The world of logistics is going through a major digital transformation to maintain a progressive approach. The current volumes reported by freight forwarders makes it obvious that the shipping industry can’t afford to run without logistics management software. Your transport management system (TMS), warehouse management system (WMS), enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and other essential tools operate best through integration.
Invest in a freight management system that allows integration at a centralized platform. Once you have all the supply management tools you need in one place, your operational efficiency and team productivity will increase. Never underestimate the power of sustainability that freight forwarding software brings to your company. Your human resource management, energy usage, schedule management, and budgeting improve through automated processes.
You’d be surprised at the amount of money your business can save by relying on supply chain tracking to keep you updated with your shipments’ progress. Automation applies to most operational areas, streamlining them for higher efficiency and productivity. You can control access to incoming data and tools using your logistics dashboard.
How real-time supply chain tracking works
GPS Technology is available to help you monitor the location and status of your shipment anywhere in the world thanks to satellites. Getting data, you require to make important decisions in real-time, gives you the ability to make better decisions. Choose a logistics management software that shows you all your active shipments simultaneously. You can track shipments in air, sea, road, and rail modes as they move along the routes you selected.
The tracking tool in your freight management system delivers notifications about the various milestones expected in the route of your shipment. You are alerted to your shipment’s dispatch, clearance, arrival, delivery, and more. Thanks to the view of the route on your screen, you are forewarned of obstacles in the route that may cause delays. Supply chain tracking helps you select the quickest routes, reducing your carbon footprint and fuel costs.
How freight forwarding software improves reporting
Data management is a challenge in handling supply chains partly because of the large volumes shipping companies have to manage every month. Freight forwarders can provide better customer service to shippers through automation. Reporting can be a difficult task because it’s closely linked to the availability, accuracy, and organization of data. Your logistics dashboard simplifies data access, compilation, security, and precision.
Automated reporting saves the time your employees spend on collecting data, extracting relevant data, organizing data, making reports, and sending reports. Depend on your freight forwarding software to generate and share reports automatically based on the real-time data it gathered. Freight forwarders can send automated reports to relevant parties, who can use the shared insights to streamline their operations.
How your logistics dashboard supports supply chain management
Centralized control of freight forwarding is the need of the hour as the demand for shipping services increases worldwide. The freight industry has to be prepared for rising volumes using automation because requirements for improved port infrastructure can’t be met in a short period of time. Investing in a reliable logistics management software is far easier than gaining the cooperation of international government organizations to provide resources to the shipping industry. Automated freight systems can be applied to companies that can offer their benefits to third parties working with them to optimize different operational sections.
Inventory management
Thanks to the advantages of integration, you can maximize the potential of your freight management system. Use integrated tools to monitor the stock of various goods in your inventory to avoid confusion. You can arrange to have notifications sent to your system when any item needs to be restocked. Your logistics dashboard may even have the feature that has an automated ordering process for goods that require restocking in your inventory. Upgrade your customer experience by introducing integrations with warehouse management systems (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Minimize the risk of human error affecting your inventory by installing freight forwarding software.
Customer service
Real-time data plays a major role in obtaining the information you need to take precautionary measures, reduce the chances of delay, secure your assets, and keep your customers in the loop. When you’re handling the shipping process, your customers depend on you to share information about the progress of their shipment. Supply chain tracking allows you to visualize your shipment as it moves along the preset route. You can decrease the chances of delay by readjusting the route because of traffic issues and other problems. Use the automated reporting function of your freight tracking software to receive quick information on shipments.
Delivery history
Cargo tracking isn’t just helpful in pinpointing the exact location of your shipment or sharing its status with you in real-time. Logistics management software saves all the data it collects about your shipments in different modes. You can easily access the data and get automated reports on every shipment you’re responsible for. The third parties running operations with carriers can share data records showing the performance of those carriers to persuade customers to hire those carriers at the third party’s rates. Delivery history comes in handy for internal optimization as you monitor your company’s progress over the past quarter.
Tracking modes
Secure software for supply chain tracking is essential, especially when you’re inviting relevant third parties to view the progress of their shipments. You want to put your best foot forward when third parties are involved in viewing your internal processes. Use freight software that allows transport management system (TMS) integration to make the most of logistics technology. You may be involved in multimodal tracking that has a single carrier managing shipping across multiple modes. Intermodal tracking is fairly common as it’s cost-effective and efficient when multiple carriers are helping you manage your shipment along its preset route.
Real-time alerts
The speed at which your automated freight management system delivers notifications makes a noticeable difference in streamlining your operations. When you receive precise data within a few seconds of a relevant incident occurring, it strengthens your ability to make the right decisions. Alerts regarding the milestones of your shipment can be forwarded to your customers instantly. Real-time data about your shipments improves your inventory and warehouse management. You can notify your teams at different locations to prepare for potential challenges. The more information your teams have, the better they can resolve problems.
Communication
There are two kinds of communication in freight forwarding: internal and external communication. Alerts regarding shipments are sent within your company as well as to third parties. Your stakeholders require regular reporting, which can damage your reputation as a business if done poorly. Your logistics dashboard provides total control of your operations and keeps your data secure while increasing its accuracy. Automated reports assist in data management, keep your data safe, and allow visualization of important insights. You can send automated messages to different departments, keeping them updated on real-time data.
Track your shipments across all modes (air, sea, rail, and road) while getting data for intermodal and multimodal approaches through your freight forwarding software. Automation handles your data, organizing it to obtain the insights you require to upgrade your services. You can generate automated reports for internal and external use. Technology in freight operations increases efficiency and makes them more sustainable.
