BACK TO ALL NEWS & INSIGHTSThe parcel landscape is changing faster than ever before. During a recent webinar hosted by Intelligent Audit, Jitsu CEO Adam Bryant and Intelligent Audit CEO Hannah Testani peeled back the layers on today’s most pressing logistics challenges. From national carrier fatigue to AI-driven delivery precision, the conversation spotlighted one central truth: last-mile strategy is no longer just about getting packages to doorsteps—it’s about gaining control, cutting costs without losing quality, and elevating the customer experience.
Here are five critical takeaways every shipper, supply chain leader, and brand should know:
1. Diversification Isn’t Just Smart—It’s Survival
Sole-sourcing with FedEx or UPS used to feel like the safe choice. But in today’s volatile market, it’s actually a risk you can’t afford. Bryant emphasized that relying on a single national carrier leaves brands exposed to:
- Surprise rate hikes and surcharges
- Capacity constraints during peak season
- Disruption from regulatory shifts
By integrating regional last-mile logistics solutions like Jitsu, shippers regain negotiating power, capacity control, and agility when the unexpected hits.
Bryant shared a tip for shippers: Map out your parcel volumes and identify where regional carriers can deliver more value. If you can leverage regional providers closer to your distribution hubs, the savings and flexibility on the last mile can be significant.
2. National Carriers Are Quietly Raising the Bill
Despite sluggish volume growth, FedEx and UPS are finding new ways to generate revenue—often at the shipper’s expense. Joe Wilkinson, Intelligent Audit’s vice president of professional services, called out the rising trend of “pricing incrementalism,” which is a tactic that hides increases behind confusing ZIP zone shifts, reclassified fees, and ever-changing “demand surcharges.”
“If you’re sole-sourcing—whether that’s your shipping or your manufacturing operations—you just have to eat accessorials like rising fuel surcharges,” noted Bryant. “If you diversify, you increase your leverage, and there’s more that you can do there.”
The takeaway for shippers? Don’t just look at base rates. Audit your invoices. Benchmark surcharges. And evaluate if adding regional carriers into your mix is right for you.
3. Regionals Aren’t Backup Plans—They’re the New Standard
Forget the outdated image of regional carriers as niche or second-tier. Regional last-mile solutions like Jitsu aren't just a fallback—they’re becoming a preferred option for reliable, tech-enabled last-mile excellence. And with coverage of 122 million Americans—and growing—Jitsu can probably solve more of your problems than you might think.
Jitsu brings together a 99.6% on-time delivery rate, a tech-first operational model, a level of adaptability that nationals can’t replicate, and the ability to scale with you fast. And commitment to precision and excellence isn’t just a statistic—it’s foundational to how Jitsu operates.
“We started with perishables. If we didn’t deliver on time, the meals expired. That’s the performance DNA we’ve carried forward into everything we do,” said Bryant.
That high-stakes origin demanded complete control over the delivery process—so Jitsu built the technology to match.
“We’re a vertically integrated, tech-enabled regional. We built everything—from our WMS to sortation and routing to our driver app—so every system talks to each other in real-time,” Bryant shared.
The result? A (growing) regional platform built not just for coverage, but for control, customization, and consistency. For brands looking to future-proof their last mile, Jitsu isn’t the alternative; it’s the upgrade.
4. AI and Automation Are Reshaping Parcel Logistics
Both Bryant and Testani underscored the transformative role AI is playing in increasing operational precision, proactive customer service, and anomaly detection. Jitsu and Intelligent Audit are each leveraging AI not just as a backend tool, but as a core engine driving smarter, faster, and more accurate logistics operations.
Jitsu is actively deploying AI and automation to:
- Analyze photo proofs-of-delivery for accuracy
- Forecast inbound shipment volumes with precision—especially during peak season when volumes spike
- Predict and prevent delivery failures in real time
- Quickly respond to simple customer support calls
This level of real-time intelligence translates to fewer failed deliveries, faster customer support, and a smoother delivery experience.
Bryant hinted that there’s much more AI to come for Jitsu: “We’re just scratching the surface with AI, and there's a lot of really interesting ideas ahead of us on the roadmap.”
And Testani shared that Intelligent Audit is leveraging AI across its platform in a number of ways too. Their machine learning models analyze transportation data to identify anomalies—flagging issues like API failures or fraud. AI also assists in the audit process by making preliminary recommendations before human review, as well as real-time carrier communication. And looking ahead, IA is launching an interactive AI assistant that allows users to query logistics spend and performance metrics in natural language.
5. Customer Experience Is the Hidden Competitive Weapon in Last-Mile Logistics
One of Bryant’s most resonant points was that delivery is a brand moment. In fact, it’s often the only in-person interaction your customer has with your brand.
By obsessing over seamless communication (for example: two-way SMS exchanges with customers), location intelligence (like geofencing), and delivery precision, Jitsu helps retailers deliver a seamless experience that drives repeat purchases and brand loyalty.
As Testani put it, “The easiest way to win customers is by making them feel taken care of—at the doorstep.”
Testani highlighted Jitsu’s strong focus on the customer, saying to Bryant, “Your obsession over the customer experience is what sets you apart. That’s why customers start small with Jitsu and then their volume just explodes.”
The real takeaway here is that last-mile logistics has evolved from a cost center to a core component of brand strategy. And shippers can’t afford to ignore it.
Final Thought
The old playbook of “one carrier fits all” is officially obsolete. Forward-looking brands are rewriting the rules, diversifying their carrier mix, demanding transparency, and partnering with logistics providers that blend technology, flexibility, and care.
Ready to rethink your last-mile strategy?
Let’s talk about how Jitsu can help you gain leverage, improve delivery performance, and turn shipping into a competitive edge. Email us at getstarted@gojitsu.com to connect with our team.