88% of LTL shipping stakeholders say the ability to provide real-time ETA updates is crucial for customer satisfaction, according to a Worldmetrics report published in May.
The report also said 75% of LTL customers would switch providers for better technology, indicating just how important real-time visibility has become.
Worldmetrics said LTL service providers are now “turbocharging” their operations with artificial and automation, “transforming the traditional shipment journey from uncertain to seamless, one digital innovation at a time.”
Roadblocks to LTL Shipment Visibility
TSN Shipping calls LTL “the smart choice for modern businesses.”
“Through shared truck space, advanced tracking, and cost-effective rates, LTL shipping optimizes efficiency while reducing environmental impact,” TSN said.
But even for modern businesses, LTL shipping is fraught with challenges. The more stops a truck makes, the more opportunities there are for things to go haywire. Manual processes can leave freight brokers and shippers in the dark, with zero visibility into the whereabouts of LTL shipments. A lack of information impacts entire operations.
Real-time visibility into LTL shipments — from scheduling through delivery — is absolutely essential in today’s freight brokerage operations. Automated updates allow freight brokers to immediately respond to delays, manage exceptions, and keep shippers informed through every stage.
The Power of Real-Time Automation
A TCI Transportation report said real-time tracking systems have “revolutionized logistics.”
“With the click of a button, clients can now see exactly where their goods are, eliminating guesswork and reducing anxiety. This transparency builds trust and significantly improves the overall customer experience,” the report, titled “Enhancing Customer Experience Through Advanced Logistics,” said.
It said automated notifications alert stakeholders every step of the way, from dispatch to delivery, “offering real-time insights without manual intervention.”
And data gathered at every step can help predict delivery times, anticipate disruptions, and make adjustments in real time, TCI said. “Smarter, more efficient routing and real-time adjustments mean shipments arrive faster, and the entire process becomes more predictable for both the provider and the customer.”
Importantly, automation removes repetitive, time-consuming tasks like email responses and data entry from freight brokers’ long to-do lists and helps them build strategic, mutually beneficial relationships with LTL shippers.
Drumkit’s Tools Empower Freight Brokers
There are a lot of companies out there that promise real-time visibility. Drumkit delivers on those promises by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and automation to provide true real-time visibility. We also customize our solutions to fit freight brokers’ specific needs.
“Our team is small, and our engineers work with customers directly every day, and we only bring on one or two customers per month — all part of that consultative approach,” Drumkit founder and CEO Dhruv Gupta told Andrew Silver during an episode of The Freight Pod. “We want to meet our customers where they are and give them a tailor-made experience. I’m not interested in saying, ‘Here’s what the product is, good luck.’ I want to make sure you actually use it.”
We help our customers determine what to automate with the DRUMS framework:
- Define Automation Priorities. Recognize repetitive, time-consuming tasks that drain productivity, including document processing, email management, and data entry.
- Rethink Workflows and Data. Identify where information gets stuck or requires manual intervention.
- Understand Team Concerns. Provide proper training that focuses on how artificial intelligence can augment freight brokers’ skills.
- Monitor Performance Metrics. Track time savings, error reduction rates, and user satisfaction.
- Scale What Works. The magic of automation is, if done right, it will naturally expand across the enterprise.
Advance Logistics Operations with Drumkit
“Advanced logistics is now key to survival and success in our increasingly customer-centric world,” the TCI report said. “Moving forward, the companies leading in logistics innovation will set the standard for customer experience across all industries.”
Drumkit’s industry-leading tool includes:
- Intelligent Sidebar, allowing users to see all LTL load information across platforms in one place.
- AI-Powered Smart Autoreplies that dramatically reduce response time without losing personalization.
- Quick Quotes that help freight brokers win LTL shipments fast.
- Automated Load Building, which eliminates manual data entry errors and enables the compilation of LTL shipments.
- Load Matching, enabling quick and accurate carrier selection.
- Automatic Status Updates, which keep LTL shippers informed every step of the way.
Drumkit stands at the forefront of logistics innovation with our intuitive freight broker software. Join us. Book an introductory call and learn how we can customize real-time automation processes for your freight brokerage.
