Shippers, carriers and 3PLs are still grappling with social distancing practices and adjusting their operations to work-from-home realities. In early March, freight transportation technology provider SMC³ implemented remote work strategies to maintain continuous service during the coronavirus pandemic. SMC³’s Brian Thompson recently detailed what the company has been hearing about the pandemic from its supply chain partners.

Countless employees throughout the supply chain are in work-from-home remote roles due to COVID-19 and the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing measures have been taken by carriers, shippers, 3PLs and other freight transportation firms. But what happens to those supply chain novices that were just starting their training and are suddenly left without an outlet for logistics education?

SMC³’s execution and visibility LTL APIs provide communications coverage for shippers and 3PLs throughout the entire shipment lifecycle, developing a strong data link between customer and provider. With the company’s ever-expanding universe of LTL APIs, customers can ensure real-time messaging with a host of freight transportation providers.

Day two of the Jump Start 2020 supply chain conference featured the presentation of the Alliance Awards, which is given out each January at the Jump Start logistics event. The award recognizes shippers and service providers that collaborate to overcome significant supply chain issues. Winners craft innovative solutions to extraordinary challenges. Additional highlights included a customer-service panel featuring representatives from The Home Depot, Chick-fil-A and UPS Capital and an in-depth panel about transportation regulations.

Speaking on the first day of Jump Start 2020, Joe Thiesmann gave a rousing keynote address while conference chair Eric Stone, senior manager of domestic sourcing and supplier performance at Johnson & Johnson, ended his brief presentation by showing the audience how to create value in the freight transportation procurement process. While price is important, his team also considers the sustainability programs at their carrier partners, the diversity of those suppliers, and the companies’ commitment to new technology.

At the Jump Start 2020 supply chain conference, Heather Sheehan will discuss the increasing role of women in the freight transportation industry. As executive director of AWESOME, she knows a thing or two about advocating for female supply chain leaders. “Women have made progress in the supply chain field, but progress is slow, incremental and inconsistent,” she said. Sheehan recently took the time to talk about her advocacy role, providing a preview of her conference remarks.