Staying ahead in North American logistics means knowing the top trends that are shaping the managed transportation industry. Are you on top of the latest shifts? From visibility of all processes through strategic partnerships, these trends are not just buzzwords—they're essentials for survival and success. Let’s explore what’s driving change in logistics today and how IL2000 is at the forefront of these innovations with our world-class advanced tech stack and people-powered processes.
Absolute visibility is a must in managed logistics
Any conversation around trends must always start with the universal business trend—more visibility. The need for more visibility into everything is literally everywhere and the true gold standard in logistics management. Visibility also plays directly into all other major trends driving the future of logistics too.
Companies need to see every aspect of their supply chain in real time to optimize operations and mitigate risks. This complete oversight enables proactive management and strategic decision-making.
For instance, an advanced transportation management system empowers teams with shipment-level transparency. Such real-time data on every shipment allows operations managers to better monitor operations and enhance efficiency. Here’s a bit of a deeper example: if a shipment is at risk of being delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, our TMS alerts both us and the client immediately. This prompt notification allows for swift action.
Agile management processes are the new standard
Agile management isn't just for tech anymore. It's taking the logistics world by storm, letting companies be more flexible and quicker to adapt. Think about managing a sudden delay from a snowstorm. With an agile approach, a logistics team might quickly switch shipments to different ports or find new carriers to keep things moving. It depends on what exactly is necessary for each shipment.
Agile management means keeping an eye on real-time data to track shipments and watch market trends. This lets your team make fast decisions to avoid disruptions in the supply chain. Whether it’s changing routes or adjusting schedules, managed transportation providers are ensuring your business goals are met. Plus, using agile management means fewer delays, lower costs, and more reliable service. But agility is only one piece of the puzzle.
Automation is simplifying ever more complex processes
Automation is revolutionizing logistics by handling complex processes with increased speed and precision. Picture a system that sorts hundreds of shipments, schedules them according to priority, and even anticipates potential issues before they escalate. This is the transformative power of automation in action.
Relying on business intelligence data, today’s freight management solutions providers can implement automation to streamline operations and boost efficiency across multiple areas. Next, integrated systems analyze routes and manage load balancing to ensure optimal cost and timely delivery. It’s almost as if your supply chain is running on autopilot, but even still, there is a human element watching to make sure the proverbial trains run on time.
IL2000 automated tracking tools keep clients informed with real-time updates about their shipments. Plus, the automated notifications are white-labeled, meaning they can be sent automatically and appear as coming from your business. This transparency does more than provide convenience; it builds trust and underscores our reliability.
Delegating routine tasks to automated systems also frees the IL2000 team to concentrate on more complex challenges. They’re applying human insight where it's most needed.
The cloud continues to be a top driving force of innovation across logistics management services
The cloud is a powerhouse of innovation in logistics management services. It’s continuously reshaping how companies approach their supply chain operations. And its adoption rates are accelerating. Consider this: the global cloud logistics market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%, increasing in value from US$19.2 billion in 2023 to an impressive US$40.4 billion by 2030, according to a report from GlobeNewswire. This growth underscores the increasing reliance on cloud-based solutions to streamline logistics processes across the globe.
IL2000’s cloud-based platform enables seamless integration of various logistics functions combined with an advanced cost analysis. But it reaches further than just data into the realm of strategic partnerships.
Strategic partners in managed transportation enable effective risk mitigation.
Speaking of risk, today’s supply chain is filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of possible risks. The bridge collapse in Baltimore, the Panama Canal drought, politics and countless other factors are creating problems for in-house logistics teams. Of these, the biggest to impact domestic (US) trade is likely the risk of East Coast severe labor shortages this fall. As shared by Supply Chain Dive, “Labor negotiations also continue to pose a risk for ocean shipping due to the pending East and Gulf Coast port labor talks.
“The International Longshoremen’s Association labor contract with the United States Maritime Alliance is set to expire on Sept. 30. In a statement from the ILA, members were told to ‘prepare for the possibility of a coast-wide strike in October 2024.’”
It’s these factors' potential implications that highlight the reason for working directly with a strategic partner. It’s not enough to simply work with a single provider with a small carrier network. Shippers need partners that can scale and accommodate changing demands. And IL2000 has that capability.
Align your supply chain with managed logistics trends by partnering with IL2000 now
The world of freight management is continuing to change. The days of handling a single risk one at a time are over. Today’s shippers have to fight multiple lines of battle and must still find a way to thrive. In this space, shippers have continued to invest in the top trends above to create operational excellence and avoid risks. It’s that simple.
Speak with an IL2000 team member to learn more about how your supply chain can be future-ready for these trends now.