In the not too distant future, everything in a trucking company will be connected – not just a carrier’s moving stock, but every device and piece of equipment within the operation.

That was the message delivered by Kenneth J. Spangler, senior vice president and chief information officer with FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight, during his keynote address to attendees at the Carrier Logistics user conference and executive forum April 10 through 11 in White Plains, N.Y.

Spangler told trucking executives attending the conference that he expects there to be more change within the next five years in terms of information technology than occurred over the last 20 years.

As an example, he cited the latest technology deployed by FedEx that can take pictures of all six sides of a box as it moves along a conveyor belt in their sorting facilities. Likewise, designs for the latest forklifts the company plans to deploy include onboard computers and scanners.

Chuck Hammel, president of Pitt Ohio Express told attendees that rebranding, aggressive marketing tactics, taking care of drivers and diversifying their offerings were key components of his company’s success.

In addition to the keynote speeches, conference attendees attended workshops on various CLI software capabilities, social media and security. A supplier showcase displayed offerings and services from CLI’s technology partners.

CLI provides transportation software for customers in the less-than-truckload, package delivery, combined LTL/truckload and bulk liquid carrier segments.