The freight and trucking industries have been essential to the economy and they continue to grow. However, they are also changing and adapting to new trends. One of the biggest changes is the use of new technology to transform operations and make them more efficient. New transportation broker software can bring different functions like operations, accounting, and analysis into one online system. It comes with built-in interfaces to load boards, mileage systems and engines ratings, putting the entire operation at your fingertips.
Changes in the freight and trucking industries
Freight and trucking continue to be essential to the economy, with over 12 million vehicles of different kinds in the transportation network. These include trucks, freight cars, and vessels. The total amount of cargo moved by the trucking industry as of 2013 was almost 15 billion tons. By 2040, it is expected to grow to 18.79 billion tons, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The industry has grown more complex. While the value of cargo per ton has increased, the distance traveled by each shipment has declined. Further, changing retail patterns and the rise of e-commerce have transformed shipments. Along with full truckloads, shippers and brokers now also handle less than truckload or LTL shipments and parcel deliveries.
Freight management software for integrated operations
Technology for the freight and trucking industries has kept pace with these changes. Transportation management software or TMS systems can integrate operations, accounting, and analysis into a single, cloud-based system. TMS systems come with built-in interfaces to load boards, rating engines and mileage systems. Pulling all functions into a single system saves time and improves revenues.
It takes fewer people to manage and track all shipments, and they can do it more accurately and efficiently. A single system is used to track everything from order to dispatch to delivery. Newer staff can be on boarded quickly. TMS systems can interface with third-party systems for greater efficiency. Like all cloud-based systems, they can be accessed remotely. Powerful analytics tools give shippers and brokers the ability to compare prices and profitability. Finally, TMS systems can be customized, to provide only to the functions needed, without superfluous bells and whistles adding to the cost.
The world of freight and trucking is complex and it’s changing rapidly. New technology and freight management software gives shippers and brokers the tools to keep up with these changes and to track and manage shipments efficiently. Powerful analytics and interfaces to load boards add to the overall efficiency of operations.