Tech Boosts Efficiency Throughout Supply Chain 

supply chain logistics technology

From aggregating freight to improving routing and providing visibility throughout the process, digital technology is helping companies in the transportation and logistics industry make the most of their trucks, trailers and other assets.

During companies’ quarterly earnings calls held over the last couple of weeks, executives highlighted the investments being made in future technology and the returns being delivered by the digital tools they’re using now.

For example, value-added logistics solutions enabled by technology are in high demand and are contributing to a significant amount of new business at Ryder System, said Chairman and CEO Robert Sanchez.

Beyond that, Ryder has invested in startups focused on areas like autonomous vehicle technology, eCommerce fulfillment and digital technologies that support freight optimization.

“Our investments here advance strategic relationships to support development of new products that benefit our customers and solidify our position as an industry leader,” Sanchez said.

Empowering People With Technology 

Enhanced visibility provided by a multimodal digital freight platform was put in the spotlight during J.B. Hunt Transport Services’ earnings call. Dubbed J.B. Hunt 360, this platform helps customers effectively source their capacity needs.

Read more: Inflation Throws Wrench in Supply Chain as Freight Traffic Levels Off

“We empower our people, our organization and our customers with investments in technology to help provide productivity and efficiencies in our collective processes,” said Shelley Simpson, who was chief commercial officer and executive vice president of people and human resources at the time of the call and was appointed president of the company a day later.

Digitizing and automating the business, particularly around the transaction level, has been a significant focus at Schneider National. The company is seeing it start to bear fruit in its logistics business and is bringing those same digital tools to its other segments, Schneider CEO and President Mark Rourke said.

See more: Seasonality Returns to Trucking After Years of Pandemic Panic

“We anticipate over time becoming more of a trailing equipment-centric organization as a result of using our technology and our network management capabilities around assets — in this case, trailers — to aggregate freight on behalf of our customers,” Rourke said.

Improving Productivity 10% 

Route optimization was highlighted by ArcBest during its earnings call, as CEO Judy R. McReynolds reported on the results of a pilot project.

Also read: Data Offers New Route to Profitability for Logistics Firms

“One of our distribution centers in Atlanta really benefited from this route optimization being put in place and saw an improvement in their street productivity that was over 10%,” McReynolds said. “What you also saw from that facility was greater ability to grow because of the efficiency that was gained.”

Visibility that enables trailers to be deployed to the segment in which they’re needed — over-the-road, dedicated operations or logistics — was cited as a way to provide customers with ample trailer pool capacity by Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings.

Read more: Inflation Brings Worries by the Truckload as Freight Demand Slows

“Certainly we have more technology to develop,” Knight-Swift President and CEO David Jackson said, “but between our ability to connect our systems across brands, our enhanced visibility and utilization of trailers and the actual insights our reporting capabilities provide our team, we are we are leveraging tech to successfully navigate the market, execute on our strategies and deliver on our relentless efforts to be the most productive and have the lowest operating cost in the industry.”


Binance Tops PYMNTS’ Provider Rankings of US Cryptocurrency Apps

Cryptocurrency apps in the U.S. have surged in popularity due to factors such as the potential for profit, low transaction fees, and increasing user accessibility. These platforms allow users to trade cryptocurrencies easily, offering a decentralized, peer-to-peer model that reduces reliance on traditional financial institutions.

The ability to buy low and sell high has attracted investors seeking financial gains, while lower fees compared to traditional payment methods make these apps more appealing for online transactions. The increased acceptance of cryptocurrencies by businesses, along with advancements in blockchain technology, security, ease of use, and high liquidity, is fueling the belief that crypto could shape the future of finance.

PYMNTS’ Provider Rankings of Cryptocurrency Apps evaluate the performance of leading platforms based on factors such as user experience, transaction volume, security features and customer service. By analyzing consumer preferences and industry trends, these rankings provide insights into which apps are best meeting the needs of cryptocurrency users, and highlighting the platforms that offer the most reliable, user-friendly and innovative services.

The Top 5

No. 1 is Binance with 98 points.

Founded in 2017, Binance offers a range of services for new and experienced investors. The platform supports over 350 cryptocurrencies, including popular options like bitcoin and ethereum, along with niche altcoins. This variety, combined with high liquidity, ensures users can quickly execute transactions with minimal price slippage.

A key feature of Binance is its competitive fee structure, which includes discounts for paying with Binance Coin (BNB), making it attractive for frequent traders. The platform also provides advanced trading tools, such as charting and real-time data, and offers margin and futures trading. Its user-friendly interface, including a mobile app, makes it accessible to traders of all experience levels.

Security is a top priority for Binance, with multi-signature wallets, two-factor authentication (2FA), and a Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) protecting funds and personal information. Binance also offers staking, lending and savings options for passive income, appealing to long-term investors.

No. 2 is Bybit with 91 points.

Bybit is accessible in over 180 countries and offers an intuitive mobile app that provides most of the desktop version’s features, making it convenient for users to manage their crypto investments anywhere. With access to more than 1,200 cryptocurrencies, Bybit allows users to buy, sell, and trade with ease, while offering up to 100x leverage for experienced traders looking to maximize potential profits.

Additionally, Bybit offers Bybit Earn, a feature that allows users to earn interest on their cryptocurrency holdings. This range of services and tools caters to beginner and experienced traders, making it a popular choice in the crypto space.

Tied for second with 91 points is Crypto.com.

Based in Singapore, Crypto.com offers a wide range of services including an app, exchange, DeFi wallet, and NFT marketplace, providing access to over 350 cryptocurrencies. The Crypto.com app allows users to buy, sell and track cryptocurrencies with more than 20 fiat currencies, offering features like price alerts, recurring buys, and TWAP bots to optimize trading. Users can also earn interest on their holdings, spend crypto through the Crypto.com Visa Card, and receive up to 5% cash back on purchases.

For more advanced traders, Crypto.com’s exchange supports over 200 cryptocurrencies, with spot, margin and derivatives trading options. It offers low fees and discounts for those who stake its native token, CRO. The platform also includes automated trading bots and emphasizes security with 2FA.

KuCoin and Coinbase round out the top five with 83 and 76 points, respectively.

Nos. 6-10

Checking in tied at No. 6 with 74 points is HTX and OKX.

Nos. 8-10 comprise MEXC, Blockchain.com, and BTCC with 65, 62, and 54 points, respectively.