How Freight Forwarding Software Can Help You
Freight forwarding software is a must for any business required to manage multiple complex
freight movements. Keeping an accurate track of goods in transport is critical to the success of many businesses, and a computerised tracking, accounting and quoting system is a useful tool to enable full control of import and export logistics.
Any freight forwarding software package will present you with a range of functions to streamline freight forwarding. For a complete solution consider purchasing a program which has the following functionality.
- The ability to receive and make online booking requests and obtain quotes for freight transport.
- The system should be capable of making booking confirmations and collection requests.
- The software should provide a warehouse management system and be able to keep an inventory of all products and raw materials, and their current location.
- Provision for the consolidation for air transport, ground movement and shipping
- Ideally provide a step by step procedure for organising a shipment, such as with a software wizard. This will ensure that anyone can use the software to make a shipment, without the need for extensive training.
- The ability to produce, scan and read barcodes to track goods and monitor movement throughout the system.
- Collation and storage facility for all paperwork such as shipping verification documentation, proof of delivery receipts, and Air Waybils
- Full multicurrency accounting and management for billing and invoice payment.
- Ability to call individual shipments from the system and quickly and accurately assess their status.
The cost of freight forwarding can run into thousands of dollars for many businesses, therefore all costs need to be accurately monitored and assessed. A fully automated control system can bring the ultimate efficiency to your logistics operation and will take a lot of the pain out of the import and export of goods around the world.
Any major logistical operation will experience freight shipments which do not arrive on time, or even fail to arrive at all. The insurance policies in place need to be monitored, and late delivery of items noted. Many companies provide a refund or credit facility for any items which are not delivered in accordance with the delivery conditions paid for.
The ability to track delivery times allows for a thorough real time assessment of the carriers performance, and an accurate record kept on refunds and claims to ensure that no money slips through the cracks and losses are kept to a minimum.
Customers requiring urgent shipments can be advised on the exact current location of goods, and be given an accurate estimation of delivery date, to enable them to organise their workforces efficiently, improving confidence in your business.