A GS1 US study shows that while nearly 60% of organizations have invested in AI and automation for supply chains, only 38% have built the centralized, real-time data systems needed to realize full value from these investments. High-maturity organizations that prioritize data integration, governance, and partner collaboration achieve better regulatory compliance, reduced costs, and faster time to market.
- The Readiness Gap: 60% of organizations have implemented AI and automation, but only 38% have centralized systems that integrate data in real time.
- Data Fragmentation Challenge: 62% cite data fragmentation as a major barrier to innovation, and 32% still manually integrate data from multiple sources.
- Scaling Struggles: 41% of organizations can pilot new technologies successfully but struggle to scale them across operations due to data and collaboration gaps.
- Maturity Tiers: Only 20% of organizations have high maturity; 72% are medium maturity and 8% are low maturity based on data integration, governance, and collaboration capabilities.
- High-Maturity Advantages: Organizations with strong data foundations report 60% easier regulatory compliance, 52% reduced costs, and 46% faster time to market compared to lower-maturity peers.
A new GS1 US study, The Supply Chain Readiness Gap, reveals that many organizations are investing in AI and automation faster than they are building the trusted, integrated data foundation needed to realize the full value of those investments.
While nearly 60% of surveyed organizations have automated most supply chain processes or implemented artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, only 38% report centralized systems that collect and integrate data in real time. Meanwhile, 32% still rely on manually integrating data from multiple sources, creating bottlenecks that limit visibility, slow decision-making and hinder growth.
“Organizations today face increasing pressure to navigate regulatory requirements, supply chain disruptions and rapidly evolving customer expectations,” says Gena Morgan, VP of global standards, GS1 US. “This research shows that technology alone is not enough. True supply chain readiness requires strong trading partner collaboration, trusted data and standards-based interoperability. Organizations that invest in these foundational capabilities are better positioned to turn innovation into meaningful business results, strengthen resilience and drive long-term value.”
Key takeaways:
· Although organizations continue to invest in innovation, 41% say they can successfully pilot new technologies but struggle to scale them across their operations. Data fragmentation is among the most significant barriers to innovation, cited by 62% of respondents, second only to lack of funding (63%).
· Based on capabilities across data integration, governance, automation, collaboration and standards adoption, respondents were grouped into three maturity tiers: 20% high maturity, 72% medium maturity and 8% low maturity.
High-maturity organizations distinguish themselves in several key areas:
• Data integration: 81% report centralized, real-time data integration, compared with 38% of all respondents.
• Data governance: 85% report a clear and actively executed governance strategy, compared with just 13% of low-maturity organizations.
• Partner collaboration: 89% report highly effective external collaboration, compared with 59% of the overall sample.
• Internal alignment: 78% report strong internal alignment, compared with 50% of all respondents.
· High-maturity organizations are more likely to report easier regulatory compliance (60%), reduced costs (52%) and faster time to market (46%).
