Today’s leading companies have come to recognize the value and growth logistics technology can bring to their shipping operations. Even the most progressive companies, however, may fail to understand how adopting a comprehensive, automated solution extends beyond simply integrating a standard TMS.
While a TMS can offer a wide range of benefits on its own, improving service, keeping your customers happy, and staying ahead of the competition often requires a unique combination of many different tools. This is where your logistics technology stack comes into play because data is key. If you want to maximize the use you get out of your TMS and completely alter your end users’ experience for the better, you’ll need to look outside of your existing system for additional opportunities that can provide richer data sources and other useful functions.
Filling in the Blanks
Thanks to modern pre-built API and EDI connections shippers are now able to easily integrate a variety of data points ranging from up-to-date tracking information, to reliable capacity, to accurate rates. At the end of the day, a TMS can be pretty powerful, but without the right data to back it up, you could be leaving room for significant gaps within your supply chain processes. Specialized logistics technologies help to solve for this lack of visibility by filling in the blanks that are critical to a shipper’s success.
The best shipping software will get you a lot more than lower rates, including simplified online booking, hassle-free invoice payment options, real-time tracking, data-driven decision making, and optimized workflow digitization. And with the resources that are currently out there on the market, achieving all of this is a lot less complicated than many people tend to assume.
The reputation new technology integrations have within this industry of being costly or time consuming is far from the truth. This wasn’t always the case, but sharing data between systems is much easier now with the support of consistently evolving technology that prioritizes ease of use and enables advanced communication. Logistics technology providers want to deliver a seamless user interface just as much as shippers and their customers want to experience one.
Here are some of top applications shippers need to keep an eye out for an immediate ROI:
- Real-time freight tracking
- Top-of-the-line CRM solutions
- Dynamic contract rates
- API or EDI connectivity
A TMS is a fundamental tool and a great start to building an ideal technology stack, but it’s also become the bare minimum. As logistics technology continues to advance, creating a balanced blend of software solutions can actually be fairly affordable for most companies. Smart shippers know that it takes more than just the basics to wow their customers, but they may not know how to identify the investments that’ll get their unique business the optimal results. Don’t worry though—that’s why we’re here. Click here to learn more about how GAMA’s software can help shippers cut costs, minimize mistakes, and increase efficiency.
