The low level of supply chain transparency is most likely due to ineffective management, slow manual monitoring processes, and other reasons for shortcomings in implementing business processes.
In this article, we will analyze the main insights that negatively affect the performance of your business's transportation and logistics activities and which logistics services and digital solutions will neutralize this impact as well as contribute to your development.
Logistics transparency opportunities for business management
Let's clarify the positive impacts you can achieve in your business development that cause a high level of transparency and visibility in your supply chain:
Properly data source operating
Unreliable data sources are a common problem that is being pointed out. However, there is also another concern: do you pay attention to whether your data sources are consistent?
In any case, when using and providing a large amount of freight-related data to your customers, it is necessary to consider the reliability and relevance of all data sources. However, not all data may be available in a convenient form or at all. In addition, different sources of information pose a risk if they are not controlled and organized into a single information structure. Therefore, transparency and visibility of the supply chain are also conditioned by organized data that is consistent and easy to use for you and your customers.
Extensive data granularity
With the ability to operate a streamlined data system, it's worth thinking about the possibilities of expanding and detailing the shipping information that customers request.
Usually, the level of visibility of the supply chain falls due to the inability to find and organize all the necessary and additional data. For example, you can provide information about the shipments' schedule for the destination required by the shipper but not be able to provide more detailed data about the vessel or deadlines. This reduces your competitiveness, as users must go to your competitors for more information and supply chain insight.
Comprehensive automatization of logistics
Without manual searching, you will be able to find out precisely when your cargo will arrive at the port, how to plan a route with the desired transshipment point, when the container will be unloaded, what ETD your production processes should be adjusted to or what ETA customs procedures should be planned for, and many other important matters. Daily challenges will no longer threaten and delay your logistics operations, as you will have the full scope of necessary information and comprehensive control over your business processes.
Efficient use of human and material resources
With constant availability of up-to-date freight data and therefore sufficient visibility into the supply chain for your needs, you will be able to plan future shipments, repairs, warehouse operations, customs services, container loading and unloading, further effective communication with transportation parties, consignee cooperation, etc. You will be able to freely plan and estimate the transportation budget while efficiently utilizing the resources of your employees. This way, all the needs of your production will be met in an even, reliable, and predictable manner.
Visibility of logistics processes: Improved networking
Supply chain visibility leads to improved collaboration both within your company and more effective external communication with your partners and customers.
Any party to logistics, from an analytical company employee to a carrier or port authority, is concerned with the efficient management of shipments according to the shipping schedule, efficient tracking of containers in different directions, and other aspects of shipping.
Therefore, the SeaRates team offers comprehensive logistics services and advanced tools for the efficiency and transparency of the following processes: multi-tracking with real-time data on the shipment of consignments, finding shipping requests from shippers around the world, promoting your freight rates, and much more.
Additionally, you may have many questions throughout the transportation process about general logistics operations or the functionality of SeaRates tools. Our Support Team will be glad to answer any of your questions about shipping, and you can also learn more in our Help Center. Depending on your needs, please follow the links to Help for Shippers or Help for Carriers.
Streamline your shipping operations with IT tools for logistics
The extensive functionality of SeaRates IT tools for logistics performs a qualitative optimization of your business processes and can be accessed through the following options:
- Tools for logistics are available for exploring the functionality of the SeaRates.com website. So, with SeaRates, you have a choice of tools to get a wide range of capabilities. Check out the full list of SeaRates IT tools for logistics by following the link.
- SeaRates' tools are also extensive in integration as a white-label widget on your website or as an API. Shipping lines, shippers, carriers, freight forwarders, analytics companies, software vendors, and other logistics parties equip their websites with widgets or ERP, TMS, and CRM systems with SeaRates' APIs. These are ways to increase their competitiveness, forecast freight shipping more accurately, and improve the organization of logistics data for themselves and their customers. Check out the possibilities of integrating SeaRates tools, or go to our Developer Portal.
Among the wide range of digital logistics solutions, you can request an IT quote for SeaRates' tools to fulfill your business's individual logistics needs as soon as possible.
In Conclusion
Opportunities gained from streamlined logistics processes clearly reduce the number of mistakes and the likelihood of lost or incomplete business information. Searching for alternative solutions among a wide range of offers is the key to making informed decisions about your trading and logistics business. We at SeaRates are dedicated to providing you with the capabilities for your development path.
Contact us anytime at it.sales@searates.com for assistance in integrating SeaRates services into your business process.
