Waiting for a shipment without any knowledge of its location could be annoying. It only takes one failed shipment, one unsatisfied customer, or a truck being stuck in traffic, and suddenly your problem is magnified.
Back in the day, companies had to depend on telephone calls and manual tracking of their shipment. Nowadays, with real-time tracking, there are no such problems.
No matter whether your business uses third party logistics services (3PL) or does shipping on its own, the visibility of real-time tracking is crucial in today’s modern transportation and logistics solutions.
Let’s learn more about how real-time tracking enhances supply chain management and the logistics service selection process.
Real-time tracking involves the use of GPS and telematics along with connected software to track the location of the shipment in real time. Unlike old ways of doing things, companies can know the location of their goods and the ETA of the delivery.
Typical characteristics of real-time tracking include:
Such visibility is now an integral part of transportation and logistics solutions. No need for calls anymore to get accurate updates.
A good supply chain requires timely information to function. Once companies have knowledge about where their deliveries are, they can plan activities in warehouses, monitor stock, and deal with customers.
Efficient supply chain management services will benefit from real-time tracking by helping companies:
The lack of live shipping information means that problems get dealt with only when they arise. With real-time information, such problems can be spotted early and action taken beforehand, which is much less costly.
This allows for proactive supply chain management services.
Freight brokers connect shippers with carriers and facilitate the process of transportation. However, the function of freight brokers is not just about booking a truck.
Reputable freight brokers have tracking capabilities and make sure that they know where the cargo is at any moment during delivery.
In this way, freight brokerage services are not only about coordinating the process of transportation but also about helping businesses achieve better shipment visibility.
Since truckload freight transportation deals with time-critical or valuable cargo, it is important to know where the truck is and whether the truck has arrived on time.
The benefits of using real-time tracking technology in truckload freight services include:
All these advantages can contribute to more successful deliveries.
It should be noted that not all logistics partners have similar capabilities when it comes to shipping tracking. While some use sporadic updates, others utilize technology to provide constant updates on the status of your shipments.
When selecting third party logistics services (3PL), ensure that the partner embraces transparency as a service.
An efficient logistics company should function like an extension of your team. And this becomes even more crucial when managing multiple shipments, carriers, and deliveries.
Effective communication and transparency can simplify many things in daily freight management.
Real-time tracking has become an essential feature in modern logistics. It helps businesses track their deliveries, manage delays, and communicate with their clients.
Whether it is supply chain management services or truckload freight services, enhanced visibility will make your business operations more organized and predictable.
At Value Loads, we take it upon ourselves to ensure that our customers are fully informed about the whole shipping process. Contact us today and learn more about real-time tracking.
1. Which industries are likely to gain the most from real-time tracking?
The industries that might benefit greatly are retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food. Real-time tracking is beneficial especially for time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive shipments.
2. Does real-time tracking affect the cost of the shipment?
Real-time tracking could be incorporated into the services offered by the carrier or broker. The cost will differ depending on the technology used.
3. What are the differences between real-time tracking and traditional check calls?
Traditional check calls involve manual reporting by either the drivers or carriers. Real-time tracking uses automatic collection of location information.
4. Is real-time tracking available to small businesses?
Yes. There are many freight brokerage services that can provide real-time tracking. Small businesses should contact service providers regarding their services and tracking tools.