The digital connection of your customers
As technology evolves, so do customers' expectations of transparency and information accuracy. Unfortunately, some shippers or logistics providers are still lagging behind these modern expectations. That's why they now have the chance to score points with their customers through digital networking. There are various possibilities for this.
Automatic advice notes are a good way to actively inform the customer about the arrival time of the goods. What used to be produced by phone can be done more efficiently and in a more contemporary way with automated emails or short digital messages.
Shipment tracking is another important way to provide information to the customer. The ability to track an order or shipment online is now common practice for e-commerce retailers. This process allows customers to check the delivery status and estimated arrival date for themselves at any time.
For B2B companies, especially in the warehousing and order picking sector, an
arrival monitor is a modern ‘must have’ tool. The arrival monitor provides an overview of upcoming deliveries and their live status, and enables better decision-making capabilities, versus tracking individual shipments.
Another key area in digital networking with customers is the
exchange of electronic data. Online ordering, PDF invoices and electronic signatures make for more efficient use of time and resources. The use of mobile devices and
electronic delivery notes significantly speeds up the delivery process.
In addition, there is the possibility to further simplify and accelerate the invoicing and auditing process.
Invoice verification and invoice matching ensure systematic freight controlling, for example.
Obstacles to the networking of transport management
Despite all the advantages of digital networking in transport management, there are also obstacles on the way to optimal implementation. For example, there may be difficulties in creating the necessary
technical conditions to implement the tools, and the opportunity to embed/integrate them with the current systems.
Furthermore, in many cases the
processes and procedures of transport companies must be redesigned to enable effective use of digital workflow technologies. Any logistics company beginning a transformation project must account for the
training and further education of employees, especially in relation to the use of new tools and systems. Choosing a supportive freight transport technology developer/vendor can be a challenge.
Another important obstacle can be
data security. Networking means sensitive data (such as delivery addresses of your customers, and their customers) must be processed. Here it is important that transport companies understand modern data processing requirements, and take the necessary measures. They must be guided and receive the latest advice from their transport software provider.
The link creates real added value
As we all know: No pain, no gain. Even if obstacles exist, digital networking in transport management offers numerous advantages and opportunities, which we have only touched on here. By monitoring and controlling processes more effectively, shippers and logistics providers will increase their efficiency, thereby reducing their transport costs and increasing customer satisfaction.
Transport management thrives on the intelligent linking of all parties involved and the end-to-end digitalisation of your own workflow processes. Companies can expect the improved customer relationship to increase the transparency, loyalty, and competitiveness of your transport logistics operations.
Further contents:
Transport management by Städtler Logistik
How to lowering your freight costs now