An influx of sensors relating to Internet of Things technology is generating a growing volume of data to feed the predictive supply chain, and informs not only operational decisions, but also helps analyze the behavioral patterns of workers.

It's time to stop thinking of your supply chain as an endless stream of entities, all nicely linked together; it is much more complex than that.

Bussbygg, a truck-body maker based in Norway, says one of its customers is using two RFID-enabled refrigerated trailers in an ongoing trial, and finds that the technology shortens the delivery of goods by 30 minutes per stop, while preventing errors.

Diego Pantoja-Navajas, chief executive officer of LogFire, explains the concept behind digital fulfillment networks, and details how they can lead to the transmission of real-time, "perpetual" inventory signals throughout the supply chain.