There is little doubt that
the businesses that adapt themselves to the ever-changing demands of the
industry stay relevant in the race. Even technology needs to be in line with
the current trends to be able to contribute significantly to growth.
Many freight forwarding
companies are still relying on traditional and desktop-based software that has
historically gotten the job done but are obsolete according to the modern age.
Organizations must introspect their current ways of working against the likes
of cloud-based applications to realize the hard truth of competition.
Here are five questions that
you can ask yourself to gauge your standings in the competition.
Question 1 -- Are you still
reliant on paper-based transactions?
The pandemic changed the way
businesses are run. To aid the remote working culture, changes were made in
customs and other freight compliance. A major chunk of the operations has
already gone paperless. While it was a welcome move for smoother compliance,
the early adopters of technology got a head start in their operations.
e-AWB, e-Invoicing, and e-VGM
integration are just some examples of paperless compliance that has made it
convenient for the industry. If you are still stuck with the idea of the new
normal of remote working and going paperless being just a passing phase, you
must think again.
Question 2 -- Has working
with multiple individual software solutions made it easier for your employees?
The information must flow
freely across functions in a modern enterprise. Silos happen when functions
either can’t or won’t easily share information with other departments.
With the addition of multiple
software for each function, you add overhead into maintenance without being
able to have anytime access to data. Effective Logistics Management with ERP
Systems does the job of each of the individual software combined.
By implementing a Logistics ERP
Software,
you integrate your Freight Forwarding Operation with Sales, CRM, and Billing
for Air, Land, and Sea Freight in a single platform.
Question 3 -- Are you unable
to identify your revenue leakages?
While the top and bottom
lines are good indicators of how your organization is fairing, the real drivers
are the underlying aspects of the business. Logistics and freight forwarding
are businesses with multiple touch points and steps to complete a shipment end-to-end.
It also means incurring costs first before being able to realize the actual
profits. This requires an efficient ERP solution that enables you to keep track
of revenue leakages and control revenue at each juncture. Thus, keeping track
of all your payables and receivables is a necessity of the modern
logistician.
Reports consolidating your
various charges and revenues must present data readily across all verticals
down to the smallest detail. Logi-Sys not only help you in controlling revenue leakages but also
generates reports encompassing all business aspects in easy-to-understand
formats so you can identify the highs and lows.
Question 4 -- Do your
customers have access to on-demand data?
For any kind of operation, it
is paramount to have data and information handy. When a customer requests a
quote, you must be able to provide the rate, freight charges along with customs
clearance fees for the said product for international or even domestic
shipments without too much waiting time.
The distinguishing factor
becomes that your competitors may be able to offer the same quote as you albeit
much faster. You don't want opportunities to slip away for such reasons where
customer's demands are dynamic and their patience is limited.
Industry-trusted Freight
Software, Logi-Sys, provides a self-login portal that your customers can use to
request quotes and even check the real-time status of their booked shipment.
Providing on-demand data makes your customers feel valued and helps you retain
more business.
If you are a Freight
Forwarder who wishes to build a robust business using a best-in-class software
solution, Logi-Sys from Softlink Global is the perfect fit.
Originally Published in Portcalls Asia Magazine
https://www.portcalls.com/4-questions-to-ask-to-know-your-place-among-forwarder-competitors/
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