The Logistics of Logistics

In "Building the Connected Transportation Ecosystem: A Conversation with Trimble's Michael Kornhauser", Joe Lynch and Michael Kornhauser, Vice President of Trimble, discuss how integrated data and precision mapping create a more secure, efficient, and connected transportation ecosystem. About Michael Kornhauser Michael Kornhauser is sector vice president of Trimble, leading Transportation & Logistics in North America. With more than 20 years in various leadership roles, Michael has proven to be an astute and dynamic leader with deep industry understanding and passion for delivering superior customer value. Kornhauser, along with Dan Popkin, established the European operations and development of the successful CoPilot business and guided the ALK Technologies business integration into Trimble. Under his leadership, Trimble's mapping solutions have become highly recognized and respected throughout the North American trucking and rail industries. He studied at Trinity College, where he received a research grant from NASA and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering. About Trimble Transportation Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety. Key Takeaways: Building the Connected Transportation Ecosystem In "Building the Connected Transportation Ecosystem: A Conversation with Trimble's Michael Kornhauser", Joe Lynch and Michael Kornhauser, Vice President of Trimble, discuss how integrated data and precision mapping create a more secure, efficient, and connected transportation ecosystem. The Power of a Global, Integrated Ecosystem: Trimble is no longer just a collection of individual tools; it is an intelligent ecosystem designed to connect all aspects of the supply chain—trucks, drivers, back offices, and freight. Because many of Trimble's customers are multinational, the company provides a global footprint that ensures consistency in data and operations, whether a shipment is moving through North America, Europe, or beyond. Industry Under Attack: Prioritizing Cybersecurity: Kornhauser emphasizes that the transportation industry is "under attack" from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. To combat this, Trimble invests over $100 million annually in R&D, with a significant portion dedicated to cybersecurity. By partnering with giants like Microsoft, they ensure that even small carriers using their platform have enterprise-grade protection that they couldn't afford to build on their own. The "Four Revolutions" of Transportation Tech: Michael outlines the technological shifts that have defined the industry: GPS: The foundation that allowed for real-time tracking (which Trimble pioneers helped patent). TMS (Transportation Management Systems): The transition from paper to digital "ERPs for trucking." ELD Mandate: Moving from selective enforcement to universal, data-driven safety and compliance. AI: The current revolution, focusing on automation, predictive agents, and massive efficiency gains. Strategic AI Implementation: "Eating Our Own Cooking": Unlike startups that may take a "move fast and break things" approach, Trimble is highly measured with AI. They are currently using AI internally to write code and improve customer support agents before rolling those features out to their Fortune 500 clients. This ensures that the "always-on" nature of global logistics isn't disrupted by experimental tech. The TMS as the "System of Record": Despite the many apps and sensors in a modern truck, the Transportation Management System (TMS) remains the heart of the ecosystem. Michael explains that Trimble's strategy is to keep the TMS as the central hub where "Order-to-Cash" workflows live, while connecting specialized tools (like maintenance or navigation) seamlessly into that single source of truth. Precision Mapping for "People Who Drive for Work": A major differentiator for Trimble is their proprietary mapping (PC Miler and CoPilot). Unlike consumer apps like Waze, Trimble's mapping is built for heavy-duty trucks, accounting for bridge heights, hazmat restrictions, and even specific entry/exit gates at massive industrial complexes. This "last mile" precision is often the difference between a profitable trip and a costly delay. A "Customer-First" Partner Philosophy: Trimble embraces an open platform, hosting hundreds of partners—including some competitors. Michael highlights that the goal is to eliminate the "swivel chair" effect, where a dispatcher has to jump between 10 different monitors. By allowing third-party apps (like fuel cards or specialized sensors) to integrate into the Trimble stack, they provide carriers with the flexibility to build the specific "tech stack" their niche requires. Learn More About Building the Connected Transportation Ecosystem Michael Kornhauser | Linkedin Trimble Transportation | Linkedin Trimble Transportation Trimble's Perspective: The Future of Freight is Connected with Rob Painter The Road Ahead: What Trimble Innovations Mean for Transportation with Jonah McIntire Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking with Rishi Mehra The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "The Optym Advantage: Smarter Routing, Planning, and Decision Making", Joe Lynch and Shaman Ahuja, Deputy CEO of Optym, discuss how applied AI and optimization maximize fleet utilization and driver profitability. About Shaman Ahuja Shaman Ahuja is currently serving as the Deputy CEO of Optym, a company specializing in prepackaged software solutions. With a robust background in technology and product management, he has held various leadership positions within Optym, showcasing his ability to drive innovation and efficiency. He began his professional journey as an intern and has progressively climbed the ranks, demonstrating a strong commitment to his career growth. His educational foundation in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University has equipped him with the skills necessary to excel in the competitive landscape of technology and his experience at firms like Goldman Sachs further underscores his capability and adaptability in high-pressure environments. He is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex business challenges and is dedicated to fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence within his teams. About Optym Optym, Inc. is a global leader in optimization and applied AI solutions for the transportation and logistics industry. For more than two decades, Optym has partnered with some of the world's largest trucking, airline, and rail companies to solve their most complex operational challenges. Its flagship products—including LoadAi and RouteMax—empower carriers, brokers, and fleets to maximize efficiency, increase profitability, and make smarter, data-driven decisions. Backed by deep expertise in operations research, optimization science, and machine learning, Optym builds technology that turns real-world complexity into simple, actionable workflows. Key Takeaways: The Optym Advantage: Smarter Routing, Planning, and Decision Making In "The Optym Advantage: Smarter Routing, Planning, and Decision Making", Joe Lynch and Shaman Ahuja, Deputy CEO of Optym, discuss how applied AI and optimization maximize fleet utilization and driver profitability. Optimization vs. Standard Routing: Shaman clarifies that Optym is not a turn-by-turn navigation tool. While standard routing focuses on the best path from Point A to Point B, Optym's "Decision Support" focuses on load assignment. It determines which load a driver should take next, considering all drivers and constraints simultaneously to create a holistic weekly plan for the entire fleet. Targeting the "Enterprise" Complexity: The software is specifically designed for enterprise fleets, generally starting at 200 trucks. At this scale, manual planning on whiteboards becomes inefficient. Optym solves the "utilization problem"—ensuring trucks aren't sitting idle and drivers aren't wasting hours waiting at docks—by identifying "juice to squeeze" in large, complex networks. Strategy Pivot: From TMS to Integration: Originally, Optym built its own TMS (LoadOps) to ensure data quality. However, they realized large fleets are reluctant to switch TMS providers due to operational disruption. Optym pivoted to a "Killer App" layer that integrates directly with industry standards like Trimble and McLeod, acting as a specialized intelligence layer rather than a replacement for core systems. Advanced Operational Models: Relay and "Meet & Turn": A core feature of the software is optimizing complex maneuvers like Relays (handing off trailers between drivers) and Meet & Turns (two drivers meeting at a midpoint to swap loads). By automating these schedules, fleets can keep drivers within a specific radius, allowing them to be home every night while keeping the assets moving 24/7. Bridging the "Tribal Knowledge" Gap:The industry faces a crisis as veteran planners (who "know the network in their sleep") retire. Younger, tech-savvy employees expect modern interfaces. Optym's AI captures that "tribal knowledge" and turns it into data-driven suggestions, allowing a new hire to be as productive as a 30-year veteran within a week. Proven ROI and Efficiency Gains: Shaman shares a case study of a 900-truck fleet where Optym's pilot program covered the same amount of freight using 100 fewer drivers. This represents a nearly 20% reduction in driver costs. To lower the risk for new clients, Optym offers a 5x ROI guarantee, promising to generate $5 in value for every $1 spent. Enhancing Driver Lifestyle through Predictability: Beyond the math, the software addresses the "human" element of trucking. By using AI agents to reschedule appointments based on real-time ETAs and reducing wasted "dwell time" at shippers, Optym creates a more predictable schedule. This reduces the stress and sleep deprivation that contribute to the high health risks faced by long-haul drivers. Learn More About The Optym Advantage: Smarter Routing, Planning, and Decision Making Shaman Ahuja | LinkedIn Optym | LinkedIn Optym | Instagram Optym Optym Blog | Insights on Logistics & Technology Customer Stories | Success with Optym Case Studies | Optym Transportation Solutions LoadAi The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking", Joe Lynch and Rishi Mehra, VP, Product and Engineering at Trimble, discuss how integrated mapping technology optimizes routes, ensures driver safety, and drives profitability through a connected data ecosystem. Rishi Mehra As VP, Product and Engineering, Rishi Mehra is primarily responsible for overseeing the company's technology, products and engineering in North America. Mehra has been with Trimble since 2014, and previously served as a senior product manager and director of web products for ALK Technologies (now a part of the Trimble family). In that role, he led the product management and go-to-market activity for all web solutions globally and helped establish the commercial transportation-focused web digital platform within the organization. About Trimble Transportation Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety. Key Takeaways: Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking In "Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking", Joe Lynch and Rishi Mehra, VP, Product and Engineering at Trimble, discuss how integrated mapping technology optimizes routes, ensures driver safety, and drives profitability through a connected data ecosystem. The Power of a Connected Ecosystem: Trimble is more than a mapping company; it is a platform that connects shippers, brokers, carriers, and drivers. Rishi emphasizes that they don't have to provide every single solution themselves. Instead, they prioritize an open, scalable platform that allows partners (even competitors) to integrate, ensuring the customer has a seamless flow of data across their entire tech stack. Mapping as a Profitability Tool: Mapping technology is now a primary driver of ROI. By using tools like PC*Miler, carriers can plan the most cost-effective routes by factoring in state-specific fuel prices, tolls, and equipment-specific restrictions. Rishi notes that in a tight economy with low operating ratios, these "small" routing efficiencies are often the difference between a carrier being profitable or losing money. Preventing "Nuclear Verdicts" Through Safety Tech: Safety isn't just about avoiding accidents; it's about protecting the company from existential legal threats. Trimble's CoPilot Navigation prevents bridge hits (a major source of liability) by using precise commercial vehicle data. By investing a few dollars a month in truck-safe routing, fleets avoid the "nuclear verdicts" that have historically bankrupt multi-generational trucking companies. Hyper-Local Weather and Traffic Intelligence: General weather alerts are often too broad to be useful. Through a partnership with Weather Optics, Trimble provides a risk index score for specific road segments. This alerts drivers to hydroplaning risks, high winds that could tip empty trailers, and snow accumulation in real-time. This data also flows to dispatchers, allowing them to proactively reroute freight before a driver gets stuck. Solving the "Driver Utilization" Problem: The industry is shifting its focus from a "driver shortage" to a "driver utilization" problem. Trimble uses data analytics to track dwell times and detention at shipper facilities. By providing drivers and dispatchers with predictability regarding how long a stop will take, fleets can better manage Hours of Service (HOS) and ensure drivers aren't wasting their legal driving windows sitting at a dock. Combatting Sophisticated Cargo Theft and Fraud: Cargo theft is becoming increasingly high-tech, involving "spoofing" and "double-brokering." Rishi explains how Trimble uses connectivity to protect assets—for example, disabling fuel cards if the truck's GPS shows it isn't actually at a fuel bay. This level of integration between telematics and financial tools provides a layer of security that manual processes cannot match. The New "Three-Letter" Revolution: AI: The interview marks a transition in the industry's technological evolution. After the eras of GPS, TMS, and ELD, the next major frontier is AI. Trimble is integrating AI into its new TMS to automate mundane tasks, power "autonomous workflows," and provide predictive insights that help the industry move goods "safer, greener, and faster." Learn More About Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking Rishi Mehra | Linkedin Trimble Transportation | Linkedin Trimble Transportation Trimble's Perspective: The Future of Freight is Connected with Rob Painter The Road Ahead: What Trimble Innovations Mean for Transportation with Jonah McIntire The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "Fleet Profitability Unleashed: The Optimal Dynamics Advantage", Joe Lynch and Zach Schuchart, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales at Optimal Dynamics, discuss how decades of academic research and advanced decision intelligence are being used to automate complex logistics and maximize carrier profitability. Zach Schuchart Zach Schuchart is the Senior Vice President, Head of Sales at Optimal Dynamics. He has over 20 years of experience in the North American and European transportation industries, including roles at UPS, CHAINalytics, and XPO, he brings deep expertise and leadership to the Optimal Dynamics team. As Head of Sales, he oversees a talented group of Account Executives and Solutions Engineers, guiding prospective customers through the evaluation of advanced optimization solutions that drive operational success. About Optimal Dynamics Optimal Dynamics provides the decision intelligence layer that powers logistics transformation. Born out of 40 years of research at Princeton University, Optimal Dynamics leverages proprietary artificial intelligence technology to automate, optimize, and radically improve decision-making across trucking and transportation operations. Headquartered in New York City, Optimal Dynamics is backed by marquee investors including Koch Disruptive Technologies, Bessemer Venture Partners, The Westly Group, and Activate Capital. Learn more at www.optimaldynamics.com. Key Takeaways: Fleet Profitability Unleashed: The Optimal Dynamics Advantage In "Fleet Profitability Unleashed: The Optimal Dynamics Advantage", Joe Lynch and Zach Schuchart, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales at Optimal Dynamics, discuss how decades of academic research and advanced decision intelligence are being used to automate complex logistics and maximize carrier profitability. From Research to Reality: The Princeton Pedigree. Optimal Dynamics isn't just another tech startup; it is built on 40 years of academic research from Princeton University. This provides a level of scientific rigor and proprietary AI that differentiates their solutions from standard off-the-shelf logistics software. The Power of "Decision Intelligence". While many platforms focus on data visibility (showing you what is happening), Zach highlights the shift toward Decision Intelligence. This layer automates and optimizes the choice itself, helping carriers move from reactive management to proactive, data-driven execution. Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Execution. Leveraging Zach's 20+ years of experience at giants like UPS and XPO, the episode explores how traditional planning often fails when it hits the "real world." Optimal Dynamics focuses on creating dynamic plans that account for the inherent volatility in trucking operations. Leveraging High-Dimensional Artificial Intelligence. The core technology focuses on solving "high-dimensional" problems. Instead of looking at simple variables, the platform uses AI to process thousands of data points simultaneously—such as driver hours, fuel costs, and lane profitability—to find the "Optimal" solution. Automating the Complexities of Trucking. Automation isn't just about replacing manual tasks; it's about augmenting human capability. Zach discusses how their solutions allow sales and operations teams to evaluate complex scenarios in minutes rather than days, drastically reducing the "evaluation-to-action" cycle. Maximizing Profitability in Volatile Markets. In an industry with razor-thin margins, "Optimal Dynamics" means finding the most profitable way to move freight despite fluctuating market conditions. The platform helps fleets identify which loads to accept and how to route them to ensure maximum fleet utilization. Strategic Backing for Long-Term Transformation. The company's growth is fueled by marquee investors like Bessemer Venture Partners and Koch Disruptive Technologies. This level of backing underscores the industry's belief that Optimal Dynamics is a foundational player in the future of global logistics infrastructure. Learn More About Fleet Profitability Unleashed: The Optimal Dynamics Advantage Zach Schuchart Optimal Dynamics | Linkedin Optimal Dynamics Optimizing for the Future: D.M. Bowman Embraces Decision Automation Shifting From Manual Grind to Automated Growth Driving Strategic Growth and Innovation with Decision Automation How Smarter Planning Leads to Stronger Performance Rapid Transformation and Record-Breaking Results at Grand Island Express During Freight Recession, BCB Transport Sees 19.6% Increase in Revenue Per Truck After Embracing Artificial Decision Intelligence The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "The Fulfillment Playbook: ShipStation's Strategy for Building an Unbreakable Shipping Network", Joe Lynch and Josh Steinitz, Chief Strategy Officer at Auctane, discuss how to turn complex global logistics into a seamless competitive advantage. About Josh Steinitz Josh Steinitz serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Auctane, a leading global company empowering businesses with intelligent mailing and shipping solutions through trusted products like ShipStation, Stamps.com, Metapack, and Packlink. In his role, Steinitz leads corporate development, strategic partnerships, carrier relationships and strategy, and cross-border solutions. With a distinguished career in both travel and logistics, Steinitz previously led corporate business development for Amazon Worldwide Operations, held senior leadership positions at Revinate and Away.com, and founded NileGuide. Steinitz holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton University. About ShipStation Every day, tens of thousands of ecommerce businesses rely on ShipStation to solve the day-to-day challenges of importing orders and processing shipments. Since 2011, ShipStation's online shipping solution has helped businesses scale and deliver exceptional customer experiences—wherever they sell and however they ship. The multi-channel and multi-carrier platform offers over 400 integrations and partnerships with leading shopping carts, marketplaces, carriers, and fulfillment services, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, GlobalPost, Amazon, Shopify, and BigCommerce. ShipStation is a member of the Auctane family of companies and is headquartered in Austin, TX. For more information, visit www.shipstation.com. Key Takeaways: The Fulfillment Playbook: ShipStation's Strategy for Building an Unbreakable Shipping Network In "The Fulfillment Playbook: ShipStation's Strategy for Building an Unbreakable Shipping Network", Joe Lynch and Josh Steinitz, Chief Strategy Officer at Auctane, discuss how to turn complex global logistics into a seamless competitive advantage. Diversification is the Foundation of "Unbreakable" Logistics: Drawing from Josh's experience at Amazon Worldwide Operations (where he helped launch Amazon Logistics and expand Amazon Air), a primary takeaway is that a resilient network cannot rely on a single carrier. An unbreakable strategy requires a multi-carrier approach—integrating giants like UPS and FedEx with regional players and postal services to mitigate risks like strikes, capacity crunches, or price hikes. Move from "Reactive Shipping" to "Proactive Strategy": As Chief Strategy Officer, Josh emphasizes that shipping should not be an afterthought at the end of a sale. The "Playbook" involves using logistics as a competitive lever. By leveraging Auctane's suite of tools (ShipStation, Metapack, etc.), businesses can transform fulfillment from a cost center into a strategic asset that drives customer retention. Automation is the Antidote to Operational Complexity: ShipStation's core value proposition is streamlining the "day-to-day challenges of importing orders." Automation is key - automatically selecting the best carrier, service, and packaging based on pre-defined criteria. This eliminates human error and allows a small team to handle the volume of a much larger enterprise. The Power of "Unified Commerce" and Deep Integration: With over 400 integrations, ShipStation's strategy highlights that an unbreakable network must be "plug-and-play." Your fulfillment system should seamlessly sync with marketplaces (Amazon, eBay), platforms (Shopify, BigCommerce), and inventory management. Leveraging "The Amazon Effect" for Small and Mid-Sized Brands: Josh's background at Amazon gives him unique insight into what consumers now expect: speed, transparency, and low costs. A major takeaway is how ShipStation democratizes these "Amazon-level" capabilities for smaller merchants, providing them with discounted rates and branded tracking experiences that allow them to compete with the world's largest retailers. Multi-Channel Order Centralization: ShipStation acts as a "single pane of glass" by integrating with over 100 different e-commerce marketplaces (like Shopify, Amazon, and eBay). For a shipper, this eliminates the need to jump between platforms; it centralizes every order into one dashboard, significantly reducing manual data entry and the risk of fulfillment errors. Automated Rate Shopping and Discounted Shipping: The platform provides instant access to deeply discounted rates with major carriers like UPS, USPS, and FedEx. Shippers can use automation rules to "rate shop" in real-time - automatically selecting the most cost-effective or fastest carrier based on the package's weight, destination, or service level - which directly protects profit margins and scales shipping operations without adding headcount. Learn More About The Fulfillment Playbook: ShipStation's Strategy for Building an Unbreakable Shipping Network Josh Steinitz | Linkedin ShipStation | Linkedin ShipStation The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube