CarrierDirect: IT separating freight haves from havenots

A new white paper from transportation and logistics consultant CarrierDirect calls investment in information technology and creativity a key differentiator in a fragmented market.    The transportation and logistics consultant CarrierDirect this week in its latest semi-annual freight market perspective white paper said IT investment is becoming a clear differentiator among carriers and logistics providers.
   The paper, “Change is the Only Constant,” delves into examples of what CarrierDirect calls freight “bears” and “bulls” based on various companies’ technology strategy around pricing and systems integration, or lack thereof.
   CarrierDirect said emergent technologies affecting freight transportation providers include creative new ways to address load boards, dimensional pricing in the less-than-truckload sector, and LTL carrier collaboration with resellers.
   The paper also provides a series of economic indicators and a list of start-up technology companies in the freight industry.
   “The global economy is experiencing a massive shift as traditional economic indicators are proving to be contradictory,” said CarrierDirect Executive Vice President Erik Malin. “While nobody is certain on what to expect as our economic future unfolds, winning the freight fight requires creative technology strategies and unique approaches to otherwise standard methodologies.”
   Malin also said asset-backed logistics providers will need to develop sophisticated enterprise strategies that maximize service for customers and returns for shareholders in order to maintain relevancy in the next five to 10 years.