Jim Saponaro

In today’s complex supply chain landscape, effective transportation management is less an ambition than a necessity. As the logistics industry attempts to keep pace with rapid technological advancements, a dynamic regulatory environment, and ever-shifting market dynamics, the field of transportation management is working to keep pace with the constantly changing demands of a complex transportation sector. In hopes of better understanding what transportation management means in 2024, Supply Chain Now is partnering with innovative TMS provider RateLinx on an interesting research project: the TM Tech Survey 2024, which focuses on transportation management technology. But before we get there, let’s talk about why shippers in record numbers are demanding effective transportation management solutions. Three Reasons Shippers Require Effective Transportation Management According to an analysis from Gartner, the global TMS industry is expected to reach $2.11B by the end of 2024, a 60% increase from the industry’s value in 2019. It’s clear that today’s shippers, operating in a world plagued by volatility and disruption, understand the value of transportation management. This section looks at three key reasons why today’s shippers require effective transportation management. 1: Enhanced Operational Efficiency In 2024, transportation technology is indispensable for optimizing logistics operations. Today’s leading transportation management…

At MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, Scott Luton sat down with Dr. Stephanie Thomas, Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Arkansas and Founder & Executive Director of WISE, for a wide-ranging conversation about supply chain talent, AI, and the future of workforce development. One thing becomes immediately clear from the discussion: while technology may dominate the headlines, the future of supply chain still depends on people. Of course, that makes the ability for organizations to more effectively engage the new generations entering the workforce all that more critical.   The Industry’s Biggest Question Mark: AI and Talent When asked about the biggest priorities facing supply chain leaders today, Thomas doesn’t hesitate: AI is at the top of nearly every conversation. “Everybody’s trying to unpack what is it going to do? How is it going to change things?” she explains. Organizations are wrestling not only with how to adopt emerging technologies, but also with how to prepare their workforce for the transformation ahead. From upskilling current employees to redesigning workflows, the talent implications of AI are massive. At the same time, the broader business environment remains highly dynamic. Geopolitical shifts, ongoing disruption, and rapid technological change are forcing organizations to…