Management in Logistics The transportation industry is rapidly shifting towards technological adoption to provide more efficient and streamlined serv
Management in Logistics
The transportation industry is rapidly shifting towards technological adoption to provide more efficient and streamlined services. In this transformation, many companies are leapfrogging basic, non-integrated systems in favor of advanced, unified platforms that deliver holistic solutions. These platforms consolidate key elements like operational tracking, customer data, and workflow automation into a single point of control, enabling transporters to meet the growing demands of the industry.
Renko Bergh, co-founder of a next-generation transport management software company (CtrlFleet), points out that transporters, traditionally slow to adopt new technology, are now embracing automation at an accelerated pace. “The logistics sector has historically been resistant to adopting future-proof technology, yet many transporters have managed to achieve growth. However, with increasing client demand and economic pressures, we’re seeing a significant shift towards advanced solutions,” Bergh explains.
From Skepticism to Adoption
In the past, transporters often relied on basic, disconnected systems or Excel-based processes to manage operations. Today, many in the industry are bypassing these entry-level solutions, opting instead for comprehensive applications that integrate operational tracking, driver apps, and end-customer interfaces. This leapfrogging approach is transforming logistics, allowing companies to modernize operations more quickly without the need for incremental technological upgrades.
“Instead of gradually moving away from Excel, transporters are moving directly to platforms that integrate tracking, operational inputs, and data from customers and suppliers,” says Bergh.
“Additionally, operators interested in driver application technology are skipping standalone apps in favor of fully integrated platforms where the driver app is inherently part of the package—no extra integrations or layers of data validation required.”
The Role of Driver Apps in Unified Platforms
One of the key advancements in transport management systems is the integration of driver applications within a single platform. These apps allow drivers to capture crucial journey data, report incidents, and flag faults during inspections. Rather than treating the driver app as a separate tool, these comprehensive systems ensure that all data captured flows seamlessly into the wider operational framework, triggering automated workflows and informing key stakeholders in real-time.
“Merely having a standalone driver app is no longer enough,” Bergh notes. “It’s about how we use that data to initiate actions, escalate issues, and consistently inform relevant team members. For example, when a driver reports an incident through the mobile app, the system can automatically notify the appropriate users and escalate it if necessary, ensuring timely responses.”
Push and Pull Factors Driving Adoption
The rapid adoption of these advanced solutions is being driven by both internal and external factors. Externally, market pressure and client demand are pushing transporters towards technology that offers greater efficiency and visibility. Internally, the changing demographics of decision-makers in the logistics industry—those who are more technology-savvy—are pulling operations towards integrated, automated platforms.
“Many of today’s decision-makers in transport operations are from a generation that has a natural affinity with technology,” Bergh explains. “This is accelerating the adoption of advanced transport management solutions, as they see the clear benefits of automation in operational efficiency and team productivity.”
A New Era of Digitization in Logistics
Bergh believes that transporters who embrace the leapfrogging approach to technology will not only modernize their operations but also position themselves to learn valuable lessons in change management and cost optimization. By skipping outdated solutions, they can focus on investments in next-generation systems that deliver measurable improvements.
“We’re living in one of the most exciting eras for freight operators to digitize their operations,” says Bergh. “Technology is no longer about duplicating manual processes with basic tools; it’s about transforming how logistics companies approach their daily tasks and long-term growth strategies.”
In conclusion, the transportation industry is moving away from piecemeal solutions and embracing integrated platforms that combine driver apps, operational tracking, and automated workflows. This leap forward is allowing companies to better meet client demands, streamline their operations, and achieve greater success in an increasingly competitive market.