Each segment of the Transportation industry – including air transport, motor freight, railroad and water transportation, pipelines, logistics (3PL/4PL) providers or couriers, and support services – is under pressure for meeting greater customer expectations, improving return on assets, minimizing operating costs, optimizing capacity and promoting operational excellence.

Companies in these segments have to be at the forefront of adopting new technologies that allow time-specific delivery and electronic tracking of cargo. For example, In-cab mobile computers and transponders, as well as satellites, are increasingly being used to monitor goods and vehicles efficiently. Additionally, the increased adoption of just-in-time inventory management by manufacturers is forcing the freight-transport industry to reshape and meet their demands.

In a rapidly changing environment, it is imperative to ensure that IT investments help rationalize costs and provide the intelligence to optimize inter-modal flows, both from a cargo and freight route perspective.

Our Transportation solutions practice helps companies face these challenges by providing a full range of services in industries including Goods (Freight) Transportation, Passenger Transportation and Logistics.

Best Practices in solutions for Transportation helps to maximize performance of the entire transportation system through improved navigation and fleet management, reduced traffic congestion, increased safety, and superior monitoring of the physical status of vehicles and infrastructure. Key areas of growth will include:

Fleet management systems
Electronic tools incorporating GPS (global positioning system), GIS (geographic information systems), onboard diagnostics, and specialized software are emerging that allow for more efficient management, routing, monitoring, dispatch, and maintenance of fleet vehicles.

Internet based exchanges
Transportation exchanges over the Internet can perform a number of functions to improve the efficiency of supply chains and logistics value chains. An important example includes matching shippers with excess capacity with less-than-load (LTL) customers.

Logistics management
Increased outsourcing of fulfillment and logistics, brought about by the explosion in e-commerce will require expanded logistics IT solutions.

Real-time traffic and infrastructure monitoring systems
Systems that combine sensors, cameras, and Internet platforms are being developed to alert drivers and fleet managers to site-specific traffic conditions.