A new global study by Manhattan Associates in partnership with Vanson Bourne surveyed 1,450 senior decision-makers across manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and food industries in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. The results? Transportation is becoming harder and costlier to manage—yet AI could be the game-changer they need.

“Transport is the heart of the supply chain, but it’s becoming more complex by the day,” says Bryant Smith, Director of Transportation Management Systems at Manhattan Associates.

Visibility: Still a Major Challenge

Companies agree that better visibility reduces costs and improves customer satisfaction:

• 60% say enhanced visibility leads to more accurate delivery updates
  
• 50% say it lowers transportation costs
  Yet, fragmented systems and poor-quality data remain serious obstacles.
  

High Expectations for AI, But Limited Readiness

• 61% expect autonomous AI to manage transportation by 2030
  
• Only 37% have integrated AI or ML at a deep level
  
• 48% feel somewhat ready, but 99% still face barriers:
  
  • 49% cite talent shortages
    
  • 44% struggle with integration
    
  • 44% blame poor data quality
    

Sustainability Pressures Are Growing

• 69% say sustainability is now a mandate or top priority
  
• 62% are working on global-standard-aligned reporting
  But many expect regulations and pressure to intensify in the next five years.
  

The Bottom Line

To stay ahead, companies must:

• Enhance operational visibility
  
• Embrace AI and autonomous systems
  
• Prioritize sustainability compliance
  

“87% of companies believe these challenges will only grow by 2030,” says Smith. “Taking action now isn’t optional—it’s essential.”

Quick Stats at a Glance:

• 48% spend over 10% of logistics budgets fixing disruptions
  
• 78% see transportation management as a strategic priority (expected to rise to 86% by 2030)
  
• 61% believe autonomous AI will be active within 5 years
  
• 50% struggle with real-time route adjustments
  
• 82% believe better forecasting could cut freight costs by at least 5%
  
• Only 34% factor sustainability into planning
  

About Manhattan Associates
Manhattan Associates is a global leader in supply chain and omnichannel commerce technology, helping businesses seamlessly connect sales, fulfillment, and logistics. Learn more at www.manh.com.

Source: PR Newswire

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