PeopleEscalatorConsumers have access to more information than ever before, and with various options for online ordering, paying and shipping, customer loyalty is low. Today’s omni-channel era means retailers and shippers must pay close attention to customers’ high expectations. A customer’s experience with a company is greatly impacted by shipping options. Consumers are known to revisit an e-commerce site if the supplier offers low prices, free shipping and/or fast shipping. Today, 86% of buyers will pay more for better customer service, according to a CEI Survey, but only 1% think retailers meet their expectations. So, what are these customer expectations?

You’ve heard about the fascinating achievements in 3D printing. Printers can now create customized apparel, personalized make-up and can even be used in medicine. As 3D printing becomes more integrated into manufacturing, it is easy to conclude that logistics should be influenced as well. Has the adjustment process already started?

Freight rates and carrier discounts are not the only factors that shape freight costs – there are more components shippers should consider. Many companies are looking for ways to eliminate unnecessary freight spend and save costs on logistics in a proper way.

3PLs and shippers work closely to form collaborative relationships, so they produce better customer experiences for the end-consumer. The relationship between shippers, suppliers, carriers and logistics experts is important, however, it’s complex. In a 3PL-shipper relationship, 3PLs deliver shippers a competitive advantage through integrated 3PL technology.

Big data is the practice of collecting electronic information from various sources and applying analytics to identify patterns, trends, and intelligence. Leveraging big data can be extremely valuable in transportation and logistics planning. Many shippers become overwhelmed by big data and demand for solutions that simplify the process of utilizing data to make supply chain decisions is increasing. When leveraged and managed properly, big data can be used to make smarter transportation decisions and optimize supply chains.

We’ve rounded up the top 5 news stories from March that are impacting the transportation industry. logistics-industry-professional Delays from the Snowy Winter: More than 70% of the nation’s roads are in snowy regions. Winter weather is finally fading, but the snow storms caused major shipping delays.

AutomationSeasonality affects almost all businesses. Supply production is rarely affected by seasonal factors, however, demand for products is subject to the season’s fluctuation. Seasonality can be explained by philosophies, customs, weather and/or holidays.

What is expedited shipping? Expedited shipping is the process of transferring freight faster than normal. Whether your freight is perishable or you’re on a time schedule to meet customer expectations, expedited service has the ability to guarantee delivery requirements.

Implementing an operative supply chain management strategy is essential to efficiently transfer products throughout your supply chain.

What is refrigerated freight transportation? Refrigerated freight is a transportation method used when the cargo being shipped must be controlled by a defined temperature. Produce is one of the many products transported by a refrigerated trailer. Refrigerated, or reefer, transport should account for a trailer’s operating characteristics, the load temperature and the transit temperature of the product.

Customized reporting capabilities provide supply chain visibility and enable process improvements. If you are working with a 3PL, access to clear, concise, timely and customizable reports should be an essential element of your partnership. Shippers should have the ability to filter, sort and manage their data in real time to make decisions and improvements.

The cost of oil has been falling and so have gas prices; reaching lows that haven’t been seen in over a decade. Even though diesel fuel hasn’t seen price drops like regular gasoline, carriers are still seeing a difference in their bottom line. However, they are not profiting as you would expect.