Carrier costing has evolved well beyond a purely accounting function to become a strategic driver of pricing, operations, and sustainability. As margins tighten and demand for better data grows, carriers are reexamining how costing informs daily decision-making across bids, yield management, and emissions reporting. In this Jump Start 2026 Q&A, SMC³’s Justin Springer discusses how costing is becoming a source of real-time intelligence that shapes how carriers compete and collaborate.

For shippers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs), effective communication is central to orchestrating complex supply chains and ensuring reliable shipment lifecycle management. In today’s fast-paced logistics environment, every connection matters: whether you’re managing thousands of shipments or coordinating with a diverse network of carriers and partners, aligning different systems and protocols is essential for success. Whether it’s Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or Application Programming Interface (API) messaging, the goal remains the same: seamless, secure and efficient data exchange.

The final day of SMC³’s Connections 2025 conference wrapped up three days’ worth of conversations around LTL, AI, and the evolving pressures reshaping global logistics. From evolving shipper strategies to the ethical use of AI and the implications of NMFC reclassifications, Day 3 offered attendees a mix of boots-on-the-ground insight and forward-thinking predictions. A shifting […]

After a packed opening day of SMC³ Connections, day two grabbed the baton and kept the momentum going with standout leadership talks and expert panels covering everything from supply chain resilience to AI innovation and the evolving dynamics of global trade. As LTL and logistics professionals gathered for another round of revealing discussion and fresh […]

Every year, SMC3 Connections provides an opportunity for LTL and logistics professionals to gather, connect, and share insights that will, inevitably, define the future of the industry. This year is shaping up to be no different. The first day of this year’s conference featured an address from our keynote speaker, Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, […]

In the opening session of SMC³’s 2025 LTL Online Education Hybrid Series, industry veteran Kris McLennan shared her personal journey and insights on building a lasting career in less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation.