Transportation Management Systems Can Provide Immediate Quotes and Tracking for LTL & TL Shipments

Freight shipping is a vital aspect of many businesses that rely on the transportation of goods. However, the process of freight shipping can be complex and time-consuming, especially when it comes to getting accurate and timely freight shipping quotes. That's where freight shipping brokers come in. They help businesses find the best rates and routes for shipping their products. In this article, we'll explore how a transportation management system (TMS) can provide access to immediate quoting and tracking on LTL & TL shipments, saving time and money.

Immediate Quotes

One of the most significant advantages of working with a freight shipping broker is the ability to access immediate quotes. When businesses need to ship their products, they often need to know the cost upfront. A freight shipping broker with proper TMS technology can provide an estimate based on the size, weight, and destination of the shipment. However, traditional methods of obtaining a shipping quote can be tedious and time-consuming (fax, phone, and email). Businesses have to call multiple vendors to get quotes, and then they have to compare and analyze them to find the best deal. This process can hours, and it may not always lead to the cheapest freight shipping rates, nor the solution that is the best value.

By using a transportation management system, businesses can get immediate access to shipping quotes. A TMS allows companies to compare multiple carriers and rates simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple phone calls and emails. The TMS can quickly generate quotes based on the shipment's size, weight, and

destination, making it easier to find the cheapest freight shipping rates.

Tracking Shipments

In addition to providing immediate access to quotes, a TMS can also help with tracking shipments. When a shipment is in transit, it can be challenging to keep track of its progress. Without proper tracking, businesses may not know if their

products have been delayed or lost, which can be costly. With a TMS, businesses

can track their shipments in real-time. This feature allows them to monitor the

shipment's progress and make adjustments if necessary, such as changing the

delivery date or contacting the carrier to resolve any issues.

Accessorials

A TMS can also help businesses with monitoring reoccurring transportation accessorials like residential freight shipping. Shipping to residential areas can be more challenging than shipping to commercial areas because of the additional fees and restrictions. However, a TMS can help businesses find carriers that specialize in residential freight shipping, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

Consolidation Optimization

Consolidated freight shipping is another area where a TMS can provide benefits. Consolidated shipping involves combining multiple shipments into one truckload, which can be more cost-effective than shipping each LTL shipment separately. A TMS can flag shipments that can be combined and build consolidated truckloads that provide savings and less risk of a claim while the shipment is in-transit.  Shipments that are routed in the TL network have significantly less handling than the LTL carrier network. This consolidation of freight function in a TMS helps businesses find carrier solutions that offer consolidated shipping, providing significant savings on shipping costs.

Measuring Transportation KPIs

The average cost of freight shipping can vary depending on several factors, including the size and weight of the shipment, the distance, and the carrier. The cost per pound or cost per mile are common KPIs that a TMS creates visibility on, that enables shippers to build benchmarks on pricing in various regions of a country. Using a TMS can help businesses find the cheapest freight shipping rates by comparing multiple carriers and rates simultaneously, while also monitoring solutions unique by carrier, DC location or region of the country.

In conclusion, a transportation management system can provide access to immediate quoting and tracking on LTL & TL shipments, saving businesses time and

money. By using a TMS, businesses can quickly generate shipping quotes, track

shipments in real-time, and find carriers that specialize in residential and consolidated freight shipping. These benefits can help businesses streamline their shipping processes and reduce costs, making it easier to focus on their core operations.