Business today is different from what it was before the internet came into existence. Every industry has undergone radical changes with the evolution of the Internet. How different is freight shipping today? A lot of resources that aid shipping can be found online. Here is a list of oft used shipping tools and resources:
1. Virtual Logistics Department:
Find a partner who will assist your sipping needs virtually. You needn’t see face to face and you can outsource your shipping processes to such a partner.
2. Automation:
Organizations automate most of their shipping processes. That’s a lot of time and personnel saved. Well-programmed software does everything from generating commercial invoices on international shipments to getting acknowledgments. Some shipping partners have applications that can be integrated into your organization’s business system.
3. Tracking tools:
There are several Shipment tracking systems today. They eliminate thousands of WISMO (Where is my order) inquiries. The customer can check the whereabouts of the parcel any moment. The customer care personnel can look into other queries than answering WISMO queries.
4. Inventory management tools:
Shipping is closely related to inventory management. Get hold of an inventory management tool that automates the process. You can link it with a shipping automation system. It helps you ramp shipping up or down as and when required.
5. Go international with online forums:
With the help of online forums in related sites, try to expand internationally. Emerging markets offer a lot of opportunities.
6. Right Address Validation Technology:
It is the most important pointer that a shipper has to keep in mind. Knocking on the wrong door with the shipment can escalate costs by a huge margin. So, before the shipment is sent out, the address has to be verified. There is technology available today that can validate addresses and even suggest alternatives when in need.
7. Integrate:
Look into your business processes and see if you can integrate your shipment process system with the existing systems. A lot of complexities can be resolved by data sharing. Human errors and duplications are also reduced by doing this.
8. Mobile Technology:
A lot of businesses have mobile apps that are just as good as the website. It would be great for a customer to book a shipment, track the same and acknowledge the received parcel through a mobile phone app. It saves a lot of time and money.
9. Online shipment visibility application:
This allows using your company’s account number to retrieve actionable status information about your shipments. It is a one stop shop that automatically tracks your incoming, outgoing and third party payer shipments (without individual tracking numbers). It immediately notifies you of delivery, clearance delays and attempted delivery.
10. Automate or outsource late shipment claims:
Most shipping partners offer a refund if they fail to deliver within the promised time. So, it is prudent to have a system to track late shipments and file for refunds. This brings down overall shipping cost. You can do it with the help of software integrated to your shipping system or you can outsource the process.
