The world of logistics technology is constantly evolving. With so much change and innovation happening every year and the inevitable hype surrounding new technologies, it can be difficult for companies to know where / how to begin and what to focus on.
Brad Forester and Mike Mulqueen recently sat down with Adrian Gonzalez of Talking Logistics to discuss current trends in the LogTech world and provide their insights into how companies can best position themselves for implementation success in 2025 and beyond.
Read below for key highlights of their discussion, or click here to watch a recording of their conversation.
Highlights
- Traditional TMS solutions, which tried to be everything for everyone, are being replaced by an ecosystem of specialized, best-in-class components. This can be likened to how cable TV was a one-size-fits-all, but now everyone picks and chooses which streaming services to subscribe to based on their needs.
- The key to a successful TMS implementation hinges on selecting the right vendors for your company. Not every provider is right for every type of shipper. Truly understanding who you are as a company and the capabilities you need are necessary before getting new technology.
- There is a lot of skeptism surronding AI due to false claims made in the sales cycle. However, AI is and is going to continue to be extremely valuable. We are seeing this now with virtual assistants and are starting to see machine learning being used for real-time insights.
- Like AI, there was a lot of hype around real-time visibility applications. Shippers are starting to see through that hype and are questioning if it is the right fit for their company. Many are considering whether or not traditional methods (EDIs, APIs, etc) can meet their needs more cost-effectively.
- More than 80% of the risk in a technology implementation gets baked in before the budget is set. In our estimation, vendor selection, proposed implementation plan, timeline, and how much the project will take in terms of cost, timing, and resources contribute to 80% of the risk.
- Implementing a TMS is not done just for the sake of having a TMS. It’s done to better your business, so it is essential to know who you are. To be successful, everything has to start with you and your business.
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About the Authors
Brad Forester, CEO of JBF, is a highly recognized senior supply chain leader with over 23 years managing, designing, and implementing freight transport technology, Brad has a unique mix of carrier, shipper, software, and consulting experiences that benefit clients. With functional expertise in Global TMS Programs, Change Management, Organizational Design, and Systems Integration, he has been leveraging these skills to benefit clients since he founded JBF in 2003. Brad has a BA in logistics management from Michigan State University.
Mike Mulqueen is the Executive Principal of Strategy & Innovation at JBF Consulting. Mike is a leading expert in logistics solutions with over 30 years managing, designing and implementing freight transport technology. His functional expertise is in Multi-modal Transportation Management, Supply Chain Visibility, and Transportation Modeling. Mike earned his master’s degree in engineering and logistics from MIT and BS in business and marketing from University of Maryland.
About JBF Consulting
Since 2003, we’ve been helping shippers of all sizes and across many industries select, implement and squeeze as much value as possible out of their logistics systems. We speak your language — not consultant-speak – and we get to know you. Our leadership team has over 100+ years of logistics and TMS implementation experience. Because we operate in a niche — we’re not all things to all people — our team members have a very specialized skill set: logistics operations experience + transportation technology + communication and problem-solving skills + a bunch of other cool stuff. If you’re looking to transform transportation, increase visibility, and maximize ROI, JBF Consulting can help, reach out!
