Institute of Couriers - IOC at the Microlise Transport Conference MTC26

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IOC at the Microlise Transport Conference MTC26

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Gallery exhibition of all things transport.

Countdown stage – Pressure drives us forward.

Hosted by Spencer Kelly, - the shout was loud!

‘Driver shortage voted the biggest challenge of the industry today!’

‘Pressure is Rising - Leaders innovators, lead challenge and drive changing.’

Institute of Couriers chair, Carl Lomas and IOC CEO Dr Tracey Worth in Manchester for Microlise 2026.

An event not to be missed, rich in top level keynotes. All set for the largest conference in transport. Parked in the blue car park to walk towards the mighty Etihad Stadium and register at the door of the Manchester Arena, breakfast aroma of bacon sandwiches, a gallery of supporters stands from DVSA to MAN, Goupil micro electrics alongside giant EV Volvo tractors. A treat of network and natter, meet and talk, in the gallery of all things transport, well done Microlise.

Ten o’clock bell call and the real stage began under mighty Microlise blue video screens, MTC26 is live. A full house on the comfy black seats bolted direct into the concrete of the arena floor. Screen countdown from twenty, pressure is part of our industry, every delivery made, pressure drives us forward. Here is where we step forward. This is where the future of transport and logistics is shaped. Nadeem Raza opened with fourth Kings Award win news.

Host Opening Spencer Kelly (BBC) took the long walk across the giant stage. ‘shout loud’ if you have attended before, the shout was loud. ‘Today we take a deep dive into the industry, safety, compliance and security, looking at the shape of the road ahead'. Spencer introduced the interactive poll communications via guests phones, first question: where did you come from? Lots of London, Lots of Manchester, even some Scotland! Driver shortage voted the largest challenge to the industry today.’

Keynote CEO Microlise, Nadeem Raza – Fourth King's Award this week!

Shaping and digitising transport data for over forty years. ‘This week, Microlise win their fourth King's Award for industry.’ ‘I want to thank our customers for their support and helping develop our products.

Keynote One

Strategy - AI is Here. Now What? Unlocking Value in Transport & Logistics

‘If you are standing still you will be left behind’ - ‘Ai will accelerate your business to drive forward.’ - Agentic Ai learns for you.

Dean Garvey-North - (Microlise CTI), ‘AI is here!’ ‘What next?’ Cast your mind back, PC computers arrive, internet arrives, telematics arrive, Ai is ready to really change how we work. If you are standing still, you will be left behind. At Microlise we are not bolting Ai on, we are embedding it in our products that are true AI. Defining AI, think carpenter, use a hand saw, or use an electric saw, be more efficient, but you still need to put the shelf on the wall.’ AI is not yet ready for end to end, but Ai is taking on much of the job today. Over time Ai gets faster and faster and assists you more, surfacing recommendations for end point. People who learn alongside Ai will accelerate and drive forward. Ai does not take away humans. Real time analytics in transport with Ai to change strategy on the fly.’ Dean delivered a case study on Microlise One Analytics’ data quality of roads and transport is strong at Microlise. Building that data platform on a gold standard, data correct to get the insights correct. We have Agentic AI, this platform learns. When compliance issue identified this product will decide the solution and advise the steps you should make. The Agentic model will give you true insights you can act on to secure compliance. ‘Get curious before you get cautious.’ ‘Treat your data as an asset.’

Keynote Two

Technology – ‘We have got under the skin of the transport sector.’ ‘Looked at end to end’ - ‘Get through-put efficient and visible.’

‘It's not sending a parcel, it is delivering a promise.’

Phil Sambrook (Zebra Technologies), ‘We think the same way as Microlise. The Economics of Intelligent Operations, How do we intelligently understand a transport operation? We have got under the skin of the sector, we are ready to make impact on complex, regulatory and compliance parts of the transport business.’ We have talked from c suite to operations front line to learn best practice for sector. We have looked at different workflows, from transport & logistics. An end to end view. ‘We believe in making the worker better, technology has changed in today's learning. Ways of working have changed. Last mile delivery, ordered at ten in the evening and delivered by ten in the morning, customer expectation has moved on.’ ‘The sector must get through-put efficient, but with visibility - where is it? where is it moving? when is it delivered?’

Panel completing the morning (Traffic Commissioner, DVSA National Highways)

Keeping Britain Moving: Compliance, Enforcement & Network Readiness for 2030. Kevin Rooney, (Traffic Commissioner), Neil Barlow (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), Duncan Smith (National Highways) – Is culture a factor in road safety?

Kevin Rooney, Traffic Commissioner - ‘We are focused on people, the human factors in transport must be understood.’ Why do drivers ignore warnings?

Duncan Smith, National Highways. Big focus on new road safety strategy , Focus on road safety at roadside from signage to cutting vegetation back to see the road side. ‘ Green Cross Code, buckle up, campaigns that made impact.’ National Highways, ‘Safety systems are beneficial but they need to be good.’ Pot holes are basically caused by weather and budget.

Neil Barlow DVSA, ‘It is about a culture alongside technology changes. There isn't just one thing that the UK can do to improve safety. It is a relentless attention to safety.’