Within the United States, there are nearly 12 million trucks, rail cars, locomotives, and vessels moving goods throughout the large-scale transportation network. Of those 12 million, there are a reported 5.9 million commercial motor vehicle drivers operating within the transportation network of the U.S. (according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). For those brokers that are measuring and tracking the truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation networks, there comes a serious benefit through digitally tracking the network itself, particularly in making documentation and more efficient. One such exploration into this digital foray is through the use of a transportation management system (TMS), or, as it will be referred to from here on out, broker TMS.
Broker TMS, that which provides an easy-to-use broker system meant for efficiency in document imaging, storage, and retrieval, integrated accounting, and specific, various modules that can be used for your business, or not (if it is not deemed applicable), allows you to sufficiently track loads, check rates, carriers, and outside teams. This broker TMS, which allows for quick-to-transfer information between brokers and customers and provides in-depth analytics for exploring transportation operations and accounting, is meant to be clean, sleek, and efficient.
The less-than-truckload (LTL) industry, which is considered to be relatively small freight, has been steadily increasing over the years, with the market reaching an estimated value of approximately $35 billion. Between 2011 to 2016, it’s been said that full truckload (TL) freight has been steadily in the decline, with the average haul decreasing by 4%. LTL shipments, which are said to carry more specialty, retail-based items, are increasing, along with the value of items being shipped by a seller, with its expected value expected to increase from $882 per ton of freight in 2007 to $1,377 per ton of freight in 2040. Furthermore, with the retail industry shifting dramatically shifting due to online retailers, primarily with U.S. e-commerce expected to steadily climb from its already grand $423.3 billion revenue, having a broker TMS to track the moves from TL, LTL, and parcel.
As freight begins to shift retail rooted in e-commerce, being able to track that freight, as a broker, is of utmost importance. For those that want to keep up on the shifts in the transportation network, along with ensuring that your documentation is properly imaged, retrieved, saved, integrated, and analyzed, utilizing a broker TMS will provide a great deal of help to both you and your business.