Descartes Systems Group, the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, released the results of its 7th Annual Global Transportation Management Benchmark Survey. The report highlights that top financial performing companies are twice as likely to have the largest percentage increase in their transportation management (TM) IT investments compared to poorer financial performing companies (see Figure 1). These same top performers (41%) are also much more likely to have no obstacles to securing TM IT investment than their poor performing counterparts (26%).

Figure 1. Transportation Management IT Investment

“Despite a less challenging and less costly transportation market compared to the recent past, companies continue to bolster TM capabilities as 65% of respondents indicated they are increasing TM IT investment, 31% are maintaining existing investment levels and only 4% are decreasing investment,” said Chris Jones, EVP Industry and Services at Descartes. “However, top financially performing companies will take the most aggressive investment stance and the lion’s share of IT growth.”

Since 2017, Descartes has conducted an annual benchmark survey of global transportation professionals to identify the strategies, tactics and technologies used by top performing organizations. Each year, the survey:

• Explores how companies view the role of transportation management

• Analyzes how this view impacts financial performance

• Identifies key industry trends driving the market

• Examines how transportation value is measured

• Uncovers which capabilities, technologies and competitive strategies/tactics are having the greatest impact on transportation operations

• Provides an outlook on future transportation IT investment