Low-cost apparel retailer Primark wasn't content with just a tool for capturing ocean transportation bids. It needed a reliable way to commit weekly business to select carriers so they would be available when it needed them prior to the peak holiday shopping season.

Proforma IdeaPress has managed to remain competitive in the market for printed promotional items, even though its plants are in the U.S. and customer requirements can be extremely complex. Company co-owner Pratt Pande tells how it's done.

According to the Pew Research Center, one-third of U.S. adults own a smartphone. With smartphones dominating the consumer market, it is more possible now than ever to conduct business while on the move. What does this mean for the transportation industry? It means drivers can have the increased ability to communicate transit information to agents and carriers, while agents can have a snapshot of every load they've brokered in their pocket. In essence, mobile applications provide the opportunity to take a streamlined approach to operational efficiency in the transportation industry.