Information and Connection Gaps in Global Logistics: Bridging the Divide
- Jan 7
- 4 min read
Data is often described as "oil" because it can lubricate processes. But for most logistics professionals, data feels more like a massive oil spill. The complexities of controlling the spill in sloshing waves and then pumping it to the right tank is a daily headache in shipping and logistics that stifles efficiency and drains margins.
This problem is defined by two distinct but intertwined failures: Information and Connection Gaps. Splice has spent years deconstructing these barriers. While the industry is currently enamored with the promise of "AI-powered" everything, we believe it is time for a reality check on what it actually takes to build resilient logistics workflows.
Defining the Dual Challenge of Information and Connection Gaps
In logistics, the "integration problem" is usually a cocktail of two specific issues.
1. The Information Gap: "I don’t know what I need to know."
An Information Gap occurs when critical data is missing, improperly formatted, or locked away in an inaccessible silo. You might know your container is on a vessel, but you don't know that it has been flagged for a secondary customs inspection. The data exists somewhere—perhaps in a terminal operating system (TOS) or a carrier’s private database—but it isn't in your view.
2. The Connection Gap: "I can’t get the data to where it needs to be."
A Connection Gap is a technical failure of interoperability. Even if you know exactly where the data is, your systems cannot "talk" to the source. This is the classic struggle of a modern SaaS freight platform trying to pull data from a legacy EDI exchange. The bridge simply hasn't been built.
Information and connection gaps are rarely isolated. They combine to create a black hole that results in demurrage fees, missed sailings, and frustrated customers.
The Fallacy of AI in Data Mapping
There is a growing trend among tech startups to tout "AI-powered data mapping" as a silver bullet for the Connection Gap. From a marketing view, I see the appeal. It sounds futuristic and effortless. As a logistics professional, however, I know this is a dangerous oversimplification.
Data mapping, the process of saying "Field A in System 1 equals Field B in System 2," is actually the easiest part of the integration puzzle. AI is quite good at this; it can recognize that "Consignee Name" and "Receiver" likely (but not always) mean the same thing.
The hard part of solving the Connection Gap is data translation and protocol compatibility.
Why AI Isn't a Silver Bullet
An AI agent can't magically make the decades-old EDI 214 status message compatible with a modern RESTful API without a robust underlying infrastructure. You need a platform that handles the heavy lifting of communication protocols (AS2, SFTP, Webhooks) and complex business logic translation.
At Splice, we understand that while AI is an incredible tool, a true logistics integration platform must be built on a foundation of hard-coded reliability, not just probabilistic guesses.
How Splice Solves the Connection Gap
To bridge the Connection Gap, Splice offers a suite of compatibility tools designed specifically for the fragmented world of freight. We act as a universal translator.
Whether you are managing container exports that require communication with older port authority systems or scaling your container imports through modern digital forwarders, Splice ensures that the "plumbing" works.
EDI to API Normalization: We take the "alphabet soup" of EDI and turn it into clean, JSON-based data that your modern apps can actually use.
Workflow Orchestration: We don't just move data; we trigger logistics workflows. If a status update changes, Splice can automatically trigger the next step in your supply chain, ensuring no time is wasted.
By focusing on the technical rigors of system-to-system communication, we allow your IT team to focus on innovation rather than troubleshooting broken handshakes.
How Splice Solves the Information Gap
Once the "pipe" is built (The Connection Gap), we have to ensure the right "water" is flowing through it. This is where we bridge the Information Gap.
Splice provides pre-built integrations to a vast network of:
Ocean Carriers: Vessel schedules directly from the source.
Terminals and Ports: Ground-truth on ERDs and container milestones.
Third-Party Data Sources and Systems: GPS tracking devices and TMS systems.
The Role of AI-Enabled Logistics
While we are cautious about AI hype in mapping, we are pioneers in AI-enabled logistics for information enrichment. Our configurable and LLM-agnostic AI agent is specifically designed to tackle the Information Gap.
Our AI doesn't just "move" data; it interprets it. It can scan unstructured data, like emails and PDFs, to find the missing pieces of your puzzle. This turns "I don't know what I need to know" into "I have the data I need where I want it."
The Power of a Unified Platform
A true integration platform must be ambidextrous. If you only solve the Connection Gap, you have a fast pipe with no data. If you only solve the Information Gap, you have great data that is stuck in a spreadsheet or worse.
By combining data translation and connections with AI, Splice creates an environment where data flows, intelligence grows and the efficiency of digitized process hit your bottom line.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Logistics Workflows
The future of the supply chain isn't just about having an "AI agent" or a "cool dashboard." It is about logistics integration that feels invisible because it works so well.
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, the winners in the logistics space will be those who have eliminated the friction of data movement. They will be the companies that can use the data automation to anticipate delays and reroute containers. the subsequent logistics workflows without human intervention.
Splice isn't just building connections; we are building the foundation for the next era of global trade. We invite you to explore how we can bridge your gaps – both the ones you know about and the ones you don't.
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