SupplyChainDisruption.jpgSupply chain disruptions span from day-to-day risks like malfunctioning equipment to high-impact threats like natural disasters.

Big data has been a buzzword for some time, and for good reason. There are some pretty radical potential applications of big data, such as accurate demand forecasting or industry-wide real-time visibility. Oracle calls big data the “electricity of the twenty-first century – a new kind of power that transforms everything it touches in business, government and private life.” There are also many ways to use big data in freight transportation.

In a few years, 89% of companies will compete almost entirely on customer experience. “Options are no longer a privilege during the shopping experience,” says Christoph Stehmann, COO of Digital Commerce Solutions, Pitney Bowes. “Retailers must focus on offering diverse options in order to attract consumers throughout their shopping experiences.”

The driver shortage, government regulations, and rising operating costs are some of the biggest challenges facing the transportation industry. The number of drivers is quickly decreasing, and the remaining drivers are demanding a salary raise. Due to these challenges, higher shipping costs are anticipated.

A 2015 Logistics Management survey shows that only 35% of shippers are using transportation management systems as part of their overall supply chain management strategies. Companies that rely on spreadsheets and manual interactions with suppliers are spending a lot of time on functions that can be automated by a transportation management system. With a TMS, companies can be active in pursuing lower costs, faster lanes and productive solutions.

Choosing TMS, or a transportation management system for your company is a huge decision because there are a variety of providers and features. A TMS helps companies move freight efficiently, reliably and at lower rates. Implementing a TMS drives value by monitoring and evaluating processes, analytics and optimization. The technology routes drivers, schedules deliveries and reports business KPIs.

Last year turned out to be a great year for transportation. Rates stayed fairly even despite predictions that they would rise, trucking companies were able to make significant profits for the first time in years, and capacity was loose enough to meet demand.

Small and mid-sized businesses are no longer at a disadvantage to large corporations when it comes to moving freight. In the past, large businesses had more scale, budget and expertise. But, using the supply chain as a competitive tool, companies, no matter the size, can set the bar high by increasing accuracy, visibility and cost efficiency.

What’s the biggest transportation story of 2016? Transportation costs will rise and will continue to rise for the foreseeable future. 2016 can expect to be affected by 8 distinct transportation trends, and each either causes inflated rates or is a response to them.

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association predicts that there will be nearly 50 billion connected devices by 2025. This is almost ten times the predicted human population at that point. There’s no doubt that technology has forever changed business practices – and the supply chain is no exception.

What is reliability in supply chain management? Supply chain reliability refers to the degree to which a supply chain yields consistent performance. Increasing reliability, reducing inventory and preparing for demand are top priorities for supply chain professionals.

Here’s a recap of transportation news stories throughout the month: Werner Increases Driver Pay. Effective January 1, Werner Enterprises Inc. is increasing pay for almost 1500 drivers. The drivers hadn’t had a pay increase since August 2014. President and COO, Derek Leathers said, “Pay increases are one piece of our multi-faceted approach to attract and retain the best in the industry and make Werner the employee of choice.” Read more: Drivers Enjoy Pay Increases, Shippers Pick up the Tab

The transportation industry, specifically the trucking sector, is at a crossroads. Threatening conditions loom at a time when several technologies are positioned to disrupt traditional operational processes. It is up to carriers to plan ahead for the future.

The New Year is quickly approaching, which means new challenges and opportunities can be anticipated; specifically in the supply chain and logistics industry.