Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Techis Transforming Trucking with Rishi Mehra

In "Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking", Joe Lynch and Rishi Mehra, VP, Product and Engineering at Trimble, discuss how integrated mapping technology optimizes routes, ensures driver safety, and drives profitability through a connected data ecosystem. Rishi Mehra As VP, Product and Engineering, Rishi Mehra is primarily responsible for overseeing the company's technology, products and engineering in North America. Mehra has been with Trimble since 2014, and previously served as a senior product manager and director of web products for ALK Technologies (now a part of the Trimble family). In that role, he led the product management and go-to-market activity for all web solutions globally and helped establish the commercial transportation-focused web digital platform within the organization. About Trimble Transportation Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety. Key Takeaways: Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking In "Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking", Joe Lynch and Rishi Mehra, VP, Product and Engineering at Trimble, discuss how integrated mapping technology optimizes routes, ensures driver safety, and drives profitability through a connected data ecosystem. The Power of a Connected Ecosystem: Trimble is more than a mapping company; it is a platform that connects shippers, brokers, carriers, and drivers. Rishi emphasizes that they don't have to provide every single solution themselves. Instead, they prioritize an open, scalable platform that allows partners (even competitors) to integrate, ensuring the customer has a seamless flow of data across their entire tech stack. Mapping as a Profitability Tool: Mapping technology is now a primary driver of ROI. By using tools like PC*Miler, carriers can plan the most cost-effective routes by factoring in state-specific fuel prices, tolls, and equipment-specific restrictions. Rishi notes that in a tight economy with low operating ratios, these "small" routing efficiencies are often the difference between a carrier being profitable or losing money. Preventing "Nuclear Verdicts" Through Safety Tech: Safety isn't just about avoiding accidents; it's about protecting the company from existential legal threats. Trimble's CoPilot Navigation prevents bridge hits (a major source of liability) by using precise commercial vehicle data. By investing a few dollars a month in truck-safe routing, fleets avoid the "nuclear verdicts" that have historically bankrupt multi-generational trucking companies. Hyper-Local Weather and Traffic Intelligence: General weather alerts are often too broad to be useful. Through a partnership with Weather Optics, Trimble provides a risk index score for specific road segments. This alerts drivers to hydroplaning risks, high winds that could tip empty trailers, and snow accumulation in real-time. This data also flows to dispatchers, allowing them to proactively reroute freight before a driver gets stuck. Solving the "Driver Utilization" Problem: The industry is shifting its focus from a "driver shortage" to a "driver utilization" problem. Trimble uses data analytics to track dwell times and detention at shipper facilities. By providing drivers and dispatchers with predictability regarding how long a stop will take, fleets can better manage Hours of Service (HOS) and ensure drivers aren't wasting their legal driving windows sitting at a dock. Combatting Sophisticated Cargo Theft and Fraud: Cargo theft is becoming increasingly high-tech, involving "spoofing" and "double-brokering." Rishi explains how Trimble uses connectivity to protect assets—for example, disabling fuel cards if the truck's GPS shows it isn't actually at a fuel bay. This level of integration between telematics and financial tools provides a layer of security that manual processes cannot match. The New "Three-Letter" Revolution: AI: The interview marks a transition in the industry's technological evolution. After the eras of GPS, TMS, and ELD, the next major frontier is AI. Trimble is integrating AI into its new TMS to automate mundane tasks, power "autonomous workflows," and provide predictive insights that help the industry move goods "safer, greener, and faster." Learn More About Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking Rishi Mehra | Linkedin Trimble Transportation | Linkedin Trimble Transportation Trimble's Perspective: The Future of Freight is Connected with Rob Painter The Road Ahead: What Trimble Innovations Mean for Transportation with Jonah McIntire The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "Fleet Profitability Unleashed: The Optimal Dynamics Advantage", Joe Lynch and Zach Schuchart, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales at Optimal Dynamics, discuss how decades of academic research and advanced decision intelligence are being used to automate complex logistics and maximize carrier profitability. Zach Schuchart Zach Schuchart is the Senior Vice President, Head of Sales at Optimal Dynamics. He has over 20 years of experience in the North American and European transportation industries, including roles at UPS, CHAINalytics, and XPO, he brings deep expertise and leadership to the Optimal Dynamics team. As Head of Sales, he oversees a talented group of Account Executives and Solutions Engineers, guiding prospective customers through the evaluation of advanced optimization solutions that drive operational success. About Optimal Dynamics  Optimal Dynamics provides the decision intelligence layer that powers logistics transformation. Born out of 40 years of research at Princeton University, Optimal Dynamics leverages proprietary artificial intelligence technology to automate, optimize, and radically improve decision-making across trucking and transportation operations. Headquartered in New York City, Optimal Dynamics is backed by marquee investors including Koch Disruptive Technologies, Bessemer Venture Partners, The Westly Group, and Activate Capital. Learn more at www.optimaldynamics.com. Key Takeaways: Fleet Profitability Unleashed: The Optimal Dynamics Advantage In "Fleet Profitability Unleashed: The Optimal Dynamics Advantage", Joe Lynch and Zach Schuchart, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales at Optimal Dynamics, discuss how decades of academic research and advanced decision intelligence are being used to automate complex logistics and maximize carrier profitability. From Research to Reality: The Princeton Pedigree. Optimal Dynamics isn't just another tech startup; it is built on 40 years of academic research from Princeton University. This provides a level of scientific rigor and proprietary AI that differentiates their solutions from standard off-the-shelf logistics software. The Power of "Decision Intelligence". While many platforms focus on data visibility (showing you what is happening), Zach highlights the shift toward Decision Intelligence. This layer automates and optimizes the choice itself, helping carriers move from reactive management to proactive, data-driven execution. Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Execution. Leveraging Zach's 20+ years of experience at giants like UPS and XPO, the episode explores how traditional planning often fails when it hits the "real world." Optimal Dynamics focuses on creating dynamic plans that account for the inherent volatility in trucking operations. Leveraging High-Dimensional Artificial Intelligence. The core technology focuses on solving "high-dimensional" problems. Instead of looking at simple variables, the platform uses AI to process thousands of data points simultaneously—such as driver hours, fuel costs, and lane profitability—to find the "Optimal" solution. Automating the Complexities of Trucking. Automation isn't just about replacing manual tasks; it's about augmenting human capability. Zach discusses how their solutions allow sales and operations teams to evaluate complex scenarios in minutes rather than days, drastically reducing the "evaluation-to-action" cycle. Maximizing Profitability in Volatile Markets. In an industry with razor-thin margins, "Optimal Dynamics" means finding the most profitable way to move freight despite fluctuating market conditions. The platform helps fleets identify which loads to accept and how to route them to ensure maximum fleet utilization. Strategic Backing for Long-Term Transformation. The company's growth is fueled by marquee investors like Bessemer Venture Partners and Koch Disruptive Technologies. This level of backing underscores the industry's belief that Optimal Dynamics is a foundational player in the future of global logistics infrastructure. Learn More About Fleet Profitability Unleashed: The Optimal Dynamics Advantage Zach Schuchart Optimal Dynamics | Linkedin Optimal Dynamics Optimizing for the Future: D.M. Bowman Embraces Decision Automation Shifting From Manual Grind to Automated Growth Driving Strategic Growth and Innovation with Decision Automation How Smarter Planning Leads to Stronger Performance Rapid Transformation and Record-Breaking Results at Grand Island Express During Freight Recession, BCB Transport Sees 19.6% Increase in Revenue Per Truck After Embracing Artificial Decision Intelligence The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "The Fulfillment Playbook: ShipStation's Strategy for Building an Unbreakable Shipping Network", Joe Lynch and Josh Steinitz, Chief Strategy Officer at Auctane, discuss how to turn complex global logistics into a seamless competitive advantage. About Josh Steinitz Josh Steinitz serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Auctane, a leading global company empowering businesses with intelligent mailing and shipping solutions through trusted products like ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, and Packlink. In his role, Steinitz leads corporate development, strategic partnerships, carrier relationships and strategy, and cross-border solutions. With a distinguished career in both travel and logistics, Steinitz previously led corporate business development for Amazon Worldwide Operations, held senior leadership positions at Revinate and Away.com, and founded NileGuide. Steinitz holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton University. About ShipStation Every day, tens of thousands of ecommerce businesses rely on ShipStation to solve the day-to-day challenges of importing orders and processing shipments. Since 2011, ShipStation's online shipping solution has helped businesses scale and deliver exceptional customer experiences—wherever they sell and however they ship. The multi-channel and multi-carrier platform offers over 400 integrations and partnerships with leading shopping carts, marketplaces, carriers, and fulfillment services, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, GlobalPost, Amazon, Shopify, and BigCommerce. ShipStation is a member of the Auctane family of companies and is headquartered in Austin, TX. For more information, visit www.shipstation.com. Key Takeaways: The Fulfillment Playbook: ShipStation's Strategy for Building an Unbreakable Shipping Network In "The Fulfillment Playbook: ShipStation's Strategy for Building an Unbreakable Shipping Network", Joe Lynch and Josh Steinitz, Chief Strategy Officer at Auctane, discuss how to turn complex global logistics into a seamless competitive advantage. Diversification is the Foundation of "Unbreakable" Logistics: Drawing from Josh's experience at Amazon Worldwide Operations (where he helped launch Amazon Logistics and expand Amazon Air), a primary takeaway is that a resilient network cannot rely on a single carrier. An unbreakable strategy requires a multi-carrier approach—integrating giants like UPS and FedEx with regional players and postal services to mitigate risks like strikes, capacity crunches, or price hikes. Move from "Reactive Shipping" to "Proactive Strategy": As Chief Strategy Officer, Josh emphasizes that shipping should not be an afterthought at the end of a sale. The "Playbook" involves using logistics as a competitive lever. By leveraging Auctane's suite of tools (ShipStation, Metapack, etc.), businesses can transform fulfillment from a cost center into a strategic asset that drives customer retention. Automation is the Antidote to Operational Complexity: ShipStation's core value proposition is streamlining the "day-to-day challenges of importing orders." Automation is key - automatically selecting the best carrier, service, and packaging based on pre-defined criteria. This eliminates human error and allows a small team to handle the volume of a much larger enterprise. The Power of "Unified Commerce" and Deep Integration: With over 400 integrations, ShipStation's strategy highlights that an unbreakable network must be "plug-and-play." Your fulfillment system should seamlessly sync with marketplaces (Amazon, eBay), platforms (Shopify, BigCommerce), and inventory management. Leveraging "The Amazon Effect" for Small and Mid-Sized Brands: Josh's background at Amazon gives him unique insight into what consumers now expect: speed, transparency, and low costs. A major takeaway is how ShipStation democratizes these "Amazon-level" capabilities for smaller merchants, providing them with discounted rates and branded tracking experiences that allow them to compete with the world's largest retailers. Multi-Channel Order Centralization: ShipStation acts as a "single pane of glass" by integrating with over 100 different e-commerce marketplaces (like Shopify, Amazon, and eBay). For a shipper, this eliminates the need to jump between platforms; it centralizes every order into one dashboard, significantly reducing manual data entry and the risk of fulfillment errors. Automated Rate Shopping and Discounted Shipping: The platform provides instant access to deeply discounted rates with major carriers like UPS, USPS, and FedEx. Shippers can use automation rules to "rate shop" in real-time - automatically selecting the most cost-effective or fastest carrier based on the package's weight, destination, or service level - which directly protects profit margins and scales shipping operations without adding headcount. Learn More About The Fulfillment Playbook: ShipStation's Strategy for Building an Unbreakable Shipping Network Josh Steinitz | Linkedin ShipStation | Linkedin ShipStation The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "The Road Ahead: What Trimble Innovations Mean for Transportation", Joe Lynch and Jonah McIntire, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Trimble, discuss Trimble's open, scalable platform that connects every aspect of the supply chain—from trucks and drivers to the back office—by serving as a reliable "system of record" that integrates practical AI innovation to help fleets maximize performance, visibility, and safety. About Jonah McIntire Jonah McIntire is Chief Product and Technology Officer at Trimble. He joined Transporeon in June 2021 and quickly led a succession of larger product organisations in the sourcing & data insights areas of the company. Known for his broad international experience, having lived and worked in 13 countries, Jonah's prior experience includes running global logistics for Build-a-Bear Workshop, launching business units for Manhattan Associates and Panalpina, and writing a university textbook on supply chain visibility. He also founded two companies and led them to successful acquisitions: Clear Abacus, an early cloud computing transport optimisation solution acquired by GT Nexus; and TNX Logistics, a spot procurement data science SaaS acquired by Transporeon. He is also a regular guest author in industry journals, hosts the popular Logistics Tribe podcast, and maintains a widely read industry newsletter on logistics technology. About Trimble Transportation Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety. Key Takeaways: The Road Ahead: What Trimble Innovations Mean for Transportation In "The Road Ahead: What Trimble Innovations Mean for Transportation", Joe Lynch and Jonah McIntire, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Trimble, discuss Trimble's open, scalable platform that connects every aspect of the supply chain—from trucks and drivers to the back office—by serving as a reliable "system of record" that integrates practical AI innovation to help fleets maximize performance, visibility, and safety. The Responsibility of the Incumbent: Unlike startups that lead with "bombastic" promises, Trimble prioritizes its role as the foundational "system of record" for the world's largest supply chains, where stability and reliability are non-negotiable. A "Safety-First" AI Philosophy: Because Trimble's software manages critical infrastructure and multi-billion dollar logistics networks, their innovation roadmap is built on a "safety-first" framework to ensure no disruption to global commerce. The Three-Phase AI Maturity Model: Trimble is following a logical, tiered progression into the AI age: starting with internal adoption, moving to AI-enhanced features, and ultimately launching AI-native applications. "Eating Their Own Cooking": Before shipping AI solutions to customers, Trimble utilizes AI internally to refine the technology, ensuring they can provide honest, experience-based guidance to their partners. Enhancing the Proven vs. Chasing the New: A core pillar of their current strategy is adding AI-powered features to existing, trusted solutions (like TMW.Suite or TMT) to provide immediate value without requiring a total system overhaul. The Shift to AI-Native Applications: The next frontier for Trimble is the development of applications built from the ground up on AI architectures, designed to solve complex logistics problems that traditional logic-based software cannot. Prioritizing Practicality Over Hype: Trimble's focus remains squarely on the "practical uses" of AI—solving real-world friction in dispatch, maintenance, and routing—rather than following fleeting technology trends. Innovation as Change Management: Trimble recognizes that the hardest part of the AI transition isn't the code; it's the human element. Their strategy includes a heavy focus on onboarding, training, and building the "Customer Trust" necessary for long-term adoption. Learn More About The Road Ahead: What Trimble Innovations Mean for Transportation Jonah McIntire | LinkedIn Trimble Transportation | Linkedin Trimble Transportation Trimble's Perspective: The Future of Freight is Connected with Rob Painter The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube  

In "Beyond FBA: Unlocking Amazon's Fulfillment for Retailers", Joe Lynch and Wainwright Yu, the General Manager and Director for Amazon's externalized fulfillment services, including Buy with Prime and Multichannel Fulfillment, discuss how retailers can scale their brands by leveraging Amazon's global logistics and the Prime badge to drive multi-channel growth. About Wainwright Yu Wainwright "Wain" Yu currently serves as General Manager and Director of the Multichannel Commerce and Fulfillment business at Amazon, where he leads the organization's business and go-to-market functions. In this role, he oversees strategic initiatives that enable customers to seamlessly fulfill and deliver products across multiple channels. Wain joined Amazon in 2012, beginning his Amazon career in the Kindle organization where he played a pivotal role in expanding services across device platforms, marketplaces, and languages. He later transitioned to the Last Mile Operations organization, where he developed and managed Amazon's extensive network of pickup and return drop-off locations, creating innovative solutions that enhanced customer convenience and operational efficiency. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Wain is passionate about developing leaders and fostering healthy workplace cultures. He serves as a leadership coach and is a dedicated advocate for mindful, compassionate leadership in the modern workplace. Wain holds an MBA from Stanford University, where he developed his strategic and analytical foundation for business leadership. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews. Key Takeaways: Beyond FBA: Unlocking Amazon's Fulfillment for Retailers In "Beyond FBA: Unlocking Amazon's Fulfillment for Retailers", Joe Lynch and Wainwright Yu, the General Manager and Director for Amazon's externalized fulfillment services, including Buy with Prime and Multichannel Fulfillment, discuss how retailers can scale their brands by leveraging Amazon's global logistics and the Prime badge to drive multi-channel growth. Leveling the Playing Field with MCF: Wainwright explains how Multi-Channel Fulfillment allows any retailer—whether they sell on Amazon or not—to tap into Amazon's global network of 200+ fulfillment centers. This turns Amazon into a high-performance 3PL that handles picking, packing, and shipping for orders from your own website, Shopify, or even social media stores. The "Halo Effect" of Buy with Prime: A major focus is how Buy with Prime allows D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) sites to offer the familiar Prime logo and checkout experience. By providing the same fast, free delivery promise shoppers trust on Amazon, retailers have seen an average 25% lift in conversion rates on their independent sites. Unified Inventory Management: Wainwright discusses the strategic advantage of a single pool of inventory. Instead of splitting stock between various warehouses, retailers can keep all their products in Amazon's centers to fulfill both Amazon.com orders (via FBA) and off-Amazon orders (via MCF), drastically reducing out-of-stock risks. Frictionless Checkout via Amazon Pay: With Buy with Prime, the checkout process is streamlined using the customer's existing Amazon account details. This reduces "cart abandonment" because shoppers don't have to enter credit card or shipping info, making the purchase as simple as a few clicks. Unbranded Packaging Options: A common concern for retailers is brand identity. Wainwright highlights that MCF orders can be shipped in unbranded, "blank box" packaging, allowing the retailer's brand to remain front and center rather than being overshadowed by Amazon's smile logo. Trust-Building through Reviews: Through Buy with Prime, retailers can now display their Amazon.com star ratings and reviews directly on their own websites. This social proof helps "new-to-brand" shoppers feel confident enough to buy from a site they may be visiting for the first time. Predictable, All-In Pricing: Wainwright clarifies that both services offer a simple, transparent fee structure that includes storage, picking, packing, and shipping. For many brands, this eliminates the hidden costs of managing private warehouses and allows for more accurate margin forecasting. Learn More About Beyond FBA: Unlocking Amazon's Fulfillment for Retailers Wainwright Yu | Linkedin Amazon | Linkedin Relentless.com Amazon MCF Amazon MCF Case Study: JLab Recent News The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "Why It's Time to Expect More from Your EDI Platform", Joe Lynch and Shane Hagen, Presales Solutions Architect at Cleo, discuss the necessity of transitioning from traditional EDI to a unified platform for strategic supply chain orchestration and superior visibility. About Shane Hagen Shane Hagen is a Presales Solutions Architect at Cleo. He designs integration solutions that seamlessly connect internal applications with external partners, leveraging both API and EDI integration patterns. Cleo's customers rely on Shane to solve complex supply-chain challenges, trusting him to bridge the gap between business objectives and technical execution. With over eight years of experience in the integration space—including a prior role at Boomi—Shane brings deep expertise in modern connectivity and enterprise workflow design. He holds a computer science degree from Penn State University. About Cleo Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC) is a cloud-based integration platform, that allows organizations to build, operate, and optimize critical supply chain orchestration processes. The CIC platform brings end-to-end integration visibility across API, EDI, and non-EDI integrations, giving technical and business users the confidence to rapidly onboard trading partners, enable integration between applications, and accelerate revenue-generation. As a supply chain orchestration software company focused on business outcomes, Cleo's focus is to ensure each customer's potential is realized by delivering strategic solutions that make it easy to discover and create value through the movement and integration of B2B enterprise data. Key Takeaways: Why It's Time to Expect More from Your EDI Platform In "Why It's Time to Expect More from Your EDI Platform", Joe Lynch and Shane Hagen, Presales Solutions Architect at Cleo, discuss the necessity of transitioning from traditional EDI to a unified platform for strategic supply chain orchestration and superior visibility. The Imperative for Seamless System Connectivity The penalty for not connecting internal systems directly to external business partners is severe: it forces manual entry, leading to processes that are time-consuming, slow, unreliable, and prone to error. Organizations must expect their EDI platform to eliminate this manual burden and ensure robust, automated data exchange. Shift from Transaction Processing to Supply Chain Orchestration Expect your platform to evolve beyond simple data exchange to become a strategic tool for supply chain orchestration. Modern cloud platforms, like Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC), manage, operate, and optimize critical B2B enterprise data movement across the entire network, driving strategic business outcomes. Enabling Profitable Partner Relationships Through Speed Working with a powerful integration platform like Cleo is the key to accelerating growth. It directly enables companies to onboard new customers, suppliers, and business partners significantly faster, which is foundational to building more prosperous, high-velocity relationships. Hybrid Integration is the New Standard (API + EDI) The complexities of the modern supply chain require integration solutions that seamlessly blend traditional EDI with contemporary API patterns. A high-value platform must provide a unified environment for designing complex, end-to-end workflows that leverage both types of connectivity. Comprehensive Visibility Across All Data Streams True operational control requires end-to-end integration visibility across every data flow—API, EDI, and non-EDI. This holistic view gives technical and business users the confidence to solve complex supply-chain challenges by quickly identifying and resolving any bottlenecks. Bridging the Gap Between Business Strategy and Technical Execution A modern EDI platform must act as the essential link between ambitious business objectives (like accelerated revenue and growth) and the technical execution required to meet them. Guest experts, like Shane Hagen, are relied upon to translate complex requirements into measurable business value. Strategic Partnerships Drive Industry Focus (The Trimble Example) Expect your integration provider to have deep, strategic alliances within key industries. Cleo's position as a proud Trimble partner highlights its experience in solving complex integration challenges for Trimble customers and demonstrates its specialized focus on critical industry ecosystems. Learn More About Why It's Time to Expect More from Your EDI Platform Shane Hagen Cleo | Linkedin Cleo Demo Case Studies The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "Trimble's Perspective: The Future of Freight is Connected", Joe Lynch and Rob Painter, Trimble's President and Chief Executive Officer, discuss how Trimble connects the freight ecosystem—people, data, and workflows—to navigate the difficult truckload market and drive customer efficiency using AI and integrated commercial solutions. About Rob Painter Rob Painter became Trimble's president and chief executive officer in January 2020. From 2016 through 2019, he served as the Company's chief financial officer. Joining the Company in 2006, Painter held a variety of leadership positions, including corporate development, corporate strategy, general manager of Construction Services, general manager of the Intelligent Construction Tools international joint venture, and vice president of Trimble Buildings construction software. In August 2023, he was appointed to serve on the Synopsys Board of Directors. Painter holds a bachelor's degree in finance from West Virginia University and an MBA from Harvard University. About Trimble Transportation Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety. Key Takeaways: Trimble's Perspective: The Future of Freight is Connected In "Trimble's Perspective: The Future of Freight is Connected", Joe Lynch and Rob Painter, Trimble's President and Chief Executive Officer, discuss how Trimble connects the freight ecosystem—people, data, and workflows—to navigate the difficult truckload market and drive customer efficiency using AI and integrated commercial solutions. Holistic Solution for a Difficult Truckload Market: Trimble's T&L segment directly addresses the pressures of the current truckload market by providing core operational platforms (TMW.Suite, TruckMate) to help carriers, shippers, and brokers manage operations, accounting, and dispatch, ensuring maximum efficiency and cost control when margins are tight. Driving Strategy with the Connect & Scale Message: The entire product portfolio—spanning TMS, maintenance, visibility, and procurement—is structured to embody Trimble's "Connect & Scale" message, which focuses on integrating people, data, and workflows into a unified ecosystem to drive growth and efficiency. AI-Powered Autonomous Freight Procurement: Trimble is leveraging AI within its Freight Procurement solutions (Transporeon, Freight Marketplace) to move toward autonomous procurement. This helps shippers and brokers efficiently source capacity and optimize freight spend in real-time, which is critical in a volatile capacity environment. Commercial Mapping for Efficiency and Safety: Essential tools like Trimble MAPS (CoPilot, Appian) go beyond basic navigation. They provide commercial-grade routing that accounts for truck-specific constraints and HOS, acting as a crucial element in optimizing routes and protecting drivers (part of the people and workflow components of Connect & Scale). TMS as the Core Workflow Integrator: Comprehensive Transportation Management Systems (TMS) platforms like TMW.Suite act as the central brain for workflows, integrating data across the business from operations to financial accounting, which is foundational to the "Scale" component of Trimble's strategy. Proactive Maintenance and Data Connectivity: Solutions for Asset & Fleet Maintenance focus on maximizing uptime—a key lever in today's market. By using data from connected trucks (fault codes, location) for preventative and predictive maintenance, they ensure assets remain productive and reduce unexpected downtime. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Mitigation (People & Data): The Safety & Compliance offerings help fleets mitigate risk and adhere to federal regulations, ensuring the safety and legal operation of their people (drivers) and assets, proving that technology is essential for responsible management and effective use of operational data. Learn More About Trimble's Perspective: The Future of Freight is Connected Rob Painter | Linkedin Trimble Transportation | Linkedin Trimble Transportation Revolutionizing the Road: Trimble's Tech Solutions with Kelly Williams | The Logistics of Logistics Trimble & Platform Science: The Future of Telematics with Rob Painter and Jack Kennedy The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "SPS Commerce: Optimize Speed to Revenue", Joe Lynch and Wes Arentson, Senior Sales Manager, Logistics at SPS Commerce, discuss how streamlining the supply chain's Order-to-Cash cycle is the key to accelerating business growth. About Wes Aretson Wes Arentson is a Sales Manager at SPS Commerce. He leads a logistics sales team focused on providing 3PLs and Carriers with tools to optimize their supply chains, connect with their partners more efficiently and make onboarding new customers easy. Wes has over 15 years of experience in supply chain and technology helping customers solve business problems with software and automation. About SPS Commerce SPS Commerce is the world's leading retail network, connecting trading partners across the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all stakeholders in the retail ecosystem. The company enables data-driven partnerships through innovative cloud-based technology, customer-centric service, and a team of accessible industry experts—allowing clients to focus on their core business. With over 45,000 recurring revenue customers spanning retail, grocery, distribution, supply, manufacturing, and logistics, SPS Commerce powers a vast and growing global retail network. Key Takeaways: SPS Commerce: Optimize Speed to Revenue In "Optimize Speed to Revenue", Joe Lynch and Wes Arentson, Senior Sales Manager, Logistics at SPS Commerce, discuss how streamlining the supply chain's Order-to-Cash cycle is the key to accelerating business growth. Direct Correlation: Order-to-Cash Speed = Revenue Acceleration. The single most critical factor in optimizing revenue is the speed of your Order-to-Cash (O2C) cycle. Wes stresses that every inefficiency in processing orders, from receipt to payment, translates directly into delayed revenue. Streamlining O2C with efficient data exchange is the fastest way to pull cash forward. Stop Margin Leaks by Eliminating Disconnected Systems. Learn how disjointed or manual systems create costly margin leaks—the silent erosion of profitability. These leaks are often caused by the lack of connection between trading partner portals, forcing manual data re-entry and increasing the risk of chargebacks and penalties. EDI as the Foundation for Impeccable Data Quality. At the core of SPS Commerce's success is the commitment to data quality. Listeners will understand that clean, standardized, and automated data transmission via modern EDI is essential not just for compliance, but for enabling accurate forecasting and preventing operational errors for all SPS Commerce customers. Master Retailer Scorecards by Fixing Data Exchange. Achieving and exceeding Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)—the foundation of retailer scorecards and milestones—is non-negotiable. Wes explains that a failure to meet these standards is often a symptom of poor EDI connections or the lack thereof, not operational failure. Automated, accurate EDI is the fix. Accelerate Onboarding with Proven Compliance and Security. Wes highlights the comprehensive service offered by SPS Commerce, focusing on mapping, testing, compliance, and security. This end-to-end approach drastically shaves weeks off the process of onboarding new trading partners, ensuring systems are instantly compliant and secure, which minimizes risk and accelerates time-to-revenue. The EDI Advantage: Consolidate Portals and Win More Tenders. True efficiency moves beyond basic EDI compliance. By consolidating disparate retailer portals into one platform, you eliminate the "swivel-chair" chaos. This improved efficiency and performance not only stops margin leaks but directly improves your scorecard performance, helping you win more high-value tenders. Future-Proof Partnerships with Automated Data Strategy. The conversation culminates in the shift from tactical order management to a strategic, data-driven approach. Wes advocates for using centralized EDI to build continuous learning and accountability, allowing companies to focus less on manual data work and more on connecting world-class technology with senior executives who control budget and strategy. Learn More About SPS Commerce: Optimize Speed to Revenue Wes Arentson | Linkedin SPS Commerce | Linkedin SPS Commerce Woods Distribution Case Study Arcadia Cold Storage & Logistics Case Study Jay Group Case Study The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "Penske's State of Logistics: Leasing, Tech, and Loss Prevention with Andy Moses", Joe Lynch and Andy Moses, Senior Vice President of Solutions and Sales Strategy for Penske Logistics, discuss the critical findings from the State of Logistics Report, the strategic advantage of integrating leasing and logistics services, and the operational necessity of combating escalating threats like cargo theft and cyber fraud. About Andy Moses Andy Moses is the senior vice president of solutions and sales strategy for Penske Logistics. He leads the organization's engineering solutions team and heads corporate sales strategy, advising Penske's product line leaders on sales and development. He was most recently senior vice president of sales and solutions, and previously held the role of senior vice president of global products. He has a distinguished career in the transportation industry in product and sales leadership roles, including prior experience as vice president of sales at Penske Truck Leasing. A member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and a supply chain author, Moses has spoken at industry conferences and guest lectured at top universities. A Master Black Belt in Six Sigma, Moses holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Brooklyn College and a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University in leadership development. About Penske Logistics Penske Logistics  is a Penske Transportation Solutions company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. The company is a leading provider of innovative supply chain and logistics solutions. Penske offers solutions including dedicated transportation, distribution center management, 4PL and lead logistics, transportation management, freight brokerage, and a comprehensive array of technologies to keep the world moving forward. Visit PenskeLogistics.com to learn more. Key Takeaways: Penske's State of Logistics In "Penske's State of Logistics: Leasing, Tech, and Loss Prevention with Andy Moses", Joe Lynch and Andy Moses, Senior Vice President of Solutions and Sales Strategy for Penske Logistics, discuss how integrated services and proactive technology are building a more secure and agile supply chain. Cyber Security, Cargo Theft, & Freight Fraud: Digital and physical security threats are escalating, making loss prevention a strategic imperative. Logistics providers must invest in robust cyber defenses for operational technology (OT) systems and implement advanced tracking, authentication, and security protocols to mitigate both physical cargo theft and sophisticated freight fraud schemes. The State of the Market (CSCMP/Penske Report): The industry is defined by persistent uncertainty and disruption, requiring a shift from short-term cost-cutting to long-term strategic resilience. The CSCMP/Kearney/Penske State of Logistics Report highlights that while capacity is balancing, geopolitical and economic headwinds, including shifts in trade and the $2.6 trillion U.S. business logistics costs, continue to drive complexity and require agility. Penske's Cross-Over Advantage (Leasing & Logistics): Penske's unique position—providing both truck leasing and logistics services—offers customers a unified and adaptable solution. This cross-over provides superior scale, equipment access, maintenance support, and integrated market intelligence on transportation capacity and emerging market needs. Technology as a Solution Driver: Penske's ClearChain® Technology Suite leverages data, analytics, and AI to provide end-to-end visibility, orchestration, and control. This technology allows companies to move beyond reacting to problems and engage in predictive modeling to proactively address issues before they impact the network. Problems Penske Solves: Penske leverages its engineering and sales strategy to solve critical business problems, including optimizing network design, providing compliant dedicated transportation, offering rapid scalability, and delivering the data-driven transparency required for consumer trust and regulatory adherence. Learn More About Penske's State of Logistics Andy's LinkedIn Penske Logistics CSCMP/Penske State of Logistics Report Penske ClearChain® Technology Suite The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube  

In "Tariffs, Typhoons, & Turmoil: Derisking the Supply Chain with Moody's Andrei Quinn-Barabanov ", Joe Lynch and Andrei Quinn-Barabanov, Moody's lead Supply Chain expert, discuss the need to leverage predictive data and holistic strategies to mitigate complex, interconnected global risks. About Andrei Quinn-Barabanov Andrei Quinn-Barabanov is Moody's lead Supply Chain expert.  He works closely with Supply Chain Risk product team to shape the predictive capabilities of Moody's solution and with its customers to identify, assess, prioritize and mitigate supply chain risks. With more than three decades of experience, Andrei brings both practitioner's and consulting expertise to his role.  His career in supply chain included ten years as the head of supply chain risk management at Raytheon.  He also has significant management consulting experience, having worked on global operations for Nike, Sara Lee, Philips, W.W. Grainger, Lafarge and Kennametal. A native of Russia, Andrei is based in Washington DC.  He earned his MBA at Stanford. About Moody's In a world shaped by increasingly interconnected risks, Moody's (NYSE: MCO) data, insights, and innovative technologies help customers develop a holistic view of their world and unlock opportunities. With a rich history of experience in global markets and a diverse workforce of approximately 16,000 across more than 40 countries, Moody's gives customers the comprehensive perspective needed to act with confidence and thrive. Learn more at moodys.com. Key Takeaways: Tariffs, Typhoons, & Turmoil: Derisking the Supply Chain In "Tariffs, Typhoons, & Turmoil: Derisking the Supply Chain with Moody's Andrei Quinn-Barabanov ", Joe Lynch and Andrei Quinn-Barabanov, Moody's lead Supply Chain expert, discuss the need to leverage predictive data and holistic strategies to mitigate complex, interconnected global risks. Financial Resilience Vetting: Supply chain managers must vet the financial health of all partners, not just customers. Use financial services (like Moody's) to assess stability. A stressed supplier is a critical performance risk, especially for industries like automotive and pharma. Geopolitical Planning & Diversification: Geopolitical risk is now a core factor, tied to tariffs and compliance. Aerospace and defense require scenario planning for policy changes and conflicts. Diversify sourcing regions to mitigate sanctions and trade duties. Digital and Physical Security: Threats include both physical cargo theft/freight fraud and sophisticated cyber security breaches targeting operations (OT). An attack on a 3PL or tech supplier (common in high-tech) can halt the chain. Invest in protocols covering digital and physical movement. Ethical & Legal Due Diligence: Pressure is high to ensure clean supply chains. Avoiding companies involved in slavery and/or money laundering requires rigorous checks. Non-compliance is a massive reputational and legal risk for sectors like pharma and energy. Climate-Informed Logistics: Weather risk is rising; use climate science in network design. In regions prone to typhoons or earthquakes, pre-qualify alternative routes, hold strategic buffer stock, and invest in resilient infrastructure. Transparency is Compliance: Achieving transparency and traceability is vital for issues like corruption and ethical sourcing. Modern tools (AI) are essential to trace components. This guarantees provenance for high-tech and ensures regulatory adherence for energy firms. Proactive Risk Modeling: Move beyond reaction to proactive risk modeling. Synthesize data (financial, geopolitical, ethical) to create risk scores for partners. This allows sectors like defense to build resilience by dual-sourcing and stress-testing their networks.  Learn More About Tariffs, Typhoons, & Turmoil: Derisking the Supply Chain Andrei's LinkedIn Moody's Moody's Cyber Report Moody's Auto Report The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube