Business View Magazine March 2023

16 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 3 4. Fraud prevention: The decentralized and immutable nature of blockchain makes it difficult to tamper with data, which can help to prevent fraud in the distribution industry. Also, autonomous vehicles, such as self- driving trucks, can be used for the transportation of goods, reducing the need for human drivers and improving the efficiency of the distribution process. During a recent conversation with Dirk Beveridge, founder of UnleashWD and Executive Producer of the We Supply America Tour, I asked Dirk, “Why do you think it is important for distributors to embrace and adopt emerging technologies?” Dirk Replied, “To stay ahead in today’s ever- changing world, it is vital to keep an eye on the evolving needs and wants of your customers. Buying habits are rapidly shifting as new technologies offer a higher level of convenience or personalization. Additionally, keeping up with employee expectations will ensure their satisfaction too; inventing in emerging technology can help create better work environments where everyone feels supported and engaged.” Overall, the distribution industry is undergoing a significant transformation thanks to the adoption of emerging technologies. These innovations are making the distribution process more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable, as well as helping drive the industry forward. Many of these are made possible by cloud-based technology stacks.