Does logistics matter? It’s the opening question of every Does Logistics Matter? podcast episode, and in the conversation with Davey Baars from Connected Load Carrier, the answer is an immediate and emphatic yes.
Not because logistics is suddenly trendy, but because supply chains are changing faster than the systems designed to run them.
A Digital Supply Chain Is Not a Gadget Problem
One of the most common mistakes companies make when “going digital” is starting with hardware. Sensors, trackers, and labels are all purchased before a single business question is clearly defined.
As Davey points out, a digital supply chain is not about adding technology to isolated assets. It’s about creating a digital layer on top of the physical supply chain, a digital reflection that makes handovers, movements, and responsibilities visible across the chain.
That distinction matters more than most realise.
The Hidden Power of Standardisation
Before any technology delivers value, something far less exciting needs to happen: standardisation.
Different labels, asset types, numbering systems, and formats still dominate many supply chains. Without standardisation, even the best digital tools struggle to scale or interoperate.
What’s interesting is that standardisation already delivers efficiency gains, even before a single sensor is installed. It’s also becoming increasingly unavoidable, as upcoming EU regulations push companies toward greater asset visibility and traceability.
The Real Value Lives Between Companies
Another key insight from the conversation is where digitalisation actually pays off. Not inside individual organisations, but between them.
Every handover in a supply chain is a risk moment. It’s where paperwork piles up, data gets re-entered, and responsibility becomes blurred. Digitalising those moments, rather than optimising isolated silos, is where efficiency, transparency, and trust are created.
Start With the Question, Not the Technology
There’s no “best” technology in logistics. RFID, GPS, and BLE can all work and fail depending on the context.
The better starting point is simple: What do we want to know?
Once the data question is clear, the technology often becomes obvious.
Start Small, But Start Now
Digital transformation in logistics isn’t a one-off project. It’s a process that takes time, learning, and collaboration across the ecosystem.
The biggest risk today isn’t choosing the wrong technology; it’s not starting at all.
🎧 Curious how this plays out in practice?
Listen to the full episode of Does Logistics Matter? for real-world examples, practical lessons, and a deeper dive into building a truly digital supply chain via the player below, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The header image for this blog post was created by AI based on the content of this podcast episode.
