The Logistics of Logistics

In " The Thinking Advantage: Smarter Ways to Think Alongside AI", Joe Lynch speaks with ICF Certified Coach, Ann Holm, about how professionals can strategically leverage AI as a cognitive co-thinker while keeping human critical thinking, self-awareness, and focus sharp.  About Ann Holm  Ann C. Holm MS PCC CPCC has been coaching since 2008, with an emphasis on executive and career development, following a successful 25-year career as a speech pathologist specializing in brain injury rehabilitation.  Her life's work has focused on helping others stretch beyond what they thought was possible and enjoying the process along the way.  She is the author of Educator Bandwidth: How to Reclaim Your Energy Passion and Time.  She serves multiple emerging leaders in the logistics industry. About Annholm.net Annholm.net/Uncover Your Potential Professional Certified Coach private practice who will help you develop your strengths while accounting for blind spots.  Offering both group and individual coaching, the company also features relevant content via blogs and podcasts.  Annholm.net has served clients since 2008. Key Takeaways:  The Thinking Advantage: Smarter Ways to Think Alongside AI In " The Thinking Advantage: Smarter Ways to Think Alongside AI", Joe Lynch speaks with ICF Certified Coach, Ann Holm, about how professionals can strategically leverage AI as a cognitive co-thinker while keeping human critical thinking, self-awareness, and focus sharp.  Integrating Cognitive Science into Executive Coaching: Ann Holm combines over two decades of executive coaching experience at Annholm.net with her clinical background as a speech-language pathologist specializing in stroke, brain injury, and cognitive communication to help leaders maximize strengths while identifying and managing cognitive blind spots. Positioning AI as a Co-Thinker, Not a Substitute: AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini function best as interactive co-pilots and brainstorming partners rather than complete replacements for human critical thinking, contextual understanding, and strategic decision-making. Preserving Cognitive Retrieval and Mental Activation: Passive reliance on AI outputs risks diminishing "retrieval responsibility" and lowering active brain activation, whereas maintaining active engagement and critical inquiry during AI interactions keeps key cognitive retrieval pathways sharp. Reclaiming Cognitive Bandwidth: Managing information overload, constant digital interruptions, and rapid context-switching is essential to protecting executive functioning skills and preserving high-level mental energy. Leveraging Behavioral Frameworks for Self-Awareness: Applying validated assessment tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) enables professionals to demystify behavioral patterns, enhance self-awareness, and align leadership styles effectively within team environments. Safeguarding "Blue Sky" Strategic Thinking: Sustained performance requires setting aside dedicated, uninterrupted space for deep reflection and creative "blue sky" strategic planning, preventing daily transactional noise and automated tasks from dominating schedule capacity. Maintaining Human Scrutiny and Defensibility: Because AI-generated content requires validation and refinement, professionals must maintain rigorous editorial oversight and critical evaluation to ensure accuracy, contextual integrity, and defensibility in executive work. Learn More About  The Thinking Advantage: Smarter Ways to Think Alongside AI Ann C. Holm MS PCC CPCC | Linkedin Annholm.net Free Consultations Stop Sabotaging Your Sales with Ann Holm Reclaim Your Energy, Passion, and Time with Ann Holm Uncover Your Potential With Ann Holm The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In "Rethinking the Shipper-Carrier Dynamic: How Polyglass Built an Automated Execution Engine", Joe Lynch speaks with the Transportation Manager at Polyglass U.S.A., Eddie Ramirez, about how Polyglass modernized its supply chain by leveraging Trimble's automated slot scheduling, paperless tendering, real-time freight visibility, and AI-driven spot market sourcing.  About Eddie Ramirez Eddie Ramirez is the Transportation Manager at Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., where he leads transportation and logistics operations supporting multiple manufacturing facilities across the United States. With nearly a decade of experience at Polyglass, Eddie has progressed through several roles within Transportation, developing expertise in freight operations, carrier management, logistics technology, and supply chain optimization. He holds a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology Management, and is a Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) professional through ASCM. Eddie is passionate about leveraging technology, automation, and data-driven strategies to improve transportation efficiency, strengthen shipper-carrier partnerships, and enhance the customer experience. His leadership philosophy emphasizes continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability, guided by the principles of being a Shipper of Choice and maintaining a Standard of Excellence. About Polyglass Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., a member of the MAPEI Group, is a leading manufacturer of innovative roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope solutions. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Polyglass has served the North American market since 1992, delivering high-performance products and technologies designed to meet the evolving needs of the construction industry. Known for its patented ADESO® self-adhered technology, Polyglass continues to advance product innovation, manufacturing excellence, and customer service through its nationwide operations. Beyond manufacturing, Polyglass is committed to continuously improving its supply chain and transportation processes through strategic carrier partnerships, technology integration, automation, and data-driven decision-making. These initiatives support the company's focus on operational efficiency, reliable deliveries, and an exceptional customer experience. As part of the global MAPEI Group, Polyglass benefits from extensive industry expertise, research capabilities, and a shared commitment to quality and innovation. Key Takeaways: Rethinking the Shipper-Carrier Dynamic: How Polyglass Built an Automated Execution Engine In "Rethinking the Shipper-Carrier Dynamic: How Polyglass Built an Automated Execution Engine", Joe Lynch speaks with the Transportation Manager at Polyglass U.S.A., Eddie Ramirez, about how Polyglass modernized its supply chain by leveraging Trimble's automated slot scheduling, paperless tendering, real-time freight visibility, and AI-driven spot market sourcing.  Polyglass U.S.A., Inc. (a member of the MAPEI Group) is a leading North American manufacturer of innovative roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope solutions headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Operating out of their Winter Haven facility, the company manages around 300 full truckload shipments per week—primarily using flatbed trailers—making continuous supply chain efficiency and reliable customer delivery critical priorities. Eliminating Yard Chaos with Smart Slot Scheduling: Moving away from a traditional "first-come, first-served" model, Polyglass implemented Trimble's Dock & Yard Management tools to streamline truck flows. Dynamically matching truck arrivals to actual dock loading capacity helps reduce yard congestion, lower accident risks, and cut driver wait times by up to 40%. Process Optimization Before Automation: Automating supply chain tasks requires a solid underlying process. Partnering with Trimble helped Polyglass evaluate and refine their operational workflows prior to digitizing them, ensuring software enabled actual business rules rather than automating flawed manual practices. Hands-Free Tendering and Paperless Operations: By implementing Trimble Transport Execution, Polyglass replaced manual order processing and physical stacks of paperwork with automated order entry and TMS transmission. Rule-based, hands-free load matching cuts administrative processing costs by up to 30% while freeing up back-office bandwidth. Proactive Visibility to Eliminate "Where's My Truck?" Noise: Transitioning to Trimble Road Visibility gives Polyglass real-time predictive tracking (combining GPS, traffic, and weather data). Instead of waiting for angry calls or making reactive check calls, Polyglass can proactively notify customers about unexpected delays before issues escalate, cutting check calls by up to 80%. Taming Spot Market Volatility with AI Sourcing: To replace manual rate negotiations and stop lowballing spot market carriers, Polyglass piloted Trimble Autonomous Procurement. By utilizing behavioral science and historical carrier pricing data, the tool matches over 90% of spot loads in under two hours at realistic market rates without manual back-and-forth. Prioritizing Long-Term Partner Value over Lowest-Cost Sourcing: Chasing the lowest rate often leads to hidden costs, service breakdowns, and severe operational delays. Polyglass emphasizes strong, transparent relationships with tech providers like Trimble and core carrier partners to drive accountability, build resilience, and establish a world-class transportation network. Learn More About Rethinking the Shipper-Carrier Dynamic: How Polyglass Built an Automated Execution Engine Eddie Ramirez | LinkedIn Polyglass| LinkedIn Polyglass Polyglass | Facebook YouTube (POLYflix) Polyglass | Instagram Polyglass News & Updates Product Information The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In " 4 Massive Fleet Problems Wex Solves for Trucking Companies", Joe Lynch speaks with the Vice President of Sales for WEX's OTR business, Noel Glasgow, about how WEX helps fleets control fuel costs, stop fraud, optimize spending, and manage cash flow. About Noel Glasgow Noel Glasgow is the Vice President of Sales for WEX's OTR business. He began his career in journalism as a sports reporter for various TV stations before moving into leadership positions in the business world. He has been with WEX for over 13 years, working in the mobility sector, and now oversees WEX OTR including the EFS and Fleet One EDGE Programs. He leads the sales division, including inside and outside sales and client success, supporting the full sales cycle from lead to close, along with client retention and educating customers on the value of the business. He currently lives in Nashville with his wife and daughter. He is a diehard Vols fan and a music lover. About WEX WEX (NYSE: WEX) is the global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business. WEX has created a powerful ecosystem that offers seamlessly embedded, personalized solutions for its customers around the world. Through its rich data and specialized expertise in simplifying benefits, reimagining mobility, and paying and getting paid, WEX aims to make it easy for companies to overcome complexity and reach their full potential. For more information, please visit www.wexinc.com. Key Takeaways: 4 Massive Fleet Problems Wex Solves for Trucking Companies In " 4 Massive Fleet Problems Wex Solves for Trucking Companies", Joe Lynch speaks with the Vice President of Sales for WEX's OTR business, Noel Glasgow, about how WEX helps fleets control fuel costs, stop fraud, optimize spending, and manage cash flow. WEX Powers Fleets of All Sizes across Over-the-Road Transportation: As a global commerce platform, WEX serves the full spectrum of trucking, from single owner-operators to massive fleets with 60,000+ Class 8 vehicles. They offer specialized tools like the Fleet One Edge card and 10-4 mobile app to give smaller carriers competitive buying power. Controlling the "Fuel Money Pit" via Dynamic Rules: Because fuel represents one of the single largest expenses for a fleet—averaging over $700 per fill-up—WEX empowers fleet managers to eliminate leaky margins. Fleet managers can set granular, dynamic card controls by gallon limits, fuel grade, time of day, and designated pump locations, while unlocking average savings of 26–27 cents per gallon. Cutting-Edge Interception of Fuel Theft & Skimming: To combat pump skimmers and unauthorized swipes, WEX utilizes GPS-geofenced "SecureFuel" technology developed alongside partners like Trimble. By cross-referencing card swipes with the vehicle's real-time ELD position, WEX blocks transactions instantly if the truck and pump locations do not match. Next-Gen Security Features (Cardless Fueling & Freeze/Thaw): WEX continues to innovate its fraud prevention stack beyond dynamic prompting. New solutions include single-use "flow codes" for cardless fueling and a mobile "freeze and thaw" toggle that automatically re-locks fuel cards immediately after a authorized transaction is complete. Eliminating Blind Spots with Real-Time TMS & ELD Integration: Direct integration into ELDs and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) delivers instant visibility into driver spending behavior. Automatically matching drivers, routes, and cards in real time allows fleets to monitor compliance, track negotiated discounts, and optimize fuel stop choices. Solving the Freight Cash Crunch via WEX Capital: Carriers often face delayed invoice payments from shippers and brokers (taking anywhere from 15 to 180 days) while incurring immediate daily expenses like fuel and payroll. WEX Capital provides instant freight factoring, converting outstanding bills into liquid working capital to eliminate cash flow bottlenecks. Expanded Ecosystem through the Verified Vendors Program: Beyond core payment and fuel controls, WEX offers a Verified Vendors marketplace to simplify fleet operations. Partners like Engine (discounted lodging), BestPass (toll management), and TFG (vehicle financing) allow fleets to reduce overhead costs across their entire operational footprint. Learn More About 4 Massive Fleet Problems Wex Solves for Trucking Companies Noel Glasgow | Linkedin WEX | Linkedin WEX WEX | OTR WEX | Fraud Protection Fraud whitepaper: OTR solutions: Fraud protection, fuel card data, and cardless payments Fraud blog: Fuel card protection: 6 actions to kick fraudsters to the curb The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In " The Zero Distraction Cockpit: Making In-Cab Navigation Safer and Smarter", Joe Lynch speaks with Product Manager at Trimble, Dave Morris, about how AI voice control, truck-specific navigation, and precision gate-to-dock routing eliminate in-cab distractions and keep drivers safe.  About Dave Morris Dave Morris is a Product Manager at Trimble with 10+ years focused on mobile experiences, including CoPilot. His background spans partner management, sales engineering, and product management, bringing a wealth of experience to mobile product development. About Trimble Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety. Key Takeaways: The Zero Distraction Cockpit: Making In-Cab Navigation Safer and Smarter In " The Zero Distraction Cockpit: Making In-Cab Navigation Safer and Smarter", Joe Lynch speaks with Product Manager at Trimble, Dave Morris, about how AI voice control, truck-specific navigation, and precision gate-to-dock routing eliminate in-cab distractions and keep drivers safe.  Elimination of Catastrophic Routing Errors: Unlike consumer GPS applications that treat heavy vehicles like passenger cars, Trimble CoPilot uses PC*MILER commercial navigation data tailored to specific vehicle dimensions, axle weight limits, and hazardous material restrictions—preventing bridge strikes, illegal detours, and reducing out-of-route mileage by up to 10%. Hands-Free In-Cab Voice Control: The CoPilot Driver Assistant utilizes AI-powered natural language voice commands, allowing drivers to search for amenities, adjust routes, or check live weather and traffic without taking their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. Enhanced Driving Safety with Motion Lock: To eliminate distracted driving and keep drivers focused, physical touch interactions on the dashboard or tablet are locked while the vehicle is in motion. Precision Gate-to-Dock Guidance: By using precise, geofenced commercial location data for over 6 million places, CoPilot guides drivers past generic street addresses directly through truck-specific entry gates and straight to exact dock doors, eliminating the delays that account for up to 80% of last-mile friction. Single Source of Truth Between Cab and Back Office: Because CoPilot shares the same routing engine and data as back-office dispatch systems (PC*MILER), the exact miles planned by dispatch match the miles driven in the cab, resolving discrepancies in billing, fuel tax calculations, and driver pay. Predictive Parking and Hours-of-Service Management: CoPilot leverages machine learning and real-time integrations to predict parking availability and alert drivers to safe rest options before their hours-of-service limits expire—or with a single tap of an emergency coffee cup button. Hyperlocal Weather and Hazard Mitigation: The platform provides proactive alerts for upcoming traffic slowdowns, road closures, and severe weather conditions like high winds and low visibility, giving drivers and dispatchers the intelligence needed to re-plan routes safely. Learn More About  The Zero Distraction Cockpit: Making In-Cab Navigation Safer and Smarter Dave Morris | Linkedin Trimble Transportation | Linkedin Trimble Transportation  The High Cost of Wrong Turns: How Location Data Protects Freight Margins with Rishi Mehra Reinventing Fleet Efficiency: Cutting Friction in Maintenance, Routing, and Dispatch with Michael Kornhauser The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In " The High Cost of Wrong Turns: How Location Data Protects Freight Margins", Joe Lynch speaks with the VP, Product & Engineering of Trimble, Rishi Mehra, about how precision location data, commercial routing, and connected AI ecosystems protect fleet profitability and driver safety.  About Rishi Mehra Rishi Mehra is the VP, Product & Engineering of Trimble. As VP, product and engineering, Rishi Mehra is primarily responsible for overseeing the company's technology, products and engineering in North America. Mehra has been with Trimble since 2014, and previously served as a senior product manager and director of web products for ALK Technologies (now a part of the Trimble family). In that role, he led the product management and go-to-market activity for all web solutions globally and helped establish the commercial transportation-focused web digital platform within the organization. About Trimble Trimble Transportation provides fleets with solutions to create a fully integrated supply chain. With an intelligent ecosystem of products and services, Trimble Transportation enables customers to embrace the rapid technological evolution of the industry and connect all aspects of transportation and logistics — trucks, drivers, back office, freight and assets. Trimble Transportation delivers an open, scalable platform to help customers make more informed decisions and maximize performance, visibility and safety. Key Takeaways:  The High Cost of Wrong Turns: How Location Data Protects Freight Margins In " The High Cost of Wrong Turns: How Location Data Protects Freight Margins", Joe Lynch speaks with the VP, Product & Engineering of Trimble, Rishi Mehra, about how precision location data, commercial routing, and connected AI ecosystems protect fleet profitability and driver safety.  Consumer GPS vs. Commercial Reality Creates Costly Risks: Standard consumer navigation apps lack commercial vehicle intelligence—such as bridge clearances, weight restrictions, hazmat regulations, and turn-radius constraints. Using non-commercial apps leads to expensive bridge strikes, fines, off-route detours, and severe brand liability for shippers, carriers, and brokers. PC*Miler Serves as the Industry's Financial Currency: Celebrating its 40th annual release, PC*Miler acts as the foundational standard for contracting freight, billing, and driver settlements. It provides precise baseline mileage that ensures carriers, shippers, and brokers operate on agreed-upon data so that no party suffers financial loss. Precision Routing Prevents Margin Leakage: In a tight freight economy with razor-thin margins, small deviations—such as a 10-mile detour or unapproved toll roads—rapidly destroy fleet profitability. Precise commercial mileage and batch processing allow fleets to balance the shortest versus cheapest routes, control driver fuel stops, and eliminate hidden costs. Solving the "Final 500 Feet" and Dock-Level Navigation: Standard GPS stops at the street address, but Trimble Places covers over 6 million locations with precise dock-level navigation. Directing drivers to exact gate entrances and specialized docks (e.g., distinguishing refrigerated from general-purpose doors) eliminates facility delays, yard congestion, and accidents where they occur most. Transitioning from Static Maps to an AI Mapping Engine: Mapping is evolving from passive screen graphics into an active, intelligent engine. Integrating mapping data with conversational AI (such as CoPilot Driver Assistant) enables hands-free voice assistance that calculates rest breaks in real time without distracting the driver. Connected Ecosystems Drive Intelligent Automation: Purpose-built AI tools like Trimble's ArcAgent rely on a connected platform to eliminate administrative friction—such as pulling missing cost or delivery facts for incomplete loads. By restricting AI to verifiable network data with human oversight, systems operate with zero hallucination and strict safety guardrails. End-to-End Visibility and Vetted Parking Protect Drivers and Assets: Combining in-cab navigation with low-level trailer and pallet tracking provides back-office visibility and immediate alerts for route deviations to combat cargo theft. Furthermore, integrations with networks like Truck Parking Club and Engine give drivers safe, pre-vetted parking and lodging reservations with a single click. Learn More About  The High Cost of Wrong Turns: How Location Data Protects Freight Margins Rishi Mehra | Linkedin Trimble Transportation | Linkedin Trimble Transportation Smart Routes, Safer Stops: How Mapping Tech is Transforming Trucking with Rishi Mehra The Transformative Power of Mapping with Rishi Mehra The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube