To successfully manage a freight forwarding company, it's important to have good control and review over your supply chain operations at all times. To build a strong and flexible supply chain network, some factors need to be considered when choosing an Ocean freight forwarding software. Some matters need to be importantly taken care of like, the automation of repetitive tasks, having access to real-time data on operations, gaining insights through big data analytics, etc.
A reliable and competent freight forwarding software can help you streamline and automate your various supply chain functions with ease and utmost efficiency. Employing a logistics management system can bring down your costs significantly and allow for increased productivity, customer satisfaction, and a high level of organization of your supply chain functions.
Here we provide you with the important factors to diligently consider when choosing ocean freight forwarding software.
Ocean Freight Forwarding software: Key factors to consider
The layout of your warehouse plays a huge role in its effective management and having a proper system in place. Plan your warehouse in such a way that the bestselling items are placed at the forefront of the space, enough space has been allocated for machinery like forklifts, dollies, etc. and for their operation in moving and retrieving items. Also ensure there is ample space for your employees to move about, sit and work in comfort. Essentially, there should be enough space for everything that you need as well as remove anything that is not required.
1. Fast and efficient delivery of goods
Your new software should provide you with robust planning features so that any issues or incidents related to poor planning are eliminated. Your new software should also help you in assuring package security and also the timely delivery of goods in good condition to the correct point of destination. The smooth flow of goods from your facility to your customers’ facility should be facilitated by the system without bringing you additional costs.
2. Seamless freight management
Allowing you to efficiently manage all your transportation costs should be an important feature of your new sea freight forwarding software. The software should help you maintain your service quality and ensure customer satisfaction whilst helping you save costs. An ocean freight forwarding software should also provide you with insights to successfully resolve various freight-related challenges.
3. Comprehensive billing options
Exploring the billing options available in freight forwarding software is very important while selecting it. Check whether the software allows you to bill on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Software that provides maximum flexibility in terms of billing options should be the best one to consider such as NVOCC. The system should be well designed to accommodate the accurate processing and capturing of data to retain every information.
4. Best integration with existing systems
When you are intending to consider a new system, it's essential to ensure that it seamlessly integrates with the existing systems. To ensure the smooth functioning of your business operations it's necessary to have coherent integration of both the new and existing systems. If your new software is incompatible with your existing systems, then it can become a hindrance to your operations.
Consider choosing software with a modular design so that you can select only the functions your business needs. It would also give you financial benefits.
5. Cost monitoring and invoice processing
Opt only for software that has the best invoicing and cost features. Invoice reconciliation automation is a highlighting feature of any intelligent freight forwarding software system. Seamless auditing would be made possible by an efficient system via the ability to timestamp and leave comments on each invoice. Highlighting inconsistencies between your invoice and the original quotation and highlighting any errors directly to your vendor can be made possible by automating the invoice matching process. After your vendor has fixed the error, you can consider the invoice.
6. Data sharing with customers
You can ensure enhanced customer experience and increased transparency with your customers by using a good ocean freight forwarding software system. Some logistics management software provides real-time tracking of shipments dashboard with their customers for specific orders allowing customers to stay up to date with the movement of their goods. Both parties also receive location specifics of goods at all times.
7. Cloud-Based Software
A remote access feature is one of the main benefits of employing a cloud-based freight forwarding software system. You can get full access to information from anywhere and your employees too can instantly converse with you anytime and from any location. This allows you to provide excellent and responsive customer support to your clients. Improved communication, reduced costs, fewer probabilities of security breaches, improved management, scheduling, etc, are some of the benefits of choosing a cloud-based freight forwarding software system.
Read More: Advantages of Having Freight Management Software to Your Logistics Company
Choose the best ocean freight forwarding software
Each freight forwarding company has its uniqueness and has its own sets of requirements. When choosing a freight forwarding system you need to choose a system that can cost-effectively best accommodate your freight forwarding needs.
Stellosys is a leading and prominent freight software solutions provider in the Middle East with a decade of experience in providing the best Ocean Freight Forwarding software solutions to its clients worldwide. Logipulse by Stellosys is the most popular next-generation suite of logistics software solutions available in the market today.
Read More: How to Choose the Best Freight Collaboration Platform for your Business?