Third-party logistics has come a long way in technologies that address shipper needs. 3PL technology brings greater automation, faster response to disruptions in supply chains, and increased visibility of shipments. But two studies on the logistics market that were presented in September at the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals show that there still is a long way to go with bridging some major gaps.
What the Studies Showed
In one study, 56 percent of shippers surveyed were satisfied with 3PL companies’ IT capabilities, which was a decrease from 65 percent the previous year. While those numbers are much higher from those back in 2002 when only 27 percent were satisfied with the IT capabilities, the results of the study suggest that either the expectations of shippers are increasing, or that 3PLs are lagging behind in technology.
How AWD is Bridging Gaps
American Western Distribution uses the latest technology available for meeting the needs of customers. This enables us to be flexible and to provide a fast response when there are supply chain disruptions. With our fully automated system, our customers are assured complete transparency of what is going on with their shipments and inventory at all times. We have successfully bridged the technology gaps to provide our customers with the services they want for their shipping processes.
