Managing transportation.

BYLINE: BY BILL DIBENEDETTO

It may seem like mission impossible in the current economic environment, but itOs a mission that logistics providers are glad to accept. The mission: Extract as much cost as possible from the transportation and supplier segments of the supply chain.

Two common words in logistics jargon N visibility and optimization N are repeated often these days. The role of third-party logistics providers in applying those concepts to the supply chain is more critical than ever. One reason: Supply-chain costs totaled 10.1 percent of U.S. gross domestic product last year, after edging into the single digits earlier this decade. ThatOs a lot of money at stake.

Shippers are aligning more closely with their 3PLs, relying on them to provide and manage transportation management systems and other services, including inventory management and supplier relations. Transportation management systems are Oa way to handle out-of-control costs,O said Greg Aimee, director …