In this article, we will look at some of the design elements and functionality of the Logistics Explorer platform, which we are often asked about. All these features were first seen in January 2017 and were due to the experience, feedback and wishes of users and customers.
To get more information about the platform operation, we recommend that you visit the appropriate section of our Help Center for Shippers, or if you represent a transport company and want to understand the management of rates, commissions and interaction with partners - the Help Center for Carriers.
At the same time, the software is constantly updated, and it is always better to learn about it from the first mouth. Write to our managers at sales@searates.com!
The ability to see who added a rate
This option is possible for companies that use the platform on their website. If you received a booking in the direction that your partner serves, then you can see who exactly added this rate by simply clicking on the link in the email you received to the mail, and then going to the specific cost component, as shown below. This is made for the convenience of fast transportation arrangement, when you, for example, do not have time for detailed market research, and you can simply take advantage of the support of an agent from another country, earning additional profits on this.
As part of the strategy of the digital agent network, this information is not available to unregistered users or just shippers who are looking for shipping costs. Only official partners can see it under their account.
Optimizing the freight search Port-To-Port
When entering port cities in the process of finding the cost of freight, the system will not include local costs, because most likely the respondent is only looking for sea freight. Our statistical studies showed that of the 400,000 users looking for the cost of transportation between the port cities, 94% mean exactly the freight without local charges. In the case the system includes loading and unloading operations or other mandatory port charges, and as a consequence gives a higher price - the user does not want to understand what is included and proceed to the second step. Thus, problems were solved by automatic identification.
Nevertheless, if the shipper still needs certain local services, he/she can easily turn them on by ticking the necessary components.
Calculation of the railway tariff with the proposal of alternative options
Shippers, who regularly send goods by rail, are well aware of the problem of the availability of rolling stock. For example, if you constantly transport furniture in railway containers, and on a certain date your forwarder informs you that there are no inventory of railway platforms - this necessarily leads to a disruption in the delivery, and may even lead to the termination of the contract with the buyer. To avoid such troubles - it would be possible to use cars or even gondola cars as an alternative, but it also requires processing a large amount of information and is not available to everyone.
Another thing - if you see all the options clearly on each specific date, and immediately draw conclusions on the price. In this case, the risks of unforeseen circumstances with the equipment are reduced to a minimum. Now this is not the future.