From Manual to Automated: Enhancing Efficiency in the Broker Back Office

As the freight brokerage industry evolves, the shift from manual to automated processes is moving into overdrive. Automating the broker's back office has become essential for operational success, driving efficiencies and providing a competitive edge.  

Automation gives freight brokerages the software solutions to gain ground over the competition through integrated communication tools that eliminate delays, automated load management functions that increase accuracy and visibility, and instant quoting features that empower brokers to provide timely and precise pricing, thus improving client satisfaction.

In the race to automate, Drumkit has emerged as a leader with powerful software solutions that streamline communication, load management, rate quoting, and more.

⚠️ In an Era of Innovation, Manual Processes Leave Brokers Vulnerable

Freight brokers who operate with manual processes are being left in the dust, losing business to competitors with the technological tools that give them an advantage. Delayed communication, ineffective load building, and error-prone quoting all leave freight brokerages that rely on manual processes vulnerable.

Delayed Communication

• Fragmented communication channels lead to misunderstandings and freight delays.
• Communication gaps create issues with real-time updates and load-tracking information across different platforms.
• Inefficient communication impacts relationships throughout the supply chain.

“Freight brokers must establish clear lines of communication with their partners, ensuring that information flows smoothly in real time,” an article on strengthening partnerships in freight brokerage posted on LinkedIn said. “Regular updates, proactive problem-solving, and active listening are vital for effective collaboration. When everyone involved is well-informed and can exchange information efficiently, it paves the way for successful coordination and timely decision-making.”

Automation helps freight brokerages establish those clear lines of communication and strengthen relationships with both shippers and carriers.

Ineffective Load Building

• Manually entering load details eats up valuable time.
• The difficulty in trying to manually manage multiple loads simultaneously leads to errors.
• The lack of real-time visibility into load statuses affects decision-making.

Automation is a win for freight brokerages as it makes load building and management easy.

“Integrating advanced technology into freight brokerage operations greatly enhances efficiency, positioning firms for greater competitiveness in the market,” Minneapolis business attorney Aaron Hall said. “The utilization of cutting-edge software solutions allows for real-time tracking of shipments, optimizing route planning and reducing delays. This efficiency optimization leads to improved service delivery, fostering greater client satisfaction and loyalty.”

Error-Prone Quoting

• Manual rate quoting processes are slow and prone to errors.
• Without automation, it’s difficult to access accurate pricing information quickly.
• Delays in providing quotes have a negative impact on customer satisfaction.

Automation reduces errors throughout freight brokerages – beyond just rate quoting.

“Automated systems reduce manual entry tasks, freeing up valuable time for brokers to concentrate on strategic decision-making and relationship building,” Hall said. “The data-driven insights generated from these technologies enable brokers to make informed choices that enhance operational performance and profitability.”

🌟Automation: A Competitive Edge in the Broker Back Office

“Automate everything you can,” XPO Logistics founder Brad Jacobs wrote in his book, “How to Make a Few Billion Dollars.”

Jacobs said that in 2011, “Even though XPO was barely more than a start-up in a space with many long-standing players, we knew that we wanted to make a big bet on the automation trend and become a leading innovator in transportation and logistics. Within four years, we were a global presence in transformative technologies like warehouse robotics, machine-learning-based workforce productivity, and automated shipper-carrier freight brokerage.”

By bringing innovation to the back office, freight brokers can gain a competitive edge in a fast-moving industry.

“In a market where agility and responsiveness are paramount, technology integration is no longer optional but crucial. Firms that prioritize technological advancements can better adapt to market fluctuations and client demands, securing a stronger foothold in the industry,” Hall said.

Integrated Communication Tools

• Integrated communication tools consolidate messages and updates.
• Real-time messaging and document-sharing capabilities enhance coordination.
• Automated messaging reduces response times and improves customer interactions.

Drumkit consolidates disparate communication tools into a single platform, enabling real-time messaging, document sharing, and centralized information. The benefits of real-time communication include increased productivity, better collaboration, greater engagement, and improved customer service.

Simplified Load Building

• The automation of load assignments and tracking increases accuracy and can improve on-time performance.
• Enhanced visibility and updates on load statuses reduce manual errors.
• Simplified processes through automation allow freight brokers to focus on more strategic tasks.

Drumkit plugs directly into customers’ email inboxes and transportation management systems (TMSs) to automate all steps of a load. Our load-building function quickly inputs loads into customers’ TMSs and eliminates manual data entry, and the appointment scheduling feature enables brokers to set load pickups and deliveries quickly.

Instant Quoting

• A quick quote feature generates accurate pricing instantly.
• Integration with pricing databases ensures up-to-date information.
• A reduction in manual work enables freight brokers to respond faster to customers.

Drumkit’s quick quote tool instantly responds with rates for loads, allowing for fast decision-making – and the confidence that the price is right.

🥁Drumkit Automation Enhances Brokers’ Back-Office Efficiency

“Artificial intelligence is emerging as the central determining factor in whether businesses and entire industries will collapse or prosper,” Jacobs wrote in his book, adding that “what’s clear is that AI’s impact will eventually exceed anything we can imagine. Many industries got caught off guard by the rise of e-commerce, social media, and on-demand everything, such as music, movies, data processing, taxis, and food. AI will be much bigger.”

Drumkit was not caught off guard. We are at the forefront of technological innovation in the freight broker back office. Drumkit automates workflows with AI to help freight brokers outrun the competition. Drumkit automates what used to be tedious tasks by plugging directly into customers’ email inboxes and TMSs.

We give brokers a competitive edge with a full array of back-office software solutions, including:

• An integrated sidebar that gives visibility to load information across platforms.
• A track and trace function that automates carrier and shipper status checks.
• Smart replies to improve response times with automated email messages.
• Collaborative tools for seamless and effective communication with all stakeholders during each step of a load’s journey.

“The landscape of freight brokerage is rapidly changing as companies turn to advanced technology and systems integration to enhance operational efficiency and improve service delivery,” Hall said. “In this competitive environment, the adoption of cutting-edge tools and techniques is not merely advantageous; it has become crucial for success. System upgrades and software implementation are key components during this transformation.”

At Drumkit, our mission is to foster advancements in transportation and logistics with our freight broker software. 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.

Drumkit enables freight brokerages to scale up seamlessly, cut costs per load, improve customer relationships, and enhance back-office efficiency.

Book a demo with Drumkit.

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