Many business leaders are convinced that artificial intelligence (AI) represents one of the most significant technological paradigm shifts. The very nature of many businesses will change, and the freight forwarder industry provides no exception.

As a result of AI powered freight forwarder software, the industry is able to enhance efficiencies, reduce labor costs, focus on projects that increase value and set targeted goals using the latest data analytics programs.

Enhance Efficiencies

In the old days, freight forwarding was a labor-intensive business, requiring endless phone calls, manual tracking and time-consuming customer service responsibilities. With the latest freight forwarder software, companies can now automate tasks that used to be labor intensive. These efficiencies have potential to reduce overhead and increase profits.

For example, freight forwarder software now integrates directly with customers’ IT infrastructure. This allows them to track shipments online, enter orders and pay invoices from their own systems, eliminating the need for many of back office tasks.

In addition, chatbot technology now completes many of the simplistic customer service tasks, leaving your staff free to focus on the more complex tasks that need human judgement, such as negotiating contracts, making sales calls, addressing emergencies and searching for opportunities to boost operational efficiencies.

Smart Warehousing

Freight forwarders must manage many facets of many orders. Warehousing plays a key part of these business operations. An ability to monitor warehouse volumes, coordinate workflow and manage on-time shipments is key, as are efficient operations. Freight forwarder software automates many of these tasks, which reduces mistakes, re-work and labor needs.

Software programs also have the ability to run robots that can assemble, package and sort freight 24/7. In addition to reducing labor costs, these capabilities also reduce transit times, allowing the freight forwarder to offer more competitive services.

Smart warehousing also provides the advantages of real time data tracking. For example, the software sends alerts when any shipments fall behind schedule or something goes wrong, such as an issue with customs paperwork. An immediate response keeps the orders running on-time, whereas without the automated software, the problem may present itself too late for the shipment to remain on schedule.

Data Analytics

The idea of a computer or cyborg engaging the world with human intelligence remains the stuff of science fiction. True abstract reasoning remains the province of highly intelligent sentient beings. In the case of AI, a much simpler process is at work: pattern recognition.

While AI cannot reason in the human sense, it has native abilities that far outweigh the processing speed of any natural form on intelligence on Earth. AI applications recognize the subtlest of patterns in data streams a human being could never hold in his or her head. For freight forwarders, this makes it possible to benefit from automated data analytics generated from every aspect of their operations.

For example, data analytics can analyze patterns to determine the most efficient time for truck maintenance. They can also analyze all data points to determine the mode of transport that is fastest or least costly. These capabilities save money on the backend by reducing waste. They also boost revenues by creating pricing reports that managers can use to analyze their freight rates. AI software tracks rates and corresponding variables on a constant basis, allowing management to move swiftly when market trends shift.

Will Self-Driving Trucks Eventually Become a Part of the Freight Forwarder Industry?

Autonomous trucks are already in testing, with varying levels of success. Though there may be a long road ahead for getting autonomous trucks into fleets, tests already indicate a broad ability to operate safely on open roads, though with a human back-up driver riding along just in case.

When regulators decide self-driving trucks are safe, they may present a viable alternative for freight forwarders very quickly. When they do, the robot driver fleets will have an incalculable effect on freight rates and freight forwarders bottom line.

AI software applications are changing how business is conducted. By utilizing the new capabilities of freight forwarder software, freight forwarders can boost efficiencies while offering their customers superior services. In time, AI may even drive the trucks and run the warehouses that make the freight business possible.

CSA Software offers the best freight forwarding software products in the industry. We offer a full suite of software products providing end to end freight management utilizing the latest in Microsoft technologies for Domestic, International, Warehouse, Accounting operations and more!

We will help you set up the systems your freight forwarding, and logistics business needs now, and provide you with the tools and resources you will need for your business’s future. Call us today for your Free Software Demo!