New Service Development in Logistics 2026

[nickelsonn]

I wanted to start a discussion about how new services are being developed in logistics right now. In our company, launching a service used to mean adding a feature and announcing it. Lately, that approach no longer works, because customers expect real operational results from day one. Delays, exceptions, and unreliable handoffs quickly destroy trust. It feels like services now need to be built as long-term systems rather than short-term projects. Ownership after launch also seems to matter much more than before. I am curious how others are adapting their service development approach in 2026.

 

[bims]

I recently read an article that explains this shift in a very structured way: https://www.ajot.com/news/what-is-new-service-development-in-2026. It describes new service development as an organized process focused on outcomes like on-time performance, reliability, and resilience, rather than features. What stood out to me was the idea that NSD is becoming an operating system that allows teams to release improvements continuously. The article also highlights how integrated ecosystems and AI moving into daily operations are driving this change. Services are expected to deliver value immediately while protecting the network long term. That framing helped me better understand why old launch models are failing.

 

[carloss]

It makes sense that service development is becoming more disciplined as logistics grows more complex. When networks scale, small design flaws quickly turn into operational debt. Treating NSD as a continuous responsibility rather than a one-time launch seems more realistic. Clear ownership and measurable outcomes help teams stay accountable. This also explains why metrics and reliability are now part of the service definition. The discussion shows how service thinking is maturing in logistics. It feels like a natural response to rising expectations.