Blue Yonder says connected data is key to resilient supply chains

Blue Yonder’s latest research argues that supply chains need a unified data model linking planning, execution and collaboration to respond faster to disruption. The company’s annual Compass report found 34% of leaders do not think their supply chains are ready for the future, while 82% say outdated technology will limit performance.

Why it matters: - Supply chains are facing more frequent and complex disruption, making faster, cross-functional decisions more important. - Fragmented systems can slow response times and hide the impact of decisions across planning, transportation and warehouse operations. - Blue Yonder’s research suggests connected data is becoming a core requirement for resilience, not just an efficiency upgrade.

What happened: - Business Reporter published an article by Ann Marie Jonkman, vice president of product and services marketing at Blue Yonder, on September 2, 2026. - Jonkman said supply chains need a connected and unified data model that links planning, execution and collaboration. - Blue Yonder pointed to its annual Supply Chain Compass report as evidence of the challenge. - The report surveyed 678 senior supply chain professionals. - 34% of leaders said their supply chains are not ready for the future. - 82% agreed outdated technology will hold back supply chain performance.

The details: - Legacy supply chain systems were built to do one job well, such as demand planning, transportation management or warehouse management. - Operating those systems in isolation creates fragmented data. - Fragmentation makes decision-making slower and more laborious. - A comprehensive platform built on a common data foundation can connect planning and execution. - A shared data layer allows information to move across the supply chain in real time. - Decision-makers gain greater end-to-end visibility. - Agentic AI and cognitive solutions can be layered onto that foundation. - AI agents can work across every tier of the supply chain. - Those tools can deliver real-time updates, disruption alerts and trade-off analysis. - Blue Yonder said the cost of delay is rising as complexity and technical debt increase.

Between the lines: - The argument is shifting from isolated software upgrades to broader organizational transformation. - Leaders that start with connectivity may be better positioned to scale AI across supply chain workflows. - The report frames technology debt as a competitive risk, not just an IT problem. - Blue Yonder is positioning unified data as the base layer for future automation and decision support.

What's next: - Blue Yonder says progressive leaders are focusing first on the areas with the most friction. - Those leaders are treating transformation as an organizational priority rather than only a technology project. - The company directs readers to more information on its report through the full report.

The bottom line: - Connected data is emerging as the foundation for faster, smarter and more resilient supply chain decisions.