In the last few years and especially since the pandemic, the transportation and logistics industry has been undergoing the process of digitization. Challenges from the multinationals, increasing competition, changed customer expectations, and the need for more efficiency are some of the factors that have prompted the forwarders to adapt to the new age of seamless door-to-door services. Emerging technologies like data analytics, blockchain, and IoT are allowing uninterrupted end-to-end collaboration between all the stakeholders in the transportation process.
These days, several online tools allow logistics companies to better serve their customers. In other words, the supply chain sector is adopting a digital strategy that is more suited to the client’s behavior. Independent freight forwarders need to put themselves in their customer’s shoes and figure out the kind of services that they will expect from a company. Additionally, they also need to figure out the kind of tools their competitors are using to optimize their services.
In today’s blog we are going to discuss the benefits of online logistics tools and briefly talk about the best software for our sector.
Advantages of logistics tools for the transportation and logistics industry
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Simplified work process
Logistics tools simplify and accelerate several office chores such as quote generation, management, billing, shipment tracking, bookkeeping, and more. It enables companies to manage the majority of their works with just a few clicks of the mouse.
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End-to-end visibility
The use of software not only makes your back-office tasks more efficient but also enables effective handling of any supply chain disruption. For instance, the real-time tracking tools give you a better understanding of delays. They allow you to provide a more accurate ETA to your clients. Similarly, route optimization tools can help you avoid delays and disruptions and ensure on-time delivery.
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Automation enhances your operational efficiency
Freight forwarding software replaces time-consuming manual processes and automates your operations. Additionally, they eliminate all chances of human error due to wrong calculations, errors in data entry, and so on. Automated workflow not only reduces the load on your workforce but also helps to save considerable time. Moreover, reduced errors and prompt services enhance the experience of your customers which should be the priority for any business.
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Easy to use
The best logistics tools are extremely user-friendly. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to be able to use them. Moreover, many of the freight forwarding tools allow you to collate your data and integrate them on a single platform.
Top logistics software for independent freight forwarders
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A cloud-based TMS for constant access to rates and instant quote creation
Since the pandemic, digital freight forwarders have received a good deal of attention. Moreover, there is a growing demand for more innovative, customized, and forward-thinking approaches to logistics management. A TMS for quote generation can be a game-changing tool for logistics companies that want to come up as online freight forwarders.
For instance, Globalia’s member-exclusive transport management system- FreightViewer– allows the network members to take the first step towards digitizing their back-office processes. Briefly stated, FreightViewer is a state-of-the-art freight rate management software that reinforces the digital infrastructure of the network members. Most importantly, it provides the members with a standardized platform for sending/requesting quotations, sharing documents, and even exchanging freight rates with partners who don’t belong to the network.
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Document management software
Freight document management software allows you to digitize all your paper records. These can include your air waybills, loading lists, customs declaration, waybills for road freight, bill of landing, invoices, and more. It eases the task of document management by reducing paper trails. The best document management software gives you round-the-clock access to data and records saving a lot of your valuable time from rummaging through paper works.
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Shipment tracking software
Investing in shipment tracking software is imperative especially if you are into e-commerce logistics. Cargo tracking platform enables forwarders and their customers to check the location of the shipment at any given time. Additionally, these platforms enable you to track your cargo times, reroute your cargo and provide your clients with live updates about the cargo status. Independent freight forwarders that have ventured into the e-commerce business, make it a point to provide shipment tracking facilities to their customers. The use of shipment tracking software is enabling freight forwarders to ensure their competitiveness and guarantee complete customer satisfaction.
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Fleet management system
Freight forwarders specializing in road freight and trucking should consider investing in a fleet management system. Fleet management software helps to optimize the productivity of the fleet while enhancing the safety of the drivers. They enable you to track the location of your fleet in near-real-time, optimize route planning, enhance drivers’ safety, reduce fuel consumption, monitor driver behaviour, cut cost and improve customer satisfaction.
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Warehouse management system
Logistics companies with on-hand inventories can benefit greatly from a WMS or warehouse management system. WMS analyses the use of floor space in your warehouses to determine the ideal space utilization. This in turn allows for waste reduction and minimizes the time spent on locating items in the warehouse. Additionally, WMS adds to your inventory visibility by the use of RFID tags, serial numbers, and barcoding. Last but not the least, WMS better allocates the right task to the right people at the right time thereby increasing the productivity of your workforce.
Independent freight forwarders regularly carry out intricate shipment processes. Their everyday business operations need to be upgraded for enhancing their client service. Moreover, this is also important for successfully competing against the industry stalwarts. Implementation of technology should be the first step of forwarders for better management of all significant bottlenecks.
Freight forwarders specializing in road freight and trucking should consider investing in a fleet management system. Fleet management software helps to optimize the productivity of the fleet while enhancing the safety of the drivers. They enable you to track the location of your fleet in near-real-time, optimize route planning, enhance drivers’ safety, reduce fuel consumption, monitor driver behaviour, cut cost and improve customer satisfaction.
To encourage its members to embrace digitization, Globalia Logistics Network made available a member-exclusive free Transport Management Software- FreightViewer. Apart from enabling agents to create instant quotations, this tool improves response time and enhances customer experience. Most importantly, it reduces costs, saves time, cuts down the steps involved in the operations, and improves security and visibility.
Small and mid-sized freight forwarders don’t always have the necessary resources to keep pace with the technology trends. Simply put, FreightViewer allows Globalia members to initiate this process of digital transformation without any investments on their part.