Mark Brown

Special Guest Blog Post written by Karin Bursa, Supply Chain Industry Advisor and Supply Chain Now Host   Here is a diagnostic question I use with supply chain leaders: when disruption hits, do your teams spend most of their time debating the data, debating the scenarios, debating the plan, or debating the decision? Or all of the above? Seriously though, in 2026, that distinction matters. Network shifts driven by tariffs, geopolitics, cost pressure, and sustainability are accelerating. Gartner’s 2025 U.S. Trade and Immigration Policy Survey indicate 77% of respondents selected network changes among their top actions in response to tariff impacts. [2] If the physical network is moving, the digital planning platform must move even faster. The environment is forcing decisions to be made faster, more frequently, and with more variables than ever before. Gartner says supply chain decisions are becoming 71% more complex, happening 52% more frequently, and need to be made 57% faster. That triple constraint cannot be accomplished with cadence-based batch planning cycles as a default operating model. This is why I am focused on a single, practical outcome for supply chain teams: accelerating decision velocity. The ability to move from data to insights to actions faster…

The right match unlocks efficiency, visibility, and cost control—without drowning in unused features Special Guest Blog Post written by e2open   When picking a Transportation Management System (TMS), shiny features, slick dashboards, and buzzwords can be distracting. But here’s the truth: real ROI doesn’t come from having the most bells and whistles. It comes from finding a TMS that fits your transportation complexity like a glove.   Too simple, and you’ll outgrow it before the ink is dry. Too complex, and you’ll be paying for tools you don’t use. Nail the fit, though, and other KPIs like cost savings, faster execution, and happier customers will slide into place.   How to pick a TMS that fits your freight   Carriers and LSPs running on legacy systems miss out on the real-time visibility and cost control a modern TMS delivers, leaving them slower, less efficient, and easier to undercut. Let’s unpack how to look beyond flashy features and choose a TMS that works for your business:   Match complexity first. The biggest ROI driver is aligning your TMS with your transportation complexity. Get that right, and everything else follows.   Consider adaptability and scalability. Your TMS should grow with you. Look…