TAKEAWAYS Shaping the Future of the Global Supply Chain
Transportation is no longer just a cost center—more than ever, it’s viewed as a competitive weapon for shippers and logistics providers. According to Descartes Systems Group’s 9th Annual Global Transportation Management Benchmark Survey , a record 81% of respondents now view transportation as a differentiator in business growth and customer value—the highest level in the nine years of the survey. The study, which surveyed 616 shippers and logistics service providers across North America and Europe, highlights both progress and persistent gaps in transportation technology adoption. While transportation management systems (TMS) are recognized as essential, only 17% of respondents report being fully automated, and more than one third remain heavily dependent on manual processes. The divide is particularly stark when comparing leaders—51% of high-performing companies are fully automated—against laggards, where only 5% have achieved full automation. Other key findings include: • AI adoption: 96% of respondents report using generative AI in their operations, with top applications in data entry (41%), route/load optimization (39%), freight forecasting (35%), automated load matching (35%), and chat bots for customer service (34%). • TMS investment: 80% plan to increase IT spending, prioritizing performance management, visibility, and fleet routing. ( See chart below .) • Risk-management approach: Carrier monitoring for insurance, safety, and fraud ranked as a top-three TMS capability, with North American companies placing 7% more emphasis on it than European peers. • Growth outlook: 72% expect at least 5% annual revenue growth over the next two years. TRANSPORTATION’S EVOLVING ROLE Where will you make your greatest transportation IT investments in the next 2 years? (Select three) 40%
NEW BUZZWORD, EXPLAINED: TOUCHLESS FORECASTING Another day, another new supply chain buzzword. This time, it’s touchless forecasting—an AI-powered approach to demand planning that autonomously gathers, interprets, and analyzes large data sets to deliver precise forecasts with little or no human involvement. The objective is to build a fully automated system that adjusts in real time to market shifts, streamlines inventory management, and frees human planners to concentrate on exceptions and strategic priorities. That’s a mouthful, but it’s catching on: Gartner recently predicted that 70% of large-scale organizations will adopt AI-based forecasting to predict future demand by 2030. “The value of AI-based forecasting includes improved strategic decision making, faster responses to market changes, and enhanced collaboration workflows,” says Jan Snoeckx, Director Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. “To help drive successful adoption, planning leaders should clearly articulate a sense of urgency in pursuing touchless forecasting and place AI as a core element within their technology strategies.” While touchless forecasting remains limited today, Gartner recommends this five-part plan for implementation: 1. Define a touchless forecasting vision: Assess workflows, tools, and improvements for automation. 2. Establish the business change parameters: Redefine processes and metrics; prioritize change management. 3. Define your touchless data strategy: Expand data sources; ensure quality and governance. 4. Create a technology enablement roadmap: Invest in AI tools; align with data strategy. 5. Plan for the adoption journey: Build trust in AI forecasts through transparency and benchmarking.
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Source: Descartes
14 Inbound Logistics • October 2025
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