Introduction
Hello! I’m Jonah Friedl, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at NomadGo. Today, I want to talk about one of the most overlooked yet critical facets of modern supply chains: “the last inch”. If you’ve ever wondered why some of the largest inefficiencies in retail, hospitality, and logistics persists, look no further. It’s often that final, seemingly insignificant part of the chain that causes a domino effect of challenges further upstream. That’s why at NomadGo, we’ve dedicated ourselves to bridging this gap and “shedding light on the void.”
The Last Inch: Why It Matters
Supply chains are complex, interconnected webs. Yet, all too often, the final step—the act of physically determining what products are on hand, how many, and where they’re stored remains unreliable. This is the “last inch”:
- Drives Upstream Value:
From product reordering to replenishment planning, if the last inch is off, every subsequent process (like replenishment or forecasting) suffers.
- Is Labor Intensive:
Businesses often have to shut down normal operations to count stock. Not only is this time-consuming, but it also increases labor costs and delays other tasks.
- Lacks Frequent and Accurate Data:
Traditional inventory checks can be prone to human error. They might happen sporadically, leading to inaccurate or stale data that trickles upstream and distorts critical decision-making.
The Problem with Upstream Inaccuracies
Because of these inconsistencies in the last inch, data passed along the chain becomes a game of telephone, gradually losing its fidelity:
- Order Fulfillment: If the data is off even by small margins, entire orders can be delayed or fulfilled incorrectly.
- Forecasting & Replenishment: Inaccurate stock counts lead to over-ordering or under-ordering, each with its own cost burdens.
- Profitability: When you can’t trust your data, you’re forced to build in safety buffers holding extra inventory “just in case” which locks up capital and cuts into profits. This leads to a ripple effect in itself, when extra safety stock is clogging a supply chain, trucks are costlier, space is wasted, and products can spoil.
Bridging the Chasm: NomadGo at the edge of the supply chain
At NomadGo, we’ve developed technology and processes specifically designed to tackle this “void”:
- Frequent and Accurate Data Collection:
Through automation and advanced scanning methods, we enable restaurants, retailers, suppliers, and logistics providers to collect real-time data, ensuring stock counts are updated as often as needed without shutting down operations.
- Focused on the Last Inch:
Instead of trying to handle everything, we laser-focus on solving the problem of inventory visibility at the physical level. When you have the correct number of items, precise locations, and clear timelines, everything else in the chain benefits.
- Powering Upstream Use Cases:
The granular, trustworthy data we generate feeds directly into forecasting, logistics, and replenishment systems. This helps decision-makers plan effectively and minimize costly errors.
- Filling a Gap No One Else Does:
Many solutions claim to offer end-to-end visibility but still fall short in that final stretch. NomadGo aims to fill the void that remains untouched by generic inventory or supply chain tools, delivering actionable insights right where they’re needed most.
Why This Matters for Your Business
- Cost Savings: Real-time, accurate data means you order the right amount of product at the right time.
- Efficiency Gains: Less downtime for manual stock checks allows your staff to focus on high-value tasks.
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Proper inventory levels reduce out-of-stock situations and improve the overall shopping experience.
- Scalable Growth: As your business expands, having a solid foundation of accurate, automated data becomes even more crucial.
Conclusion
Addressing the “last inch” of the supply chain isn’t just another box to check—it’s a transformative step that can save time, reduce costs, and keep customers happy. NomadGo’s mission is to make sure every business can operate with full visibility into that final, critical piece of the puzzle, powering better decisions and more reliable outcomes throughout the chain.
I’m proud to lead our product efforts here at NomadGo and would love to share more about how our solutions can fit your specific needs. If you’re tired of operating in the dark when it comes to that final inch, connect with me at jonah@nomad-go.com.
