An Increasingly Competitive Market
During the COVID-19 pandemic, container rates skyrocketed, creating an unprecedented boom for logistics service providers (LSPs). But as global supply chains stabilized, rates returned to pre-pandemic levels—and they’re unlikely to reach those heights again. This shift has created a more level playing field for LSPs, making it increasingly difficult to stand out in a very competitive market.
LSPs now have three key areas to differentiate themselves: rates, service, and technology. But rates are largely comparable now, with most providers wary of engaging in a race to the bottom given the industry’s already thin margins. And while exceptional service remains critical for getting ahead in today’s market, service alone isn’t enough to secure long-term growth.
Three Ways to Compete
“Post-covid, it has been much more challenging to win business. Forwarders basically have three ways to compete: price (but nobody wants to be in a race to the bottom), service, and technology.”
Agasthya “Gus” Upadhya, Logixboard CEO
Standing Out with Technology
But basic visibility solutions, once a competitive edge, are now table stakes. “Shippers expect visibility as a given—it’s just checking a box,” Gus explains. But simply providing raw data isn’t enough. “Many LSPs just dump the operational data from their internal systems onto a screen and call it a customer portal. That overwhelms shippers, especially those without deep logistics backgrounds. They’re looking for information that’s actionable and easy to understand,” he adds.
And this is where Logixboard excels.
Most Portals Confuse. The Best Ones Empower.
“Many of today’s portals are overwhelming for shippers. They’re looking for information that’s actionable and easy to understand.”
Agasthya “Gus” Upadhya, Logixboard CEO
Logixboard’s Connected Experience
Logixboard helps LSPs stand out by delivering a seamless, shipper-centric experience. “We talk to shippers all the time and one of them told us, ‘I pay my logistics provider to abstract all this complexity for me, not present it right back to me in a portal,'” Gus recalls. This philosophy guides every aspect of the platform’s design: delivering only the most critical information in a way that aligns with how shippers think and work.
The platform was originally focused on freight forwarding but has since expanded to encompass customs, order management, road freight, and more. “It’s taken us years to master integrating data from a wide variety of back-end TMS and WMS platforms and stitch it together in a way that resonates with shippers,” Gus explains.
The payoff? A unified platform that provides:
- A single pane of glass: Instead of toggling between multiple systems, shippers access a centralized hub that encompasses the entire lifecycle of their goods—from order to final delivery.
- Consistent, intuitive design: The interface is built for usability, making key information obvious and actionable at every stage of the supply chain.
- Purpose-built supply chain views: Shippers can view the data from different angles—shipment-centric, PO-centric, or SKU-centric—depending on their operational model and the task at hand.
“When shippers see the platform, you can see that ‘aha’ moment,” Gus shares. “They quickly realize they no longer need to hunt through multiple portals and emails to piece together their supply chain story. Everything is there—organized and clear.”
The "Aha" Moment
“With Logixboard, shippers no longer need to hunt through multiple portals and emails to piece together their supply chain story. Everything is there—organized and clear.”
Agasthya “Gus” Upadhya, Logixboard CEO
Real-World Impact: Turning Visibility Into Value
One of Logixboard’s customers recently deployed the platform at a Fortune 100 company. During an onsite visit, the LSP’s team noticed Logixboard displayed on several screens in the company’s operations center. “It wasn’t just about tracking shipments—it was helping them manage inventory more effectively and make smarter business decisions,” Gus notes.
With the data centralized, shippers can easily analyze logistics costs, supplier performance, and inventory flow. “We’re giving them tools to optimize their operations, not just monitor them,” Gus says.
Driving Deeper Customer Relationships
“A customer told me they visited a Fortune 100 shipper on-site and saw Logixboard being used everywhere. And the platform made this shipper’s job so much easier that they’re now moving more business to our customer.”
Agasthya “Gus” Upadhya, Logixboard CEO
Why Forward-Thinking LSPs Are Adopting the Connected Experience Now
Market demands are evolving quickly. Gus emphasizes that shippers increasingly require modern platforms in their RFPs. “Those who merely check the box on visibility will start to fall behind,” he warns. Implementing a solution like Logixboard isn’t instantaneous—it’s a journey that involves change management and incremental improvement. “That’s why you need to start now,” Gus advises. “Investing in connected experiences today puts you ahead as customer expectations evolve.”
In today’s competitive landscape, freight forwarders can no longer rely solely on service or pricing to stand out. Technology—specifically platforms that elevate the customer experience—has become a critical factor. Logixboard’s Connected Experience enables LSPs to exceed shipper expectations, deepen client relationships, and ensure long-term growth.
“This is about more than just moving goods from point A to B,” Gus concludes. “It’s about delivering a customer experience that resonates—and we’re just getting started.”
The Market is Shifting Fast
“Some forwarders just want to check the box for customer-facing technology—but they’ll start losing out. Today’s shippers are demanding better tools, and we see it all the time in our customers’ RFPs. Forwarders will either evolve or miss the opportunity.”
Agasthya “Gus” Upadhya, Logixboard CEO
