A few days into 2022, I’d like to reflect on the past year and what’s ahead for shipping. Last year continued to be tumultuous as major supply chain issues remained, but for some, those challenges led to opportunities to reset and adjust. To remain agile as backlogs and capacity issues tightened, many shippers and 3PLs turned to their technology partners for help.
In what’s considered a “carrier’s market”, Shippers and 3PLs are scrambling to secure carriers to pick up and deliver their freight. Many are paying premiums in tight capacity lanes because carriers can be selective in what they move and how much they charge.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could see what the future of freight and the supply chain will be in 2022? Industry experts predict that we will still see backlogs of shipments, labor shortages, capacity issues, rate increases, and lack of warehouse space at least within the first few months of the year. If only we had a way to determine how to navigate these issues or some type of crystal ball that we could use to help us predict where we will be six months or a year from now, we could more efficiently and effectively plan for the course ahead.
Technology is proliferating across the supply chain, and digitization and automation are becoming increasingly expected. It is important to ensure your company updates its technology before its processes become obsolete. One great way to get on the front end of technology innovation is to implement freight-pricing APIs into your day-to-day rate quoting and shipment booking processes. They have many benefits and are customizable to your organization’s operations.
When you think of freight visibility, what does that mean to you? Is it just about knowing where your freight is or when it will arrive at its final destination? Is it knowing that it was put on the truck and is on its way or is it knowing in real-time where that freight is throughout its entire journey from order placement through delivery? Or is it all of those things and more? The term freight visibility is changing as the industry adapts to the new reality – one that is driven by ecommerce and the Amazon Effect. But no matter what it means to your company, visibility is necessary for properly managing freight, labor, costs and customer service.
