Despite record adoption of IoT, ELD, and AI-powered tracking, many companies still lack the real-time insights needed to act on supply chain disruptions before they spiral out of control, according to a new survey, State of Visibility survey report, from Tive.
A surprising finding from the report is that 60% of businesses still learn about shipment damage only after delivery—or never at all.
While first-mile and last-mile tracking have improved, the report reveals that mid-mile shipments remain a blind spot, cargo theft is fueling the need for greater visibility, and too many businesses are still reacting to problems instead of preventing them.
“The supply chain industry has made huge strides in visibility technology, but this year’s report shows a harsh reality—that most companies are still flying blind at the worst possible moments,” said Krenar Komoni, founder and CEO of Tive, in a statement. “Our report found that the majority of businesses only learn about shipment damage after delivery, when it’s too late to do anything about it. Knowing where a shipment is doesn’t mean much if you don’t know what’s happening to it. Supply chains don’t need more data; they need ground truth data at the right time—the ability to act on it before shipments are lost, delayed, or rejected.”
Key findings from the 2025 State of Visibility report:
- Mid-mile tracking remains a major weak spot. While first- and last-mile tracking have improved, 37% of companies still struggle to monitor shipments in transit—leaving cargo vulnerable to delays, damage, and theft.
- IoT adoption continues to rise, but gaps remain. 60% of companies now use some type of IoT-powered tracking, up from 55% in 2024, yet many still lack the real-time updates needed to act on shipment risks.
- AI is transforming supply chain decision making. AI adoption jumped from 35% to 45%, helping companies improve inventory optimization, demand forecasting, and risk mitigation.
- Sustainability is shaping corporate supply chain strategies. 35% of companies are using visibility data to track carbon emissions and optimize routes for fuel efficiency.
- Security concerns are fueling visibility investments. 60% of respondents cite cargo theft prevention as a primary driver for investing in visibility tools, but many still lack the proactive measures needed to prevent loss.
