Shipping operations are becoming increasingly complex, with higher customer expectations and little margin for error. Shippers must leverage freight broker software to obtain real-time visibility, streamline processes, and maximize output to stay ahead. Freight brokerage software is especially vital because of modern supply chains and their interconnectivity, where delays and disruptions can cause ripples across entire networks.
Real-time visibility levels the playing field for these shippers, enhancing their ability to control more aspects of the shipping process. For example, suppose the asset carrying the monitored freight breaks down due to wear and tear or security challenges. Having visibility into this situation in real time can allow shippers and operators to make informed decisions to exception management and implement alternative measures to ensure the cargo gets back on its way to its destination.
Real-time visibility from freight broker software provides shippers operational transparency, allowing for more control in moving goods between locations. This enables shippers to run a more optimized end-to-end process.
Here is why that is important:
Transparency has long ceased to be a nice thing to have. It is now a must-have for shippers. In the past, customers were content with waiting weeks, months, and even years for shipments, especially those across continents. Today, not so much. Modern customers are demanding and with good reason. They expect the shipper to leverage the necessary tech solutions.
If that is not the case, customers move to the shipper’s competition that offers visibility. Customers look for complete transparency, which includes knowing when their shipments will arrive and on-demand updates throughout the process. This way, shippers can help their consignees plan around receiving these shipments.
The Red Sea continues to be impacted by the Houthis, making it a multibillion dollar logistics headache for shippers. This fall, a hurricane disaster impacted shipping and logistics operations in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. There is no shortage of disruptive events, including natural disasters and operational delays, that can derail operations.
By leveraging real-time visibility features from freight broker software, shippers are adequately informed with early warnings and actionable data, allowing them to make adjustments that minimize disruption.
The success of modern shipping operations will, in many cases, boil down to the decision-making process of the stakeholders involved. With data from real-time visibility, the shippers have enough information to make informed and accurate decisions. But beyond that, they can make these decisions faster and smarter. It could be by optimizing delivery routes or reallocating resources during delays.
Real-time visibility allows shippers to mitigate cargo theft, fraud, damage, and delays. Mitigating these risks and improving route efficiency lower operational expenses, improving the overall cost savings of the entire supply chain operation.
Real-time visibility is important, but it starts with the correct implementation. There are three key ways to implement real-time visibility so shippers can leverage the data and make the necessary adjustments for seamless shipping process execution.
Real-time visibility will struggle without basic technology solutions like GPS and IoT sensors. More advanced solutions like automation, AI, and machine learning also allow for data accumulation and analysis, making it easier for shippers to leverage the information when making decisions. Freight brokerage software like a transportation management system (TMS) has allowed for a more nuanced application of real-time data to the real-world problems these shippers face.
To properly leverage real-time visibility or gain complete transparency, there will need to be a bridge across the multiple tools used to manage data and information. For instance, TMSs and warehouse management systems (WMSs) apply to different ends of the shipping process, and integrating their data streams is crucial to making effective and impactful decisions. Manually trying to bridge both datasets can be stressful for all stakeholders.
Real-time visibility will not do much for the shipper or the operation at hand if other stakeholders cannot leverage the same information or are limited in how much they can do with it. For real-time visibility to work, there have to be strong partnerships that will ensure the accurate application of real-time data, leading to a more efficient shipping operation.
Data defines the path forward for modern shippers. Considering the many factors working against the average shipping operation, there is never a better time to leverage freight broker software like EKA’s TMS. It ensures real-time visibility and complete transparency, bringing together all necessary stakeholders and allowing shippers to master the complexities of shipping operations. Connect with us today.
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