Descartes' Study Finds 67% of Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers View Technology as Fundamental to Growth

Core Insights - The logistics industry is facing significant challenges such as global instability (60%), tariff changes (42%), and customer pricing pressure (61%) over the next five years, according to a study by Descartes Systems Group [1][6] - Despite these challenges, 67% of logistics providers view technology as essential for growth, with 55% identifying the implementation of new technologies as a key strategy to outperform competitors [1][6] Technology and Investment Trends - Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are seen as critical for achieving long-term efficiency, compliance agility, and profitability, with 65% of respondents expecting AI to deliver the greatest value in the next two years [3][6] - The importance of rate management (20%) and regulatory compliance systems (30%) has increased, reflecting the need for automated, self-service capabilities and the complexities of evolving regulations [3][6] Industry Evolution - The role of technology in logistics has evolved from streamlining back-office operations to enabling digital customer engagement and intelligent automation, indicating a shift in IT investment priorities over the years [6] - The study surveyed 434 freight forwarders and customs brokers globally, providing insights into economic, regulatory, and industry trends that shape the logistics landscape [6] Competitive Landscape - Tailored services (33%) have surpassed high service (31%) as the primary competitive advantage, indicating a shift towards more customized and data-driven customer experiences [8] - There is a notable divergence in the perception of technology's importance based on company size, with 60% of large companies viewing it as fundamental to growth compared to only 27% of small companies [8]