Where To Invest In 2025: Gaining Operations & Supply Chain Visibility with IoT

As we approach 2025, operations teams across industries like yours face the dual challenge of navigating an increasingly complex global landscape while keeping pace with evolving consumer expectations. Efficiency, transparency, and adaptability are more essential than ever, yet the latest tech solutions (like AI and robotics) often come with hefty price tags and complicated integrations, particularly for early adopters. It’s like trying to leap to phase five while still building on phase two—a high-risk move with no guarantee of reward. This reality makes planning your 2025 operations budget a balancing act, where every dollar must support your operations and supply chain goals thoughtfully and strategically.

While many companies are exploring advanced options like AI and robotics, these technologies aren’t always feasible due to high costs and challenging maintenance requirements. For those seeking more practical investments, IoT solutions with mesh-networked GPS and BLE tracking offer powerful alternatives. Traditional RFID, once the gold standard for asset tracking, now faces significant limitations: it requires close proximity to specific readers and struggles in complex or multi-floor settings. By contrast, GPS and BLE mesh-networked systems enable seamless, real-time tracking across large, diverse environments without RFID’s constraints. This flexibility and reach make IoT-driven tracking a promising investment, especially as companies prioritize cost-effective solutions with immediate impact.

The rise of AI and robotics

AI and robotics are at the forefront of technological advancement in supply chain management. These innovations promise to transform operational processes by:

• Automating tasks
• Improving data analysis
• Enhancing decision-making

AI can even optimize inventory levels by predicting demand trends, all the while robotics can streamline order fulfillment in warehouses. The combination is a potent recipe for supply chain success.

However, while large enterprises may have the resources to adopt these technologies, many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face significant barriers. The upfront costs of AI systems and robotic automation—along with ongoing maintenance and integration expenses—can be overwhelming for companies with limited budgets. As a result, many organizations are compelled to explore more affordable yet impactful technological investments.

Limitations of AI and robotics

Beyond cost, the implementation of AI and robotics requires significant changes to existing processes and workforce dynamics. Employees may need to acquire new skills to work alongside automated systems, creating additional training and transition challenges. Moreover, reliance on technology can raise concerns about cybersecurity and data privacy, further complicating the adoption process. For these reasons, many companies are looking for technologies that enhance operational efficiency without the complexities associated with AI and robotics.

The real question you need to ask is: what if the status quo isn’t quite the way to go? Why factor something like supply chain waste or shipment loss into your plan? 

Spotlight: The costs of supply chain waste

It’s important to understand first how supply chain waste builds up and interrupts your organization’s success. Supply chain waste is a persistent challenge that operations managers like you grapple with, often leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. The complexities of our modern supply chains can exacerbate these frustrations, making it imperative for managers to identify and mitigate waste effectively.

One of the primary frustrations involved in supply chain waste stems from excess inventory. Operations managers like yours may often find themselves with surplus stock that ties up capital and storage space. This not only increases holding costs but also heightens the risk of obsolescence. We know your managers must navigate the delicate balance of maintaining sufficient stock levels while minimizing excess, a task that requires accurate forecasting and agile responses to market demands.

Another significant source of frustration is the lack of visibility across the supply chain. Important decision-making can becomes reactive rather than proactive without accurate insights into:

• Inventory levels
• Shipment statuses
• Supplier performance
  

This lack of visibility can lead to delays, miscommunication, and ultimately, wasted resources. 

Additionally, waste can manifest in transportation inefficiencies. Poor route planning and lack of coordination between suppliers and distributors can result in increased fuel costs and longer delivery times. We know you know every delayed shipment can:

• Disrupt production schedules
• Lead to missed deadlines
• Diminish customer satisfaction

If your suppliers become unreliable or fail to meet quality standards, it can create a cascade of waste throughout the supply chain. Operations managers like yours can often find themselves in a position where they must manage these relationships delicately, balancing the need for reliable supply with the desire to control costs. Inconsistent supplier performance can lead to production halts, increased inspection times, and, ultimately, a loss of competitive advantage.

Finally, compliance with regulatory requirements adds another layer of complexity and frustration. Operations managers must ensure that all processes meet industry standards, which can vary significantly across regions and countries. Non-compliance can lead to costly penalties and even disruptions in supply. Navigating these regulations while striving to reduce waste becomes a juggling act that can drain resources and focus.

One solution: The power of IoT technology

As businesses seek alternative solutions, IoT technology has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing operational efficiency and visibility. Real-time location tracking offers organizations the ability to monitor assets, inventory, and personnel throughout the supply chain. By leveraging GPS and BLE technology, companies can gain valuable insights that drive better decision-making and optimize operations.

Compared to RFID, which can be restricted by reader requirements, BLE and mesh-networked GPS tracking provide seamless monitoring across indoor and outdoor environments, helping operations teams avoid costly blind spots.

Enhanced end-to-end supply chain visibility

We all know achieving end-to-end supply chain visibility is essential for effective operations management. IoT technology allows organizations like yours to track the movement of goods in real-time, providing a clear picture of inventory locations and status. This visibility is crucial for:

• Identifying potential disruptions
• Minimizing delays
• Enhancing overall performance
  

With a much lower cost of investment, IoT tech can start saving you money on supply chain logistics quickly.

Unlike RFID, which requires substantial infrastructure and can face accuracy challenges in complex environments, BLE and GPS mesh-networked IoT technology empowers companies with scalable, cost-effective solutions that can perform across broad geographic and operational spaces, supporting large-scale visibility. Businesses like yours can use IoT data to monitor delivery routes and assess the efficiency of transportation operations. If a shipment is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, you can quickly reroute resources or communicate with customers to manage expectations. This level of visibility not only improves operational efficiency but also fosters customer trust and satisfaction.

Forklift tracking

In warehouses, forklifts are vital for moving goods, but forklift management often poses challenges. For example, inefficient use of forklifts can lead to increased operational costs and process waste. By implementing IoT tracking for forklifts, organizations like yours can monitor their usage in real-time, enabling operations teams to identify inefficiencies and optimize workflows.

Tracking data can reveal patterns in forklift usage, such as peak activity times and underutilized equipment. With this information, your managers can adjust warehouse design, staffing levels, and implement better operational procedures to ensure that resources are allocated effectively. 

As a result, businesses can reduce idle time and enhance productivity, ultimately improving their bottom line.

Data-driven warehouse design optimization

Investing in GPS technology also allows for data-driven warehouse design optimization. With real-time location data, operations teams can analyze inventory movement patterns and storage practices, leading to more efficient layouts and workflows.

For example, if data reveals that certain items are frequently picked together, businesses like yours can optimize storage locations to reduce travel time for warehouse staff. This strategic organization not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to better space utilization, which is increasingly important in light of rising real estate costs. And, if you’re looking for more cost-efficient tech investments, you’re also probably looking to curb real estate costs if you can.

IoT & indoor location capabilities

As your company expands its operations to multi-story warehouses or complex indoor environments, indoor location technology becomes critical.

Indoor location technology allows operations teams like yours to maintain visibility of assets and inventory, even in challenging environments. For instance, you can track the movement of inventory within a warehouse or monitor the location of equipment in real-time. This advantage over RFID, which may face difficulties in multi-floor or dense environments, highlights the BLE and GPS mesh-networked IoT solution as robust option for complex supply chains, where constant, dependable tracking is necessary. This enhanced visibility ensures that your operation can continue smoothly, minimizing disruptions and improving overall efficiency.

Connected operations: Bridging the gap

The concept of connected operations is gaining traction as businesses like yours seek to integrate various technologies for improved efficiency and collaboration. By connecting systems—such as IoT location tracking, warehouse management systems (WMS), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software—your operations teams can create a holistic view of their processes:

1. Real-Time Location Tracking
   Real-time location tracking is a cornerstone of connected operations. The ability to monitor assets and inventory in real-time enables organizations like yours to respond quickly to changes in demand, identify potential bottlenecks, and enhance overall responsiveness. This level of agility is essential in today’s fast-paced business environment, where your customer’s expectations continue to rise. While RFID may require manual scanning or local infrastructure, GPS and BLE mesh-networks create a dynamic IoT system that can track assets automatically and provide real-time, actionable data across distances, both indoors and out. Companies like yours can use real-time data to assess their inventory levels and identify which products are running low. This insight allows you to adjust production schedules or expedite shipments, ensuring you can meet customer needs promptly.
2. Improving Customer Experience
   Investing in connected operations and real-time location tracking also allows you to enhance the customer experience. Providing accurate updates on order status and delivery times fosters transparency and builds trust with your customers. In short, businesses that can offer real-time visibility into their supply chain processes are likely to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

The need for pragmatic operational investments in 2025

As operations teams plan their investments for 2025, taking a pragmatic approach is essential. While the allure of AI and robotics is strong, we know companies like yours must consider your unique circumstances and resource constraints. For many, investing in technologies that enhance visibility and connectivity may yield more immediate benefits, such as IoT technologies. However, the landscape in the IoT space has shifted, with the advent of mesh-networked technologies like GPS and BLE. Investments in IoT once meant installing RFID gateways, scanners, infrastructure, and employee procedures to gain visibility. This often left a gap in understanding estimated arrival times (ETAs) before it got to your facility or ETAs to suppliers, vendors, or OEMs after it leaves your facility.

In today’s fast-paced environment, visibility solely within your facility is no longer ‘good enough.’ To truly stay ahead, we must demand both internal and external visibility—a level of true end-to-end supply chain visibility that captures every stage of the journey, from suppliers to customers and everywhere in between. The good news is: implementing this type of internal + external IoT solution is more affordable than one might think.

Prioritizing ROI with IoT

When evaluating potential investments, operations teams like yours should prioritize solutions that offer a clear ROI. Technologies like IoT, data-driven warehouse design optimization, and indoor location technology can provide valuable insights and efficiencies that directly impact the bottom line. 

For instance, implementing a tracking system may require an initial investment, but the potential savings in reduced operational inefficiencies and improved resource allocation can quickly offset the costs. Given the limitations of RFID, from line-of-sight scanning needs to infrastructure costs, the mesh-networked GPS and BLE solution offer greater flexibility and faster ROI for companies seeking to optimize both indoor and outdoor tracking. This focus on ROI helps organizations like yours make informed decisions about your technology investments.

The human element

Finally, it’s crucial to recognize the human element in operations. As technology continues to evolve, the role of the workforce will also change. We know you’re aware of how important it is to invest in training and development to ensure that employees are equipped to leverage new technologies effectively. A well-trained workforce can maximize the potential of:

• GPS and BLE technology
• Real-time tracking (that doesn’t require manual scanning)
• Connected operations

All of these lead to improved performance and innovation.

Organizations like yours can foster a culture of continuous learning, encouraging your employees to embrace new tools and processes. By equipping your teams with the skills needed to navigate technological advancements, companies like yours can create a more agile and resilient workforce.

Looking ahead: Trends to watch

As we move into 2025, several key trends are likely to shape the investment landscape for operations teams like yours. It’s important to understand the following four factors affecting operations teams moving forward:

1. Increased Focus on Sustainability. As environmental concerns continue to rise, companies will seek technologies that enhance sustainability in their operations. This may involve investing in GPS technology for better route optimization and reduced fuel consumption or implementing data-driven strategies to minimize waste.
2. Integration of IoT Devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) is set to play a significant role in connected operations. By integrating IoT devices into supply chain processes, organizations can gain real-time insights and enhance decision-making. For example, GPS smart sensors can monitor temperature and humidity levels in storage facilities, ensuring that perishable goods are stored optimally.
3. Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures. As businesses increasingly rely on connected technologies, the need for robust cybersecurity measures will grow. Operations teams will need to invest in securing their systems and data to protect against potential threats and ensure compliance with regulations.
4. Collaborative Supply Chain Models. Collaboration among supply chain partners will become more critical as companies seek to optimize their operations. Investing in technologies that facilitate communication and data sharing will enable organizations to work more effectively with suppliers and logistics providers.

A changing landscape

While AI and robotics may capture the headlines, the reality is that many companies will seek more practical investments that provide immediate value. GPS technology, real-time location tracking, and connected operations are emerging as key areas of focus for operations teams seeking to enhance efficiency and visibility in their supply chains. They are cost-saving measures that fall well under the increasing cost of integrating AI and robotics.

As RFID tracking falls behind due to its limitations in range, infrastructure needs, and scalability, GPS and BLE mesh-networked IoT technology rise as the premier solutions for both asset visibility and operational efficiency. By embracing these technologies and prioritizing pragmatic investments, companies like yours can navigate the complexities of the modern supply chain, ultimately positioning your company for success in an increasingly competitive environment. The future of operations lies not only in adopting the latest trends but in making strategic choices that drive meaningful results.