Q3 2025

DSDC Quarterly Newsletter

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™ Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC)™ Newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest news and insights on full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) digitalization and supply chain transformation.

API Standard Development Update

The DSDC continues to make meaningful progress. Our working groups have been hard at work, and it’s exciting to see the momentum building. The full truckload (FTL) workshops are making significant headway, with three of them now moving into the technical writing phase after successfully completing their product requirement documents. On the less-than-truckload (LTL) side, all workshops have finalized their product requirement documentation and are queued up to begin technical writing soon. These milestones reflect the dedication of our participants and the clarity of purpose driving this initiative forward.

We’re equally focused on spreading the word. From industry events to one-on-one conversations, we’ve been actively engaging carriers, shippers, software providers, and other partners to raise awareness and encourage adoption. Our message is simple: open digital standards benefit everyone, and now is the time to get involved. Download current API standards here.

Whether you’re new to the DSDC or have been with us from the start, we appreciate your continued support. Together, we’re building the foundation for a smarter, more connected freight ecosystem.

Keith Peterson
Vice President of Operations
NMFTA

A Legacy of Leadership: Honoring Paul Dugent’s Impact on the LTL Industry

This quarter, we honor recent retiree, Paul Dugent, the former executive director of the DSDC, whose tireless advocacy helped launch the Digital LTL Council and inspired the broader mission of DSDC. Paul’s vision laid the foundation for a digital-first freight ecosystem, one where collaboration, not fragmentation, defines how carriers, shippers, and technology providers work together. Read the blog below to learn more about Paul's decades of impact on LTL and trucking digitalization.

Paul Dugent NMFTA
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Fuel Your Freight Tech Talk with the DSDC Speaker Toolkit

We’ve made it easier than ever to share what DSDC is doing, whether you’re speaking at an industry event or briefing your executive team. The new Speaker Toolkit includes: A ready-to-use slide deck with talking points, templates, logos, brand, and messaging guidelines to help you communicate DSDC’s mission with confidence and clarity.

DSDC Membership Meeting to Be Held at Manifest 2026

Mark your calendars! For the first time ever, the DSDC will gather at Manifest in Las Vegas for the inaugural annual DSDC Membership Meeting. Join leaders from across LTL and FTL to define the next wave of freight‑tech standards. Manifest registration and attendance are required to attend the meeting.

Please note: With the NMFTA exclusive discount, the price to attend Manifest Vegas 2026 is just $1695 ($1100 off the on-site rate).

Manifest 2026
The Freight Coach Podcast

DSDC Takes Over The Freight Coach Podcast

Keith Peterson, staff liaison for the DSDC, will be joined by a DSDC member to talk recent API Standards, what's on the roadmap, and how your company can take the first step toward adoption. Listen in at 11:30 am ET on Thursday, August 14.

Share This Resource: What Every Carrier, Shipper, and 3PL Should Know About APIs

Learn how the DSDC is working to shape the future of freight through collaboration, innovation, and industry-wide standards. Read the blog and share it with your carriers, shippers, and 3PL partners to help drive awareness across the supply chain.

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Pickup Visibility

Have You Downloaded the Newest API Standard Yet?

The Pickup Request and Visibility API Standard is bringing a smarter, faster way to work across the LTL freight ecosystem. Say goodbye to clunky workflows and hello to real-time updates, streamlined communication, and next-level visibility. This standard is built to power seamless collaboration from shipper to carrier to consignee.

Download the full standard today and be part of the movement shaping the future of freight logistics.

ShipTalkers Episode 7: Navigating NMFTA Freight Class Changes for LTL Shippers and Carriers

Head to minute 26:12 in this episode of ShipTalkers, where Keith Peterson, vice president of operations at the NMFTA, breaks down the latest freight class changes. He explains how they might impact your business, how to avoid billing confusion and shipping delays, and how to turn these updates into opportunities. Don’t miss this part if you want clear answers and actionable strategies.

Follow Us on LinkedIn for Real-Time Updates

Stay in the loop with the latest from the NMFTA by following us on LinkedIn! From industry news and educational resources to upcoming events and tech updates, our LinkedIn page is your go-to source for everything NMFTA. Don’t miss out—join our growing community and stay informed!

Follow NMFTA on LinkedIn
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Coming Soon: Preliminary Freight Charges

Get ready—NMFTA’s Preliminary Freight Charges API Standard is almost here. This new standard will give carriers and shippers a faster, smarter way to exchange preliminary rating data, improving transparency and speeding up decision-making. Stay tuned for the official release and be among the first to explore what’s coming.

 

Latest Blogs

 

DSDC

Digital LTL Council Releases New API Standards for Pickup Requests and Visibility

The National Motor Traffic Association, Inc.’s (NMFTA)™ Digital LTL Council has released a new digital breakthrough aimed at streamlining two critical elements of the freight transport process—pickup requests and visibility.

Learn More
Tabletop-Exercise

How the DSDC Workshops are Driving API Standardization in Trucking

Curious how the trucking industry is embracing smarter, faster data exchange? Read the article below and learn how NMFTA’s DSDC Workshops are driving API standardization to streamline operations and boost efficiency across the board.

Read More
CH Robinson Case Study

Case Study: C.H. Robinson Implements eBOL

Read to discover how C.H. Robinson is enhancing digital connectivity with their carriers.

Read More

Refer a Colleague

Would you like others at your company to be added to the Digital Standards Development email distribution list? Send them this link or fill out the form for them on their behalf below! 

What Is the Digital Standards Development Council?

In partnership with the National Motor Freight Traffic Association’s Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC), the Digital LTL Council and Full Truckload Council bring together shippers, carriers, logistics and freight technology companies to create a unified set of API standards that streamline the freight shipping process.

Join Us Today >