The digital freight forwarder is an indispensable team member of any company making purchases to meet the needs of its customers. All companies are constantly in need of materials to provide a wide range of services to the clients engaged in direct sales or manufacturing of goods from components. The integration of the digital tools into the logistics process can make them more productive and effective to meet the expectations of any business.

What freight forwarding solutions?

The rapid demand for services in the industry of freight forwarding technology has led to the need for the implementation of innovative solutions having potential to meet the requests of any business. The companies are constantly in search of specific materials and tools, and products to create demand among consumers in the sales market. At the current moment the supply chain market is estimated at more than $15 billion by showing the tendency to grow.

Modern freight forwarding solutions show the integrated nature of system functioning. Integration in logistics implies two factors:

The integration of logistics systems. It implies the unification of various information systems of an enterprise or several companies using IT solutions into a single information field. An example of such integration involves the merging of the Warehouse Management System and the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system into a single information platform to automate inventory management and order processing.

The integration of information logistics processes. Integration of logistics processes is both the most difficult task and the biggest opportunity for an enterprise to gain competitive advantages. Such logistics is built into the processes of the enterprise, combining all logistics functions into a single infrastructure, organizational and information field.

Key benefits of digital freight platforms?

Innovative transformation involves the integration of all components of the digital world, and the use of data by becoming a key production factor. This approach allows digital freight brokers to create new business models, providing companies with serious competitive advantages both in regional and global markets. These changes can benefit any industry significantly. 

The freight forwarding technology, as an innovative digital logistics product, provides an ability to create integrated transport services depending on the constantly changing needs of the client. Based on production needs, it improves the quality of service and reduces costs with the participation of various carriers in the implementation of certain transportations, and large-scale integration of intelligent communication technologies between the user, vehicle, and infrastructure required to meet the needs of the partners. 

The crucial benefits of digital freight platforms involve the following factors: 

Advanced customer experience. In this case, the participants in business processes can enjoy a highly-developed pricing engine, improve all digital operations including invoicing, shipment tracking, and price quotation. The creation and further usage of customer digital platforms can turn into the first step to increase the level of clients’ satisfaction and business profitability. 

Continuous and efficient functioning of logistics business processes. Digital freight development provides companies with an opportunity to enjoy the easy management of  big data and analytics needed to increase the effectiveness of transportations. The new options of the digital system turn into a basis for the creation of the strong connection between customer portal and operational systems for their productive functioning. The innovation technologies allows the specialists to automate the processes of forecasting, booking and direct deliveries by reducing the possible errors.

The digital development of transport is an integral component of a successful transition to the development of logistics systems in the business agenda.

Advantages of digital transformation in logistics

Integrated information platforms play a key role in the digital transformation of freight forwarding technology. These platforms bring together participants in:

• the value chain
• distribution channels
• consumers and individual sectors of the economy

To improve productivity, local integrated information platforms are used in transport and logistics. With their help, the clients can plan transportation, organize the interaction of different types of transport, and process goods in warehouses. The time and financial costs of transport companies and their customers are significantly reduced. The introduction of complex digital transformation is widely used by logistics intermediaries that perform service functions and manage individual competencies of manufacturing companies. 

Combining business processes of clients, logistics intermediaries can perform the following tasks: 

• connect manufacturers with consumers
• ensure the delivery of raw materials, finished products, and components
• manage inventory
• make calculations
• support customers in any field of activity

How can digital freight platforms offer better end-to-end solutions?

The digital freight platforms significantly automate logistics processes by offering end-to-end solutions needed to simplify the procedures of documentation and direct digital freight development. 

The fundamental difference between digital transformation and automation of digital freight forwarders’ work implies the introduction of new opportunities and the creation of business processes marked by increase in the efficiency of existing action algorithms. Such type of the solutions includes following points: 

MaaS (Metal As A Service) business models. They involve the provision of a comprehensive service that combines direct connection to the services of the transport system, the possibility of early planning and forecasting of travel conditions and transfers in real time. This approach is based on organization of logistics processes, in which industry participants use online platforms to get access to the consolidated information necessary for more efficient sharing of logistics capacities and resources. 

Fifth Party Logistics Model. The method for the provision of logistics services allows providers to form an ecosystem for the introduction of a full package of transport and logistics services based on platform solutions, without possessing physical capacities. This approach is a very promising model. However, its implementation is very difficult. 

What are the development features of digital freight platforms?

In the context of the formation of the digital economy, the concept of a translogistics platform appears. It implies a single economic space, united by a common process of creating added value, functioning on the basis of management standards and covering many participants in an integrated supply chain in the global economic space.

Here are some common development features found in digital freight platforms:

1. Online Booking. Digital freight platforms provide an online marketplace where shippers can easily book freight services. They offer a user-friendly interface that allows users to input shipment details, such as origin, destination, weight, and dimensions, and quickly obtain quotes and book shipments.
2. Shipment Tracking and Visibility. Digital freight platforms offer real-time shipment tracking and visibility throughout the entire transportation process. Users can monitor their shipments’ progress, access status updates, and receive notifications about any delays or disruptions.
3. Carrier Management. Digital freight platforms allow users to manage their preferred carriers or select from a network of pre-qualified carriers. Shippers can view carrier profiles, ratings, and reviews to make informed decisions regarding carrier selection. 
4. Analytics and Insights. Digital freight platforms leverage data analytics to provide users with valuable insights and reports. Shippers can access performance metrics, transportation costs, on-time delivery rates, and other key performance indicators.
5. Freight Payment and Invoicing. Many digital freight platforms offer integrated payment and invoicing systems. Shippers can manage and process freight payments securely within the platform, reducing administrative tasks and improving financial efficiency.

It’s important to note that the specific features offered by digital freight platforms may vary across providers. Shippers should evaluate different platforms based on their unique requirements and select the one that best aligns with their business needs.

How can digital solutions help the transportation industry move forward?

Advanced functionality of the logistics app development industry provides the business owners and clients with limitless opportunities to complete the working tasks in a more effective manner. 

The formation of a digital platform for the transport and logistics sector on the principle of information association allows business participants to create an integrator, within which interorganizational interaction is carried out to solve two problems including the improvement of service and reduction of transaction costs.

The logistic mobile app can perform a wide range of the following functions:

• Automate warehouse accounting. All cargoes will enter the system without manual intervention of employees. Such archives are more efficient and reliable. Also, this functionality saves time.
• Efficiently build smart routes. Advanced options in the software enable the system to act as a cargo router. At the same time, the clients can track the packages via application by controlling transportation at all stages. 
• Offer customers secure payment systems. Payments for goods, logical services and storage can take place automatically or in a few clicks. The use of the applications can make it easier to receive and send money from different bank accounts. 

Challenges and the future of the digital freight technology 

The complex processes of logistic app development can cause certain difficulties and challenges. However, the smart solutions to these problems turn into a background for the potential growth of the industry. The issues can include such points as: 

• The need for significant investment
• Insufficiently developed standardization of the design processes of intelligent transport systems, which does not allow them to be integrated at the stage of their design
• Lack of understanding of the difference between automation, informatization and digitalization
• Fragmentation of many local information services that are not integrated with each other
• Increased share of cybercrime
• Underdeveloped infocommunication network

An effective use of the freight forwarding technology based on functioning of smart applications can solve the issues before their occurrence. This approach can turn into a background for the bright future of the logistics industry. 

Who is TRIARE and digital freight technology

TRIARE is a professional team of specialists providing their clients with an ability to enjoy the benefits of digital freight platforms. The developers show an individual approach to each client by taking into account specific features of the business, principles of its functioning, and plans for future. TRIARE can develop logistic mobile apps to achieve:

• Creation of new and diversification of existing transport and logistics products, and innovation
• The formation of a dynamic, secure and interactive chain supplies that meet the requirements of users of transport and logistics services
• Access to data and information in real time
• Optimization and improvement of decision-making procedures
• Increase in the flexibility and efficiency of transport and logistics processes
• Proactive response to market conditions

TRIARE has advanced skills and experience in the area of logistic app development. You can check the prototype of such software called Air logistics. It has a super convenient interface, advanced functionality of options and adaptability to customer needs.

Final Thoughts

The logistic app development represents one of the most effective and innovative methods to improve a wide range of business processes. The TRIARE team will help you to reveal the unique digital solutions for your company. A combination of advanced skills, experience and personal approach to clients allows the developers to meet the needs of the brands from the different areas of activities. Use this chance to automate and optimize the logistics processes of your company on the way to improvement of customer satisfaction and business profitability.