✈️📺💰 DeliverDirect Delta, Walmart’s Business Woo, & Recogni Raises Millions

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Good morning! ☀️

Welcome to "The Workday Dash" – where we bring you the juiciest scoops from the fast-paced world of supply chain management, delivered straight to your inbox. 📥

Today's edition is packed with game-changing moves: From DeliverDirect revolutionizing e-commerce shipping with Delta Cargo and SmartKargo, to Walmart's strategic acquisition of Vizio to supercharge its advertising game, and Recogni's impressive $102M funding round for AI chip technology in autonomous vehicles. Buckle up, because this ride is about to get wild! 🚀

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“Don’t tell people your dreams. Show them.”

— Unknown

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Delta | DeliverDirect | Cargo

DeliverDirect is Revolutionizing E-Commerce Shipping with Delta Cargo and SmartKargo Partnership

Efficiency in e-commerce shipping is crucial, and Delta Cargo and SmartKargo have joined forces to tackle common pain points for small parcel shippers. Their collaboration, DeliverDirect, offers speedy delivery via Delta Air Lines' extensive domestic network. It's a game-changer, providing options for 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day shipping.

With transparent tracking and no surprise fees, DeliverDirect promises simplicity and reliability, catering to various industries. In today's fast-paced consumer market, this innovative solution aims to meet the demand for swift and efficient delivery, enhancing businesses' supply chain flexibility and customer satisfaction.

Read more about this at Freight Waves >

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

DeliverDirect is like a shortcut for small parcel shipping, making things zip along quicker and smoother. That means less time waiting around and more happy customers. Thanks to Delta Air Lines, we've got more options for getting packages from A to B. It's like having an extra set of wheels for those smaller shipments.

With DeliverDirect's fancy tracking tech, you can keep an eye on your packages every step of the way. No more guessing games—just clear visibility from start to finish. DeliverDirect keeps things simple with upfront pricing and no sneaky fees. That's a win for businesses trying to keep their shipping costs in check.

🔥 OUR HOT TAKE?

While DeliverDirect may seem like a dream come true for small parcel shippers, it's worth questioning whether this partnership between Delta Cargo and SmartKargo is truly as beneficial as it appears… While offering speedy delivery options and transparent tracking, DeliverDirect could potentially give Delta Air Lines an unfair advantage over other shipping carriers, leading to decreased competition in the market.

Additionally, relying heavily on air transportation for small parcel shipping may contribute to environmental concerns, as air travel is known to have a higher carbon footprint compared to other modes of transportation. Additionally, the promise of simplicity and reliability may not hold true in practice, as any system can experience glitches or delays, potentially leading to dissatisfied customers and damaged reputations for businesses relying on DeliverDirect.

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Walmart | Vizio | Advertising

Walmart Acquiring Vizio to Boost Advertising Business

Walmart has announced its acquisition of TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion in cash, aiming to bolster its profitable advertising business. The deal was revealed alongside Walmart's fourth-quarter earnings report. Vizio shares surged after news of the acquisition broke, closing at $9.53 and jumping 15% during early trading.

Walmart plans to leverage Vizio's SmartCast Operating System to enhance its ad business, which saw a 22% growth in the fourth quarter. Walmart's move aligns with its efforts to compete with Amazon's expanding ad segment. With Vizio's platform, Walmart aims to extend its advertising reach and offer innovative TV and entertainment experiences to its customers. Seth Dallaire, EVP and chief revenue officer of Walmart U.S. expressed confidence in Vizio's customer-centric system and its potential for profitable advertising.

Read more about this on CNBC >

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

With Walmart snagging Vizio, we might see some changes in how Vizio products get around. That means we've gotta be ready for shifts in what we're hauling, where it's going, and when it's getting there. Bringing Vizio into Walmart's family could mean smoother sailing for supply chains. That might mean tweaking how we handle inventory, store stuff, and move it all around. Teamwork and flexibility will be key.

If Walmart starts shaking things up in the advertising game with Vizio, we could see waves of change in what people are buying. We've gotta be nimble to keep up with the ebb and flow of demand and make sure deliveries stay on track.

🔥  OUR HOT TAKE?

While Walmart's acquisition of Vizio may seem like a strategic move to boost its advertising business, some skeptics argue that it could lead to monopolistic practices in the retail and media industries. By expanding its reach into TV manufacturing and leveraging Vizio's SmartCast Operating System for advertising purposes, Walmart could gain undue influence over consumer choices and limit competition in the market.

Also, concerns arise about the potential misuse of consumer data gathered through Vizio's platform, raising privacy and ethical considerations. Critics also question the long-term impact of Walmart's aggressive expansion into new sectors, warning of the potential negative consequences for smaller businesses and the overall diversity of the marketplace.

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AI | Million | Autonomous

Recogni Raises $102M for AI Chip Technology in Autonomous Vehicles

Recogni Inc., an AI startup specializing in technology for self-driving cars, recently secured $102 million in funding. This Series C round was led by Celesta Capital and GreatPoint Ventures, with participation from HSBC Holdings Plc and Tasaru Mobility Investments. Founded in 2017, Recogni designs chips to enhance object detection in autonomous vehicles. Despite a recent slowdown in investment in self-driving technology, Recogni's pivot to designing accelerator chips for generative AI models has attracted investor interest.

CEO Marc Bolitho emphasized the versatility of their chip, Scorpio, which promises faster and more energy-efficient operation for AI inference tasks. With this funding, Recogni aims to scale production and market Scorpio, challenging competitors like Nvidia while staying committed to advancing autonomous vehicle technology.

Read more about this at TT News >

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

So, Recogni's cooking up these fancy AI chips for self-driving rides. It's like the next level of tech wizardry in the transport game. These chips could turbocharge autonomous vehicles, making them smarter and more reliable down the road. That's a game-changer for how we move stuff around! Picture this: better AI means safer rides. With these snazzy chips, autonomous vehicles could dodge accidents like pros, zooming around with fewer hiccups. That's not just good news for delivery speed—it's a win for keeping our roads safer and our deliveries on track.

If Recogni nails it with these AI chips, we might see more self-driving rigs hitting the road. That means big shifts in how we do logistics. Companies might start eyeing up autonomous trucks as the next big thing, reshaping how goods get from A to B.

🔥 OUR HOT TAKE?

Some skeptics argue that pouring millions into self-driving tech might not be the wisest move. With concerns rising over the safety and ethical implications of autonomous vehicles, some question whether prioritizing AI chips for self-driving cars is the right call. Critics argue that the focus should instead be on addressing pressing issues like road safety, infrastructure improvements, and environmental sustainability.

With the recent slowdown in self-driving investments, some wonder if Recogni's pivot to AI chip design is a gamble that might not pay off in the long run. While Recogni's Scorpio chip promises innovation, it's unclear whether the future of transportation lies in autonomous vehicles or if there are more pressing priorities that deserve attention and investment.

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Daily Riddle:

I'm small and mighty, a marvel in tech,

In self-driving cars, I help them to trek.

I enhance their vision, making them wise,

With me on board, they can see through the skies.

What am I?

Feb 20 Answer: Maersk

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