540: Discover Why Visibility Isn't Fixing The Last Mile, with OneRail

In this episode of Let's Talk Supply Chain, host Sarah Barnes-Sumphrey sits down with Bill Catania of OneRail to explore the evolving landscape of last-mile delivery and the limitations of visibility in supply chain optimization. Catania argues that while visibility has become a standard offering, it's merely 'exhaust'—a byproduct of execution, not the solution itself. The real value lies in AI-native platforms that enable continuous, real-time optimization across the entire order lifecycle, from order management to doorstep delivery. OneRail’s transformation from a last-mile orchestration tool to a full-order lifecycle enabler highlights the shift toward integrated, data-driven decision-making. The conversation emphasizes that success with AI isn't about chasing trends, but about fixing data silos, defining clear KPIs, and redesigning workflows with AI at the core. Catania shares how OneRail’s AI has already achieved 41% call containment in delivery support, freeing up human agents to handle complex issues and enabling smarter scaling without proportional headcount growth. The episode concludes with forward-looking insights: the convergence of shopper marketing, payments, and supply chain as the new competitive frontier, exemplified by Lowe’s success in integrating these domains. Catania predicts increased consolidation in the last-mile space due to tighter capital markets and anticipates that 2026 will be defined by holistic, end-to-end supply chain integration. He stresses that the journey doesn’t end with AI—it’s perpetual optimization, with profit per stop emerging as a transformative metric that repositions transportation from a cost center to a revenue driver. The episode closes with a powerful takeaway: before investing in AI, organizations must first fix their data and define their outcomes.