Business Talk Magazine

The business world has experienced numerous disruptions since the advent of the internet and digitization. And just as in every industry, digital technologies are fundamental to the transformation of the supply chain and logistics sector. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform into an invaluable tool for this sector over the next few years, assisting in its progress and redefining its established practices. AI can potentially revolutionize logistics and supply chain management by automating processes, increasing efficiency, collecting, and analysing data. Its ability to interface with other technologies, such as Blockchain and Machine Learning (ML), to effectively optimize the industry’s archaic methods makes it an even more powerful tool than any others.

As a result of these disruptions, entrepreneurs now have new avenues to explore and create customized customer experiences while addressing industry-wide concerns about reliability and security.  Veteran entrepreneur, investor, and technology enthusiast, Matthew Telesca, CEO and founder of AI Logistics has been revolutionizing the logistics industry for over two decades. He became an early innovator of on-demand transport management systems and one of the original architects of the industry’s first web-based logistics solution, Logisticsquote.com. Telesca has led this sector since 2000, making him a well-known industry expert, with competence in finance, logistics administration, and software development.

Telesca is now prominent in the logistics and supply chain sector for his creative, forward-thinking, and thought-provoking leadership.  He has appeared on the covers of numerous prestigious business publications worldwide, including an impressive television interview with Fox Business hosted by Larry King. For our captivating edition, “Top 5 Innovative Companies to Watch in 2023,” we had the good fortune to connect with Mr. Telesca and learn further about his entrepreneurial history, with a focus on his most recent business, AI Logistics. The company’s main focus is on employing cutting-edge AI technology to deliver comprehensive transport management solutions.

Redefining Logistics for Decades

Telesca’s vision for an online logistics industry and desire to lead the transformation arose during the dot-com bubble. The exciting changes taking place during that time inspired him to become one of the country’s top logistics solutions providers. It was during this time period that Telesca envisioned a digital transformation well ahead of its time.

Early Breakthroughs

Since his early twenties, Telesca has been developing technology solutions for the logistics sector out of a passion for creativity. Back then, most technology applications were primarily utilized to address queries about physical locations and had very little capabilities. Telesca became obsessed with streamlining complex and redundant processes.  He established MGN Logistics in the spring of 2000, releasing one of the first completely automated logistics websites. Users were able to easily setup accounts, quote carriers, arrange and track shipments using the website. Growth was exponential because of its simplistic yet powerful and unique features, and a private equity firm eventually acquired it in 2004.

Exploring New Possibilities

Telesca then began working on other innovative ideas without wasting any time. He eventually developed a brand-new Transportation Management System (TMS) that was adaptable to any size organization. The company proceeded to develop more unique transportation modules throughout the ensuing years, outpacing all other participants in the market with an emphasis on next generation technologies. This included predictive pricing and intelligent transportation routing before any others in the space had considered such type features.

Creating tailwinds

As technologies continued to advance throughout the years, Telesca started considering how he could improve his existing TMS.  Telesca reveals, “I was always chasing the next best technology.” He looked for better solutions to integrate emerging technologies with their software as they arose. He began looking into ways to integrate blockchain into their TMS in 2012, when blockchain was mostly unheard of.  A few years later, when he realized the potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence in real-time decision-making and logistical planning, he pictured a business that was solely dedicated to this. As a result, AI Logistics was founded in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 2019. Despite the fact that this technology was still extremely new and still developing, Telesca set out to redesign their current TMS with seamless features.

ALPHA IN LOGISTICS: LEADING THE AI WAVE

AI Logistics’ state-of-the-art AI technology is raising the bar for logistics. With a goal of achieving total client satisfaction, AI Logistics focuses on end-to-end logistics support, including all modes of transportation.  

Since new features are mainly intended to improve their current TMS, they were first tested out with MGN Logistics, a sister company. After achieving success, they started developing a brand-new cloud-based application that can radically modify the experience with the present TMS, providing a level of intelligent data and visibility never before possible. They continue to offer MGN Logistics unique AI capabilities, allowing it to dominate the market and dominate its’ competitors. “We made the decision not to license this technology to others in order to keep our edge.”  However, Telesca notes that as more businesses explore AI-based solutions, “This may change in the future.”

HELPING MGN LOGISTICS UP THEIR BEST

Over the years, MGN Logistics has carved a niche in providing reliable and comprehensive logistics solutions that address changing complexity. The company’s TMS is fully integratable with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and other TMS systems or may be used as a standalone solution. With full integration, AI Logistics is able to provide enhanced data for all transportation modes, including truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), ocean, air, rail, intermodal, and parcel, as well as offer customers a robust yet simple-to-use, all-in-one solution for their supply chain needs.

Utilizing AI enhanced features enables the company to offer the highest caliber of consulting combined with technology to apply optimal processes, compliance, and audits to maximize potential results. In the end, the development of reasonable alternatives eases the financial stresses on its clients and allows maximum cost efficiency.   

THE TEAM BREAKIN’ GLASS CEILINGS

If MGN Logistics has always had a passionate team of technology enthusiasts, then AI Logistics, is the version on steroids. Since the company is made up virtually entirely of software developers and engineers working in artificial intelligence, innovation and creativity is in its DNA. They enjoy challenging one another and regularly compete with each other for the most innovatively creative conceptions and ideas. “We always ask ourselves why not?  If we can imagine it, why not develop it? This mindset is easy because we are constantly surrounded by other tech enthusiasts and we love to feed off one another.”, says Telesca.  They can innovate, stay one step ahead of the competition, and take the lead in the global AI logistics sector because of their forward-thinking mentality.

MATTHEW TELESCA – AN INNOVATOR & INNOVATIVE LEADER

Whether it was using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning based technologies to shatter the ceiling in logistics or keeping the team buoyant through ups and downs, Telesca has been the company’s unwavering foundation who has always moderated a path forward. Telesca believes in leading by example by motivating others and being a strong communicator.  As the CEO, Telesca is aware that breakthroughs sometimes stem from collaborative efforts rather than only coming from the top. As a result, he has established a corporate culture wherein the employees are given the freedom to explore their creativity and offer ideas.

Furthermore, Telesca insists that having a clear vision of what one wants to accomplish as well as inspiring others are both necessary qualities for a successful leader. To encourage and provoke innovation and new thinking among all employees, the company provides incentives for participation. Telesca’s strategic insight aids management in coordinating the trajectory of their team’s capacity to come up with and execute ideas. Despite never being a natural leader, Telesca confesses this essential ability was learned and honed by repeated efforts.  Today, Telesca has a reputation of being one of the sectors top leaders and executives.  The CEO proudly boasts, “I have been able to run multiple companies at the same time, each with outstanding results.”

ALWAYS SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

With many more prestigious milestones under his belt, Telesca has big ideas for AI Logistics, especially how it could drive the future of transportation. He seeks to strike a balance between innovation, growth, and sustainability to bring about long-lasting reforms in the sector. Telesca explains, “Innovation often arises out of necessity, and when a business is starting from scratch, innovation can act as a levelling agent.  After all, if I have a lot of money to invest, I probably won’t work as hard as someone who has little money to start.  Therein lies a profound secret.  Sometime the best starting place is ground zero with little or no money.  That is where the most creative and impressive success stories begin.”  

Telesca has achieved significant milestones and wide-ranging recognition thanks to his years of experience and accomplishments. This year, Inc. magazine named AI Logistics as one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies in the United States. It was the only Puerto Rican-based company to make this distinguished list.  In fact, two of Telesca’s companies, AI Logistics and MGN Logistics, both made this year’s prestigious list, which is equally noteworthy.  This achievement is quite exceptional and speaks highly of a serial entrepreneur. Telesca is the first CEO to successfully run two distinct companies named to the Inc. 5000 list.  Over the past three years, AI Logistics has seen a 900% increase in sales since the company’s founding!  MGN Logistics is an eight-time honouree on this list with over 80% average annual growth and topline revenue of nearly $60 million dollars.  We look forward to seeing where this superstar entrepreneur and his next successful business will land.

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