In a freight and logistics landscape that is constantly evolving, businesses have more opportunities than ever to enhance performance, strengthen service delivery, and operate more efficiently. With better tools, clearer data, and smarter planning available, supply chain optimisation has become a powerful way to refine freight operations and create lasting commercial value.
Rather than focusing solely on cutting costs, optimisation is about making informed decisions that improve visibility, increase reliability, and create a more responsive and scalable logistics network.
Supply chain optimisation involves reviewing and refining how goods, information and decisions move through your logistics network. It includes evaluating every stage of the process, from transport planning and freight allocation to warehouse integration, data visibility and carrier relationships.
The goal is to ensure your supply chain is efficient, cost-effective and flexible enough to meet operational demands without compromising on service.
Freight plays a central role in how businesses serve their customers, control costs, and scale operations. Optimising your supply chain helps to:
Improve delivery consistency and lead times
Reduce freight and handling costs
Adapt quickly to changes in customer demand or external disruptions
Enhance inventory management and demand planning
Provide transparency across teams and supply chain partners
By investing in these areas, businesses can create a more stable and scalable foundation for growth.
Many logistics networks develop inefficiencies over time as volumes grow, service expectations shift, or market conditions evolve. Some common pain points include:
Freight schedules or routing models that are no longer optimal
Transport partners that haven’t been reviewed or benchmarked in some time
Missed opportunities to consolidate freight and improve utilisation
Disconnected systems or siloed teams managing different parts of the supply chain
Limited access to real-time performance data
These issues are rarely intentional, but they can significantly impact cost and service if left unaddressed.
Improving supply chain performance requires clear ownership, open collaboration across teams, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Common challenges include:
Manual systems that limit visibility and reporting
Unclear roles and responsibilities across freight, warehousing and planning functions
Resistance to change due to habit or internal complexity
Misalignment between cost targets and service expectations
Progress starts by identifying small, manageable improvements and building momentum. Many businesses begin by reviewing their DIFOT performance, cost-to-serve data or carrier mix to better understand where gaps exist.
Businesses that actively use data to inform their freight decisions see better outcomes over time. Whether through basic KPI tracking or more advanced technology tools, visibility is key.
Examples include:
Implementing a Transport Management System (TMS)
Network-Wide visibility to support route optimisation
Automating key reports to highlight issues before they escalate
Measuring freight cost per order, delivery accuracy, and carrier DIFOT
Using cost-to-serve analysis that supports smarter planning
You don’t need a complete digital transformation to see benefits. Even small steps in data collection and review can lead to meaningful improvements.
Supply chain optimisation is not about perfection. It is about progress. With a structured and realistic approach, freight-driven businesses can improve performance, reduce waste, and unlock new efficiencies.
At Customised Freight Solutions, we support businesses across Australia by providing the expertise, analysis and ongoing support needed to build better freight networks. Whether you are refining regional linehaul or managing high-volume metro deliveries, we bring a clear, practical lens to supply chain improvement.