Research & Knowledge

How Research & Knowledge Works

AI synthesizes supply chain information—you verify sources and make informed decisions

Coordinate

AI gathers data from carrier rate sheets, supplier catalogs, industry reports, and internal performance records.

Simplify

Get executive summaries, detailed comparisons, or key insights—tailored to your decision needs with clear citations.

Empower

See all sources, understand assumptions, review limitations, and verify before using in decisions or sharing.

Example: New Carrier Evaluation

See how Research & Knowledge helps you compare carriers with transparent analysis

Step 1: Coordinate

Data Gathered

AI automatically collected:

• Rate cards from 4 carriers
• Industry on-time delivery ratings
• Claims data for each carrier
• Coverage maps for your routes
• Customer service reviews
• Technology capabilities

Comprehensive: All relevant data in one place

Step 2: Simplify

Comparison Ready

Choose your view:

○ Executive Summary (1-page overview)
● Detailed Comparison (4-page analysis)
○ Key Metrics Only (cost vs. performance)

Clear trade-offs shown:
Carrier A: Lowest cost but limited tracking
Carrier B: Best on-time but 12% premium

Your preference: Select detail level that fits your needs

Step 3: Empower

Source Transparency

All sources cited:

• Rate data: Carrier quote PDFs (12/1/24)
• Performance: DOT SmartWay data (Q3 2024)
• Reviews: Transport Topics survey (Nov 2024)

Limitation: Claims data is 6 months old; request current data before final decision

Verify sources: Click any citation to see original data

Business Impact

6.5hrs

Saved per carrier evaluation

100%

Source traceability

More data points considered

Research Capabilities for Supply Chain & Distribution

Everything you need to make informed logistics and sourcing decisions

Cited Briefs

Supplier Research: Compare capabilities, certifications, lead times, and pricing with visible sources
Market Intelligence: Synthesize freight rate trends, capacity forecasts, and fuel surcharge patterns
Technology Evaluation: Analyze WMS, TMS, or visibility platform options with feature comparisons
Compliance Updates: Summarize regulatory changes affecting cross-border shipping or hazmat transport
Citation Links: Every statement links back to source document for verification

Comparative Analysis

Carrier Selection: Compare cost, service levels, geographic coverage, and technology capabilities
Warehouse Location: Analyze labor costs, proximity to customers, tax incentives, and lease rates
Packaging Options: Evaluate materials, sustainability, cost per unit, and damage protection
Route Optimization: Compare direct ship vs. hub-and-spoke models with cost-service trade-offs
Explicit Trade-Offs: Clearly show advantages and disadvantages of each option

Multiple Perspectives

Executive Overview: 1-page summary with key findings and recommendations
Detailed Analysis: Comprehensive 5-10 page deep dive with all data points
Financial Focus: Cost-centric view highlighting total landed cost implications
Service Focus: Performance-centric view emphasizing speed, reliability, and customer impact
You Choose: Select the perspective that matches your current decision needs

Transparent Assumptions

Data Freshness: Clearly show when each data source was last updated
Gap Identification: Highlight missing information that could affect decisions
Assumption Documentation: List all assumptions made (e.g., "assuming 5% annual volume growth")
Confidence Levels: Indicate which conclusions are well-supported vs. preliminary
Recommended Next Steps: Suggest additional research needed for high-stakes decisions

Common Supply Chain Research Needs

Research & Knowledge accelerates your most critical logistics decisions

Network Optimization

Research warehouse locations, consolidation opportunities, and cross-dock options. AI synthesizes real estate data, customer density maps, and transportation costs.

Impact: 8-12hrs saved per location analysis

Equipment Decisions

Compare forklifts, conveyor systems, or automated solutions. Get specifications, TCO analysis, and payback periods with vendor comparison matrices.

Impact: 3x more options evaluated in same timeframe

Sustainability Analysis

Research carbon footprint reduction options, recyclable packaging alternatives, and electric vehicle feasibility with cost-benefit breakdowns.

Impact: 100% source documentation for sustainability reports

Your Control Points

Research & Knowledge keeps you in command at every step

What You Control

Choose analysis depth and format
Verify all cited sources
Request additional research
Challenge assumptions made
Select which perspective to view
Decide what to share with stakeholders

What AI Never Does

Make strategic decisions for you
Hide data sources or assumptions
Fabricate missing information
Share research without your approval
Override your evaluation criteria
Recommend without showing trade-offs

What Supply Chain Leaders Say

Real feedback from professionals using Research & Knowledge

Network Planning Manager, National Distributor

"I can ask questions in plain language like 'What are my best shipping options to England?' and get immediate, data-backed recommendations. No more digging through spreadsheets and carrier contracts."

Impact: Natural language queries save hours of research

Procurement Director, Manufacturing

"The AI synthesizes carrier performance data and shows visible sources, assumptions, and limitations. This transparency helps me make confident decisions about which carriers to use for different lanes."

Impact: 100% source traceability for decisions

Supply Chain Manager, Retail Distribution

"AI shows how supply chain adjustments translate to the bottom line. I can see the impact of opening a new distribution center on revenues and expenses before making the investment."

Impact: Data-driven network optimization decisions

Operations VP, Cold Chain Logistics

"Using large language models allows our team to quickly learn about carriers' unique capabilities and service areas. We make better decisions faster with AI-powered research assistance."

Impact: Vastly improved research efficiency