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Supply Chain by the Numbers

July 30, 2026

Supply Chain by the Numbers for July 30, 2026

Amazon’s Satellite Army. New Magic Q from Gartner. Ban on Imported Robots. New DoorDash Drones


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5105
That is the incredible number of satellites Amazon is asking the government to OK to being put into orbit, as part of a constellation that will provide direct-to-device connectivity. The company first telegraphed plans to launch a D2D network in April, when Amazon announced that it would acquire satellite operator Globalstar in a deal worth about $11.6 billion. D2D networks provide connectivity straight to smartphones or other devices via satellites in place of traditional cell towers. In a Saturday application with the Federal Communications Commission, Amazon said its D2D network would combine its existing infrastructure with Globalstar's satellites and spectrum. We think they will need some new traffic lights in space to manage the congestion.

That was the number of firms that were ranked as part of a new “Magic Quadrant” from Gartner on “Supply Chain Strategy, Planning and Operations Consulting.” The new MQ joins many others in the supply chain in familiar categories such as WMS, TMS, supply chain planning, third party logistics and more. The process for each ends with Gartner rating vendors along two dimensions: Completeness of vision and ability to execute. The vendors that score highly in both dimensions get a “dot” in the topmost space on the resulting four-box matrix and earn leader status, with other vendor getting their dots in other spaces that designation them as “challengers,” “visionaries,’’ or “niche players.”



8
That is now the number of delivery-related companies to have received Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA, allowing them to run a commercial drone delivery service, with news that DoorDash had joined that club this week. That puts DoorDash alongside the likes of Wing, Amazon's Prime Air and Flytrex. DoorDash has offered delivery by drone in some markets with the help of partners for several years. Now, the company is expanding on those efforts with its own drone operation. DoorDash says it designed the drone in the US and "the majority of components" were made in the country. Its Autonomous Delivery Platform will pick the optimal delivery option for every order, such as a human driver, drone or Dot.

42.4
That was the June score of the monthly report from trailer rental provider Warehouse on Wheels’ WOW Supply Chain Activity Index, a monthly measure that serves as an indicator of US logistics and warehousing activity. Each month, the report produces an index number drawn from nine inputs, with 50 marking the long run average. Looking at the most recent results, June's 42.2 reading is the second consecutive month in the low 40s, following a choppy climb back from January's cycle low point of 33.4. In WOW’s analysis, that figure means that June was in the Contraction zone, defined as any value below 45.

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