IT in Vehicle Logistics Management
Current IT landscapes
IT has become a core operational capability in vehicle logistics.
Companies increasingly view IT not just as infrastructure but as a key tool for improving operational performance and enabling more efficient logistics processes.
At the same time, a growing share of organizations recognizes IT as a strategic enabler for remaining competitive in an increasingly complex logistics environment.
Which of the following descriptions best reflects your perception of IT in your business?
Respondents 2026: n = 111 - Multiple selections possible.
IT is mainly a cost factor
IT is a necessary business tool
IT helps us to improve operational performance
IT is a strategic enabler to stay ahead of competition
IT supports innovation and new business models
How are you organizing your vehicle logistics?
Respondents 2023: n = 106; 2018 = 88; 2013 = 118. The option “Other” was only available in 2023.
The results show a clear shift in how companies organize their IT landscape for vehicle logistics. While self-developed systems dominated earlier surveys, the use of standard software solutions has increased significantly.
At the same time, many organizations still rely on Excel-based tools for specific tasks, indicating that IT landscapes remain heterogeneous and often combine specialized systems with manual or semi-digital solutions.
With a standard software system
2026
2023
2018
2013
With a self-developed software system
2026
2023
2018
2013
Using Microsoft Excel (or similar applications)
2026
2023
2018
2013
Manually (paper based)
2026
2023
2018
2013
Other
(only surveyed since 2023)
2026
2023
When was your company’s software system for vehicle logistics implemented? (n=83)
Respondents 2026: n = 83, 2023: n = 74
Many companies have been operating their vehicle logistics systems for several years.
While a portion of organizations implemented their systems recently, a significant share has been working with the same solution for more than five years.
This suggests that many IT landscapes in vehicle logistics are approaching a point where modernization, upgrades, or system replacements may become necessary in order to keep pace with increasing operational requirements.
2026
In the last 12 month
1 - 5 years ago
6 - 10 years ago
11 - 20 years ago
More than 20 years ago
2023
In the last 12 month
1 - 5 years ago
6 - 10 years ago
11 - 20 years ago
More than 20 years ago
Other
Future Requirements and Developments
Looking ahead, companies expect IT systems to play an even more critical role in addressing operational challenges.
In particular, respondents highlight the need to improve visibility and tracking capabilities, strengthen data analysis, and increase operational efficiency across logistics networks.
At the same time, digitalization initiatives such as paperless processes and identification technologies remain relevant, although their perceived importance varies between organizations.
What are the main challenges you expect to face within the next five years with respect to software systems?
Respondents 2023: n = 106; 2018 = 61
Achieve visibility and tracking
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Better data analysis
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Better utilization of the parking area
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Create IT infrastructure for robotization of the yard
(only surveyed since 2023)
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Implement more paperless processes
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Implementation of identification technology (RFID / Barcode etc.)
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Increasing operational efficiency
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Meet business needs e.g. time of delivery
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
More collaborated decision making with partners via web
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
More internationalization (expanding, cooperating globally)
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Prepare for raising CO2 costs by adjusting processes and transport networks (only surveyed in 2023)
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Reduce software costs
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Replace existing systems
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Support for strategic and tactical decisions
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
While IT systems are widely recognized as essential for managing vehicle logistics operations, many organizations still face limitations with their existing solutions.
Respondents most frequently mention shortcomings in usability, data analysis capabilities, and the integration of systems with partners and other IT applications.
These results indicate that although digitalization has progressed significantly, many IT landscapes are still evolving and do not yet fully meet the operational requirements of modern vehicle logistics.
In your opinion, what are the weaknesses of your company’s existing software system for vehicle logistics?
Respondents 2026: n = 105; 2023: n = 85; 2018 = 52; 2013 = 118. Multiple selections possible. Some answer options were added or modified in the 2026 survey and are therefore not comparable with previous years.
Limited reporting, data mining, analytics
2026
2023
2018
2013
No web portal to interact with partners
2026
2023
2018
2013
Usability could be better
2026
2023
2018
2013
Limited functionalities
2023
2018
2013
It is not future-proof
2026
2023
2018
2013
Difficult to integrate with other systems or partners
2026
Difficult to integrate new customer data and business processes
2023
2018
2013
Limited automated decision support
2026
2023
2018
2013
Data is not visible in real-time
2026
2023
2018
2013
High implementation, maintenance, or operational costs
2026
High yearly maintenance and operational costs
2023
2018
2013
Originally designed for a different industry sector
2026
2023
2018
2013
Limited cloud capabilities
2026
Missing ESG- or CO₂-reporting functionalities
2026
Dependency on the software provider
2026
No weaknesses, completely satisfied
2026
2023
2018
2013
Other
2026
2023
2018
2013
In your opinion, what are the main barriers that make it difficult to introduce or replace IT systems in your company?
Respondents 2026: n = 111; 2023: n = 106; 2018 = 44; 2013 = 118. Multiple selections possible.
Perceived high investment
2026
2023
2018
2013
Missing internal resources
2026
2023
2018
2013
Restricted IT budgets
2026
2023
2018
2013
Bad experience with software implementation in the past
2026
2023
2018
2013
Not enough information on the benefits of new software
2026
2023
2018
2013
No awareness of the positive impact software can have on the company
2026
2023
2018
2013
Lack of internal know-how or expertise
2026
Limited awareness of the benefits new software can bring
2026
Missing change management or organizational support
2026
Other
2026
2023
2018
2013
Key Findings
- IT has become a central operational capability for managing increasingly complex vehicle logistics networks.
- Integration with partners and other systems remains one of the biggest challenges for existing IT landscapes.
- Usability and advanced analytics capabilities are among the most frequently mentioned weaknesses of current systems.
- Although many organizations recognize the need to modernize their IT infrastructure, high investment costs and limited internal resources often slow down system renewal.