Howdy!
Welcome to Edition #35 of the JBF Bulletin!
Howdy,
Logistics Technology ("Log-Tech" for the "in-crowd") is advancing at an incredible pace these days. In the past few years, we've witnessed a huge influx of capital from VC and PE firms being directed towards emerging logistics technology.
Coupled with the pandemic and post-pandemic supply chain disruption and subsequent spending, we are now in the midst of a remarkable market cycle between Log-Tech buyers and vendors of logistics technology.
Even in my 20+ year position at the intersection of shippers and Log-Tech vendors, the market frenzy surprises me.
Some days I think "we've gone plaid," to borrow a Spaceballs reference.
So, what is an enterprise shipper, or buyer of Log-Tech supposed to do in order to architect a successful logistics transformation?
In this month's bulletin, there are two very pragmatic approaches to ensuring a successful implementation of technology to drive desired capabilities.
Both of these approaches address what we at JBF view as the primary barriers to implementation success - and neither are about the 'implementation' itself.
The first piece, Desired End State, addresses what we believe to be the #1 factor of ensuring successful implementation and adoption of Log-Tech capabilities. Select the right vendor for your vendor for your current, and future, requirements and objectives.
The second, and often overlooked, component of a successful Log-Tech transformation is about ‘Super Users’.
We frequently advise our clients, "the 'go-live' is not the end...it's the beginning..."
The Super User is the role that can serve to protect your investment, increase user adoption of the technology, and provide the critical 'agility' shippers need to respond to 'black swan' events and VUCA.
Recently, JBF provided consulting services for a small but innovative transportation management software provider out of South Africa. The company, Opsi Systems, develops and deploys transportation management technology that assists shippers and 3PLs in managing their freight operations. In the latest edition of The Digital Logistician, Mike Mulqueen shares an in-depth look at the Power & Deficiencies of Modern Fleet Routing & Scheduling Solutions.
These articles touch on some of our best thinking prior to, and following any successful Log-Tech implementation.
Last month, our team hit the road and attended Manifest 2023 in Las Vegas. They brought back some keen observations and trend spotting to keep an eye on.
As we celebrate 20 years of supply chain innovation, this month we look at trends in top for-hire carriers from 2003-2023. It's no surprise that over the last 20 years, the "Duopoly" of FedEx and UPS tops the list of carriers consistently over the span of time.
And last but not least, read about how our team worked with our client’s TMS vendor, Descartes, to validate and improve their solution capabilities in a high service-based environment.
Thank you for your continued interest in our monthly Bulletin. Happy reading!
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