Automation must be in the running for freight brokerage buzzword of the year. With brokerages competing for any edge over the competition, automation is proving to be a differentiator, particularly in terms of instant quoting and fast responses.
In a busy brokerage still dependent on manual processes, many quote requests slip through the cracks or get slow responses because the team is overwhelmed by menial, time-consuming tasks. Every one of those missed or late quotes is a lost revenue opportunity. In today’s freight market, brokers simply can’t afford to lose any of those revenue opportunities.
Quick Quotes and Responses
More and more freight brokerages have learned what the buzz is all about and have partnered with Drumkit to automate rate quoting and responses — and have made huge efficiency strides as a result.
Many brokerages today are only able to respond to a fraction of incoming spot quote requests due to workflow bottlenecks. For example, before one brokerage implemented Drumkit’s automation tools, it was only responding to about 40% of quoting opportunities — leaving 60% unanswered. That’s thousands of dollars of potential revenue just slipping through the cracks.
Improving that response rate even modestly can dramatically boost top-line revenue. A higher response rate also tends to increase the win rate — more bids equals more chances to secure loads and make more money. It also goes a long way toward boosting employee morale.
AI-powered automation is the solution to ensure no load request goes unanswered. For instance, Drumkit’s system can read incoming quote emails or portal tenders and draft instant pricing replies or load confirmations. By automating email triage and quote generation, freight brokerages can respond to 100% of inquiries — even after hours — without adding head count.
Scheduling Made Easy
Drumkit’s automation tools also prove essential once a load has been secured. Drumkit pulls all of the key details already saved in a TMS — pickup location, delivery times, carrier information, etc. — and automatically pre-fills the scheduling form for you. You can review it, make any necessary changes, and then simply hit submit.
That submission is sent directly to the scheduling platform you’re using, and when the confirmation email arrives, it’s automatically saved in your TMS. There’s no copying, no manual uploads, no wasted time.
Drumkit’s smart automation keeps every appointment in sync.
The Importance of Automating With AI
A Tank Transport report, “Top 5 Breakthroughs in AI in Freight Brokerage (2025 Update),” said AI has become critical to freight brokerages’ success. In 2025, automated quoting, AI load matching, and predictive pricing have become “baseline expectations” for shippers and carriers.
It said AI is transforming logistics through load matching and forecasting, instant quoting and pricing engines, carrier engagement, freight classification and billing, chatbot interfaces, trailer and yard management, and route optimization.
“Across brokerage, asset management, and intermodal logistics, AI has shifted from optional tech to operational necessity,” the report said. “The top-performing firms are no longer experimenting — they are deploying generative AI, machine learning, and predictive tools at scale, with proven efficiency and financial gains.
“In 2025, AI in freight brokerage isn’t just about innovation — it’s about survival. The ability to process massive data volumes, automate redundant workflows, and improve decision-making in real time defines the competitive edge for modern logistics providers.”
Never Miss Out With Drumkit
Drumkit is transforming the freight brokerage industry through intelligent automation, empowering teams to work smarter and eliminate avoidable errors. We help freight brokers automate every stage in the life of a load. In addition to quick quotes and automated scheduling, we offer a wealth of other tools:
- AI-powered smart autoreplies drastically reduce response times.
- Automated Load Building eliminates manual data entry errors.
- Load Matching enables quick and accurate carrier selection.
- Intelligent Sidebar empowers freight brokers to see all load information across platforms in one place.
- Automatic Status Updates keep all parties informed from the time a shipment is scheduled until it is delivered.
Freight brokers are buzzing about the opportunities afforded to them by automating their processes with Drumkit. Find out what all the buzz is about. Book an introductory call.
