The navigation of many industries towards a digital world has received a significant push in the last year and a half. Whether by choice or playing catch-up, digital transformation has certainly got businesses interested in its visible benefits.
The freight forwarding industry has been in long need of a makeover. With many forwarders implementing freight software, the change that was needed in the industry is finally seeing daylight. To begin with a drop in response times to freight quotations to reduced job turnaround time the digital freight forwarder is making great strides.
Forwarders are using technology to transform and:
- Organize and fine-tune internal processes
- Woo the customer
- For a show of strength in the competition
Change begins at home - Internal transformation
Infamous for being paper-laden, people-dependent, and manual, freight forwarding has been traditionally slow. Before 2020, adherence to paperless documentation was just a 'good to have' but restrictions due to the pandemic caused a shift in perspective.
The time for printing and filing alone can tie up logistics professionals for hours. Documents like the letter of credit or bills of lading are printed multiple times in case of changes or errors. The digital freight forwarder stores documents on the cloud, accessible and editable even from a smartphone. Most details are auto-populated in the documents from the masters of carriers, transporters, etc. Reducing manual data entry can prevent fines and delays and also upholds your credibility as a forwarder.
Digital forwarders generate consolidated invoicing, as shippers do not need to interact with all the carriers, port authorities, and customs agents but only with a single counterparty. Another great way of collaboration with distributed and decentralized operations is by introducing automation via workflows. Access to real-time information bridges the gaps left without technology.
Free Demo!Draw your customers to you with attractive service value
New generation digital forwarders are deploying solutions in a bid to offer customers an enhanced and quality experience. The first touchpoint with a shipper or exporter marks the initial opportunity to imprint how you value them. No matter the incoterms, delivering a product to the consignee is a cost that is smaller, the better for the cost bearer. Freight management software provides data insights that can help forwarders negotiate the best rate with multiple stakeholders in a dynamic pricing and demand environment.
Delays could be or not - under freight forwarders' control, but the responsibility to apprise the consignor and dependent parties fall on you as a forwarder. With technology, you can be on top of the shipment progress or any holdups. Send auto-alerts directly to the customer's device about events like customs cleared and other triggers like delays keeping them in the communication loop.
Ready to make your way through the competition
Digitizing plans had been postponed for many years by freight forwarders giving numerous reasons. Covid-19 has brought that plan back to rethink and implement. Going by the increasing technology adoptions, the situation is - adapt or perish.
Freight management systems implement a single database to organize and store data about all functions and branches. Digital forwarders build their core value proposition around a seamless user experience of shipping goods while aggregating information on a single platform. Reduced costs, agile and efficient processes, and a smooth customer experience are the tools you need to amplify your value offering in the market.
Summary
2021 is showing us that pre-Covid normalcy may not be restored anytime soon. So fire up your business with the best freight management software Logi-Sys to deliver better customer satisfaction, cost savings, and a constant peek to look for self-improvement.
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