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:

Over-the-road (OTR) freight carriers face pressure from shippers and customers who want impeccable service, and the government who wants advances on environmental performance. In March, President Obama made an executive order that mandates the U.S. government to cut carbon emissions by 40 percent over the next decade, setting an example for industries across the country.

What is less than truckload freight shipping? Less than truckload shipping is a transportation method where your freight doesn’t take the entire container space. Freight is combined into one trailer with multiple shipments. LTL shipment typically weighs between 151 and 20,000 pounds. When a freight shipment isn’t large enough to fit into a 48- or 53-foot trailer, a shipper’s best option is to use LTL.

Cross border shipping requires knowledge, flexibility, and security. In North America, many companies have expanded or plan to expand their business operations throughout the continent. With cross border operations, there is an opportunity to reach new markets and increase profitability. According to the US Census, Canada is America’s largest trading partner and Mexico is America’s 3rd largest trading partner. cross border shipping