Businesses today face a continuously changing supply chain environment. There is a perpetual factor of change, whether it’s supply chain disruptions or unpredictable customer demands, that must be managed quickly and effectively to stay competitive in the marketplace.

We’ve kept track of the many news stories and topics affecting transportation, supply chain and logistics this month. Here is quick summary of some of the trendiest topics out there:

The Commercial Driver Act (S.1672), introduced last month by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) would let truck drivers under the age of 21 operate commercial motor vehicles across state lines. Now, 18- to 20-year old drivers are only allowed to drive intrastate. Participating states would have to enter the agreement and standardize the licensingrequirement for drivers who will travel between states.

Handling freight claims requires time and effort from a shipper. There are certain processes, rules, and regulations that should be followed to ensure freight claims are resolved. A third-party logistics (3PL) provider, like PLS Logistics, works on behalf of the shipper and processes a clients’ freight claim from beginning to end. A 3PL does not have liability for freight loss or damage; instead, it works as a liaison with trucking companies and provides communication through the claims process. Shippers benefit from the expertise of freight claims management when claims are properly filed and processed without any holdups.

Why are Logistics Costs Rising? According to the 26th Annual State of Logistics Report, the cost of logistics for U.S. businesses in 2014 rose 3.1 percent to just under $1.45 trillion. The total cost of logistics is equal to about 8.3 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), a value that, by itself, is not alarming; however, all signs indicate that this number will rise significantly in the coming years.

Inbound transportation management is complex and requires a lot of attention. It often leaves shippers at a loss for proper strategy and tools. Inbound supply chain processes usually suffer because of a lack of control and poor visibility, compared to outbound transportation initiatives. According to an Aberdeen survey, 90% of shippers say they are not prepared to manage inbound freight. Deploying effective inbound management improves transportation efficiency, reduces cycle time and leads to cost reduction.

In logistics, time is critical. A company’s cycle time is a significant, yet complex process that runs from the time a vendor ships materials to you through the point when you ship the final product to the customer.

How do some businesses keep pace with customer demands, while others fail? What logistics challenges do businesses face with same day delivery? Here, we answer these questions and examine lessons learned from companies like GAP and Starbucks.

Two Major Obstacles for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Shippers CPG shippers have been facing significant obstacles in transportation over the past few years. A recent study from the Boston Consulting Group and the Grocery Manufacturers Association shows that 80% of CPG shippers consider shipping their biggest business obstacle. What are the main obstacles in transportation for CPG shippers?

Google founder, Sergey Brin, believes self-driving vehicles will be legal for all US roads by 2017. Some, however, are more skeptical about the launch of automated vehicles. Long hours of testing and significant regulatory changes could take years. But, undeniably, automated vehicles will change the transportation industry in the foreseeable future.

Shipping procedures are a major consideration during a customer’s buying journey. To effectively manage delivery, companies must utilize track and trace features, available on a TMS. To provide consistent delivery performance at a low cost, a transportation management system can help you explore the best lanes and provide end-to-end visibility. Plus, a TMS can reduce transportation costs by 30%. Using the track and trace feature of a TMS is especially valuable because it offers real-time, tangible information to the customer and shipper.

Refrigerated shipping is a vital part of the logistics industry and can help companies like grocery stores ship goods in and out of their stores. If you are new to refrigerated shipping and aren’t very familiar with what it is, here are seven facts to help:

Do you still coordinate transportation operations manually? Shippers who operate this way don’t reach the best decisions and usually make costly administrative mistakes, sometimes without even knowing it. Automating transportation management provides numerous opportunities to save money and time while creating better service for customers.

We’ve been keeping track of the various news stories affecting the transportation, supply chain and logistics industries. Here is a quick look at some of the most talked about topics: