Big data has become a big deal across industries — and the supply chain is certainly no exception. In fact, data is referred to by some experts as the “backbone of the modern supply chain,” and for good reason. As the foundational fuel that feeds the rapidly evolving and never-satiated machines of progress, big data is a critical hinge pin that enables both technological and business success.
But there are also challenges with its use — and one of the most significant is whether the information being analyzed is as accurate as it needs to be. Unfortunately, according to a recent Impinj study, that’s often not the case.
But before we dig into that — let’s take a look at a few 2025 predictions from industry leaders about the role of technology in the year ahead to get a glimpse of the big role big data will play.
2025 supply chain predictions
When the SupplyChain24/7 staff asked industry leaders to share their predictions for 2025, something about technology was included in nearly every response — as demonstrated by the following excerpts:
- Mark Talens, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Solutions Officer at ParkourSC: “… Organizations will harness extensive data and advanced technology to enable real-time operational decision-making, fundamentally shifting from reactive to proactive management. …”
- Andy Zosel, Sr. Vice President at Zebra: “… Contingency planning will become a priority, leveraging AI-driven technologies to enhance resiliency, identify potential disruptions, and implement real-time solutions.”
- Matt Lekstutis, Director, North America at Efficio: “As companies recognize the strategic importance of their data and critical operations, many are moving to insource these functions for greater control, security, and agility. …”
- Richard Barnett, Chief Marketing Officer at SupplyFrame: “Electronics supply chains will prioritize resilience, AI integration, and sustainability. …”
- Frank Kenney, Director of Industry Solutions at Cleo: “… Organizations prioritizing data-driven decision-making will enhance adaptability, resilience, and stakeholder satisfaction. …”
For detailed insights from these and other leaders, please see the SupplyChain24/7 post, “Industry Leaders Share Their 2025 Supply Chain Predictions.”
Impinj study reveals data accuracy challenges
Such responses demonstrate that in the year ahead, technology and the critical data needed to drive it will be more important than ever for supply chain optimization.
But according to the recently released results of a study by “leading RAIN RFID provider and Internet of Things pioneer” Impinj, the accuracy of that data is one of the top headaches supply chain managers will face in the coming year.
According to the press release, the report, “Supply Chain Integrity Outlook 2025,” is based on a survey of 1,000 US supply chain managers and reveals that a “data accuracy gap” is leaving many “struggling to find the level of insights, visibility, and accuracy required to drive confidence in their supply chain and respond quickly to market changes.”
“While the majority (91%) of supply chain managers believe they are equipped to drive accurate supply chain visibility, the reality is that only a third (33%) consistently obtain accurate, real-time inventory data,” the release says. “The report’s findings show how the supply chain data accuracy gap hinders supply chain managers’ ability to address key challenges, including counterfeit goods, shrink and theft, misload and delivery errors, meeting sustainability requirements, and effectively implementing AI within their organization’s supply chain.”
Since accurate data is the foundation upon which effective AI strategies are built, it’s not a good sign that the supply chain managers polled cited data accuracy as their top challenge (43%) to effectively implementing AI for supply chain improvement. In this context, additional challenges cited include data availability (39%) and access to real-time data (36%).
“Supply chain managers continue to face data blind spots that prevent them from ensuring secure, reliable, and adaptable supply chains,” said Impinj Chief Revenue Officer Jeff Dossett. “It’s essential that organizations address the data accuracy gap by putting technology in place to surface accurate data that fuels the real-time, actionable insights and visibility needed to ensure supply chain resilience.”
Additional study findings
In addition to data accuracy challenges, the research also discovered that:
- “…over half (52%) of supply chain managers face challenges responding to rapid peaks in customer demand driven by social media- and influencer-driven trends.”
- “Nearly half (47%) of supply chain managers also report that changes in customer demand due to growth in social media storefronts (49%) and the rise of the thrift movement (47%) are among the top challenges for their organization’s supply chain.”
The report also described the “most significant supply chain integrity challenges and priorities” for supply chain leaders within various sectors, which include:
- Counterfeit goods in retail: “65% of supply chain managers agree it’s a challenge for their organization to reduce the amount of counterfeit goods entering the supply chain. …”
- Shrink and theft in retail: “60% of retail supply chain managers surveyed also agree that reducing rates of shrink and theft is a challenge for their organization …”
- Shrink in the food, grocery, and restaurant sector: “82% of supply chain managers report challenges reducing shrink. Shoplifting (45%), food spoilage (37%), and food waste (35%) are the top causes of shrink reported by supply chain managers in the food industry. …”
- Reducing misloads and delivery errors in transportation and logistics: “Almost three quarters (74%) of surveyed supply chain managers within transportation and logistics firms are concerned about growing volumes of Load Planning Problems (LPPs), misloads, and delivery errors impacting their organization. Survey respondents revealed that the largest volume of errors is most likely to occur as a result of delivery and last-mile misloads (24%) and label inaccuracies (22%). …”
- Improving supply chain sustainability: “… Over a quarter (27%) report continued issues reducing the environmental impact of their organization’s supply chain, and 25% cite challenges in meeting more stringent ESG regulations, such as the European Union’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). …”
To learn more — including how organizations are addressing these challenges — please download the full “Supply Chain Integrity Outlook 2025” report.
Improving data accuracy in the supply chain
Although there are many avenues to improve the accuracy of data in the supply chain, GS1 US says a key component is the use of common data standards.
In a recent post for Supply Chain Dive, the “not-for-profit, global data standards organization” refers to data as the “backbone of the modern supply chain.” The organization says that although there are “all kinds of exciting technologies that can unlock amazing new capabilities in the supply chain,” all that potential collapses if it isn’t built on a “foundation of trusted data that is readily accessible to all the parties across the supply chain who need it.”
The organization says that foundation is made up of quality data, which trading partners define as:
- Accurate: “The data is aligned with how it is used by trading partners. For example, the data provided matches the product label.”
- Complete: “Trading partners need a variety of data elements for different business processes or decision-making purposes.”
- Timely: “Data should be as real-time as possible in order to keep up with the speed of commerce.”
- Consistent: “Trading partners using multiple data sources need data with consistent core information.”
- Synchronized: “Ensuring that data stays up to date and synced to all the places accessible to trading partners is essential to collaboration.”
GS1 says a “critical step” to help ensure data quality involves starting with identifiers and associated attributes that are set up correctly from the start.
“This foundational work ensures that every product, transaction, and movement within the supply chain can be tracked with precision,” the organization says, referring to accessibility and standardization as “equally important” and underscoring the need for data to be “readily available to all relevant parties.”
The use of standardized data enables system-agnostic interpretation and use, GS1 explains, allowing for “seamless data sharing and coordination,” as well as reduced risk of errors.
“Registries of high-quality data, such as the GS1 Registry Platform, play a vital role in instilling consumer and trading partner trust,” the organization says. “GS1 Standards provide a common language for identifying, capturing, and sharing supply chain data, helping to prevent counterfeiting and ensure product authenticity and traceability. …”
To learn more, please visit the GS1 US website.
