Digital solutions

Shifting trade policy, rising compliance demands, and ongoing struggles with data visibility test the agility of global logistics and supply chain teams daily. 

When data bottlenecks and technology gaps disrupt day-to-day operations, the business impact is immediate — delayed revenue, frustrated customers, lost productivity, and greater exposure to compliance penalties.

The 2026 Future of Logistics Intelligence Report examines how these obstacles are playing out across North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Europe. Based on insights from 700 senior leaders in logistics, operations, IT, ecommerce, and customer experience, the report details the specific barriers that shape strategy in each market. 

While many of the core challenges are shared globally, the data reveals clear divides in how regions experience and respond to them. North America and Europe show strikingly similar gaps in visibility, modernization confidence, and readiness, while APAC consistently stands apart in key areas of preparedness and execution. Read on for a closer look at the most persistent challenges facing global teams.

Operational agility is increasingly crucial for logistics and supply chain teams, yet many still lose valuable time searching for information instead of solving problems — especially during the post-purchase period.
This wasted time adds up. Delays in answering customer inquiries or resolving shipment issues can lead to backlogs, higher operational costs, and more frequent disruptions that impact both customers and internal teams.

Top 3 most resource-intensive post-shipment tasks, by region:

These time-consuming post-purchase activities often reflect underlying gaps in data access and information sharing. In Europe and North America, only 39% and 36% of organizations, respectively, report that all relevant teams have complete visibility into logistics and supply chain data. Teams in these regions also tend to spend the most time identifying the root cause of shipment delays, which can be complicated by limited access to information.

Limited data access also impacts confidence and speed. Just 41% of European and 40% of North American leaders feel very confident in their ability to respond to customer shipment inquiries using logistics data, and only 14% and 11% say they can always intervene when shipments are delayed.

In contrast, nearly two-thirds of APAC respondents (65%) report complete visibility across teams, and their main resource drain shifts to responding to customer inquiries about shipment status. With better access to timely data, 60% of APAC leaders feel very confident addressing customer questions, and 44% can always step in to resolve shipment issues. 

These regional differences highlight how stronger data visibility can help teams resolve disruptions faster and deliver better service.

Key takeaway: Prioritizing organization-wide access to timely logistics data enables faster responses, stronger collaboration, and better customer outcomes.

Despite growing pressure to solve data and system challenges, only 39% of North American and 35% of European leaders strongly agree their logistics systems are future-ready, compared to 61% in APAC. 

But even in APAC, where confidence is highest, critical pain points persist:

• APAC and Europe leaders most often cited limited ability to customize or configure systems for unique operational needs (35% in both regions).
• Leaders in North America most frequently pointed to difficulty integrating logistics systems with other business platforms (36%).


These technology frustrations disrupt daily operations, slowing processes and making it harder for teams to stay flexible and meet customer needs. If left unaddressed, these barriers can drive up operational costs and put long-term growth and competitiveness at risk.

Key takeaway: Improving agility starts with identifying the system barriers that create the most friction in your operations. By focusing modernization efforts on persistent issues like customization, integration, or other core challenges, you can lay a stronger foundation for adapting to future demands.

Frequent changes in trade policy and tariff requirements are adding complexity for logistics and supply chain teams. Each update can require new customs documentation, revised product labeling, or additional paperwork, making it essential to keep compliance processes current to avoid costly delays.

APAC organizations stand out for both their preparedness and their response: 

• 85% of APAC leaders feel “very prepared” to manage evolving trade policies, compared to 78% in Europe and 72% in North America.
• 51% of APAC organizations have increased compliance and documentation efforts in the past year, outpacing Europe (37%) and North America (43%).

Confidence in maintaining compliance is also higher among APAC leaders managing temperature- or condition-sensitive goods, with 60% expressing strong confidence, compared to 42% in Europe and 48% in North America.

Key takeaway: Strengthening your digital compliance and documentation processes helps you stay agile as regulations

Organizations worldwide continue to balance new pressures, regulations, and rapid technological change. Examining how the biggest challenges unfold in different markets can help you benchmark your organization’s progress and identify new ways to build resilience.

For more detailed data and sector-specific insights from global logistics leaders, download the full 2026 Future of Logistics Intelligence Report.