A shocking phrase is circulating in the corridors of supply chain events: “the SaaS as we know it is dead.” Behind the provocation, a concrete shift: publishers and platforms no longer just want to sell interfaces and modules, but measurable results, driven by AI agents capable of performing part of the work in place of the teams.
The diagnosis is simple: “standardized” software, fixed in identical workflows for everyone, no longer meets the current level of demand. Shippers and logisticians demand speed, anticipation, and actionable decisions. AI then becomes the layer that transforms the tool into an “operator”: identifying anomalies, making recommendations, automating tasks, and orchestrating between systems.
But one question dominates: the ROI. Because AI promises efficiency, but its value must be proven thru concrete indicators: reduction of disputes, decrease in shipping costs, reduction of delays, improvement in service rate, or acceleration of cash flow thru more reliable invoicing. Companies no longer want a “showcase innovation”: they want visible, traceable, and sustainable performance.
Another strategic element: AI not only replaces functions, it changes the way software is purchased. If the promise becomes “I deliver a result to you,” then pricing models, contracts, and even client expectations transform. A silent revolution, but already underway, that is reshaping the TMS/visibility/ERP ecosystem and the competition between platforms.
