New technological advancements, changes in regulations and shifting shipping trends have made the transportation industry an exciting, and often challenging, environment to work in. Truck drivers especially are noticing new trends in the industry – from same-day delivery expectations to automated vehicles and a proposal to lower the age minimum of drivers.

In July 2013, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented some significant changes to the way drivers record their hours on duty. The 3 main changes included were:

Truck drivers are one of the most important, yet unappreciated professionals in the US. The job isn’t easy – it’s full of risks and challenges. Truck drivers deliver about 70% of all freight in the U.S. — they provide life’s essentials. Almost 80% of US communities depend solely on the trucking industry for the delivery of goods. Without drivers, there would be no food at the supermarket, no medicine in the hospitals, and no fuel at the gas station.

If your business is interested in increasing visibility, improving performance and reducing spend, then TMS technology is the tool you need. TMS software offers an assortment of benefits, including better management, simple monitoring, aggregated data, and stress-free integration. By improving freight management, scheduling, operations, and reporting, this technology provides superior customer service, flexibility and intelligence.

Environmentally-friendly business processes are good for the bottom line and the ecosystem. While most companies have stepped up to keep customers educated on their green initiatives, many have yet to expand those efforts throughout the supply chain. Using a 3PL for supply chain management can be very beneficial to companies.

Shippers everywhere have faced limited capacity because of the driver shortage and shrinking numbers of trucks in the industry. These shippers must discover effective ways to handle transportation with limited resources. A shipper can learn how to be carrier-friendly or spend time searching for the cheapest freight rates, but they can also take advantage of continuous moves. Combining backhaul freight isn’t a new transportation strategy, and it proves to be cost-effective and time-saving.

Many industries rely on a smooth supply chain performance, especially those operations located in remote locations like the oil and gas sector and mining industry. Shipping to and from remote locations is costly and challenging. This transportation demands strict control, planning, and analysis. Oil and gas industries also suffer from excess exploration costs and fluctuating freight transportation costs, which impacts the product price and puts pressure on logistics management. Here, we explore the biggest shipping challenges and identify the best supply chain practices for businesses in remote locations, specifically the oil and gas (O&G) industry.

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.