Explore a roundup of this year’s top three blogs, packed with essential insights to help you navigate the shifting logistics landscape

As we close the chapter on another year, one thing remains certain: the logistics landscape is evolving at a record pace. Increasing shipping costs, surcharges, and shifting carrier strategies have challenged shippers to rethink their approach to parcel and freight management. For IBM i shippers, technology-driven solutions like APIs and advanced multi-carrier shipping software (MCSS) have continued to transform how businesses navigate logistics with efficiency and cost control.

Over the course of the year, Varsity Logistics has prioritized helping guide today’s shippers through industry shifts with expert insights and proven strategies. To wrap up 2025, we’re highlighting our three most popular blogs from the year, each of them breaking down key industry topics shaping the future of the supply chain ecosystem. Let’s take a closer look at the top three Varsity Logistics blogs of 2025.

#3. The True Cost of Shipping: 2025 General Rate Increases (GRI) and Surcharges

One of the biggest challenges IBM i shippers faced in 2025 was navigating General Rate Increases (GRIs) and unpredictable surcharges from major carriers like UPS, USPS, and FedEx. Some of these fees cover fuel, residential delivery, residential areas, oversized packages and more, which can significantly affect shipping budgets and occur without warning. Additionally, these changes can happen year-round and aren’t always predictable. That means shippers must adapt their strategies with flexible tools and real-time visibility to help manage logistics costs, automate decision-making, and maintain a competitive stance in the market.

Why This Blog Resonated in 2025

Shipping costs have always been an area of concern, and this year was no exception. With carriers implementing aggressive GRIs and introducing new surcharges, it makes it increasingly challenging for businesses to manage margins while ensuring service levels are maintained. This blog broke down various cost drivers while offering guidance in navigating today’s unpredictable pricing, giving shippers practical strategies to manage logistics costs while staying competitive, all while maintaining the stability and reliability that IBM i users expect.

#2. How Less-Than-Truckload APIs Optimize Freight Spend Without Sacrificing Service

The importance of efficiency and cost control without sacrificing service performance cannot be overstated. That’s why this year’s second most popular earned its place, uncovering how LTL APIs emerged as a game-changer in this space. By integrating seamlessly with existing systems, LTL APIs  automate rate comparisons, enable real-time visibility, optimize load consolidation, and offer freight auditing and invoicing.

These APIs help businesses streamline processes by managing both parcel and LTL shipment from a single platform, improving operational efficiency, visibility, and reliability while eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Why This Blog Resonated in 2025

Modern shippers are looking for solutions that can provide savings and efficiency amidst rising costs and increased industry complexity. This blog was a hit because it introduces LTL APIs, a solution that addresses the pain point of reducing freight spend without sacrificing service quality. By highlighting how APIs can replace outdated, manual processes and drive measurable cost savings, readers appreciated a blog post that delivered a plan of action for leveraging technology to ease their freight spend pain points.

#1. Achieve Lower Shipping Costs in 2025 with Multi-Carrier Shipping Software

Earning its spot at the top for 2025 Varsity Logistics blogs, this article focused on how businesses can significantly reduce their shipping costs with advanced multi-carrier shipping software. From a single, centralized platform, MCSS provides businesses access to a vast carrier library and enables optimized carrier selection. It also automates workflows, makes real-time decisions, and offers increased flexibility when disruptions occur.

With seamless integration to existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and warehouse management systems (WMS), MCSS empowers shippers to make smarter, more cost-effective choices, improve efficiency, unlock competitive advantage, and take full control of their operations.

Why This Blog Resonated in 2025

This year introduced heightened cost pressures for businesses around the globe, making flexibility crucial for shippers. This blog stands out because it addresses the universal issue of rising shipping costs while offering a clear, actionable solution. Generic shipping solutions can’t match the depth of integration and reliability IBM i users demand. By leveraging a technology-driven approach to modern shipping, businesses can reduce the hit to their bottom line while strengthening their supply chain resilience. Today’s shipping landscape demands adaptability, and this blog explores how multi-carrier shipping software is an essential tool for achieving long-term success.

Key Takeaways from 2025

Reflecting on this year’s most popular blog posts, three critical takeaways stand out that are key to helping businesses adapt their shipping strategies for the future.

1. Stay Ahead of Cost Pressures: Shipping costs will continue to change, and GRIs and surcharges play a significant role in this area. By taking a proactive approach to monitoring these changes and accounting for them into budgeting strategies, businesses can better position themselves to avoid additional financial pressures. Staying aware of shipping costs is crucial for successful logistics management.
2. Leverage Technology for Efficiency: In today’s technology-driven world, businesses that embrace advanced functionality like automation and real-time decision-making gain a better competitive advantage. Tools like APIs and multi-carrier shipping solutions help shippers streamline workflows, minimize errors, and make smarter, data-driven decisions. When businesses invest in leading technology, they can optimize logistics costs while maximizing service quality.
3. Build Resilience Through Flexibility: The logistics industry is volatile and unpredictable, making adaptability essential for today’s businesses. By adopting a multi-carrier shipping strategy, shippers gain the flexibility to adjust quickly when disruptions occur, ensuring business continuity and positive customer experiences. Not only does flexibility drive significant cost savings, but it also builds a resilient supply chain that can thrive under pressure.

Setting the Course Forward

2025 went through its fair share of rising costs, shifting carrier dynamics, and technological transformation challenging businesses to rethink their current supply chain strategies. The top blogs of this year collectively share one consistent theme: industry success requires proactive planning, the smart use of technology, and an agile mindset. And these lessons will maintain their level of importance as we move into 2026.

Ready to better equip your business for shipping in the new year? Contact our team of shipping experts today to explore our comprehensive suite of parcel and freight solutions to help you transform your shipping operations and build a strategy ready for the future.

See you in 2026!