GSCW chat: Predictive and prescriptive analytics’ place in the supply chain

Randy Ofiara with a prescription for your supply chain

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: Predictive and prescriptive analytics 

DETAILS: When you are making a value proposition to current and prospective customers, prescriptive and performance analytics should be part of your continuous improvement plan. Randy Ofiara chats about all things continuous improvement and the value of historical data as a way to move forward.

SPEAKER: Randy Ofiara, VP managed logistics, BlueGrace Logistics.

BIO: Ofiara has a background in transportation ranging from automotive and manufacturing to the Department of Defense. He has served in leadership roles at XPO Logistics, YRC Worldwide and ProTrans. Currently, he is helping customers utilize historical data from their supply chains to grow their revenue, improve processes and make informed decisions.   

KEY QUOTES FROM RANDY OFIARA

“The past two years the traditional bid cycles and when to go to market have been flipped upside down. It is extremely important to make sure you have the data and analytics  to make sure you can go to market at the right time.”

“The procurement part of logistics and supply chain management is just one piece of it.”

“Help companies move further upstream but saying what will happen, the predictive, and how can we make that happen, the prescriptive. Customers move up that value stream of not only what happened and why it happened but what happens next. How to better execute your freight.”

“The analytics capability usually translates to a pivot table out of Excel. Fifty percent of companies are still using spreadsheets to manage their supply chains.”

“It’s key when you are identifying opportunities for improvement that you have the ability to execute said improvements.”

“Once we go through that reality check, what actually can get implemented on the back end?”

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Mary O'Connell

Former pricing analyst, supply chain planner, and broker/dispatcher turned creator of the newsletter and podcast Check Call. Which gives insights into the world around 3PLs and Freight brokers. She will talk your ear off about anything and everything if you let her. Expertise in operations, LTL pricing and procurement, flatbed operations, dry van, tracking and tracing, reality tv shows and how to turn a stranger into your new best friend.