Mastering Freight Visibility: A Broker's Guide to Meet Customer Demands
When was the last time a customer called, texted, or emailed you for a shipment location or ETA? Hopefully, “check calls” from customers are a distant memory. If not, it’s easy to make them disappear for good. Shippers want to partner with freight brokers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers that provide automated shipment tracking. Anything less is unacceptable for maintaining vital supply chain visibility. The main challenge to meeting customer visibility demands is getting all your motor carriers to adopt automated tracking methods. This article shares an easy-to-deploy technology strategy to bridge the gap between carriers and shippers to deliver seamless freight visibility.

Understanding the Growing Demand for Visibility

To keep supply chains moving, shippers need more than location data. They also require accurate arrival and departure times, predictive ETAs, and even map-based displays of load locations. Using outdated technology can make meeting these expectations challenging. Fortunately, upgrading your IT systems can be short, inexpensive, and smooth. Powerful web-based platforms can be adopted quickly to help you keep up and stand out in this increasingly competitive industry.

Leveraging Technology Solutions

Investing in a robust, simple-to-deploy Transportation Management System (TMS) with API integration capabilities is often the first step. These systems act like a central nervous system, allowing operations to manage shipments, track loads, and communicate with carriers and customers efficiently. Many brokers also turn to specialized freight visibility platforms that integrate with their TMS platforms and aggregate data from various sources, including electronic logging devices (ELDs) and mobile driver apps. These platforms can provide customers with a unified view of all their shipments, regardless of the tracking method used by individual carriers. Mobile apps have also become an invaluable tool in the visibility ecosystem. By providing drivers with easy-to-use apps for communication and tracking, you can significantly improve the accuracy and frequency of your shipment updates.

Overcoming Carrier Cooperation Challenges

Carrier cooperation is essential for successfully collecting shipment tracking data by integrating with their TMS or ELD provider or getting them to use your mobile app. Overcoming this challenge requires a multifaceted approach. First, it's crucial to clearly explain the benefits of tracking to your carriers. This includes faster payment processing, accurately capturing and compensating for detention time, and improved efficiency in their operations. Some brokers have found success in offering incentives for using tracking apps or sharing ELD data, such as priority load offerings or faster payment terms. Building solid relationships with your carriers is also crucial. Take the time to understand their concerns and work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit both parties. Remember, the goal is to create a partnership where improved visibility is seen as a mutual advantage, not a one-sided demand.

Providing Value-Added Services

Getting carriers to comply with your tracking requirements takes time and effort. Once this is solidified, you will stand out in the market for reliability and build on this newfound advantage by offering customers additional services that enhance visibility. This could include providing customized tracking update frequencies to meet their specific needs. Some customers may require hourly updates, while others need information every 15 minutes. Another valuable service is integration with shippers' systems for seamless data sharing. By allowing your tracking data to flow directly into their systems, you can save them time and give them a single pane of glass to manage shipments. Offering historical shipment data and analytics can also set you apart. This information allows shippers to identify trends, optimize their supply chains, and make more informed decisions about their logistics strategies.

Embracing Real-Time Communication

The logistics industry is moving beyond traditional electronic data interchange (EDI) systems towards more agile, real-time communication methods. Implementing API integrations for real-time data exchange is quickly becoming the norm. These integrations allow instant updates and more flexible data sharing than older EDI systems. Customer portals with live tracking details and map displays are also becoming standard expectations. These portals give your customers 24/7 access to their shipment information, reducing the need for phone calls and emails and improving overall satisfaction.

The Role of Load Connex TMS

Transparency in freight tracking isn't just a trend – it's becoming necessary. By embracing these changes and investing in the right technologies, you'll position your brokerage for long-term success in the digital age of logistics. The future of freight brokerage belongs to those who can provide clear, real-time visibility into every shipment, every step of the way. The Load Connex TMS offers a comprehensive solution for freight brokers looking to streamline their operations and meet customer visibility requirements. Load Connex includes a mobile driver app for easy tracking and document capture and a customer portal with live tracking details on an interactive map. Its API integrations allow for seamless data exchange with other systems, making it easier to provide the level of visibility your customers demand. By implementing these strategies and leveraging powerful tools like Load Connex, freight brokers can successfully meet and exceed customer expectations for freight visibility. This will improve customer satisfaction and provide a competitive edge in the ever-evolving logistics landscape. Discover the freight visibility and other advantages of Load Connex today. Contact us to schedule a customized demo
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