Logistics operators are collecting unprecedented volumes of information, but the commercial value of that data depends on how effectively it supports decisions. As AI, automation, sensors and connected systems spread through parcel and logistics operations, companies risk creating what iFactory chief executive Robert Jordan calls a “data junkyard”.
Jordan discussed the issue with Paul Hamblin in an episode of Logistics Business Conversations recorded at Parcel & Post Expo in London. The central concern is not whether businesses can gather more data, but whether they can identify, govern and apply the information that matters.
From data-rich to decision-rich
Transport systems, warehouses, tracking tools and automated equipment can all generate valuable operational signals. Yet data that is duplicated, poorly organised or disconnected from workflows may add complexity rather than improve performance. Some companies may already hold useful information without having a reliable way to find or use it.
The expansion of AI raises the stakes. Organisations need confidence in data quality, access controls, security and ownership, particularly when information moves between multiple business systems. They must also decide what happens to records that are no longer actively used.
The discussion highlights that automation does not remove the need for human judgement. Businesses still have to determine which signals require action and what outcomes they expect from technology. The competitive objective is therefore to become “decision rich”, not merely to accumulate larger data stores.
For logistics leaders, the practical response is a review of current data sources, governance and operational value. Companies that connect reliable information with clear decisions will be better placed to improve profitability and adopt further automation. Those that continue collecting without purpose may find their digital infrastructure becoming a liability.
A multilingual professional experienced in Europe, Canada, and China, Herbert has developed invaluable networks in the automotive and energy industries. He has led high-profile projects involving ENBW, Mercedes-Benz Group, Siemens Group, and the Fraunhofer Institute.