Series 5 – Episode 6

Hosts:

Length: ~12 minutes

In this final installment of the Trade & Tech series, Renee and Julie deliver what many listeners have been asking for:

👉 Who should we call when we’re ready to automate?

This episode serves as a practical cheat sheet — a high-level recap of the key categories of trade technology and the types of providers operating in each space.

From product and entity data to import/export execution, learning platforms, and audit analytics, Renee and Julie walk through where automation fits, what problems it solves, and what types of solutions companies are leveraging today.

They also emphasize an important disclaimer: the trade tech space is evolving rapidly. New entrants are emerging, existing platforms are expanding capabilities, and buyers should always conduct current research before issuing an RFP.

The goal of this episode isn’t endorsement — it’s orientation.

Across this series, one theme remained constant:

Trade is too complex to run on spreadsheets forever.

Technology doesn’t replace trade professionals — it strengthens them.

Clean data drives better decisions.

Automation builds structure, execution, capability, and proof.

Trade programs often rely on tribal knowledge and heroics

Technology introduces structure

Data in → Decisions out → Proof stored

Focus: Organizing trade requirements at the product and company level

Categories discussed:

Classification & denied party screening platforms

End-to-end compliance tools with workflow and audit logs

Supplier onboarding and traceability tools (including UFLPA and CTPAT support)

Supply chain intelligence platforms

Broker-enabled onboarding tools

Key takeaway:

Focus: Running the day-to-day engine

Areas covered:

Entry filing & broker connectivity

Document management & visibility

Transportation Management Systems (TMS)

Export controls & licensing workflows

Leveraging broker and forwarder technology stacks

Important reminder:

Focus: Building capability

Calendar training vs. real-time (inflow) learning

Role-based, embedded, and trackable education

LMS integration and audit defensibility

Continuous reinforcement vs. one-time onboarding

Learning isn’t a side activity — it’s infrastructure.

Focus: Proof and defensibility

Automation supports:

Classification consistency

Valuation flags

FTA claims validation

PGA data checks

Entry accuracy monitoring

Tools often connect to:

GTM platforms

ERP systems

Broker data feeds

ACE data

Business intelligence dashboards

Bottom line:

If you remember nothing else from this series:

Product & entity tech gives you structure.

Import/export tech gives you execution.

Learning tech gives you capability.

Auditing tech gives you proof.

Start where the pain is greatest:

Too many manual screening hits? → Automate denied party screening

Supplier questionnaire chaos? → Traceability tools

Entry surprises or duty errors? → Execution platforms

Constant fire drills? → Auditing & monitoring tools

And don’t forget:

Your customs broker or freight forwarder may already offer automation tools embedded in their services — often more cost-effective than standalone implementation.

Ask your broker or freight forwarder:

👉 What automation tools are already available to us?

Sometimes the first step isn’t buying new software — it’s using what you already have.

Which area of trade automation are you prioritizing in 2026?

Structure? Execution? Capability? Proof?

Join us inside the Trade Geeks Community and let us know where you’re starting.

Hosts:

Producer:

New Simply Trade Tips episodes every Tuesday.

Presented by:

Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn

Global Training Center on LinkedIn

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Trade Geeks Community

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