548: 2026 Market Review - Explore Key Challenges, Opportunities and Drivers, with SecurSpace

548: 2026 Market Review - Explore Key Challenges, Opportunities and Drivers, with SecurSpace

Bobby Strenk of SecurSpace talks about cargo theft; market challenges & opportunities; & equipping suppliers to redefine their competitive advantage. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.51] An introduction to Bobby and his role at SecurSpace. [04.07] An overview of SecurSpace and their customers. "It's like Airbnb but, instead of booking a home for vacation, you're booking parking and storage for containers, trailers, chassis and trucks!" [06.04] Why industrial outdoor storage is mission-critical, and the current market gaps. [08.50] From a brand new partnership to product integrations, what SecurSpace have been working on since they were last on the show. "Parking and storage is evolving at a rapid pace… and we want to put our network into the hands of more people." [15.07] What the industry landscape and macro impacts look like right now for SecurSpace and their customers. "Demand is there, but capacity is constrained… There's a chance we're going to start seeing congestion at warehouses, rail hubs and ports. So, for us, that means we're going to see a heightened need for drop yard storage." [18.58] How the current landscape and challenges are translating to a business level, what leaders are focusing on, and the key strategies at play. [23.11] The ongoing evolution of cargo theft, and why collaboration will be key to tackling it. "Criminals are staying a step ahead, and AI accelerates that… But we're at a point where people understand the importance of working together to solve the problem." [25.37] How SecurSpace is tackling the issue of cargo theft, and how their customers are responding to their solutions. [30.03] Bobby's big takeaways and learnings from his attendance at the recent National Association of Industrial Outdoor Storage's annual Summit. "What can we do to ensure this facility is fully functional, dynamic and secure?" [34.17] From automation to visibility, a closer look at SecurSpace's next-generation IOS. [36.54] How SecurSpace are equipping suppliers to redefine their competitive advantage, and what competitive advantage actually looks like for them. [41.56] The biggest areas of opportunity for the second half of 2026. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to SecurSpace's website [https://secur.space/] now to find out more and discover how they could help you too, or you can connect with Bobby on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-strenk/]. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from SecurSpace, check out 451: Cargo Theft is a $700+ Million Problem. What Can Shippers and Carriers Do? [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/episode-451-cargo-theft-is-a-700-million-problem-what-can-shippers-and-carriers-do] or 363: Grab On-Demand Access To Yard Space, with SecurSpace [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/episode-363-grab-on-demand-access-to-yard-space-with-securspace]. Check out our other podcasts HERE [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcast/].

546: Driving Efficiency From Collaboration, with BlackBerry Radar and Gulf Winds International

Jason Anderson of BlackBerry Radar & Alysse Ligon of Gulf Winds International talk about their partnership, solving fleet challenges & driving efficiency. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.18] An introduction to Jason and his background. [04.45] An overview of BlackBerry Radar, what they do, what's new for them since they were last on the show, and what we can expect in 2027. "We're different to other companies that do asset pairing, because we can pair anything – the chassis to the container, the trailer or the chassis to the power unit, all three! It's a very versatile, flexible system." [06.16] An introduction to Alysse and Gulf Winds International. [07.20] Why Gulf Winds decided to build a controlled GPS-enabled fleet of chassis, allowing them to easily right-size their pool and plan fleets in advance. "Chassis are one of the most operationally painful pieces of equipment in our industry. They're expensive, they move constantly, nobody ever knows where they are… So GPS is completely non-negotiable for us." [09.00] From real-time location to usable data, the key challenges Gulf Winds were trying to tackle. "Real-time data unlocks everything." [12.05] Jason and Alysse's reflections on what's happening in the industry today with technology adoption and future evolution. "The data layer is finally maturing, the standards are improving, cost of visibility has come down… AI is the obvious next wave but, the truth is that, AI is only as good as the data underneath it. So the operators that win the next five years are the ones who've invested in clean data infrastructure NOW. AI on top of a messy data layer is just faster chaos." [16.07] Understanding the problem first: how Gulf Winds realized they were ready for a new partnership. [17.07] The challenges Gulf Winds experienced with their prior pairing solution, the approach they took to finding the right partner, and why they wanted to go back to basics by focusing on their core competencies. "A lot of operators struggle with build vs buy, especially in 2026 when the ability to build software is so easy." [20.13] How BlackBerry Radar approached Gulf Wind's challenges to develop the right solution. "It was presented to us a puzzle, with one big missing piece." [22.22] How easy access to BlackBerry data helps Gulf Winds drive efficiency. [24.03] The BlackBerry Radar API integration, how it helps customers turn data into real-time automations that improve efficiency and reduce cost, and how it empowers them with a 'confidence score' for decision-making. [29.05] A closer look at the Gulf Winds and BlackBerry Radar partnership, and how they worked in collaboration to build out the ideal solution, from discovery to implementation. "It was iterative – which is how a partnership like this should work." [31.02] Why good partnerships can help break down siloes, and how Gulf Winds manage internal change management when it comes to new technology investments. [33.35] From meaningful improvement in chassis utilization to better customer experience, the positive impacts of the BlackBerry Radar solution for Gulf Winds. [36.26] The future for the BlackBerry Radar and Gulf Winds partnership. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to BlackBerry Radar's website [https://blackberryradar.com/] now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with BlackBerry Radar and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackberryradar], or you can connect with Jason [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janderso/] or Alysse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysseligon/] on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from BlackBerry Radar, check out * 455: Discover Event-Driven Platform Technology, with BlackBerry Radar [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/episode-455-discover-event-driven-platform-technology-with-blackberry-radar] * 358: Harness The Power Of Asset Tracking Engineered for Intelligence, with BlackBerry Radar [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/358-harness-the-power-of-asset-tracking-engineered-for-intelligence-with-blackberry-radar] * 322: Innovative Asset Tracking Made Easy, with Blackberry Radar [https://letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/episode-322-innovative-asset-tracking-made-easy-with-blackberry-radar] * Shannon Hamilton on Authenticity and Bringing Diversity to Transportation & Logistics [https://letstalksupplychain.com/supply-chain-hub/pr-news/shannon-hamilton-women-in-supply-chain] Check out our other podcasts HERE [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcast/].

545: Look At Your Supply Chain From Every Angle, with Pallet Alliance

Mary Casillo & Patrick Noone of Pallet Alliance talk about people, process, partnership & performance, & how their unique approach drives results for customers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.22] An introduction to Patrick and Mary, their backgrounds, and roles at Pallet Alliance. [04.42] An overview of Pallet Alliance, and the importance of using fit for purpose pallets. [07.20] What this year's MODEX theme, 'From Every Angle,' means to Pallet Alliance and supply chain optimization. "If you look at something from every angle, you're able to optimize it to the best it can be… And you're able to fix it from every angle." "It's the opportunity to tear something apart and say: 'How do we put this back together for you?'" [09.18] Why designing custom pallet programs is like playing Tetris, or being a detective. "Every customer is different, you have to figure out what fits where… And you're factfinding along the way." [10.37] A closer look at the journey to developing a new pallet program, from sourcing and testing through to suppliers and transportation, exactly why that process is so challenging, and Pallet Alliance's approach to problem-solving. "The amount of work is monumental. We're so successful because we do all of it for them with our pallet management program… We want to make people in procurement look good." [14.38] What makes Pallet Alliance's process different from traditional sourcing approaches. [17.00] In a landscape increasingly defined by AI, why Pallet Alliance strive to find the balance between people and technology, and why AI is only as good as the data you feed it. "Part of the challenge we have now is that people understand that the data is wrong, but they don't want to invest the time to allow us to fix it for them. Or, it's that automatic RFQ, without thinking about bad data in, bad analysis out." [24.19] The kind of impact Pallet Alliance customers typically see, and how they can continue to uncover substantial savings across locations even with long-term customers. "We can save millions year over year through cost savings, more efficiency, and education in general." "We're all pallet heads!!" [26.04] What results can look like for Pallet Alliance customers, and how to measure them. "We don't have a crystal ball, but we can see where things are going. And if we can see that, we can be proactive instead of reactive, and that's something our customers really appreciate." [28.19] A selection of case studies exploring how Pallet Alliance have helped customers avoid fines, improve customer experience, meet high demand, and utilize improved materials to boost resilience and drive huge cost savings. [33.46] Where teams should start when approaching a new pallet program, and the small steps they can take towards making meaningful change. [36.00] What Mary and Patrick want listeners to take away from today's discussion. "Pallets and crates are way more complicated than you think!!" RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Pallet Alliance's website [https://tpai.com/] now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Pallet Alliance and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pallet-alliance/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW6OygpLaNPZnWwFfpSnJA], Facebook [https://facebook.com/Pallet-Alliance-100454408704324/] or X (Twitter) [https://twitter.com/PalletAlliance] or you can connect with Mary [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-casillo-msa-6a550a12] or Patrick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-j-noone-852654241/] on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Pallet Alliance, check out epsidoes: * 501: Uncover Hidden Inefficiencies and Opportunities, with Pallet Alliance [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/episode-501-uncover-hidden-inefficiencies-and-opportunities-with-pallet-alliance] * 482: Transform the Way Your Business Moves, with Pallet Alliance [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/episode-482-transform-the-way-your-business-moves-with-pallet-alliance] * 146: A Holistic Approach to Pallets [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/146-a-holistic-approach-to-pallets] Check out our other podcasts HERE [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcast/].

544: How To Move Toward Intelligent, Connected Execution, with Infios

Scott Kramer of Infios talks about intelligent supply chain execution; why visibility & optimization are key building blocks; & leveraging AI the right way. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.25] An introduction to Scott, his role at Infios, and his background. [03.20] An overview of Infios, who they are, and what they do. [03.50] The ethos that has informed Infios's journey with AI and new technology. "From the beginning, our solution has been based around adaptability and openness. And now, with the advent of not just AI but AMRs, that openness has allowed us to navigate these waters more easily. We're flexible in how we can operate in this environment." [05.51] Why visibility and optimization are the building blocks for AI-enhanced execution. "Visibility and optimization are still important… But when we add the agents, they can understand what's going on, prescribe solutions, and take away a lot of the heavy lifting of research and analysis." [06.41] What Infios's recent supply chain execution readiness report reveals about how leaders are thinking about execution and optimization, particularly around manual workflows. "Some workflows have been optimized, but only within their silo. They may have optimized a workflow for transportation or warehouse – but how do you connect them?" [09.14] The biggest issue in the market right now with AI understanding and adoption. "People are asking us: "What are you doing right now with AI?" And that's the wrong question." [11.15] Where Scott sees companies on the reactive vs proactive scale right now, why mindset is still a limiting factor, and how visibility is changing. "People are still thinking in the ways they've traditionally solved problems. They're thinking about automating a single task; they're not thinking about connecting the dots together." [13.25] How leaders are thinking about the future of technology. "The art of what's possible has changed." [15.03] Why many AI pilots still aren't getting off the ground, and how we can actually create value from AI investments. "I've seen all too often: 'I have a great technology, now let me go and search for a problem.' We really need to start with the problem, then define the technology. AI is an amazing tool, when leveraged correctly." [18.13] What intelligent, connected execution should actually look like. [20.54] Training AI slowly, how bias is holding us back, and discovering what's really possible with AI. [22.53] The benefits to teams and businesses when they achieve intelligent, connected execution. [24.18] The small steps teams can take now to position for success. "Don't think of it as an LMS problem, WMS problem or TMS problem. Ultimately, it's a customer problem." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Infios' website [https://www.infios.com/] now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Infios and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/infios] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Infios], or you can connect with Scott [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kramer16/] on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Infios, check out 520: Enter the New Era of Supply Chain Management, with Infios [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/520-enter-the-new-era-of-supply-chain-management-with-infios] or 532: Turning Purposeful AI into Business Outcomes, with Infios [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts/episode-532-turning-purposeful-ai-into-business-outcomes-with-infios]. Check out our other podcasts HERE [https://letstalksupplychain.com/podcasts].

543: Embrace A Limitless Future, with IFS Softeon

Mark Fralick of IFS Softeon talks about what they do; measuring your warehouse tech ROI; joining IFS; being nimble; & embracing a limitless philosophy. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.27] Why Mark is still so passionate about supply chain after over 30 years in the industry. "I was in the industry before Amazon made it cool!... I'm driven by this idea of inspiration, it feeds me when folks come to us with ideas and notions… there's nothing better." [04.20] An introduction to Mark, his background, and how he came to join IFS Softeon. [05.17] Softeon's recent acquisition by IFS. [06.30] What the IFS acquisition means for Softeon, and the new chapter it unlocks for them and their clients. "All the things that made us successful are going to stay the same. But being part of IFS now allows us to tap into industrial AI and the abilities that being part of a larger, AI-forward organization brings." [08.40] The ideal client for IFS Softeon. [09.37] Why being nimble is critical in the current climate. "A lot of people don't think about that as a core competency of a system. But it should be! Speed is life in our world." [11.18] The importance of flow, recognizing that every business and warehouse is different, and why IFS Softeon's approach to solution design is a key differentiator for them. "I tend not to believe in industry practices, we should just eliminate bad practices and adopt good ones… I don't want to force some industry standard… We orient our systems to be micro-tuned to your business." [14.46] IFS Softeon's unique 'challenge and refine' process, and how it helps achieve that all-important flow. "It's co-ordinated movement, and that's the key." [16.05] What AI and new technology looks like now for IFS Softeon, and how it's helping companies combat variability and unlock the next level of optimization and resilience. "If you're going to employ digital workers, you need the same ability to have measurable results that you would expect from a team member, so how do you do that? We have a circular approach to define what the digital worker does, validate the results, tune it – and create a feedback loop." [20.20] How to determine which technology ROI measurement is right for your warehouse. [22.39] IFS Softeon's unique philosophy of being limitless, and what that means for technology, competitive advantage and positioning for the future. [26.16] Why Mark is so focused on time-to-value when it comes to new projects and clients. [28.07] The other exciting announcements IFS Softeon are sharing at MODEX. "It's a really cool, best-of-both-worlds approach." [30.46] Mark's key takeaway from today's discussion. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to IFS Softeon's website [https://www.softeon.com/] now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with IFS Softeon and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/softeon] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@softeoninc], or you can connect with Mark on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fralick-b583198/]. Check out our other podcasts HERE [https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/podcast/].