Loftware at GS1 Connect: three key takeaways to enhance supply chain management

Loftware’s trip to GS1 Connect last week was a great chance to dive into the latest trends impacting supply chains. This year’s event was packed with insightful discussions and forward-thinking strategies to help supply chain leaders mitigate risk, respond to disruption, develop agile strategies, and prioritize technology investments. 

Keep reading for my top three highlights from the show, where compliance, sustainability, and AI all took center stage. 

#1 Preparing for FSMA Rule 204

Implementing the U.S. FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204) can seem like a daunting task for businesses of all sizes, especially if they don’t know where or how to start.  

As companies look to comply with this new mandate, embracing a cloud-first approach will be a critical strategic initiative for enhancing supply chain efficiency and product safety.  Embracing cloud technologies creates supply chain transparency, reduces labeling errors, and ultimately ensures the delivery of safer products to consumers. Get ahead of the FSMA Rule 204 implementation process in time for the January 2026 deadline by reading our recent whitepaper.  

#2 Making progress with sustainability initiatives

Ecolabels and Digital Product Passports (DPP) are emerging topics when it comes to sustainability. For the fashion industry, a sector that accounts for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, there is much discussion about these regulations. This is partly driven by consumers who are researching the credentials of their favorite brands before committing to a purchase.  

So, how can organizations operating in the fashion industry meet these and future sustainability-focused mandates? By adopting a cloud labeling solution, of course! In doing so, these businesses can gain the flexibility and accuracy needed to adhere to changing requirements such as the ecolabel and DPP. Discover how you can navigate regulatory compliance here.  

#3 The power of Artificial Intelligence

The recent surge of automation and AI in food and beverage supply chain management holds immense promise for operational enhancement in the coming years. 

By providing real-time visibility, seamless collaboration, and data-driven insights, these technologies facilitate optimized inventory management, reduced wastage, and more responsive and efficient distribution processes. Food and beverage organizations that have adopted this approach for numerous mission-critical business systems such as enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, and inventory management are beginning to do the same with their labeling - ultimately gaining unmatched efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and flexibility to enable supply chain continuity. Learn more about the role AI will play in the food and beverage industry here.