Freight brokerage software manages transportation in a supply chain. It has three phases: shipment planning, delivery tracking, and record creation. It is often a module in a complete business management system. It plans shipping and delivery, executes deliveries, and acts as a transport accountant. It is installed as separate modules that cover different areas of a business and links up with other departments.
Freight brokerage software, also known as a transportation management system, is the computer software used to control the transportation portions of a supply chain. These software packages generally operate in three phases; shipment planning, tracking of deliveries and creation of records for delivery processes. Originally, these programs tracked transportation matters only and were often standalone programs. Now, it is very common to find freight brokerage software as modules in a complete business management system.
The first common aspect of shipping software is shipping and delivery planning. This software helps determine when loads need to leave for deliveries or when shipments need to arrive for processing. Good shipping software will take into account variables such as processing time and variation in shift production to ensure that shipments arrive exactly when they are supposed to.
The second common job of freight brokerage software is in executing deliveries. This is generally the most hands-on part of the software, as it usually deals with real people and real-time shipments. This part of the software plans routes, finds alternative shipping methods and keeps drivers in contact with a central station. In general, this is the application of methods from the planning stage.
The last common aspect of these software packages is as a transport accountant. These systems keep track of company documents, records and regulations. For example, if a particular shipment needs a specially trained driver, the software will make sure that one is available for the shipment; if a delivery requires special clearance or customs information, the software will ensure that the appropriate people are notified of the issue.
While there are still a number of companies making high quality conveyor systems, they are far less common than they were several years ago. Many modern business software packages contain a number of installable modules that cover all aspects of freight brokerage. These software packages handle all aspects of a business, from development to marketing to sales and delivery.
Typically, these programs work through separate installed modules. The base program is essentially a shell that has only the most basic functionality. As a business expands, it purchases more modules that cover additional areas of its business. These modules all install into the original shell, keeping the company’s software intuitive and very compatible. The freight systems in these programs generally link up with other associated departments such as sales and human resources, allowing the system more latitude to recognize inefficiencies in the delivery systems.
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