Join the Conversation: AIM Launches the NextGen Supply Chain Tech Discord Community

Join the Conversation: AIM Launches the NextGen Supply Chain Tech Discord Community

The technologies powering the supply chain are changing quickly. From RFID and barcode systems to artificial intelligence, IoT, automation, digital product passports, robotics, computer vision, and emerging identification technologies, professionals entering the industry today are working in an environment that looks very different from even a few years ago.

AIM created the NextGen Supply Chain Tech Discord community to give the next generation of industry professionals a place to connect, learn, ask questions, exchange ideas, and build relationships with others interested in the technologies shaping the future of supply chain operations.

While the community is supported by AIM, you do not need to be an expert in automatic identification and data capture technologies to participate. The goal is to create an approachable community where young professionals, students, emerging leaders, engineers, marketers, sales professionals, operations professionals, solution providers, technology users, and others interested in supply chain technology can interact.

Why We Created NextGen Supply Chain Tech

Industry conferences and formal working groups are extremely valuable, but not every conversation needs to happen during a scheduled meeting.  Sometimes you simply want to ask:

  • Has anyone worked with this technology before?
  • What are companies actually doing with RFID right now?
  • How is AI changing warehouse operations?
  • What does a career in AIDC or supply chain technology look like?
  • What events are worth attending?
  • Does anyone know a good resource for learning about 2D barcodes?
  • What emerging technology should I be paying attention to?
  • Is anyone else working on a similar project?

 

NextGen Supply Chain Tech provides a place where those conversations can happen throughout the year.  We want the community to become a resource for peer-to-peer learning, professional development, networking, technology discussions, industry education, and collaboration.  It is also an opportunity to connect professionals who may work in very different parts of the supply chain ecosystem. Those different perspectives are exactly what can make the community valuable.

 

Why Discord?

Discord was originally known primarily as a gaming platform, but it has evolved into a powerful community-building tool used by technology communities, developers, professional groups, students, associations, and organizations around the world.

Unlike email chains or traditional discussion forums, Discord allows conversations to happen naturally across dedicated topic areas called channels.  Instead of every conversation appearing in one long feed, members can participate in the discussions that interest them most.    Discord also makes it easy to have both ongoing conversations and quick interactions. You can post a detailed question, share an interesting article, respond to a poll, participate in a live discussion, or simply read what others are talking about.

There is no expectation that you need to participate every day.

 

What Can You Talk About?

The short answer is: almost anything related to supply chain technology and professional development.  The community is intended to be conversational. You do not need to prepare a formal presentation or write a technical paper before asking a question. You might share an article about a new warehouse robot and ask what others think. You might ask how companies are preparing for the transition from traditional UPC barcodes to 2D barcodes. You could start a discussion about whether RFID, computer vision, or another technology is best suited for a particular supply chain application. Someone early in their career might ask the community what skills they should develop to move into an AIDC or supply chain technology role.  Members could also discuss conferences they are attending, certifications they recommend, new products they have seen, technology demonstrations, implementation challenges, industry trends, or new regulations that could affect technology deployments.  Some conversations may eventually lead to AIM webinars, podcasts, educational resources, industry group discussions, or collaborative projects. The community can help AIM hear directly from emerging professionals about the issues they believe deserve greater attention.

 

How to Use Discord

If you have never used Discord before, getting started is straightforward. First, create a free Discord account using either the Discord website or the Discord mobile or desktop application.  If you click the NextGen Supply Chain Tech links above and below, they will take you right to the free registration area.  After joining the NextGen Supply Chain Tech server, take a few minutes to explore the available channels. Start with the Welcome and Rules section to learn how the community is organized and review basic participation guidelines. From there, introduce yourself. You can share your name, company or school if you would like, what part of the industry interests you, and the technologies you would like to learn more about. Then explore the discussion channels. When you see a conversation that interests you, jump in. You can reply directly to another member, add a reaction, ask a follow-up question, or start a new discussion. Discord also allows members to use @mentions to notify another member when responding directly to them. Threads can be used to keep longer conversations organized without overwhelming the main channel.  If you are not ready to post immediately, that is perfectly fine. Follow the conversations, explore the community, and participate when you find a topic that interests you.

 

A Community Built by Its Members

AIM can provide the platform, educational resources, industry connections, and opportunities, but the value of NextGen Supply Chain Tech will ultimately come from the people participating in it.  As the community grows, AIM hopes NextGen Supply Chain Tech will help emerging professionals expand their networks, learn from experienced industry leaders, discover new technologies, find professional opportunities, and become more involved in the broader supply chain technology community.  So Whether you have worked in the industry for several years or are just beginning to explore it, you are invited to join the conversation.

Join NextGen Supply Chain Tech, introduce yourself, explore the channels, and start a conversation about where supply chain technology is going next.

ScanSource P1 Conference – Redefining Relationship Partnerships Built on Truth and Honesty

ScanSource P1 Conference – Redefining Relationship Partnerships Built on Truth and Honesty

The energy was electric at ScanSource’s Partner First event, where industry leaders gathered to map out the future of technology, channel growth, and connected solutions. AI isn’t just on the horizon—it is here. ScanSource is fully equipped and business-ready to guide partners seamlessly through this massive digital transition.

 

The event launched with an exciting introduction of our new Specialty Technologies Group President, Mark Morgan. He took the stage to break down the rapid evolution of the tech stack and the massive shift toward converging markets. Partners walked away with a clear blueprint of emerging industry trends and actionable strategies on how ScanSource is ready to fuel their growth.

 

The fastest-growing sectors in tech don’t just innovate—they solve real-world problems. At our recent event, two dynamic panels brought together industry experts to share actionable insights on transforming retail operations and modernizing patient care through connected technology. The Retail Panel: Focused on solving today’s biggest retail headaches. Experts demonstrated how to slash inventory shrinkage and fix fragmented operations using connected technologies to drive smarter, more efficient outcomes.

The Healthcare Panel: Tallying up the power of integrated solutions. This session explored how secure networking, mobile devices, AI communications, and high-fidelity video unite to eliminate alarm fatigue, enable real-time care, and elevate patient experiences.

The momentum continued as CEO Mike Baur spotlighted key mega trends for future growth, focusing heavily on cybersecurity, AI, digitalization, automation, channel enablement, connectivity, and the massive shift toward cloud and subscription models. One of the biggest takeaways? Recurring revenue is king. Building a subscription-based model supercharges gross profits and unlocks a much broader Total Addressable Market (TAM)—ultimately helping partners capture a much larger piece of the market pie.

Beyond the main stage, the Supplier Expo and vibrant networking sessions hummed with activity. Partners and suppliers connected face-to-face, exploring cutting-edge solutions and sparking meaningful conversations to drive future business.

 

Thank you to everyone who made this event incredibly valuable and engaging. The ideas shared here will keep our conversations—and momentum—moving forward for weeks to come!

AIM Visibility Group Explores the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark with ioXt Alliance

During the September 2nd meeting of the AIM Visibility Technologies Industry Group, members heard from Grace Burkard, Director of Operations at the ioXt Alliance, for an in-depth look at the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program and what the developing cybersecurity labeling program could mean for manufacturers, retailers, technology providers, and consumers.

The Federal Communications Commission selected ioXt Alliance as the Lead Administrator for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program in April 2026. The voluntary program is intended to give consumers a recognizable way to identify qualifying connected products that meet baseline cybersecurity requirements.

 

What Is the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark?

Grace explained that the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is being developed as a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for consumer Internet of Things products.

The program is built around cybersecurity guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including NIST IR 8425, which establishes baseline cybersecurity capabilities for consumer IoT products. Rather than serving as a “gold standard” or indicating that a product is immune from cybersecurity threats, the Trust Mark is designed to establish a recognizable baseline that manufacturers can demonstrate through independent evaluation.

Products participating in the program will undergo third-party testing and evaluation before being authorized to display the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.

Grace noted that the initial scope is focused specifically on consumer-facing connected products. Enterprise, industrial, automotive, healthcare, and individual components such as chips and modules are currently outside the program’s primary scope.

 

Helping Consumers Understand Product Security

One of the primary objectives of the program is transparency.

Consumers purchasing connected products often have little practical information available to help them understand how a manufacturer approaches cybersecurity, software updates, product support, or secure configuration.

The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is intended to provide a recognizable signal that a product has met defined baseline requirements while connecting the consumer with additional product-specific security information.

That additional information is where the program becomes particularly relevant to AIM.

 

The Role of the QR Code

Grace spent part of the discussion addressing the QR Code associated with the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.

The cybersecurity label is expected to include the Trust Mark along with a scannable QR Code that connects users to more detailed cybersecurity information about the product. The labeling framework envisions multiple layers of information, with consumer-friendly information at one level and more detailed technical information available at another. This information can include items such as product security and certification information, software update practices, secure configuration guidance, the manufacturer’s support period, and other information that may change during the life of the product. Unlike a static printed statement, the QR Code provides a pathway to information that can remain current as cybersecurity conditions, software versions, and product support evolve.

 

AIM Members: Review the Technical Recommendations

Following the meeting, Grace provided AIM with a link to technical recommendations available through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System.

The link takes members to a filing associated with the FCC’s Cybersecurity Labeling for Internet of Things proceeding, Docket No. 23-239. The filing contains technical recommendations developed for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program and provides considerably more detail than the general program overview.

Of particular interest to AIM members are the recommendations involving the label, QR code, linked product information, technical requirements, cybersecurity criteria, and implementation framework.

The labeling approach also distinguishes between information intended to be easily understood by consumers and more detailed technical information. The related ANSI/CTA-2120 labeling framework describes an on-package marking and QR code, a consumer-focused information layer, and a more technically focused information layer.  AIM members are encouraged to begin reviewing these materials now.

 

AIM TSC and Visibility Groups to Continue the Discussion

The AIM Technical Symbology Committee (TSC) will review the QR Code and data carrier aspects of the recommendations, including potential questions surrounding implementation, interoperability, symbol quality, and the relationship with other QR-based applications. The Visibility Technologies Industry Group will also continue reviewing the broader U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program and its potential impact on organizations throughout the connected-product ecosystem. Both groups plan to continue the discussion during their October meetings, and AIM members are encouraged to review the FCC materials in advance and identify questions, concerns, or recommendations that AIM should consider.  As standards, regulations, identification technologies, cybersecurity requirements, and consumer-facing product information increasingly intersect, engagement from AIM’s technical community will be critical.

 

Watch Grace Burkard’s Presentation

Members who were unable to attend the September 2nd Visibility Technologies Industry Group meeting, or who would like to revisit the discussion, can watch Grace’s complete presentation here.

AIM thanks Grace Burkard and the ioXt Alliance for joining the Visibility Technologies Industry Group and for providing members with an early opportunity to better understand the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark and the technical considerations surrounding its implementation.

AIM members interested in this issue are encouraged to review the recommendations before the October TSC and Visibility Technologies Industry Group meetings and come prepared to share feedback

 

 

 

Turning the 2D Migration Into Business Value: Call for Speakers Now Open

The transition to 2D barcodes is quickly becoming one of the most important changes affecting product identification, data capture, retail, manufacturing, supply chain operations, and consumer engagement. As organizations prepare for the continued evolution toward GS1 Sunrise 2027, the conversation is moving beyond simply replacing traditional 1D barcodes. Companies are beginning to ask a much bigger question: How can the move to 2D create real business value?

 

AIM Global will explore that question during its upcoming Barcode Community Connect: Turning the 2D Migration Into Business Value, taking place virtually November 9–10, 2026.

This two-day virtual event will bring together technology providers, standards experts, end users, solution partners, and industry leaders to discuss both the practical challenges and emerging opportunities surrounding the transition to 2D.

 

Topics are expected to include areas such as:

  • Preparing for GS1 Sunrise 2027 and the continued coexistence of 1D and 2D barcodes
  • Developing practical 2D migration and implementation roadmaps
  • Printing, verification, and barcode quality considerations
  • Scanning and data capture requirements across different operating environments
  • Using 2D barcodes to provide access to additional product and supply chain information
  • Consumer engagement and connected product experiences
  • Traceability, transparency, and regulatory applications
  • Cybersecurity and QR code security considerations
  • Lessons learned from early implementations
  • How organizations can turn required technology changes into new operational and business opportunities

 

The goal of Community Connect is not simply to discuss the technology. AIM wants to bring together organizations that are actively working through these challenges so the industry can share experiences, identify best practices, and better understand how 2D technologies will impact the broader AIDC ecosystem.

 

Call for Speakers Now Open

AIM is currently seeking speakers and organizations interested in contributing to the program.

 

We are particularly interested in presentations that provide practical industry perspectives, implementation experiences, case studies, technical guidance, or lessons learned. End-user perspectives are especially valuable as organizations across retail, manufacturing, healthcare, food, logistics, and other industries begin preparing their systems and operations for greater adoption of 2D barcodes. Potential speakers do not need to have all the answers. One of the purposes of Community Connect is to create an environment where organizations can openly discuss the questions, opportunities, and implementation challenges they are encountering.

 

If your organization is working on 2D migration, barcode implementation, printing and scanning, traceability, product identification, connected packaging, cybersecurity, or another related area, AIM would like to hear from you.

Interested in speaking? Contact Michael Allen to share your proposed topic and how your organization could contribute to the conversation.

 

Join us November 9–10 as the AIM community looks beyond the migration itself and explores how organizations can turn the 2D transition into measurable business value.

 

 

 

How Mobility and AIDC Are Reshaping Warehouse Execution

Warehouses and distribution centers are being asked to move faster, maintain tighter inventory control, improve worker productivity, and respond to disruptions in real time. Meeting those expectations requires more than additional automation. It requires accurate, trusted data from the warehouse floor.

I am pleased to be discussing this more as part of Modern Material Handling’s Automating the Warehouse Virtual Summit on July 30th.  During the session, “How Mobility and AIDC Are Reshaping Warehouse Execution,”  I explore how automatic identification and data capture technologies are connecting physical warehouse activity with the digital systems that manage it.

My presentation also examines how technologies such as barcodes, 2D codes, RFID, rugged mobile devices, voice systems, wearables, machine vision, real-time location systems, and sensors are helping warehouses improve visibility and execution across receiving, putaway, picking, packing, shipping, cycle counting, and returns.

Rather than focusing only on devices, the presentation looks at the larger operational question: How can warehouses use real-time data to make better decisions and improve performance?

Attendees will learn how mobility and AIDC can help organizations:

  • Reduce manual data entry and warehouse errors
  • Improve inventory accuracy and product visibility
  • Confirm the correct item, location, order, and shipment
  • Support hands-free and guided worker workflows
  • Identify exceptions before they affect the customer
  • Strengthen traceability, compliance, and interoperability
  • Provide the trusted data needed for automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence

The webinar also highlights practical examples of connected warehouse solutions that combine technologies such as RFID, QR codes, mobile computing, serialized identifiers, enterprise systems, and blockchain. These examples demonstrate that the greatest value does not come from simply capturing more data. It comes from connecting each scan, read, image, or sensor event to a meaningful warehouse action.

Organizations considering new warehouse technologies will also receive guidance on how to prioritize their investments. The session discusses common implementation mistakes, including selecting technology before clearly identifying the operational problem, failing to integrate data with warehouse systems, overlooking worker needs, and beginning a project without measurable success criteria.

The central message is clear: mobility and AIDC are no longer simply supporting tools. They are becoming essential execution technologies that help warehouses see what is happening, confirm what is happening, and act on that information faster.

The recorded webinar will be released next week. Register now to receive access and learn how trusted data can support a more connected, accurate, and responsive warehouse operation.

Register to watch

AIM Global Chapters Share Regional Momentum, Standards Leadership, and Industry Collaboration

AIM’s quarterly chapter meeting brought together leaders from across the global AIM community to share updates, highlight regional priorities, and identify opportunities for continued collaboration. The meeting reflected AIM’s role as a worldwide authority on barcode, RFID, RTLS, mobile computing, and related automatic identification and data capture technologies.

Across chapters, a common theme emerged: AIM members are actively helping industry respond to regulatory change, digital transformation, traceability requirements, and the growing need for interoperable standards.

AIM Germany: Advancing EU Standards and Industry Collaboration

AIM Germany provided a detailed update on its continued participation in European standardization and regulatory discussions. Key areas of focus include the Digital Product Passport, Cyber Resilience Act, Radio Equipment Directive, cybersecurity regulations, and frequency harmonization for RFID.

AIM Germany also reported on its spring members meeting, where board members were re-elected and a membership fee increase was approved beginning in 2027. Planning is also underway for an autumn meeting hosted by Epson in the Düsseldorf area.

Chapter highlight: AIM Germany continues to play an important role in EU technical and policy discussions, especially around DPP, CRA, RED, RFID frequency harmonization, and cybersecurity regulation.

AIM Russia: Supporting Standards and National Traceability

AIM Russia reported 19 member companies as of June 2026 and continues to operate in partnership with GS1 Russia through a joint secretariat. The chapter remains active in standards development, advocacy, user education, and technical consultation.

AIM Russia serves as Secretariat for GOST Technical Committee 355 and participates in international standards activity through ISO and CIS technical committees. Recent standards activity includes updated Data Matrix specifications and syntax standards for high-capacity automatic data capture media.

Chapter highlight: AIM Russia is supporting national traceability initiatives using AIDC technologies such as UHF RFID and Data Matrix, while maintaining strong alignment with ISO-based standards.

AIM India: Expanding Industry Visibility and Event Participation

AIM India shared updates on its successful webinar, “How RFID is Transforming Retail Operations,” which saw strong participation from registered attendees. The chapter also reported continued growth in its digital presence, with 1,918 LinkedIn followers and a team strength of 11.

AIM India also participated in several major industry events, including the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Rising Bharat Summit, Chintan Shivir on India’s medical devices export ecosystem, Times Now Summit 2026, and India Pharma 2026. These activities helped position AIM India within conversations around AI, AIDC, manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and national technology growth.

Chapter highlight: AIM India is building strong visibility through webinars, national conferences, and engagement in conversations around AI, RFID, MedTech, pharma, and India’s broader innovation economy.

AIM North America: Workgroups, Awards, and Member Engagement

AIM North America reported 96 total members across manufacturers, solution providers, distributors, end users, associations, government agencies, universities, and emeritus members. The chapter also highlighted upcoming award presentations recognizing individuals, organizations, and government leaders contributing to the use of AIDC and AIT.

Several active workgroups were featured. The UDI Work Group, chaired by Jay Crowley, recently hosted a virtual seminar with more than 150 registrants and is developing guidance on selecting 2D scanners. The Food Supply Chain Work Group, chaired by Julie McGill, is preparing comments related to FDA traceability requirements and developing educational resources. The Cannabis Work Group, chaired by Duane Roebuck, continues to build podcast content around inventory tracking, QR codes, safety, smart packaging, and related topics.

Chapter highlight: AIM North America continues to drive industry education and advocacy through active workgroups focused on UDI, food traceability, cannabis, 2D barcodes, and member engagement.

AIM Asia: Launching a Regional DPP Workgroup

AIM Asia reported the official launch of its Digital Product Passport Workgroup, which has already held its first meeting. The workgroup is focusing on industries where digital traceability and product transparency are becoming increasingly important, including garments, semiconductors, food, and pharmaceuticals.

The chapter is also developing a new regional web platform to strengthen member collaboration, resource sharing, and engagement across Asia.

Chapter highlight: AIM Asia is expanding regional collaboration through a new DPP Workgroup and a digital platform designed to connect members and support shared resources.

AIM Denmark: DPP Education and New Leadership

AIM Denmark highlighted recent activities, including its April AIDC seminar, “DPP as Growth Motor,” which helped attract interest from both members and non-members. The chapter emphasized the importance of expanding DPP conversations beyond pharmaceuticals to include retail and other industries.

AIM Denmark also announced new board leadership for 2026 and 2027, with Christian Meinhardt serving as Chair, Henrik Stilling as Vice Chair, and Merete Skov Pedersen as Secretariat Lead. Upcoming activities include an AIDC ERFA event at New Aalborg Hospital in August.

Chapter highlight: AIM Denmark is using DPP-focused education and healthcare-centered events to broaden AIDC awareness and strengthen regional engagement.

AIM Japan: Standards Participation and DPP Implementation Challenges

AIM Japan discussed challenges related to ISO/IEC JTC 5 participation and Digital Product Passport implementation.

AIM Global will follow up with AIM Japan to discuss how to collaborate more closely on standards and data formatting concerns in more detail.

Chapter highlight: AIM Japan is raising important questions around international standards participation, data formatting, and practical implementation challenges related to DPP.

AIM China: Digital Food Labeling and Consumer Transparency

AIM China reported progress on the Prepackaged Food Digital Label Platform, which is supporting more than 70 food companies as they transition to digital product information. This work is helping improve consumer access to product data, strengthen transparency, and support traceability through digital labeling and identification solutions.

The chapter also continues to promote adoption of RFID, smart labels, IoT, and other AIDC innovations across multiple sectors.

Chapter highlight: AIM China is advancing digital food labeling and consumer transparency through a platform supporting more than 70 food companies.

AIM Korea: Supporting the Smart Food QR Project

AIM Korea, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and GS1 Korea, provided consulting and technical support for the Smart Food QR project. This initiative supports the transition from traditional 1D barcodes to GS1 global 2D barcodes on food products.

The project is expected to improve digital access to food information, strengthen traceability, and support the use of global standards for richer product data.

Chapter highlight: AIM Korea is helping advance the transition to GS1 global 2D barcodes for food products through the Smart Food QR project.

AIM Global: Standards, Advocacy, Community, and Education

AIM Global provided an update organized around four key pillars: standards, advocacy, community, and education.

On the standards front, AIM highlighted its work as a redirector for ISO/IEC 15459 issuing agencies, the transition to 2D barcodes, AI and robotics, e-labeling, smart packaging, and IoT labeling.

In advocacy, AIM discussed ongoing global regulatory activity and efforts related to the FCC NextNav petition, where AIM joined a multi-association letter regarding proposed realignment of RFID frequency bands. AIM also noted continued work around the EU Digital Product Passport and plans for future DPP workgroup meetings.

Community updates included member meetups, chapter collaboration, Women of AIDC, Young Professionals, and opportunities to expand global mastermind groups. AIM also highlighted educational resources including the AIDC Fundamentals video series, RFID Community Connect post-event materials, partnered webinars, podcasts, and the Transportation, Logistics, and Warehousing industry survey.

Chapter highlight: AIM Global continues to connect chapter activity through standards leadership, advocacy, community engagement, education, and cross-regional collaboration.

Looking Ahead

The quarterly chapter meeting demonstrated the strength and diversity of AIM’s global network. From EU regulatory engagement and digital product passports to food labeling, healthcare traceability, RFID education, and 2D barcode adoption, AIM chapters are addressing the issues shaping the future of automatic identification and data capture.

AIM will continue working with its global chapters to strengthen industry education, support standards-based implementation, and help members navigate the evolving technology and regulatory landscape.