We asked over 100 professionals from some of the world’s leading logistics companies to give us their thoughts on what would happen to supply chain visibility. Our Real-Time Visibility Trend Report 2022revealed that 82% of respondents say that having accurate ETAs on shipments was an essential need so that they could manage their supply chains and operations more efficiently.
As Europe’s leading provider of real-time visibility, this particular need didn’t come as a surprise. But diving into the data a little deeper, we uncovered three additional demands that shippers in particular see real-time visibility as providing a solution for. By enabling these services, carriers and LSPs will be well placed to get a head start in winning new transports and building more trust this year.
1. Optimal capacity matchmaking will be a way to find new business
Our survey indicates that shippers will increasingly be looking to take advantage of optimal capacity matchmaking services this year. 26% of respondents say that capacity matchmaking would be the most important application of real-time data in their supply chain for the year ahead. As large companies start to ramp up production once again, the challenges of finding capacity partners are becoming greater. With a huge demand for carriers and acute driver shortages, these companies are turning away from load boards and moving to match-making services to solve this problem.
This means that growth-minded LSPs and carriers would be wise to explore automated match-making services like the ones offered by Sixfold and Transporeon. By using the RTV data that they already generate, they can effortlessly showcase their services to relevant shippers. These matchmaking services operate by analysing the runs that trucks frequently make with less-than-full loads. This means that carriers and LSPs can be connected to potential customers that make sense for their business, providing a sensible source of revenues. Additionally, with AI pricing models built to minimize offer rejection, you can be confident these partnerships will be made on your terms.
2. Better employee resourcing and productivity
Another focus for shippers is increasing their human capital efficiency. Over a fifth of survey participants identified this area as where they would like to see real-time data make a difference. From their point of view, this means making sure warehouse resources and admin staff are doing the jobs they should be and not wasting time with check calls or waiting for trucks to arrive.
Carriers and LSPs who are able to enable this will be very well placed against their competitors. With RTV-tracked transports, carriers and LSPs will be able to explicitly offer their customers gains in by enabling real-time yard management to improve unloading and loading operations as well as automated communications based on-exception management. There are additional benefits to the carriers themselves, as this in turn leads to reduced waiting times for their own trucks as well as allowing dispatchers to focus on their real tasks.
More shippers than ever are feeling the pressure to act more responsibly and sustainably. They feel that governments, customers & employees expect a more transparent effort to reduce their carbon footprint. However, getting accurate information throughout their supply chain remains a huge obstacle.
RTV-enabled carbon visibility then represents an opportunity for carriers and LSPs to help solve this problem for their customers. Carbon Visibility by Transporeon allows them to offer their customers the most accurate overview of the transport leg of their supply chain. It incorporates the truck type, weight of shipment and emissions involved in a transport, and inserts it directly into the shipper’s reporting system with no extra work needed by the carrier.
An additional benefit for carriers with a green focus is that they can also market themselves based on their green credentials with quantified proof to back-it up. Taking part in automated carrier matchmaking means they can also share their emissions history on certain routes/lanes, so they can further stand apart from the competition when competing for contracts that include sustainability KPIs.
3. Real-time data provides a platform to be more competitive
Real-time data and visibility are important to shippers, which means carriers looking to grow this year need to offer it. While many carriers will remain focused on sharing simple ETAs, carriers and LSPs who incorporate this data to help solve the pain-points of shippers will achieve a huge competitive advantage.
Using this data to engage in capacity matchmaking provides new revenue streams, while being able to help shippers become greener and more efficient puts carriers in a great position to offer much needed extra value. Additionally, these services help carriers themselves become more efficient in their own operations to help reduce costs. As Europe’s leading provider of real-time visibility, Sixfold works within the Transporeon platform to provide tools like Match-Making, Fleet Monitor and Carbon Visibility to help build trust, establish credibility and grow faster.
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