Last year, eyefortransport's North American Technology Report revealed a grim outlook in light of the global economic collapse, with the USA particularly badly hit. In 2009, over a third of executive respondents planned a decline in investment in technology and IT solutions. However, 2010 brings with it optimism and opportunity; almost half of shippers plan to increase investment in IT/technology, with only a fifth witnessing further decline, and 100 percent of shippers expect to grow.

This could prove to be the year where firms with a competitive edge and innovative ideas, can begin to prosper once more. However, "The economic recovery is going to continue to be choppy with plenty of stops and starts," according to Eric Starks, president of FTR Associates.

Survey findings include the following:

• 92 percent of transportation and logistics providers plan to upgrade/purchase supply chain IT/technology;
• 67 percent of shippers said that they had sought new IT or technology as a way to reduce overall supply chain costs in light of the recession;
• 60 percent of respondents identified forecasting as being a supply chain area where IT/technology needed improvement.
• There is a difference of 25 percent in the level of optimism between shippers and transportation and logistics providers regarding their expected growth within the next 12 months.

The report surveyed more than 300 executives from supply chain and logistics companies, including Penske Logistics, J.B. Hunt Transport, Exel, YRC Worldwide, Odyssey Logistics and The Fennimore Group. 

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