It’s all not all trucks and warehouses, but it’s a dance of electronic documents.
Author: Patty Brehm
Two years ago, I found myself in the deep end of a new job at Kleinschmidt and let me tell you—it’s been a wild ride. I’ve learned a lot, but the biggest surprise has been how many layers there are to logistics. You think it’s all trucks and warehouses, but really, it’s more like a ballet of countless types of documents, data formats, and technologies.
From learning the basics and staying power of EDI to the inherently custom nature of APIs, and the fleeting romance between venture capital and logistics—the industry keeps things interesting. AI is here too, as confused as the rest of us about where it fits in.
EDI: The OG of Logistics Tech
When I went in for my interview, I was asked if I knew what EDI was. I did, in fact, do my research before the interview and had a solidly corny joke lined up about thinking EDI was some sort of musical subgenre.
After I started, I was quickly immersed in the history and terminology of EDI. In terms of electronic messaging and data exchange, EDI is the backbone of logistics. It’s like that one friend in the group who organizes the parties, sends out the invites, and makes sure everything runs smoothly. There’s an EDI document for just about everything—purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, you name it. And while it might not sound glamorous, EDI keeps the entire supply chain from turning into complete chaos.
Data Formats: A Cool Party Where Not Everyone is Bilingual
Learning about data formats was… harder than I thought it would be. After all, I knew the difference between a CSV and an Excel spreadsheet, a PDF versus a PowerPoint; how hard could it be?
Well, you’ve got your X12s, your XMLs, your JSONs, RESTful APIs, and good old spreadsheets. It’s like a party where everyone speaks a different language, but somehow, everyone understands each other by the end of the night.
That’s where Kleinschmidt comes in. We’re like the translation app everyone downloaded to their phones to ensure everyone could talk and play nicely together. The difference is—translating these different data formats can be quite complex as different industries like trucking, warehousing, and retail all use different types of systems requiring different builds. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; instead, we tailor them to the business case and the customer’s needs.
APIs: New-ish Kids on the Block
I’ve touched on EDI, so let’s talk APIs. In the logistics world, APIs are like that cool, tech-savvy friend whose regular coffee order is something you’ve never heard of. APIs are quick, responsive, and able to get real-time data without breaking a sweat. In my case, you may not understand all the technical nuances, but you’re glad they know what to do.
But here’s the thing: just because we’re seeing an uptick in API projects, that doesn’t mean EDI is packing up its bags. Far from it. They’re both sticking around, and it’s been interesting to see how companies are starting to blend the two.
Venture Capital: A Whirlwind Fling
Having worked in insurance, education, and publishing, I’ve seen venture capitalists dip their toes into a bunch of different industry ponds. The same is true of logistics and supply chain tech. On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, startups promising to disrupt the industry popped up everywhere, with new tech and cash injections. Two years later, a lot of that excitement fizzled out.
Logistics isn’t the easiest industry to disrupt. There are a lot of nuances, and it’s different depending on what space you’re in—warehousing is different from rail, which is different from ocean. We’ve seen companies come and go.
It’s a lesson in excitement versus reality. Innovation is important, but in an industry this intricate, it must be done with forethought and intent; otherwise, your business might just end up being a flash in the pan.
AI: The Hottest Topic in Town
Let’s talk about AI. Everyone’s talking about it and trying to find where it fits into their business. Right now, AI is showing up in bits and pieces. The challenge for most organizations is figuring out where AI can add value, and more importantly, seamlessly integrating the automation of AI with human know-how.
AI can also be frustrating. I’ve found myself, as a consumer, getting annoyed with AI phone prompts for tech support or chatbots when all I want to do is talk to a real human being.
One of the things I’ve come to appreciate working at Kleinschmidt is our human-centric or “radically personal” approach. When you chat with us on our website, it’s a real person. When you call the office, the front desk answers, and we have on-site 24/7/365 support.
Learning, Adapting, and Moving Forward
Two years in, and I’ve learned that our business isn’t just about the tech—it’s about adapting to an industry that’s constantly evolving. Whether it’s continuing to memorize EDI docs, mastering the ins and outs of APIs, or keeping an eye on the logistics market, there’s always something new on the horizon and something new to learn.
