Tech signals point to a smarter future for logistics

The logistics sector has long balanced on the tightrope between rugged operational reality and fast-moving technological possibility. But in 2025, the signals are clear: successful logistics operators are turning to technology not just to keep up, but to get ahead.

That’s the central message in the Origin Logistics Tech Outlook 2025, a new report focusing on Australian and New Zealand logistics operations. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is a supporter of Origin, a supply chain software company.

Drawing on insights from industry players across freight forwarding, third-party / fourth-party logistics providers, and transport operators, the report identifies five “Big Signals” that will shape the next wave of logistics transformation. For professionals in the transport and supply chain space, this is more of a call to prepare, rethink, and reposition, rather than a forecast.

Signal 1: Complex integration is the new norm

The first signal is clear: integration is no longer a bonus; it’s baseline. According to the report, logistics companies are now managing dozens of systems at once. Transport management software, warehouse platforms, customer portals, customs systems, financial tools, IoT sensors – it’s a crowded tech stack.

“Technology decisions no longer live in silos. To win, logistics companies need joined-up systems that let data flow securely, consistently and in real-time,” the report states.

This shift towards deeper integration is not just about visibility; it’s about enabling collaboration. Operators want systems that talk to each other, adapt to customer platforms, and plug into government infrastructure seamlessly.

The implications could be wide-reaching: more IT budget going toward API and EDI integration, shorter tolerance for “manual bridges” between systems, and greater pressure to maintain a real-time source of truth.

Signal 2: Platform thinking is replacing process thinking

Historically, logistics businesses thought in terms of “jobs”: a consignment to move, a pallet to store, a delivery to dispatch. But now, the smartest operators are zooming out. They’re building platforms that serve multiple business models, locations, and service types, and all from the same digital foundation.

Growth-focused logistics companies are shifting toward platform-based systems that support multiple business models and scale with them, and avoiding the need to constantly “rip and replace” technology as they grow.

Platform thinking enables businesses to quickly onboard new customers, integrate partner workflows, and manage complex, multimodal chains under one umbrella. It’s a response to the “swiss army knife” challenge faced by logistics firms: the need to deliver a variety of services, flexibly, and with minimal duplication.

For the Australian and New Zealand logistics markets, this means the age of overly bespoke, brittle systems is ending. Instead, modular, cloud-based platforms are rising, often blending off-the-shelf reliability with fast, high-impact customisation.

Signal 3: Visibility is shifting from ‘nice to have’ to ‘need to have’

The phrase “real-time visibility” has long been a buzzword in logistics circles. But Origin’s report suggests 2025 is the year it becomes truly non-negotiable.

“What used to be a nice-to-have – knowing where something is – has become central to commercial confidence and customer experience,” the report states.

Customers now expect to see not just where their freight is, but when it’s likely to arrive, what the exceptions are, and what’s being done about them. Internal teams, too, need instant access to financial performance data – what Origin calls “micro-visibility”, like job profitability or driver idle time.

The report cites strong uptake in configurable customer portals, digital proof of delivery, and AI-enabled exception handling tools. The cost of poor visibility? Higher support calls, failed deliveries, and damaged trust.

Signal 4: The Battle for talent is pushing tech to the forefront

Perhaps the most human of the five signals, this one cuts to the heart of today’s logistics labour crisis. With driver shortages, dispatcher turnover, and a tight IT talent market, companies are using technology as a tool to attract and retain staff.

“The freight industry is in a war for talent.”

Examples include guided workflows for dispatchers, automated invoicing for finance teams, and cleaner user interfaces across driver apps. Increasingly, logistics companies are realising that outdated systems are a barrier not just to efficiency but to recruitment.

This shift is also driving investment in configurability: rather than waiting for software vendors to make changes, operators want the power to adapt tools internally, at speed.

Signal 5: Readiness is the differentiator

The final signal is perhaps the most strategic: companies that treat technology as a competitive edge – not just an operational expense – are breaking away from the pack.

“Our research shows a clear divide opening between those who see tech as a growth engine and those still treating it as a cost centre.”

This readiness mindset includes better data governance, clearer system roadmaps, and stronger cross-functional involvement in tech decisions. At its core is a cultural shift; an embrace of continuous improvement, supported by modern tools and open infrastructure.

So, what do these five signals mean for logistics in New Zealand? First, they signal a turning point in digital maturity. It’s no longer enough to digitise operations in isolation. Systems must integrate, scale, and empower people (from drivers to execs) to do their jobs smarter and faster.

Secondly, logistics leaders will need to become fluent not just in operations, but in platform thinking, data flow, and user-centred design. The Chief Information Officer, possibly once seen as a backend technologist, is becoming central to commercial strategy.

And thirdly, the Australia and New Zealand region, long known for logistical ingenuity, has a chance to lead. With our size, proximity to Asia-Pacific trade routes, and appetite for innovation, we can turn complexity into competitive advantage.

The logistics companies that thrive in the coming years won’t be the ones with the biggest fleets or cheapest rates. They’ll be the ones who build systems that work the way they do, and position them to change when the market does. For logistics, transport, and supply professionals, the next differentiator is digital.