I spent two weeks “off the grid”—no email, no Facebook, no Twitter, no TV, no newspapers—just spent quality time with my family. I read a few books and listened to a ton of music. I flew a kite at the beach; rode on roller coasters; saw the Space Shuttle and met an astronaut; I ate a lot of ice cream. 

As you can imagine, re-entry has been difficult (okay, painful) this week.

I was tempted to simply post “The Dog Days Are Over” video by Florence + The Machine as today’s piece. Not only is it a great song, one that’s been playing over and over again in my head for the past two weeks, it’s also a fitting one for today, with Labor Day upon us, a hurricane on its way, and school starting next week.

Take a listen (view):

Now on to some news from the past couple of weeks:

• June 2010 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Rose 37.6 Percent from June 2009
• Schneider National and Princeton University team up; develop simulation technology for real-world use
• Con-way Freight Launches Tech Tools for Customers On The Go
• Qualcomm Announces the Mobile Computing Platform 110
• New Survey Finds 15 Percent of Consumers Now Use Mobile Devices to Purchase, but Concerns Still Exist Related to Security and Ease-of-Use

Compared to 2009, almost every type of metric is up this year. But as we’ve noted in previous postings, many metrics still remain below 2008 levels. While US surface trade with Canada and Mexico increased significantly in June 2010 compared to June 2009, reaching $69.9 billion, the value still remained 5.8 percent lower than in June 2008. We’re surfacing but still below water.

When it comes to technology, 3PLs get a bad rap. The focus continues to be on the gap that supposedly exists between the technology capabilities customers want and what 3PLs can provide. While many 3PLs are certainly behind the curve when it comes to IT, most of the leading players are actually very IT-savvy and innovative. The news this week from Schneider National and Con-way Freight are the latest examples. In previous postings, we’ve highlighted a patent Ryder received for “systems and methods” in supply chain management; how CH Robinson is using social media as a CRM tool; the investments Transplace has made in business intelligence; and Con-way’s use of Twitter to post available loads.

So, is the technology gap real or a perception problem?

If you’ll be at the CSCMP Annual Global Conference at the end of the month, you can hear my answer to this question. I’ll be part of a panel—“The Experts’ View of 3PL Prospects Worldwide”—on Tuesday, September 28th from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. The session is part of Track 19 if you want to earmark your conference brochure. I hope to see you there.

In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the last rays of sun shining outside my window before the wind picks up and the storm clouds come.

The dog days are over, the dog days are done. Can you hear the horses? Because here they come.

(Note: Ryder, Con-way, CH Robinson, and Transplace are ARC clients)