458: Demystifying Industry Buzzwords and Innovating Intermodal, with Lynxis

Allen Thomas of Lynxis talks about industry challenges, the biggest buzzwords, and why organizations need to pay more attention to improved orchestration.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.20] An introduction to Allen, and Lynxis. [04.53] The biggest conversations on the show floor at Manifest. "Agentic AI is the new buzzword – it's the new blockchain! There's a lot of hype, but there's also a lot of hope." [06.29] The biggest problems in the intermodal industry right now. "Visibility is still key, because there's so much complexity when all of this data comes together. We're not certain who's right and who's wrong, there's no system of record as this cargo moves inland and then back through the flow." "A lot of the technology projects we've seen have been focused on an insular basis, intra-company process improvement versus: how do we make this entire supply chain more efficient and effective for the shippers and carriers that move it?… We're trying to take costs out of our own internal operations, but we're not looking at the big picture on what makes everything more seamless." [10.24] What Lynxis is building to help solve the industry's biggest challenges. "We're a custodian of technology for our customers... And we add the infrastructure to support it." [11.59] AI and how it's being talked about, and utilized, across the industry. "Everybody wants to use the AI buzzword, when what they're using isn't actually AI." [16.11] Why process automation, not robotic automation, needs to be top of the priority list for landside logistics facilities. "Most container operations we see really can leverage more of the process automation." [18.28] The importance of data and analytics in driving operational performance and competitive advantage. "You either have to invest in-house, or have a good partner to help you mine the data that's critical to your business operation. The thing that differentiates you, and enables your core competencies, is a firm grasp on data." [22.25] Why AI isn't an easy fix for scheduling, and why organizations need to pay more attention to improved orchestration. "It's nothing that AI needs to solve, or even can solve right now, because there's not even the connectivity between all the players." "When you say automation and scheduling, we hear 'orchestration.'" [24.46] How improved planning and orchestration can help shippers eliminate excess inventory and reduce costs. [26.17] From talent shortages to managing infrastructure, the biggest obstacles standing in the way of improved intermodal efficiency. [32.02] The importance of case studies and why Allen wants to talk about proven results, not just hype.