Varied Awareness
Shippers differ widely in their levels of interest,
understanding and adoption when it comes to
the role of Big Data in facilitating the analysis
and solving of supply chain problems. As seen
in Figure 6, just 30% of shippers and 27% of
3PLs indicate that to some extent they have
implemented or are currently planning Big
Data initiatives that involve supply chains or
supply chain management.
Another 39% and 42%, respectively, indicate
they are familiar with Big Data, but that they
either are unsure as to how it can assist their
supply chain organizations or do not believe
it represents a good value proposition. And
maybe not so surprisingly, 31% of shippers
and an equal percentage of 3PLs report
they are not familiar with Big Data and
associated opportunities.
The lack of activity — or even awareness —
among a majority of respondents contrasts
to some extent with eyefortransport’s Supply
Chain Big Data Report – 2013, in which 60% of
respondents reported some involvement in Big
Data applications in the supply chain.
But the rationale behind many Big Data
initiatives — improved, data-driven
decision-making — is widely endorsed. The
overwhelming majority of shippers (97%) and
3PLs (93%) participating in this year’s survey
agree that improved, data-driven decisionmaking is essential to the future success of their
supply chain activities and processes.
Evidently, not all respondents agree that Big
Data fuels these decisions; just over half (59%) of
shippers and 42% of 3PLs indicate in the survey
that shippers’ supply chain organizations see
significant value in the use of Big Data right
now.