn,boostsconsumerloyaltyandsatisfaction.8SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchGoingforward,anticipatethatplatformswillexpandtheircapabilitiesacrossnewfulfillmentchannelsbeyondcourierdelivery.InMay2020,Bringglaunchedanewservicethatwillallowitscustomerstomanagedifferentformsoffulfillment—includingclick-and-collect,curbsidepickup,drive-through,returns,darkkitchens,lockers,andmore—withinasingleplatform.ManyofthesealternativefulfillmentmodelsaregainingtractionduringCovid-19.Additionally,expecttoseelike-mindedM&A,investment,andpartnershipinterestasretailers,likeTarget,attempttobringdeliverycapabilitiesin-house.Formoreinformation,clientscanreadunthedetailsofTarget’sacquisitionofDeliv,aswellas50+staforminglast-miledelivery.9SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchIOTFLEETMANAGEMENTWhileIoT-enabledfleetmanagementstartupshavefacedmajorlayoffs,theycontinuetofacilitatedriversafety,fuelsavings,andcostreductionsfortruckingfleetowners.Thesefleetownersoftencomprisesomeoftheworld’slargestretailersandconsumerbrands.Earlierthisyear,itwasreportedthatWalmartplanstohire500additionaltruckdrivers,addingtothe9,000alreadyemployedbythecompany,highlightingthecontinuednecessityforfleetmanagementsolutionsforbigfleetowners.Asonlinesalesriseamidthepandemic,andthedrivershortagecontinuestoworsen,thisdemandwillremainstrong.Despitethismarketneed,somecompahit.InMay2020,fleetmanagementadownroundandsimultaneouscameaftercompetitorKeepnthespacehavetakenasararaised$400Minworkforce.Thisfitsworkforce.Thelayoffsdemonstratestartupscanbetothevolatiletruckingminvehicleactivityduetoworldwdemandforsomeretailers.verallreductionpiteanincreaseinSource:KeepTruckin10SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchNevertheless,IoT-enabledfleetmanagement,whichincludestelematicsandelectronicloggingdevices(ELDs),remainafirmlyentrenchedcomponentofthetruckingindustry.ThesesolutionsincorporateGPS,Wi-Fi,cameras,sensors,andmoretotrackvehiclesinrealtime,improvedrivercommunicationandsafety,monitorfuelconsumption,andoptimizerouteplanning.Further,theELDFinalRule,aUSfederalmandatewhichwentintoeffectinlate2017,requiresthatoperatorsofcommercialmotorvehiclesuseELDs.Despitetheshort-termchallengesthatIoTfleetmanagementplayersmayface,expectincreaseddemandfortheirsolutionsgoingforward.Thiswillbeparticularlytrueamongessentialgoodsretailers(e.g.Walmart)thatowntheirowntrucks,anongthird-partyfleetownersservingtheessentialgoodsspace.Source:WalmartTechnology-wise,anticipatefurtherintegrationwithothertechnologieslikeAItoimprovepredictivemaintenancecapabilities,real-timeriskandsafetymonitoring,andfleetingintegration.11SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchEmergingplayersinthepredictivemaintenancespacehavegainedinvestortraction.Forexample,Tennessee-basedearly-stagestartupPreteckt,whichhelpsfleetownerspredictmaintenanceissuesupto2weeksbeforetheyoccur,raisedaSeriesAroundoffundinginMarch2020.Formoreinformation,clientscanreadupon60+companiesworkingintruckingtech,aswellasoursurveyoftruckingtechintheretailsupplychain.12SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchEND-TO-ENDVISIBILITYPLATFORMSPlatformsthatcompileandanalyzereal-timedatafromplayersup-anddownstreamalongthesupplychainareprovidingretailersandbrandswithend-to-endshipmentvisibilityandincreasedsupplychainresilience.Corporatediscussionofsupplychainvisibilityhasincreaseddramaticallyin2020.Well-knownbrandsandretailers,includingLeviStrauss,WalgreensBootsAlliance,andLa-z-boy,haveallrecentlyemphasizedtheimportanceofvisibilityintoinventory,particularlyduringtheCovid-19pandemic.Thistrewithmentionsof“supplychain”aninrecentmonths,accordingtotanalysistool.anbeseeninearningscalls,trendingsharplyupwardningsmentionsSource:CBInsights13SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchGivenglobalsupplyanddemandshocks,end-to-endvisibilityisbecominganincreasinglyimportanttooltoensureasmoothflowofinventoryandpreventabreakdownofcommunicationwithsupplychainpartners.Illinois-basedproject44,amajornameinsupplychainvisibility,providesAPI(applicationprogramminginterface)-basedintegrationsforshippersthatenablereal-timeinventorytrackingacrossair,ocean,rail,truck,andlast-miledelivery.Toprovidethesecapabilities,project44offersa“CollaborativeVisibility”featurethatenablesshipperstoformdata-sharingrelationshipswithupstreamanddownstreamsupplychainplayers.Inaddition,tocombatconcernssurroundingdataprivacyandsharing,project44claimsGDPRcnceandallowsnetworkparticipantstocustomizedatashaSource:G2,project44Companieslikeproject44addressalong-standingobstacleintheglobalsupplychain:siloeddata.14SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchWhileindividualplayersalongthesupplychain(e.g.carriers,manufacturers,wholesalers,andretailers)mayhavetheabilitytomanagedatawithintheirownoperations,theyoftenremainblindtocriticalinformationfurtherup-ordownstream—meaningthattheycanmissinsightsthatdirectlyimpactsbusiness.project44isoneofanumberofplayerstacklingthisproblem,inadditiontostartupslikeShippeo,FourKites,andOverhaul.Inaglobalenvironmentwheresupplychainresilienceandflexibilityiskey,real-timesupplychainvisibilitywillbecomecriticalforbrandsandretailerstobettermonitorinventory,reducelatefees,maintainpartnerrelationships,andultimatelydelivermorepositiveshopperexperiences.Alongwithtechnologieslikeblockchreport),anticipatethatsupplychstageforretailers,brands,caddiscussedlaterinthisormswillstaycenter-dmore.Goingforward,expectthensincreasinglyaunchedanewfocusedonprecisetracking.serviceinJune2020thatprovidtruckload(LTL)shipmentswithin2-beennotoriouslychallengingtotrackgimultiplepick-upsanddrop-offs.ngofless-than-rywindows.ThishasthatLTLcarriersexperienceFormoreinformation,clientscanexplore125+startupsdisruptingsupplychain&logistics.15SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchExperimentalAUTONOMOUSTRUCKINGDespiterecentshutdownsofmajorautonomousvehicleinitiatives,driverlesstruckingtechnologyfortransportationonpublicroadsandmajorhighwaysiscontinuingtogaintraction.Truckingaccountsformorethan70%offreighttransportwithintheUS,accordingtotheAmericanTruckingAssociations,andthusplaysacriticalroleforretailerandbrandoperations.However,theNationalRetailFederationestimatesthattheUSwillnethenextdecadetocombatthecurrcausedbyanaginglaborforceaadd1.1Mtruckdriversoverortage,whichhasbeengerrecruits.Accordingly,majorretaileruckingdimprovesolutionsthatcanreduceefficiency.Amazonpartneredin2019totransportgoodsalongWalmartpartneredwithself-drivingingstartupEmbarkhway.Thesameyear,atiktoautomatemiddle-milegrocerydeliveriesbetweenwarehoesandstoresviadriverlessdeliveryvans.InMay2020,Gatikannouncedanewautonomousdeliveryboxtruckfortransportingambient,frozen,andcoldgoods—capabilitiesthatcouldfurtherstreamlineWalmart’sgrocerysupplychain.Thoughsomestartupshavestruggled—suchasStarskyRobotics,whichshutdowninMarch2020—emergingautonomoustruckingplayerslikeEmbarkandGatikarepartofagrowingtechnologyecosystem.ThesetechnologiescouldenabletruckstomovebeyondLevel2autonomy—partialautomationthatstillrequiresdrivers—toLevel4autonomy,inwhichvehiclesarecapableofperformingalldrivingfunctionsundercertainconditions.Atthemoment,though,currentpilotschemesforLevel4requiresafetydriverstobepresent.16SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchSource:NationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration,SocietyofAutomotiveEngineersOneprominentstartupinthespacprovidesLevel4autonomousitspartnershipwithUPSinbasedTuSimple,whichuSimpleexpandedollaboration,thestartupistransportingfreandTucson,andPhoenixandElPaso.Beyclientsandoperatesafleetof40drivers)thatoperate20+weeklytripmorethanadozenucks(withsafetymericanSouthwest.Source:FreightWaves,TuSimple17SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchOtherstartups,likePelotonTechnology,arefocusedonautonomousplatooningsystems,whichdigitallytethergroupsoftruckstogether,ledbyaprincipaldriver.PlatooningcanhelpbringdownassociatedCO2emissionsbypositioningtruckscloselytogethertoreduceairdrag.Inaddition,platooningat-scalecouldreducetrafficcongestionbyenablingcoordinatedaccelerationandbrakingbetweenvehicles.Peloton,whichhascommerciallylaunchedaLevel1autonomousplatooningsystem,unveiledanupgradedLevel4versionin2019.UndertheLevel4system,afulldriverlesstruckcanfollowaleadtruckwithintheplatoonwithouttheneedforaseconddriver.Autonomoustruckingtechnologycanaexample,techproviderLocomation8%.Byreducingrelianceonhumdriverlesstruckscanincreasreducefuelconsumption.Forutoverallfuelexpensebyminatinghumanerror,efficiency.Brandsandlogisticsprovtagetobetterbyretailers.OTIFTargettosatisfysatisfystringentOTIF(on-timprograms(enforcedbyretailerslcustomerdemand)oftenpenalizesrlateshipments.Despitethepromiseofautonomoustrucking,thespacestillfacesmyriadchallenges.Fromaregulatoryperspective,developmentintheUSissubjecttoapatchworkofrulesandregulationsthatvarysignificantlybystate.InChina,anothermajorautonomoustruckingmarket,providersalsofaceanascentregulatorylandscape.Lookingatthetechnologyside,autonomoustruckingremainsdifficulttoperfectandscaleatanaffordablecost.18SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchForsignsofadvancement,watchforestablishedstartupstoshedrequirementsforsafetydrivers.TuSimple,forexample,hopestoeliminatetheneedforsafetydriversnextyear.IntheUS,watchforactivityacrossmajorstateslikeCalifornia,wheretheDepartmentofMotorVehiclesannounceditwouldpermittestingofautonomoussmall-andmid-sizetrucksonpublicroadsinlate2019.Globally,anticipateincreasedactivityacrosscountriesincludingSwedenandChina,whereautonomoustruckingstartupslikeEinrideandInceptioaregaininginvestortraction,respectively.Lastly,anticipatethatself-drivingtechnologystartupsmaybecomelucrativeinvestmentoracquisitiontargWalmartthataimtoautomatetheirself-drivingtechnologystartupZormajortruckownerslikezon,forone,acquiredune2020.Formoreinformation,clienintruckingtech,howtrucsupplychain,andwhereSmaesworkingintheretailgbetsinthesector.19SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchAUTONOMOUSLAST-MILEDELIVERYWhilestillnascent,autonomouslast-miledeliveryisseeingacceleratedadoptionduringtheCovid-19crisis.Fromdriverlessvehiclestogroundrobotsanddrones,weexaminehowautonomousdeliverysolutionscanhelpretailersstreamlinethelastmile.AmidtheCovid-19pandemic,CVSandUPSannouncedtheywouldpartnertodeliverprescriptionmedicationtoresidentsofTheVillages,aretirementcommunityinFlorida.Thepilot,whichhasreceivedapprovalfromtheFederalAviationAdministration,willusedronesfromstartupMatternet,adirectpartnerofUcommercialautonomousdronedelieffectsincethebeginningofthehisisjustoneofseveralionsthathavegoneintoSource:PCMag20SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchOntheground,autonomousdeliverystartupsalsoareseeingacceleratedadoption.Withasurgeindemandforcontactlessdelivery,UK-basedStarshipTechnologiesexpandedautonomousdeliveryserviceintheUStoArizona,California,andWashingtonDC.Starship’sdeliveryrobotscancarryupto20poundsandtravelviasidewalks.Fromaregulatoryperspective,autonomousdeliverystartupNurobecamethefirstcompanytogainapprovalfromtheUSDepartmentofTransportationandtheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationtooperateitsdriverlesslast-miledeliveryvehicleonpublicroads.Specifically,Nurowillbeabletolaunchupto5,000ofitsvehiclesacrosstheUS,thefirstbatchofwhichitplanstodeployinHouston.NurohaspartneredwithanumberofmajorretaiandmostrecentlyCVS.cludingWalmart,Kroger,Source:ForbesAsregulatorybarrierscomedown,autonomouslast-miledeliverymaybecomeanincreasinglyimportanttoolforalltypesofretailers.Fromconveniencetoapparel,autonomouslast-miledeliverycanimprovespeedandefficiency,whileprovidingamethodofcontactlessdeliveryduringtheCovid-19pandemic.21SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchInaddition,retailersareconstrainedbythecostofpayinghumanstodelivergoods,oftencausingthepriceofdelivery—especiallyforgroceries—tobecomeprohibitivelyexpensive.Whileautonomouslast-miletechnologycouldwarranthigherupfrontinvestmentcosts,theycanmitigatelaborcostsinthelongrun.Whileadoptionmayaccelerateduetothepandemic,regulatoryhurdlesremain.Itisalsounclearhowwellconsumerswillacclimatetothenewtechnologyenmasse.Thereisthepotentialfortheftandvandalism,asmanyoftherobotscouldmakeeasytargets.Shouldautonomouslast-miledeliveryfleetsscaleinsize,therecouldbewidespreadconcernaboutjoblossesfordeliverydrivers,orevenpoliticalpushback.Lookingahead,anticipateariseinaexperimentation.Whiledriverlesultimatelybemostsuitablefsuburbs,dronedeliverywslast-milelikeNuromaydsincitiesorforruralandisolatedcommunities.InCdyexpandedbeyondessentialitemstootheExpectsimilarproliferationacrosspopulations,suchasAustraliaandCronicsandapparel.moredispersedAdditionally,anticipateautonomouslast-miledeliveryvehiclestoworkinconjunctionwithroboticfulfillmenttechnology(atrenddetailedlaterinthisreport).Asnohumandriversareneeded,deliveryservicehourscanexpand,offering24/7shipping.Thiscouldcatertolate-nightimpulsebuysandimmediate-needpurchases.Amazonisexploringthisintersection:Oneofthetechnologygiant’spatents,for“mobilefulfillmentcenterswithintermodalcarriersandunmannedaerialvehicles,”describesasystemforcombiningdronedeliveryandautomatedfulfillment.Formoreinformation,clientscanreadaboutthestoreofthefuture,UPSandCVS’dronedeliverypartnership,andourmarketmapof50+startupstransformingthelastmile.22SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchON-DEMANDWAREHOUSINGOn-demandwarehousingsolutionsareattractingearly-stageinvestorandcorporateinterest.Thesesolutionsharnessnetworksofdedicatedandrepurposedrealestatetoprovidewarehousing—offeringretailers,brands,andrealestateownersmoreflexibility.On-demandwarehousingsolutionsusenetworksofdistributedfacilitiestooffershort-termandflexiblestoragetoretailers,brands,andmore.Thesesolutionscanstreamlinelast-miledeliverybystoringitemsclosertoconsumers(e.g.nearresidentialneighborhoods).Mostprovidersinthisspaceofferadjoiningtologyplatformsthathelpshippersoptimizewarehousingandprocesses.WhilesomeoftheseproviderlikeBond,Darkstore,andOhouses,startupseinsidestorefronts,malls,andothoingso,theynotonlybenefitbusinesseslorealestateownersandrentersseclosures.Thisremainsofparticulariocommerciallostrevenuefromceas,amidthepandemic,USretailerspaidonly58%oftheirbilledntinApril2020,comparedto96%inApril2019,accordingtoDatexPropertySolutions.Early-stageprovidersinthespacehaveattractedinvestorattention.Bondraised$15MinaSeriesAroundfromLightspeedVenturePartnersandotherinvestorsinearly2020.Thestartupoffersurbanstorage,same-daydelivery,andreturnsservicestodirect-to-consumerbrandsviahyperlocal“nano-distributioncenters”inNewYorkCity.Bondbuildsoutitswarehousingnetworkbytappingintounusedstorefronts,basements,orofficebuildings.23SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchSource:VentureBeatOtherstartupsthatleveragviadedicatedwarehousinwhichhaveraised$16MandSomeofthesestartupshaveworandWalmart.etworks,albeiteandFlexe,respectively.oldnameslikeNikeFromacorporateangle,UPSunveileditsownon-demandwarehousingservice,dubbedWare2Go,in2018.Theserviceaimstohelpsmall-andmedium-sizedbusinessescompeteonfulfillmentspeedandefficiencybyleveraginganetworkofwarehousingfacilitiesfromwhichtheycancheaplystoreandquicklydeliverproducts.Inadditiontothebenefitsdiscussedabove,on-demandwarehousingmakesrealestatemoreaccessibleforretailersandbrandsthatcannotaffordlonger-termleases,helpingthemtocompeteagainstlogisticallypowerfulthreatslikeAmazon.Italsolowerstheriskofafullshutdownbybuildingoperationalresilience—duringapandemic,forexample,shouldanemployeefallillatonewarehouse,otherscouldremainopen.Finally,on-demandwarehousingprovidesstorereplenishmentandinventoryoverflowflexibilitytoretailersstrugglingwithexcessorunpredictableinventorylevels.24SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchGoingforward,anticipatethaton-demandwarehousingproviderswilldoubledownontheirunderlyingtechnologyplatforms.Byimprovingpredictivecapabilitiessurroundinginventorymanagement,warehousingconfigurations,andmore,theseprovidersmayincreasinglycommoditizevaluablefulfillmentanddeliverydataforretailersandbrands.Formoreinformation,clientscantakealookat85+early-stagestartupstransformingsupplychain&logistics,aswellas6early-stagestartupsdrivingefficiencyinlast-miledelivery.25SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchBLOCKCHAINFORSHIPPINGWhileblockchainhasthepotentialtobringmoretransparencytosupplychainsglobally,thetechnologycontinuestofacehurdlessurroundingstandardizationandinteroperability.Forseveralyears,blockchainhasattractedattentionforitspotentialtoincreasetransparencyacrosssupplychains.Ablockchain-basedapproachwouldconnectsupplychainpartnersonasecuredigitalledgerwhereallplayerscancommunicate.Thesesystemsaimtofacilitatetrustbetweenindependentpartiesbystoringimmutabledatainadecentralizedmanner,soitcannotasilytamperedwithbyanysinglepartywithoutverificationfroeholders.Throughsuchasystem,invenpassesthroughasupplycopportunitiesforfraud,deandreduceinstancesofunexdmonitoredasitcouldmitigatetopaperwork,tertracking.Accordingly,retailersandbrandsacry,apparel,andmoreareexperimentingwithblockchaintechtoesstheseadvantages.InFebruary2020,WalmartCanadapartneredwithToronto-basedblockchainsolutionsproviderDLTLabstocompletethelaunchofablockchain-basedfreightnetwork.Designedtodirectlyimproveleadtimeswithpartnercarriersandimprovein-stockavailability,theinitiativeaimstofacilitatetransparentandsecurecommunicationbetweenWalmartCanadaandaround70third-partytruckingcarriers.Specifically,theplatformwilltrackdeliveries,verifytransactions,andstreamlinepaymentsprocessesbetweenWalmartanditspartnercarriers.26SupplyChain&LogisticsTechTrendsToWatchInthegroceryspace,retailersandbrandsarelookingtoimprovefoodsafetyandshelflifeviablockchain-enabledfoodtraceability.DoleFoodCompanyrecentlyannounceda5-yearplantoincorporateblockchainintoitsoperationsandaddblockchain-enabledtagsacrossitsfruitandvegetablesproducts.OthermajorinitiativesinthisspaceincludeIBM’sFoodTrust.IBMhaspartneredwithWalmartandotherssince2017withtheaimofreducingthetimeittakestotrackthesourceoffoodfromdaystosecondsviablockchainanddistributedledgertechnology.Source:IBMBeyondgrocery,manyapparelandconsumerproductsretailershavetakeninterestinblockchainforsustainabilitypurposes.InApril2020,forexample,H&MpartneredwithblockchainplatformVeChaintoprovidesupplychaintracingdatatoshoppers.Thistypeofdatacouldappealtoenvironmentallymindedconsumersandincreaseconfidenceinbrands’sustainabilitycredentials.Onabroaderscal