Descartes Study: 74% of Supply Chain Leaders Focus on Technology

Global trade intelligence and global trade analytics are top technologies expected to deliver business value

Descartes Systems Group, a global leader in allied logistics-intensive business enterprises, has released findings from its research report, What Companies Are Doing to Address Escalating Global Supply Chain Challenges. Research shows that in the face of growing global trade challenges such as tariffs and trade barriers, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability, 74% of supply chain and logistics leaders surveyed view technology as critical or very important to their organization’s growth strategy important. That number jumps to 88% for companies expected to grow more than 15% over the next two years. Additionally, 59% of respondents believe technology is extremely or very important in providing a competitive advantage in international trade.

Also read: Addressing global trade risks through strategic financial planning

When considering which technology capabilities are expected to help companies involved in international trade grow their business and gain a competitive advantage, 36% of respondents ranked global trade intelligence as the top capability needed to deliver the most value over the next two years. This is followed by global trade analysis (27%) and supply chain mapping (26%) (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Top capabilities required to achieve maximum business value over the next 2 years

Results also show that global trade intelligence is cited by respondents across all industries as the top technology capability expected to create the most value over the next two years, including manufacturing (40%), wholesale and distribution (44%), finance and insurance (38%) %) and retail (30%) industries.

“For companies across different industries, global trade has become more complex, and traditional business operations face many new challenges,” said Jackson Wood, director of industry strategy at Descartes. “As companies deal with tariffs and trade barriers, geopolitical instability, supply In the face of chain disruptions and compliance requirements, technology tools can help them enhance supply chain agility and resilience to compete more effectively.”

Descartes and SAPIO Research surveyed 978 supply chain intelligence leaders in major trading countries in Europe, North America, South America and the Asia-Pacific region. The goal is to understand the strategies, tactics, and techniques used by companies involved in international trade to help gain competitive advantage and ensure continued business growth, and to determine whether these strategies, tactics, and techniques vary depending on factors such as country, industry, company size, and business growth And change. Respondents were members of the company’s leadership team, from management to CEO or owner.

To learn more, read about what companies are doing to address escalating global supply chain challenges.