Freight Broker Software: Problems and Solutions

Logistics software can be clunky and difficult to use. It gathers the proverbial dust as busy brokers find workarounds to move freight quickly without wasting valuable time inputting data into what seems like a black hole.

The best freight broker software wins adoption — and helps win more business — because of ease of use, scalability, and solutions that enhance operational efficiency.

🚧Three Challenges Standing Between Brokers and Effective Software Implementation

Among the challenges that stand between freight brokers and the implementation of effective back-office software are complexity and integration issues, a lack of horizontal scalability, and difficulty in usage.

𒄆Complexity and Integration Issues

It’s fairly common for a large freight brokerage to acquire a smaller one that uses a different TMS in its daily operations. That’s just one example. There are many reasons why a freight brokerage may attempt to integrate multiple back-office software systems to improve overall operational efficiency and data accuracy.

Integration challenges include:

• Compatibility issues.
• Difficulties managing and upgrading outdated software.
• Troubleshooting errors.
• Limited resources and expertise.

“Despite being a complex task, software integration has overwhelmingly positive benefits,” WeAreBrain said, adding that when implemented correctly, software integration delivers:

• Improved data accessibility.
• Reduced errors.
• Quicker business processes.
• Improved security.
• Reduced costs.
• Higher productivity and efficiency.
• Improved data flow.

〰️Lack of Horizontal Scalability

Some freight broker software was designed for specific uses, such as storing customer information, load data, or invoicing and payments. Scalability was put on the back burner in the rush to get the freight broker software system up and running. But broker back-office software that cannot adapt to varying operational demands or scale with the business actually hinders a freight brokerage’s growth.

“Horizontal scalability is a significant consideration for growing brands to accommodate increasing consumer demands,” a Forbes article said. “Horizontal — in addition to vertical — scale will provide a more consistent experience for your customers. Horizontal scaling is the concept of leveraging numerous, similarly sized systems to provide capacity, while vertical scaling leverages a limited number of larger systems. The challenge with vertical scaling is that bottlenecks, or choke points, result in inconsistent performance and reduced platform scalability.”

Forbes said horizontal scalability can become more difficult over time. “So, start from the beginning with an architectural blueprint for a horizontally scalable platform. Horizontal scalability must be part of the underlying architecture of technical systems, as architecting for the approach will drive how business logic within the platform is developed.”

😫Difficulty of Usage

Perhaps it’s human nature to take the path of least resistance. If freight broker software is difficult to use, the adoption rates will be disappointing. Interface complexities and steep learning curves do impact user adoption.

“As companies bring on more and newer technology to help improve productivity, employees who were initially trained on older systems or who are new to a higher-tech workplace may struggle to keep up or even resist using the new tech at all,” a  Forbes Council article said. “Giving the team the support they need to leverage new tech is a win-win situation for everyone.”

Forbes Council member Philip Burgess of C Space said, “Organizations should focus less on the technology itself and more on training employees to be more broadly able to adapt to change. Technology will always be changing, and so will our workplaces. Organizations need to focus on helping their people develop the skills to deal successfully with change, become more resilient, unlearn old behaviors, and adopt new ones.”

🖥️Freight Broker Software: Scalability and Accessibility

Accessibility and user-friendly back-office software solutions are vital for adoption by freight brokers. But the importance of best-of-the-best freight broker software goes beyond user adoption. In today’s freight environment, the role of technology in overcoming industry-specific challenges is more important than ever.

Supply Chain Brain said the use of artificial intelligence in logistics is estimated to grow by between 12% and 60% from 2024 to 2026.

“AI comes into the picture as a means of determining how logistics service providers can derive extra revenue from the most profitable customers, based on the resources available within a particular market geography,” it said. “The problem is how to achieve that objective while making use of the massive amount of data that’s available to logistics providers today. In a time when every shipment is repeatedly scanned, and warehouses and carriers are rapidly embracing digital processes, the challenge lies in plugging AI into that information gusher.”

SupplyChainBrain pointed out that a brokerage may have a million data points, but if they’re not connected properly, there’s nothing freight brokers can do with that huge amount of data.

👨🏼‍💻Three Strategies for Effective Freight Broker Software Implementation

By leveraging workflow automation tools, back offices can take advantage of automated load management, integrated communication tools, and enhanced financial management. Freight brokerages preparing to implement such business-changing back-office software should conduct a comprehensive needs assessment, pave the way for robust integration and scalability, and prioritize ease of use.

☑️Comprehensive Needs Assessment

• Identify specific operational pain points.
• Align software features with business requirements.

A comprehensive needs assessment is vital to choosing the right freight broker software. Way back in 2016, which seems like a lifetime ago in the tech world, a Supply Chain 24/7 article warned that “underestimating the challenges around selection and implementation of the TMS can result in a failed implementation — and failed implementations are very costly.”

☑️Robust Integration and Scalability

• Choose software that integrates seamlessly with existing systems.
• Enable scalability to accommodate future growth and technology advancements.

“Scalable software shines when the demand for your services surges. It maintains consistent performance levels even during spikes in user activity or traffic,” an article, “Why Software Scalability Is Important and How to Achieve It,” said. “By handling increased loads with grace, scalable software enhances reliability and delivers a positive user experience. Users can access your services without frustrating lags or downtime, bolstering your reputation and user trust.”

☑️Prioritize Ease of Use

• Ensure the freight broker software is intuitive and easy to navigate.
• Minimize training requirements through user-friendly interfaces.

A Fast Company article said that software platforms that “prioritize ease of use ensure that their solutions are accessible to a wide array of users, regardless of technical prowess. A user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation simplify the onboarding process. New users can quickly grasp the platform’s functionalities, reducing the learning curve and accelerating proficiency. This not only boosts user confidence but also encourages them to explore and utilize the platform’s full potential.”

🥁Drumkit Solves Freight Broker Software Problems

At Drumkit, we developed our software to simplify logistics operations. Drumkit automates workflows with artificial intelligence to help freight brokers increase capacity by 30% to 40%, reduce errors, and improve customer relationships. Drumkit plugs directly into email inboxes and existing TMSs to automate data entry, scheduling, track and trace, and more.

Drumkit enables freight brokerages to scale up seamlessly, save time for their teams, cut costs per load, and enhance customer relationships.

We agree with Fast Company’s assertion that system dashboards “serve as the heart of all SaaS platforms, offering a real-time snapshot of vital information,” and we built Drumkit to instantly provide freight brokers with the vital data they need.

“Dashboards transform raw data into simple and clear graphics, enabling users to easily grasp trends, identify opportunities, and pinpoint potential issues. Visual dashboards enhance data-driven decision-making, as they provide actionable insights at a glance,” Fast Company said, noting that by “presenting data in a visually intuitive manner, businesses can make informed choices, allocate resources effectively, and optimize their customer engagement strategies.”

Drumkit’s easy-to-use features include:

• Integrated Sidebar to quickly see load information across platforms in one place.
• Track and Trace to automate carrier and shipper status checks.
• Smart Replies to improve response times with automated email messages.
• Load Building to instantly input loads into any TMS and eliminate manual data entry.
• Scheduling to set and adjust pickup and delivery times seamlessly.
• Quick Quotes to instantly respond with prices for loads.

Our overarching mission is to make data usage easier, fostering advancements in transportation and logistics. Our suite of solutions harnesses cutting-edge technology to empower customers with the capabilities to leverage data effectively, enhance customer relationships, drive operational efficiencies, and ultimately build a robust data infrastructure for innovations in the transportation industry.

With Drumkit, users benefit from our:

• A customer-centric approach that strengthens business relationships through advanced tools and insights.
• Load management automation for heightened efficiency and significant time savings.
• Collaborative tools for seamless and effective communication with all stakeholders during each step of a load’s journey.
• Automated solutions for quick and accurate rate quotes and load building.
• Real-time visibility for improved operational control of all freight.

‍Book a demo with Drumkit today.