St. Onge Company’s Brandon Hamilton was interviewed for a recent Logistics Management article about how transportation management systems are evolving under cost pressure and AI hype. Brandon emphasized that shipper expectations have risen sharply, and noted that even newer, lower-tier TMS platforms are now expected to rival decades-old systems, saying “shippers expect these systems to do more than ever before,” and while automation depth may lag, today’s platforms “look and feel more advanced than they did just 5–7 years ago.” He also urged caution around AI claims, warning that many vendors stretch the definition and advised shippers to “dig a little deeper” to understand whether tools deliver real intelligence, automation, and decision support—especially as integrated dashboards, learning tools, and data-driven automation become central to TMS value in 2026. Use the link below to read the article!

AI dominated transportation discussions in 2025, and Hamilton expects that to continue. He says many TMS providers advertise AI capabilities, but the reality is mixed.

“A lot of TMS providers say they’re AI, but that [claim] is still a bit of a stretch in some areas,” says Hamilton. Some platforms offer virtual assistants that answer basic questions, for example, but those tools often resemble guided help features more than true intelligence.

Hamilton sees real potential for AI in procurement and data analysis, but still cautions shippers to look past the marketing hype associated with the technology. “Some TMS providers tout that they’re AI when they’re probably machine learning at best,” says Hamilton, who encourages buyers to press for specifics and understand how a provider defines AI, automates workflows or uses its carrier network. “Don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper during those evaluations.”

 
 
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