Digital solutions

Global supply chains are under mounting pressure as businesses race to meet rising delivery expectations, navigate frequent disruptions, and keep pace with rapid innovation in logistics technology. 

With challenges and opportunities shifting fast, what does true supply chain resilience look like today? Where are organizations most vulnerable? Do teams have the shipment visibility they need? And can they use it to act proactively, not just reactively?

To answer these questions, FedEx surveyed 700 global logistics, supply chain, operations, IT, ecommerce, and customer experience leaders at the director level and above. Respondents represented industries from retail and healthcare to manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace. 

The inaugural Future of Logistics Intelligence Report offers an inside look at how industry leaders are managing new pressures, where the biggest gaps remain, and the shifts every organization needs to watch now. Read on for a preview of some of the report’s key findings. 

Most organizations still manage shipments using a patchwork of tools and manual processes, which makes it difficult to see the full picture or respond quickly when disruptions occur. Only 4% of teams use a single, unified solution, while 66% rely on three or more separate platforms.

Leaders point to several persistent pain points, including difficulty integrating logistics systems with other business tools, limited flexibility to customize systems, and continued reliance on manual processes like spreadsheets and email updates. Many also struggle with a lack of real-time data and too many disconnected systems overall.

With information scattered and platforms that don’t communicate, teams spend more time chasing details than actually fixing problems. For 30% of organizations, identifying the root cause of shipment delays is the most resource-intensive post-shipment task — a direct consequence of fragmented systems and data gaps.
As a result, just 18% of decision-makers say their teams can always intervene in the event of a delay. Until organizations address these foundational system issues, proactive supply chain management likely remains out of reach.

Operational inefficiencies do more than slow teams down. They also drive up costs across the supply chain. In fact, 87% of decision-makers report that these breakdowns lead to significant annual expenses, including added labor, lost revenue, compliance risks, and customer churn.

Shipping delays are a particular source of strain. Today’s customers expect transparency, real-time visibility, and reliable delivery, leaving little room for error. When shipments are delayed, 53% of organizations face higher cost-to-serve, 47% experience greater pressure on customer service teams, and 46% report a rise in customer complaints. 

What starts as an operational slowdown quickly becomes a customer experience problem, which could have real consequences for trust and profitability.

Nearly all decision-makers (97%) say they have end-to-end shipment visibility, but far fewer feel truly ready for what’s next. Only 43% strongly agree their logistics systems are future-ready and equipped to adapt as expectations shift and new disruptions emerge.

This disconnect points to a new reality. Staying competitive isn’t just about seeing what’s happening in your logistics network, but being able to act quickly and anticipate future challenges. 

As complexity increases and customer demands grow, teams are under more pressure than ever to move from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making. And few feel fully prepared to meet these demands today. 

That’s why 97% of decision-makers now say visibility alone isn’t enough, and that they need logistics intelligence to stay ahead. 

By connecting systems, turning shipment data into actionable findings, and giving teams the tools to respond faster and more strategically, logistics intelligence helps organizations close the preparedness gap and adapt confidently to whatever comes next.

Disruption, rising costs, and shifting expectations are now a fact of life for supply chain and logistics leaders. Knowing where your weak spots are — and what’s driving change across the industry — can help you close operational gaps before challenges hit.

This blog covers just a snapshot of what the latest research reveals. For a complete look at the data and trends shaping logistics and supply chain operations, download the full 2026 Future of Logistics Intelligence Report.