How Spot & Red Technologies Build Practical, Real-World AI Solutions That Actually Work
Artificial intelligence isn’t new to logistics, but honest conversations about what actually works are. For years, Spot’s wholly-owned subsidiary and technology arm, Red Technologies, has been building and deploying AI in ways that reflect the real-world pace, pressure, and complexity of freight. The work wasn’t linear; it was iterative and deeply collaborative.
What follows is a behind-the-scenes look at how the engineers, data scientists, and operations teams of Red Technologies have adopted AI by doing what logistics has always required: solving the problem directly in front of them, learning from the people closest to the work, and scaling only when the results earn it.
This whitepaper blends two perspectives rarely found in a single narrative:
- The data side: where AI is fueled, shaped, and validated
- The development side: where ideas become actual systems inside Spot’s platform
Together, the two perspectives reveal how the Red Technologies team approaches AI with clarity, humility, and a firm focus on operational value.
Read and download the latest white paper here
In this episode of More Than a Broker, Spot Co-Founder, Andrew Elsener, sits down with John Gatesman, CEO and Founder of Gatesman, an award-winning ad agency, as the pair compare insights into the logistics and marketing industries.
Gatesman shares his journey from aspiring to be a truck driver at a young age to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of creativity, adaptability, and building strong client relationships in a rapidly changing business landscape.
The conversation also explores the impact of technology and AI on marketing, the importance of hiring for culture, and the lessons each has learned throughout their entrepreneurial journeys.
About John Gatesman
Under John Gatesman’s leadership, Gatesman has grown to become one of the most successful independent agencies in the Northeast, having been named one of the nation’s fastest-growing companies for nine consecutive years. Gatesman has also been recognized as one of the top 100 independent agencies nationwide and as one of the Best Places to Work for eight straight years.
John identified and led the successful acquisitions of digital firm Quest Fore in 2014 and Nobel Communications in 2017, which expanded agency operations into Chicago and the Midwest. His passion and devotion to his clients, along with his relentless pursuit of their success, continue to be the driving force behind Gateman’s agency’s mantra, “Good Enough Sucks.”
John’s leadership has guided and cultivated teams across a diverse array of notable brands, such as UPMC, Northwell Health, Coen Children’s, Del Monte, PPG, Disney, and many more. He began his career with Ross Roy Group after being selected as one of only six people nationally for its Executive Management Training Program. He then moved on to management positions at Ogilvy, Doner, and Ketchum before joining BNY Mellon as Senior Marketing Director and later Brunner as VP of Client Services, ultimately founding Gatesman in 2006.
Reasons to Listen
- Creativity can come from anywhere in a business.
- Starting a business requires a leap of faith and self-belief.
- Anticipating change is crucial for business success.
- Hiring for culture is as important as hiring for skills.
- Entrepreneurship is about responsibility and accountability.
- Building lasting client relationships is key to success.
- The importance of execution in service delivery cannot be overstated.
- Reflecting on past mistakes can guide future decisions.
- The future of marketing lies in embracing technology and AI.
TechnologySpot recently partnered with Penco Products, a leading sheet metal manufacturer specializing in lockers, to transform its shipping operations with MySpot, a tailored TMS solution. Recognizing its need for a single platform with enhanced visibility and efficiency, our team prioritized a deep discovery process to understand Penco’s specific pain points: lack of financial transparency, service issues, and inefficient processes.
Leveraging a collaborative approach across sales, TMS expertise, and technology, Spot crafted a solution that integrated with Penco’s existing ERP system, streamlining workflows and providing valuable data insights. This included addressing accounting challenges, improving service responsiveness, and offering transparent pricing. Notably, Penco’s evolving needs even spurred innovation within Spot’s platform.
Beyond technology, building a strong partnership was key. Our proactive engagement fostered trust and demonstrated a commitment to Penco’s unique requirements. After implementing MySpot, we provided data-driven insights into shipping costs and efficiency, enabling informed decision-making.
This success highlights Spot’s dedication to understanding shippers’ needs, delivering tailored technological solutions through MySpot, and fostering strong, collaborative relationships that drive tangible results. Our focus on in-depth discovery, cross-functional teamwork, and a commitment to innovation ensures that we provide lasting value in the complex world of logistics.
See what MySpot can do for you with a personalized demo.
The New Rules of Carrier Procurement
Shippers today operate in an increasingly complex logistics environment, where securing reliable capacity for carriers while maintaining cost efficiency is a significant challenge.
Market volatility, rising freight rates, and capacity constraints necessitate a strategic, data-driven approach to carrier procurement and management.
Traditional transactional relationships with carriers no longer suffice. Instead, shippers are turning to the latest technology, including data analytics and strategic partnerships, to optimize their carrier relationships and ensure supply chain resilience.
Already, 86% of 3PLs are using advanced algorithms to compute optimal shipping routes.
This white paper explores the best practices for shippers seeking to optimize carrier procurement and build stronger, long-term partnerships using data-driven methodologies and technology-enabled platforms.
Download our latest white paper to discover practices for smarter procurement with the right partner
Why Automation is No Longer Optional
In today’s fast-paced logistics environment, shippers are under more pressure than ever to deliver faster, reduce costs, and maintain flexibility in the face of fluctuating demand.
The complexity of modern supply chains—with multiple
transportation modes, vast geographic reach, and increasing customer expectations—make traditional, manual processes unsustainable. Enter logistics automation, a transformative force that is reshaping the way shippers operate by leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
Automation technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), are becoming indispensable tools for shippers who aim to stay competitive. The key question is no longer if automation should be adopted, but how to strategically implement it to drive the most value.
This white paper provides a definitive toolkit for smarter logistics automation and the impact it can have on your shipping operations.
Download our latest white paper to access the definitive toolkit for smarter logistics automation
Understanding the Need for a Transportation Management System
Shippers universally fear transportation management system (TMS) overhauls.
Their TMS journey likely began with a crash course in chaos. These complex projects can be a massive strain on teams and resources. But what if your next TMS implementation could be completely different?
Before embarking on the journey of TMS implementation (whether this is
your first time trying it out, or if you’ve given it a shot and things didn’t go as
planned), it is crucial to understand why a new system (or TMS in general) is
necessary.
This white paper provides a ten-step blueprint for successfully implementing a TMS and boosting efficiency, profitability, and clarity in your operations by choosing the right partner.