Takeaways From Trimble’s Insight Tech Conference 2025

JBF's Principal of Alliances & Innovation, Mike Mulqueen, recently attended Trimble's Insight Tech Conference in New Orleans.

He, along with Ned Kriegshauser of Hogan Services, Kyler Rhodes of Taghleef, and John Atherton of Trimble, discussed what it means to be a shipper of choice on the panel "Collaborate & Win: Using Tech to Enhance Shipper-Carrier Connection."

L-R: Mike Mulqueen, John Atherton, Kyler Rhodes, and Ned Kriegshauser

Outside of the panel, Mike noted that with shipper participation growing, AI capabilities accelerating, and major platform changes on the horizon, this year’s conference offered a candid look at where the industry is headed and what organizations should be preparing for.

Below are Mike’s observations from the sessions and discussions that stood out.

While primarily attended by carriers, a growing number of shippers were present this year, driven by Trimble’s acquisition of Transporeon. An excellent session featured Proctor & Gamble discussing their use of the Trimble Freight MarketPlace to facilitate mini-bids.

Shippers have long struggled with the time and effort required to conduct a mini-bid, but through Trimble’s procurement solution, P&G reduced the duration of the event—from kick-off to operationalization—from 6 to 2 weeks. This includes the integration of carriers via EDI. This unlocks an opportunity for P&G to react quickly to volume surges, new lanes, or poor carrier performance.

Trimble announced they are building their next-generation carrier-centric TMS, presumably to eventually replace legacy applications, including TMW Suite and Innovative. This story has played out multiple times in the past decade as legacy technology and technical debt grow overwhelming.

At some point, it becomes necessary to start over and build new from the ground up. This is understandable, but also a caution to those on legacy platforms: these platforms will see reduced R&D investment as effort shifts to the new system.

While most software companies avoid the term “sunsetting,” carriers using older technology should begin considering what and how they will migrate to the latest platform.

Trimble’s Insight Tech Conference underscored both the pace of innovation reshaping the logistics ecosystem and the difficult questions it raises for carriers and shippers. From accelerated procurement cycles to the disruptive potential of agentic AI and the transition toward next-generation TMS platforms, the industry is entering a period of rapid transformation that will reward agility, preparedness, and a willingness to rethink long-standing operating models.

For organizations across the freight landscape, now is the time to assess capabilities, challenge assumptions, and position themselves to thrive amid the changes already well underway.

Mike Mulqueen is Managing Principal at JBF Consulting and leads the firm’s strategic transportation and logistics practice. With over 35 years of experience spanning logistics consulting, TMS product leadership, and shipper operations, he helps global organizations define and execute high-impact transportation strategies.

Mike’s career includes senior roles at Manhattan Associates and Accenture, as well as hands-on work in logistics software design and deployment. He brings both vendor-side technical depth and real-world industry insight to every engagement. Mike earned his Master of Engineering in Logistics from MIT, where he was awarded the outstanding thesis honor.