{"id":8010,"date":"2024-01-25T16:00:52","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T16:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=8010"},"modified":"2024-09-09T12:43:07","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T11:43:07","slug":"artificial-intelligence-in-logistics-efficient-processes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/artificial-intelligence-in-logistics-efficient-processes\/","title":{"rendered":"Artificial intelligence in logistics: How to make your processes more efficient"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tArtificial intelligence in logistics: How to make your processes more efficient\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2024-01-25T16:00:52+00:00\">25 January, 2024<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Artificial intelligence in logistics: How to make your processes more efficient\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/artificial-intelligence-in-logistics-efficient-processes\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/ryangrundy\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/06\/Ryan-Grundy.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Ryan Grundy\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Ryan Grundy<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Artificial intelligence (AI) in logistics is quickly becoming more accessible and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is helping supply chain managers and logistics professionals find efficiencies, as well as creating opportunities for business growth and competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we look at how AI in logistics can improve your processes and the management of anomalies in your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#simple\">Simple processes and complex applications<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#the\">The challenge for artificial intelligence in logistics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#three\">3 process improvements using AI in logistics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#ai\">AI and managing anomalies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#anomalies\">Anomalies are loss-making<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#processing\">Processing millions of invoices<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#putting\">Putting AI to work with anomalies \u2013 what to consider<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#final\">Final thoughts on artificial intelligence in logistics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"simple\">Simple processes and complex applications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In its simplest form, AI can support back office functions and processes through the detection of anomalies and exceptions, highlighting issues before they become bigger problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more complex applications it provides 3PLs, shippers, and carriers with insights based on the analysis of supply chain data. This is becoming more important than ever as we learn the lessons of the pandemic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibm.com\/thought-leadership\/institute-business-value\/report\/covid-19-supply-chains\">IBM writes<\/a>: \u201cWhile no one can foresee what\u2019s in store for tomorrow, we can work today on building a \u2018smarter\u2019 global supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOrganisations can leverage AI to help turn the unanticipated into the envisioned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Operationally, AI is at the heart of Intelligent Route Optimisation (IRO), helping logistics businesses co-ordinate resources and journeys cost-effectively, often in real time and far more efficiently than humans could ever achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Improved process management means more accurate predictions and therefore fewer surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, the opportunity to improve end-user communications and customer service makes for solid relationship management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the\">The challenge for artificial intelligence in logistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a logistics industry report from DHL and IBM, one of the biggest challenges and most underutilised assets in the industry is the high volume of structured and unstructured data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the fact that a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.idginsiderpro.com\/article\/3254693\/ais-biggest-risk-factor-data-gone-wrong.html\">survey conducted by Forrester<\/a>&nbsp;found only 17% of respondents felt a lack of well-curated data to train AI systems was their biggest challenge, we must accept that the quality of data gathered and held is often of poor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chris Geiser, senior vice president of technology of marketing firm DCG ONE, said: \u201cUnderstanding the mathematics and patterns will only get you so far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most important thing is to understand all your individual data sources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/erp\/\">Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems<\/a> connect every operational part of the organisation to create a central and valuable data asset that will work effectively for AI success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By understanding individual data sources by function, you can create accurate, complete, and consistent records. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means you\u2019ll be more likely to realise the full potential of AI and create new business opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"three\">3 process improvements using AI in logistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To maximise the effectiveness of AI to your business, focus on harnessing it correctly with quality data, in alignment with your business goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are three things to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Exploit underutilised data assets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apply AI to the high volumes of data generated within supply chains to allow for analysis and insights that identify trends on where efficiencies can be realised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Automate and accelerate processes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The aim here is to eradicate\/minimise errors and generate costs savings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An example is that of natural language processing (NLP) to ingest customs documentation across different formats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By extracting relevant information and accumulating knowledge, declarations can be automated to support and complement the human element while creating efficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Predictive analytics that limit the unexpected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By applying AI to route optimisation and network management you can inform future planning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DHL did this by developing a machine learning-based tool to predict air freight transit time delays for proactive mitigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Analysing 58 different parameters of internal data, this machine learning model now predicts increases\/decreases on transit times up to a week in advance for real impact on effective resource management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along the way, be sure to establish a business metric for each solution (cost reduction, value creation, customer engagement, etc) in creating a significant quantitative impact, so you know what good looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ai\">AI and managing anomalies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Logistics businesses understand the application of AI to typical industry problems such as route optimisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only is route planning something you instinctively understand, it\u2019s also something computers can clearly do in real time that humans can\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By connecting data sources such as GPS trackers, weather information and traffic systems, for example, you can start to predict journey times on the fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can plan resources better and maybe even tell your customers what time their delivery will show up. It\u2019s a great application of AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the benefit is only incremental \u2013 shave a few minutes off a journey and the time, fuel, wage and maintenance costs are similarly shaved \u2013 at best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"anomalies\">Anomalies are loss-making<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>More exciting, but much less talked about, is the application of AI to exceptions, anomalies and other things that go wrong. This help you either resolve them or prevent them from going wrong in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exceptions are interesting because they are unbelievably expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In today\u2019s modern supply chains with wafer-thin margins, handling an exception is likely to cost more than the cost to serve in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of handling returns or dealing with baggage that has gone to the wrong destination. Or in the back office, financial and contractual errors that cost money or present compliance challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exceptions are loss-making, so reducing them can be a highly profitable use of tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exceptions and errors are also hard for humans to spot \u2013 precisely because they are either mistakes (by definition, things we do without noticing) or circumstances that must be noted by a compliance or check manager who\u2019s looking for a one-in-a-thousand occurrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Humans aren\u2019t great at this, whereas AI is the increasingly smart assessor who never goes to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"processing\">Processing millions of invoices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike humans, AI\u2019s judgement also doesn\u2019t degrade with complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A report from DHL in association with IBM says: \u201cLogistics service providers often rely on vast numbers of third parties including common carriers, subcontracted staff, charter airlines and other third-party vendors to operate core functions of their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis puts an increased burden on logistics accounting teams to process millions of invoices annually from thousands of vendors, partners or providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHere, AI technologies like natural language processing can extract critical information such as billing amounts, account information, dates, addresses, and parties involved from the sea of unstructured invoice forms received by the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnce the data is well-classified, an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/path-to-ai-manufacturers-automation\/\">RPA<\/a>&nbsp;[robotic process automation] bot can take it and input it into existing accounting software to generate an order, execute payment, and send the customer a confirmation email, all without human intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cConsultancy firm Ernst &amp; Young (EY) is applying a similar approach for detection of fraudulent invoices. EY\u2019s fraud detection system achieves 97% accuracy and has been rolled out to over 50 companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSimilar logic can be applied to any business process with high-frequency repetitive tasks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI cuts the human burden, spots errors effectively, and acts as an nonintrusive set of guiderails, keeping the business moving and solving problems without interrupting the day-to-day flow and rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"putting\">Putting AI to work with anomalies \u2013 what to consider<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To successfully deploy AI in anomaly assessments, focus on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pattern and trend detection:<\/strong>&nbsp;AI systems must learn what good looks like, and therefore what bad looks like too, from your data lake.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Event-driven occurrences:<\/strong>&nbsp;Most exceptions remain event-driven and detection regimes will reflect this. AI should become part of an existing set of processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Working with suppliers:<\/strong>&nbsp;Collaborate and integrate with suppliers to see into their organisations and processes to detect issues early. Data sharing may be a contentious issue, but it\u2019s essential. Anomaly detection on upstream transactions using AI is starting to show some of the most promising results in the sector.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final\">Final thoughts on artificial intelligence in logistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, as you\u2019ve seen in this article, AI has a key role to play in logistics as far as improving your processes and making them more efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter whether you\u2019re looking to adopt it to revamp your supply chain processes or manage anomalies, it pays to utilise AI in the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Assess what you want AI systems to do and the problems you need to solve, adopt them in line with your business goals, and use the right metrics to measure efficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was first published in September 2020 and has been updated for relevance.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/ai\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAI\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/midsized-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMidsized business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/supply-chain\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupply chain\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-30275 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-grow-business tag-inventory tag-midsized-business tag-performance-management tag-supply-chain business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-981641138-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-981641138-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-981641138-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-981641138-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-27T14:12:06+01:00\">27 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sales-order-management\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWhat is sales order management: How to optimise sales order processing\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tLooking to simplify your sales order management? Discover how to optimise your process and keep your business running smoothly.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-20757 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-business-finances tag-midsized-business business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/startups-secure-investment-become-unicorns\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1473163791-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Looking at business data\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1473163791-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1473163791-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1473163791.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-05-20T15:18:54+01:00\">20 May, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">15 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tUK unicorns: How\u00a0promising\u00a0start-ups\u00a0can\u00a0scale and secure investment\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-29874 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-cloud tag-digital-transformation tag-finance tag-make-receive-payments tag-midsized-business tag-payments tag-reduce-admin tag-workplace-technology business_type-medium-sized-business industry-food-beverage\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/5-pressures-every-hospitality-cfo-is-feeling-and-the-fix-for-each\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526709144-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"why taking baby steps leads to big changes\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526709144-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526709144-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526709144-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-27T15:33:01+01:00\">27 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\t5 pressures every hospitality CFO is feeling\u2014and the fix for each\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-29806 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers category-trends-insights tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-customer-stories tag-data-analytics tag-grow-business tag-midsized-business tag-need-to-know tag-productivity tag-reporting business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tranmere-rovers-fc-sage\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media card-post__media--video\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/Tranmere-Rovers-Sage-Advice-header-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A man walks across the on-field dugout of a football pitch. Sage promotional banners flank the background.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/Tranmere-Rovers-Sage-Advice-header-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/Tranmere-Rovers-Sage-Advice-header.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/Tranmere-Rovers-Sage-Advice-header.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__play-video\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"card-post__play-icon svg-icon\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 33 36\"><path d=\"M3.947.936C1.889 1.016 0 2.661 0 4.878v27.11c0 2.956 3.36 4.896 5.999 3.463l24.965-13.555c2.715-1.474 2.715-5.451 0-6.925L6 1.416a3.96 3.96 0 0 0-2.052-.48Zm.032 2.6c.232-.001.475.058.713.187L29.66 17.28c.986.535.986 1.774 0 2.309L4.692 33.144c-.952.517-1.999-.088-1.999-1.155V4.878c0-.533.261-.95.642-1.17.19-.11.411-.171.644-.172\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M5.25 3C3.74 3 2.5 4.24 2.5 5.75v12.5C2.5 19.76 3.74 21 5.25 21h14c1.51 0 2.75-1.24 2.75-2.75V5.75C22 4.24 20.76 3 19.25 3zm0 1.5h14c.699 0 1.25.551 1.25 1.25v12.5a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25 1.25h-14A1.24 1.24 0 0 1 4 18.25V5.75c0-.699.551-1.25 1.25-1.25m.25.75a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H6a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm13 0a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5h.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm-8.25 2.751A1.248 1.248 0 0 0 9 9.251v5.5c0 .442.231.849.613 1.074.389.231.846.237 1.239.021l5.001-2.751c.396-.219.646-.639.646-1.094s-.25-.876-.646-1.095l-.001-.001-5.002-2.751a1.25 1.25 0 0 0-.601-.153zM5.5 8.25a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H6a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm13 0a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5h.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm-8 1.423L14.731 12 10.5 14.328zm-5 1.577a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H6a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm13 0a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5h.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm-13 3a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H6a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm13 0a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5h.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm-13 3a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H6a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5zm13 0a.5.5 0 0 0-.5.5v.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5h.5a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5v-.5a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-24T09:52:02+01:00\">24 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">2 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat does it mean to be an anchor institution? Tranmere Rovers on caring for its community\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-29838 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-business-performance tag-midsized-business business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business industry-travel-hospitality\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/guide-to-hotel-accounting\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1454662719-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1454662719-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1454662719-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1454662719-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-23T11:54:11+01:00\">23 April, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">22 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHotel accounting essentials: A comprehensive guide\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how artificial intelligence in logistics can result in an improvement with how your supply chain functions and anomalies are managed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1398,"featured_media":11340,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[50,159,130],"business_type":[3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[70,71],"imagine_tag":[87,96],"coauthors":[370],"class_list":["post-8010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology-innovation","tag-ai","tag-midsized-business","tag-supply-chain","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Ryan Grundy","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1304139513.jpg","imagine_tags":{"87":"Enterprise management","96":"Medium businesses"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1398"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8010"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8010\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/11340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8010"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=8010"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=8010"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=8010"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=8010"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=8010"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=8010"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=8010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}