The tech that holds the most promise for impacting 2019 is not the new rookie tech, but the workhorse API for its ability to easily integrate and deliver real-time data between systems at virtually no cost.
Arguably it had its own hype curve, but the age of the APIs is just starting to create the next generation of applications that build on top of the now interconnected systems. For example, connecting in real time to carriers replaces outdated tables, but what’s coming now are dynamic pricing options, unparalleled visibility across partners and comparable data across competitors. The now broad adoption of APIs sets the table for the next evolution for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (likely to capture my vote next year). The combined offerings of AI and machine learning will be transformative to logistics, because they are specifically targeted to process massive amounts of variables quickly, but they can only process what data points to which they have access. That is why my vote this year goes to the humble API and the evolution that is enabled and is still blossoming.
Blockchain is the hands down winner of the overhyped award. I don’t want to discount the capabilities, but it reminds me a lot of radio-frequency identification. Great tech, revolutionary capabilities, but the applications are niche and require time to evolve. Companies are capitalizing on the cool factor, but usability and adoption will only arrive and with specific applications where there is true value to using Blockchain. Many of the proposed Blockchain solutions are just impractical. I can use an armored car to deliver my lunch, but why? Separating the real deal from the hype requires a deep knowledge and clear logical benefit. This is truly a fun time to be in logistics technology.