SPARK Matrix: Multi-carrier Parcel Management Solutions, Q4 2025

Multi-carrier parcel management is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s becoming the engine behind unified, composable logistics platforms—because fragmented tools can’t keep up with volatile carrier networks, rising returns, and customer expectations.

Here’s the catch: most organisations already have the data to ship smarter. What they often lack is a platform that can turn that data into real-time decisions—carrier selection, promises, tracking, and returns—at scale.

In this SPARK Matrix™ report, you’ll learn:

• Why the MCPMS market is converging with TMS and eCommerce platforms into unified logistics ecosystems (and what that means for vendor selection)

• How AI/ML is becoming the key differentiator—powering predictive carrier performance, automated decisioning, and dynamic rate optimisation

• Why returns and reverse logistics are now a growth driver, with leading platforms treating returns as loyalty infrastructure—not just cost control

• The real adoption blockers (legacy WMS/ERP integration complexity and reluctance to disrupt carrier relationships) and how vendors are responding with connectors, low-code tools, and managed onboarding

• How vendors are evaluated (Technology Excellence + Customer Impact) and the core capabilities that matter: rate shopping, compliant labels, tracking/visibility, consolidation, and returns management