Cold logistics put to the test : how to combine data and performance?
12 May 2025 by Edina GÁLFI
As part of the 2025 edition of SITL, transport and data management professionals gathered at a conference dedicated to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the eFTI (Electronic Freight Transport Information) protocol. The event was hosted by IN GROUP, experts in logistics data, with contributions from public and private players involved in the digitization of transport.
Together, they took stock of the situation: the sector’s digital transition is no longer an option. It is urgent, strategic and, above all, unevenly underway.
The conference highlighted the challenges, but also the opportunities, of a structured and intelligent digitalization of freight transport.
From paper to data: (finally) making the strategic shift to AI and eFTI in transport
Transport is undergoing a transformation that is as discreet as it is fundamental: the transition from paper documents to structured digital data. At SITL 2025, the conference dedicated to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the eFTI (Electronic Freight Transport Information) protocol provided an opportunity to take stock of this silent but inevitable revolution. A transition that is overturning practices, widening the gap between industry players, and above all, opening up new performance prospects for those who choose to commit themselves fully to it.
A widening gap between large companies and small and medium-sized businesses
This was the opening observation of the conference, and it’s clear: the major logistics groups are making rapid progress in digitizing their processes, while small and medium-sized businesses are still struggling to get past the first hurdle. This digital divide is not only technological, but also organizational and cultural.
Many very small businesses have not yet equipped their drivers with professional smartphones. Others are reluctant to install applications on their teams’ personal phones, for lack of HR agreements or appropriate internal policies. And above all, day-to-day constraints – delivering on time, dealing with the unexpected, managing costs – often take precedence over transformation projects, which are crucial in the long term.
But can we still afford to put off the deadline? Digitizing transport is no longer a luxury, it’s a strategic prerequisite. The rise of AI, the multiplication of regulatory requirements, and changing customer expectations are forcing a complete overhaul of operating methods.
eFTI: more than a standard, a new logistics language
The eFTI protocol, supported by the European Union, aims to digitize and harmonize the exchange of freight transport documents. In particular, it aims to dematerialize consignment notes (CMRs), customs documents, delivery notes, certificates, etc., in a format readable by all logistics information systems, whether public or private.
But its implementation raises a number of questions:
- How can we guarantee the reliability of the data collected?
- Who is responsible for updating it?
- What tools should be used to ensure compliance?
- And above all, how can this standard be integrated without disrupting day-to-day operations?
Today’s reality is still a long way from these ambitions. A significant proportion of logistics exchanges still rely on unstructured paper documents, faxes or e-mails. An aberration at a time when flows need to be synchronous, shared in real time, and interoperable.
Without reliable data, there can be no artificial intelligence. Without digital structuring, there can be no effective management. eFTI should therefore not be seen as a bureaucratic obligation, but as an essential foundation for making the supply chain smoother, more predictive and more transparent.
AI won’t replace anyone… but it will transform everything
The conference made it clear: artificial intelligence is not intended to replace the human players in the supply chain. On the contrary, it will profoundly transform their working methods, their ability to anticipate and their role in performance management.
Let’s take a look at a few concrete examples of application:
- Predictive analysis of delays based on traffic history, weather and type of goods.
- Reduction of empty mileage by cross-referencing real-time flow data.
- Automated invoicing thanks to intelligent recognition of delivery notes.
- Real-time decision support, by identifying anomalies before they become logistical incidents.
But for these tools to work, they need to have access to structured, reliable and up-to-date data. AI can only “learn” from what it is given to analyze. And if the initial information is fragmented, poorly qualified, or captured manually, the intelligence remains… very artificial.
Digital identity, traceability, compliance: the real issues
What this transformation reveals is a profound paradigm shift. Transport is no longer just about “moving goods”, but about orchestrating information flows synchronized with physical flows.
In the cold logistics sector, this change is particularly significant. The management of temperature-sensitive goods requires a new level of traceability and information reliability. The digital identity of players (shippers, carriers, consignees) is becoming an essential component of the process: authenticating who transported what, when, how, and under what conditions is becoming an unavoidable requirement of customers and regulators alike. The era of hand-stamped documents and paper transmissions is disappearing, in favor of a transparent, secure digital system.
In this context, traceability becomes even more refined and precise. It’s no longer just a question of knowing whether a parcel has been delivered, but also of understanding its entire journey: transport conditions, temperature variations, changes in mode of transport, or even any waiting times that could compromise product quality. For sensitive products such as refrigerated foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals or hazardous materials, every temperature variation must be recorded, auditable and in real time. This not only guarantees product safety, but also enhances the confidence of customers and regulatory authorities.
In this context, several types of critical data need to be captured and reported: product temperature, the opening and closing of doors on isothermal rolls or containers, any breaks in the cold chain, and downtime and changes of logistics sites.
To meet these requirements, Olivo works in partnership with various data logger manufacturers, offering solutions tailored to the specific needs of each customer. Whether it’s integrated temperature sensors, stand-alone data loggers or connected devices for tracking door openings, we are able to integrate technologies that precisely meet the specifications of each project.
Beyond logistics itself, this evolution is also part of a framework of reinforced regulatory compliance. Standards governing food safety, the transport of pharmaceutical products or hazardous materials, as well as European social requirements, impose strict control of transport conditions. By centralizing data and providing greater visibility throughout the supply chain, eFTI is becoming a fundamental lever in meeting these challenges. But this increased visibility also requires greater rigor in data management and information traceability.
Thus, integrating eFTI into cold logistics is not just a question of administrative compliance, but a real opportunity to guarantee high quality standards, optimize costs and prepare for a future where information reliability and process transparency will be decisive criteria for remaining competitive in this fast-changing sector.
VSEs/SMEs: how to make the transition?
For small businesses, the transition from paper to data is often seen as a mountain to climb. However, there are a number of practical ways to get started:
1. Start small, but start now
Rather than trying to digitize everything at once, it’s better to choose a limited perimeter (e.g.: dematerialize consignment notes), then gradually widen the scope of application. Success lies in progressiveness.
2. Choose tools adapted to realities on the ground
Today, there are simple, inexpensive applications designed for SMEs. The key is to choose interoperable tools that can evolve with the company.
3. involve teams from the outset
Digitalization cannot be decreed: it has to be lived. This means training, explaining, testing and, above all, involving operational staff to avoid rejection. A tool is only effective if it is used.
4. Get support
Structures such as Bpifrance, professional organizations and certain technological partners can support change: diagnostics, training, financing, digital coaching… the resources exist, but they need to be mobilized.
Towards smarter… and more responsible logistics
Ultimately, the adoption of eFTI and AI in transportation is not just about “modernizing” processes. It has a broader ambition: to build a more agile, fluid logistics system that is more respectful of its stakeholders and the environment.
Fewer documents to print means less wasted paper. Fewer human errors mean greater reliability. Better anticipation means fewer delays, fewer unnecessary kilometers and less stress for teams.
However, this transition to more digitized and automated logistics raises a crucial question: what about the carbon footprint of the infrastructures that need to be built to run the system? Indeed, while digital tools and AI can reduce the use of material resources such as paper and vehicles, their implementation requires robust digital infrastructures. Real-time data management, data center storage or the deployment of artificial intelligence solutions rely on energy-intensive equipment, which in turn generates a carbon footprint.
It is therefore essential to consider these aspects when planning the digital transition. Although digitization and artificial intelligence can help to increase efficiency, they must be accompanied by strategies to limit the overall environmental impact. This may involve using data centers powered by renewable energies, reducing the energy consumption of systems, or implementing greener, optimized logistics solutions.
In conclusion: transforming a constraint into a strategic advantage
Yes, the digital shift is complex. Yes, it requires effort. But it also holds immense potential for simplification, optimization and differentiation.
Companies that know how to make the transition from paper to data – with method, with ambition, and with their teams – will be the ones who come out on top in the years to come.
Because, when it comes down to it, logistics data is not just a tool… it’s a competitive lever.
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