Perspectives

In the dynamic world of logistics and transportation, beware of "walled gardens" that will frustrate your ability to innovate on behalf of your customers.

In today's world, sustainability is more critical than ever. One significant area of focus is the logistics industry, where packaging and transportation processes can have a substantial impact on the environment.‍ At the forefront of this movement is CloudSort, a leading provider of reusable smart containers that are revolutionizing the way goods are transported. These innovative containers not only offer logistical benefits but also contribute to a positive environmental impact in several key ways.

Undoubtedly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping the future contours of the logistics landscape. This guide walks you through the profound ways AI in logistics is enhancing operations, driving efficiency, and informing decision-making in an industry that's continuously evolving. The convergence of AI and logistics promises a transformative shift that benefits businesses profoundly.

The less-than-truckload (LTL) industry is set for significant changes in 2025. As the year unfolds, adaptability, innovation, and collaboration will be the key factors that distinguish industry leaders from the competition. Here are the top trends to keep an eye on:

In today's rapidly evolving logistics industry, the adoption of sustainable practices is becoming increasingly imperative, especially when highly correlated with cost reduction and operational efficiency. One practice that continues to gain traction is the use of reusable containers to replace consumables such as Gaylords which are used to support the transport of goods. Beyond the environmental benefits and associated cost savings, the supply chain implications of reusable containers are reshaping the way businesses approach inventory management, package sortation, transportation, and warehouse design.

In the complex world of supply chains, the ability to oversee and understand the full network of suppliers, vendors, and stakeholders is critical for businesses. This is where the concept of multi-tier supply chain visibility comes into play. This piece will provide an insightful analysis of multi-tier supply chain visibility, covering its challenges, benefits, and methods for enhancing it to maintain a resilient supply chain.

We’re thrilled to announce that CloudSort’s Reusable Smart Containers have been recognized with a Bronze Award at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards for Sustainability, Environment & Climate Innovation. This prestigious honor celebrates our commitment to creating sustainable logistics solutions that reduce waste and enhance efficiency across the supply chain.

Adoption of reusable containers is trending higher within the transportation industry. While the primary incentive for adopting reusable transport packaging tends to be cost savings related to reduced consumables spend, other factors have also contributed to the increased adoption of reusable containers.

In the dynamic and uniquely demanding landscape of the government sector, the importance of logistics cannot be overstated. This is especially true for the military, where logistics efficiency can mean the difference between success and failure in the most important of circumstances. One evolving way-to-win is to adopt reusable pallet-sized containers - an improved mechanism to store, transport, and distribute goods and materials.

Reusable Gaylord containers are changing the way businesses operate, offering a large, sturdy solution for storing, transporting, and handling goods. These reusable containers, made from recyclable materials, present a sustainable alternative to traditional storage and transportation solutions, with some designs capable of lasting multiple years. By leveraging reusable CloudSort containers, businesses across diverse industries can not only improve their operating performance but also contribute positively to the environment, thanks to their reusability and recyclability.

The logistics industry faces numerous challenges daily, from managing complex supply chains to meeting customer expectations for fast, accurate deliveries. One of the most persistent problems in logistics is the lack of visibility and control over shipments, particularly during the middle mile—the vital link between warehouses, distribution centers, and fulfillment hubs. This lack of control leads to delays and missing shipments resulting in customer dissatisfaction, revenue loss, and a variety of other problems.

In today's rapidly evolving society, where sustainability, speed, and communication are top priorities for consumers, the middle mile of the delivery process has gained significant importance. The middle mile refers to the transfer of products from a distribution center to fulfillment facilities, bridging the gap between the initial transportation and the final last-mile delivery.

The peak holiday season is a critical time for shippers, retailers, and supply chain executives, with increased demand and heightened customer expectations. To ensure a successful peak season, it is essential to optimize your middle-mile strategy, by leveraging assets, and scaling operations effectively to maximize efficiency. In this post, we will explore key steps and strategies to help you optimize your middle-mile operations for a successful holiday season.

Cross-docking can streamline operations, reduce handling time, and accelerate delivery to meet rising customer expectations. In the context of transporting goods such as packages or inventory, cross-docking refers to when these goods are transferred from one load to another without individual items being sorted. CloudSort containers help organizations increase cross-dock opportunities - transforming how goods are handled, stored, and distributed.

CloudSort was honored in Fast Company's Innovation by Design Awards for 2024 in the Best Circular Design category and Best Design in North America category. We are proud to be among many reputable companies recognized for pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. As an honorable mention in the Circular Design category and a finalist in the Best Design North America , this recognition highlights our commitment to sustainability and innovative design.

In today's rapidly evolving market, the need for fast, efficient, and reliable shipping has become paramount. As e-commerce continues to thrive, customers expect their packages to arrive quickly, while retailers strive to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. To meet these growing demands, businesses must focus on transforming their middle-mile operations.

In the dynamic world of logistics, efficient operations are vital for business success. Sortation software streamlines the process of classifying and routing packages, enhancing efficiency across the supply chain.

The shared economy, also known as the collaborative economy, is an economic model where individuals and businesses share access to goods, services, and resources, often facilitated by marketplaces. At its core, the sharing economy leverages the power of technology to connect underutilized assets and resources with those in need. In the context of the middle-mile, this translates to increasing the utilization of transportation capacity, warehouse space, and other logistics infrastructure.

CloudSort recently won the 2024 SEAL Sustainable Product Award for the CloudSort Reusable Smart Container! The SEAL Business Sustainability Awards honor companies for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to sustainable business practices. 2024 SEAL Sustainability Award honorees ranged from well-recognized brands (like Disney, Lenovo, doTERRA, Sephora, Gotham Greens, EPAM Systems, Microsoft and Dow) to high-growth start-ups and scale-ups (like Beewise, Enervee, and FloWater).

In the fast-paced world of logistics, where speed and efficiency are of utmost importance, cross-docking remains an underutilized mechanism to move goods through the middle mile. In basic form, cross-docking involves directly transferring groups of finished goods through a facility without the need for individual package level sortation or storage. Explore more as we delve deeper into why cross-docking is important.

In today's fast-paced and competitive logistics business environment, CloudSort offers a game-changing solution that not only streamlines logistics operations but also delivers substantial cost savings compared to traditional shipping options.

In an era where sustainability is at the forefront of consumer and industry concerns, the Food & Beverage Industry is embracing innovative solutions in logistics to minimize environmental impact. The adoption of reusable containers has emerged as an important strategy, changing the way products are grouped and distributed.

Adoption of reusable containers is trending higher within the transportation industry, primarily due to the numerous economic advantages for businesses. While the primary incentive for adopting reusable transport packaging tends to be cost savings related to reduced consumables spend, other factors such as defect reduction (customer experience) and sustainability concerns, which might be dominating benefits, have also contributed to the increased adoption of reusable containers. 

Every industry has had some sort of sustainable breakthrough and logistics is no different. The newest is CloudSort’s reusable smart containers. In this article, we go over six reasons as to why these smart containers are the future of sustainable shipping.

CloudSort Corporation debuts its reusable smart containers at Manifest 2024, designed to enhance transportation by reducing consumables spend and improving visibility and security. The company, known for its simple subscription model aligning capacity with business needs, aims to offer innovative solutions contributing to sustainable shipping and improved customer experience.

Today's supply chains are increasingly complex, leading to a maze of touchpoints that can introduce inefficiencies and raise costs. How can businesses minimize these issues? Zone skipping may be the answer.

As we look ahead into 2024, the supply chain industry finds itself navigating a complex landscape with an increasing number of challenges. From ongoing global disruptions to evolving consumer expectations, logistics companies are gearing up to face headwinds that demand strategic dexterity. Below, we'll explore some of the key challenges shaping the future of the supply chain.

Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively covering the movement of product through the global cold food supply chain, and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, the only publication covering the entire global supply chain, selected CloudSort Corporation as one of this year’s Top Tech Startups, which spotlights top software and technology startups in the supply chain and logistics space.

The logistics industry is at the forefront of a transformative shift towards sustainability. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, stakeholders in the logistics sector are stepping up to implement innovative solutions that not only reduce environmental impact but also contribute to a more resilient and efficient supply chain. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the latest efforts and initiatives taken towards sustainability in the logistics industry.

We live in an age of personalization. AI and machine learning drive unique experiences, such as the movies we're recommended on Hulu or the products we're shown on Amazon. But hyperpersonalization goes beyond simple preferences. It dives deep into understanding patterns and habits to create experiences that are almost uncannily predictive. This transformation is boosting brand loyalty across many sectors—just ask any TikTok user, who will tell you no two people's feeds are exactly the same.

The “asset light” approach has become a popular buzzword in the logistics industry. In this piece, we'll delve into the essence of being asset light and guide shippers to discern authentic partners from those merely claiming the title.

Our CEO Derek Szopa was recently featured in Authority Magazine where he talked about his career path, founding CloudSort, and the way the company and technology as a whole is shaping the logistics landscape.

Our Head of Product and Insights, Ryan Park, joins The New Warehouse Podcast at The Home Delivery World in Philadelphia on June 14th-15th of 2023 to talk about CloudSort's approach to revolutionizing the supply chain, breaking the stalemate, fostering collaboration between carriers and shippers, and driving efficiency for everyone involved. Don't miss this insightful conversation on The New Warehouse!

In the world of logistics and supply chain management, the term "sortation" often invokes images of complex, intimidating systems and infrastructure. It is time to debunk the myths surrounding sortation and highlight its benefits. By understanding how package sortation works and embracing its efficiency, businesses can streamline their operations, improve customer satisfaction, and stay ahead in a competitive marketplace.

CloudSort CEO, Derek Szopa, takes inspiration from Starlink, agruing that their use of mesh network principles can fundamentally reshape the logistic industry. His article was recently published in Supply Chain Brain.

Effective supply chain execution is vital to staying ahead of the competition in today's rapidly evolving global marketplace. This article provides actionable tips and strategies for enhancing your company's supply chain performance, unlocking its many benefits, and leveraging supply chain execution applications to optimize your operations.

In our industry, managing resources effectively is vital for ensuring timely deliveries, reducing costs, and keeping customers satisfied. Failure to manage capacity can lead to delays, missed shipments, and dissatisfied customers.

Optimizing your supply chain is crucial for businesses to stay competitive. Discover how to automate processes, improve transparency, build strong relationships, and optimize inventory management to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction.

As a logistics executive, transitioning from traditional warehousing to and embracing warehouse digital transformation can be a daunting task. However, with the right approach and knowledge, it can also be a major opportunity to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

Podcaster Timothy Dooner is an icon, and his show, What the Truck?!?, is one of our favorites to listen to. So it’s no wonder that our founder and CEO, Derek Szopa, jumped at the chance to be interviewed by him. Derek’s only regret? Not being able to get a hold of the amazing “Dark Helmet” hats for himself. Here's an excerpt of their conversation.

Kevin Lawton, the host of The New Warehouse podcast, sat down with CloudSort CEO Derek Szopa recently, to chat about the middle mile — or what Kevin calls the "Jan Brady" of logistics — and how to ease the tension between supply and demand.

In this guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of how to manage warehouse space and equip you with practical tips and strategies to make the most of your floor space utilization, enhance packing and shipping processes, optimize storage locations, and more.

This week was Manifest 2023 in Las Vegas — and we took the town by storm. Big thanks are in order for making this such a successful trade show for us.

Understanding the distinction between inbound and outbound logistics is important in streamlining supply chain operations, hiring the right people, and making informed decisions about the transportation and storage of goods.

With the help of three cutting-edge digital technologies, supply chain leaders can automate routine tasks, gain real-time visibility into their operations, and make more informed decisions, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective supply chain.

An official press release, in advance of our participation at Manifest 2023 trade show. Manifest Vegas brings together the most comprehensive ecosystem of innovation and transformation in supply chain and logistics—and we are excited to be there!

By staying current with these trends and embracing new innovations, supply chain executives can drive growth and success for their organizations in the ever-evolving world of logistics.

E-commerce is booming and the demand for faster, more efficient deliveries is higher than ever. The solution for supply chain executives? Ditch the old-school, analog approach to logistics and go digital.

As the holiday season wraps, retailers and logistics executives faced a daunting challenge: how to prepare for the added strain that comes with the busiest shopping season of the year.

In the world of supply chain and logistics, mesh networks are becoming an increasingly popular way to manage the flow of goods. Unlike traditional hub-and-spoke architectures, which are capital intensive and rely on a central authority to make decisions about routing, mesh networks are highly distributed, with each node in the network connected to every other node.

The middle mile is often overlooked, but it can be a powerful tool for reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Derek Szopa, the CEO of CloudSort, provides some tips on how to make the most of the middle mile.

By improving their supply chain visibility, companies can avoid disruptions and better manage their inventories. In the long term, this practice will lead to more efficient supply chains and lower costs.

Instead of simply leasing out that extra space for a flat fee, today’s warehouse owners can take a more active role in managing their dark real estate—by actually sorting packages.

If you're the head of your company's logistics, you're most likely feeling the pressure to continually optimize your operation, grow your margins, and save money.

Our bold vision: to completely reimagine how packaged goods move along the supply chain—particularly between the point of origin and the final mile.

Business leaders in every sector struggle to balance competing priorities -- it’s a universal challenge.

An increased focus on customer experience has led to a new title in the c-suite: chief experience officer.

Improved supply chain visibility can be the difference between failure and success as delivery operations become increasingly complex.

Building new supply chain capabilities in-house is hard. Acquiring them is expensive. Partnership can be the way forward.

From a further expansion of e-commerce to new in-store work-arounds and revised returns processes, retail has turned a corner.

Unprecedented. Unforeseeable. Unbelievable. Or is it? There’s an argument that in the logistics industry, at least, some of the 2020’s themes have been around for quite some time.

As transportation leaders rethink their role within their organizations, they now have an opportunity to expand their view of the metrics that matter most.

Building a robust and effective shipping network is challenging enough. There’s no need to build your own technology to achieve it.

While much of the world locked down in March 2020, one important part of it was ramping up. Overnight, the shipping industry became the lifeline for consumers who needed things.

At any given moment, it can be hard to know exactly where one package is on its journey. Where is it, between Warehouse A and Warehouse B? Which truck is it on? On which highway?