Inbound Logistics | April 2025

solution to streamline the recovery of missing trailers, in mid-2024. “These incidents created inefciencies, increased costs and reduced visibility into equipment utilization,” says Daragh Mahon, executive vice president and CIO with the 3PL. Werner needed a solution that would provide real-time tracking and recovery capabilities. GenLogs monitors equipment through camera systems deployed over the road, identifying trailers that have been agged as missing, or those with malfunctioning geolocator devices. “We eliminated the guesswork previously involved

SGWS launched its AI program in spring 2024. “Implementing it is a huge lift from the IT side,” Fonseca says. Establishing the data infrastructure requires dening data quality and sourcing, and deciding how to create the data models, among other tasks. A partner with experience in AI initiatives can provide valuable insight, Fonseca says. At the same time, it’s a mistake to simply hand the effort to an outsource partner. The company needs to conrm that the data, infrastructure, and algorithms are solid and work as intended. Fonseca says his team worked closely with data scientists to continually evaluate the results. SGWS has continued using Blue Yonder for its ERP system, creating an integration between it and SageMaker. Initially, about one-quarter of SGWS planners worked with the AI solution. That’s since grown to about 55% and employees see how it helps boost productivity, With the assistance of AI, SGWS’s 2024 forecasts were consistently about six points better than they had been, Fonseca says. The AI forecasts gain accuracy as the forecasted dates move closer to actual dates. This helps with purchases of domestic products, where lead times tend to be shorter than they Werner Enterprises (top) integrates AI across various facets of its operations to enhance e ciency and safety. Standard Logistics uses Optimal Dynamics’ Decision Automation Platform (right) to optimize loads.

in tracking down missing equipment,” Mahon says. GenLogs reduces the time required to locate missing trailers from days or even weeks to mere hours, Mahon says. It also enables Werner to identify instances of unauthorized trailer use,

so the company can take corrective action swiftly. With concrete proof of unauthorized use, Werner has been able to settle numerous claims, which translates to better resource allocation, reduced downtime and enhanced operational control, ultimately driving a more efcient supply chain. Werner is also leveraging AI insights to analyze lane trafc patterns. This insight may further optimize logistics operations. STANDARD LOGISTICS OPTIMIZES LOADS Optimal Dynamics in 2021 to determine which of the loads offered to its eet it should accept, and which it should pass to its brokerage solution. “We had too many loads to choose from and didn’t have a proper Standard Logistics began using an AI-based optimization engine from optimization mechanism to ensure we picked the right loads for our eet,” says Volker Bargenda, president of the 3PL. Humans can’t process the thousands of variables needed to make optimized freight planning decisions, let alone

are for cross-border purchases. SGWS has also begun using AI to convert thousands of carrier invoices into usable data. Given the volume of invoices from different carriers, the company had no practical, manual way to track this expense and identify ways to reduce it. With AI, Fonseca and his colleagues can quickly separate spending by attributes such as fuel, provider, or region and then zero in on savings opportunities. These initiatives are part of Lumina, a 10-year strategy and vision for unlocking the full potential of SGWS’s supply chain and operations engine to deliver long-term value. It includes substantial investments in articial intelligence. WERNER STREAMLINES TRAILER RECOVERY Prompted by the increasing challenge of unauthorized carrier use and missing equipment, Werner Enterprises implemented GenLogs, an AI-powered

58 Inbound Logistics • April 2025