Transportation and Logistics Software - What Are Its Advantages?

If you are a small to mid size company that tries to ship your goods without the aid of transportation logistics, you'll likely end paying significantly more for shipping than you would if your hired a third party logistics (3PL) provider or implemented online transportation and logistics software. Without the aid of freight logistics, the cost of the shipping process can prohibitive for small to mid size companies for two main reasons: they either pay full truckload FTL shipping (full truck load) rates to ship partial loads or, realizing the economic disadvantage of FTL shipping for partial loads, they use parcel shipping, which is also a disadvantage when shipping multiple parcels on a regular basis. In response to these situations, 3PL and transportation and logistics software can revolutionize a company's sipping costs by providing them with options such as LTL shipping (less than truckload), integrated transportation methods based on competitive pricing and shorter shipping routes based on route analytic.

But while 3PL and logistics software function in the same capacity, the latter has two basic advantages over the former, beginning with price differential.

Price Differential

Although 3PL and logistics software companies serve the same purpose, they are principally different in their corporate make up. Third party logistics providers are freight logistics experts that act as middlemen between manufacturers and shipping companies, while logistics-software providers are freight logistics experts that specialize in creating freight logistics software, which they offer as an online software application for an affordable monthly fee. In other words, when you opt for 3PL, you end up paying more because you pay for an expert to manage your account, whereas logistics software lets you manage your own freight logistics through an easy to use interface. Essentially, 3PL providers make their money by charging you for a logistics service that you could easily perform on your own with the aid of logistics software. It's as simple as that.

Level of Control

When you outsource a service that isn't one of your company's core competencies, you're naturally at the mercy of the company that you outsource to. This is not to say to that 3PL providers are out to profit on their clients' lack of logistics expertise in an ulterior way. But it does mean that 3PL providers are always looking for LTL shipping rates and other shipping options that offer the greatest price differential between what the options actually cost and what they charge their clients to secure those options. In some cases, the greatest price differential might result from shipping your goods with a company that doesn't have the best reputation; a situation that you could easily avoid if you opt for logistics software. In addition to allowing more control over what companies you ship with, logistics software also allows each of your company departments to participate in the shipping decision process by accessing the software online, which can prove extremely valuable from an accounting and management perspective.

www.made-from-india.com offers solutions that help companies to improve bottom-line operational efficiency and meet new performance objectives. The exclusive database covers information about Logistic & Transport services in India, Logistic & Transportation Products in India, exporters of Logistic & Transportation Accessories, Logistic & Transportation products importer, Logistic & Transportation supplier, Logistic & Transportation manufacturers, & Wholesalers, logistics services in India, and customized global transportation.

Transportation and Logistics Software - What Are Its Advantages?

Logistics & Transportation Industry is under pressure to meet greater customer expectations, improving return on assets, minimizing costs, optimizing capacity and promoting operational excellence. The industry is at the forefront to adopt new technologies to facilitate time specific delivery and electronic tracking. In this rapidly changing environment, it is imperative to ensure that investments help to rationalize costs and provide the intelligence to optimize inter-modal flows.

If you are a small to midsize company that tries to ship your goods without the aid of transportation logistics, you'll likely end paying significantly more for shipping than you would if your hired a third party logistics (3PL) provider or implemented online transportation and logistics software. Without the aid of freight logistics, the cost of the shipping process can prohibitive for small to midsize companies for two main reasons: they either pay full truckload FTL shipping (full truck load) rates to ship partial loads or, realizing the economic disadvantage of FTL shipping for partial loads, they use parcel shipping, which is also a disadvantage when shipping multiple parcels on a regular basis. In response to these situations, 3PL and transportation and logistics software can revolutionize a company's sipping costs by providing them with options such as LTL shipping (less than truckload), integrated transportation methods based on competitive pricing and shorter shipping routes based on route analytics.

But while 3PL and logistics software function in the same capacity, the latter has two basic advantages over the former, beginning with price differential.

Price Differential

Although 3PL and logistics software companies serve the same purpose, they are principally different in their corporate make up. Third party logistics providers are freight logistics experts that act as middlemen between manufacturers and shipping companies, while logistics-software providers are freight logistics experts that specialize in creating freight logistics software, which they offer as an online software application for an affordable monthly fee. In other words, when you opt for 3PL, you end up paying more because you pay for an expert to manage your account, whereas logistics software lets you manage your own freight logistics through an easy to use interface. Essentially, 3PL providers make their money by charging you for a logistics service that you could easily perform on your own with the aid of logistics software. It's as simple as that.

Level of Control

When you outsource a service that isn't one of your company's core competencies, you're naturally at the mercy of the company that you outsource to. This is not to say to that 3PL providers are out to profit on their clients' lack of logistics expertise in an ulterior way. But it does mean that 3PL providers are always looking for LTL shipping rates and other shipping options that offer the greatest price differential between what the options actually cost and what they charge their clients to secure those options. In some cases, the greatest price differential might result from shipping your goods with a company that doesn't have the best reputation; a situation that you could easily avoid if you opt for logistics software. In addition to allowing more control over what companies you ship with, logistics software also allows each of your company departments to participate in the shipping decision process by accessing the software online, which can prove extremely valuable from an accounting and management perspective.

Transportation & Logistics - Helpful Hints For Customers to Get the Most From Their Sales Reps

My goal is for this article to serve a dual purpose: 1) Bridge the gap between customer-sales representative communications in the workplace. 2) Help Customers get the most out of their relationship with their Sales person.

We all know how many books are written nowadays on Sales success. There are so many, the titles start to blur. "How to Add Value to Your Customer's Day", "Sales 101" and my all time favorite "The Richest Man In Babylon." Our society is geared towards capitalism, and since there are so many books that can help a salesperson to become better at their trade and increase their income, then all one has to do is head to the local bookstore and purchase then apply- if only it was that easy. It's a fact that if a salesperson wants to take the initiative and invest in their success, there are a myriad of resources available to them. But I decided to take a totally different approach to writing this article for a few different reasons.

We as salespeople are trained that "the customer's are always right", and to be "subservient" to our customer's needs. Phrases such as, "What can I do to earn your business?" "Here's my cell phone, home phone, and even my wife's phone if you need to get a hold of me." I make light of this but Salespeople, you know it's true. We tend to overdo it when it comes to competing to capture business with the pleasantries and the "butt-kissing."

During this past Christmas I had received Xmas cards from a few of my clients. They were nothing fancy, but you could feel how heart felt they were, and the thought behind them was apparent. I thought to myself, I would do anything for these customers because they truly appreciate the work that I put in. I know that it's our job to provide the ultimate service to our customers, and to be proactive, rather than reactive to their needs, but for a customer to acknowledge our effort means a lot. What I have found, from over 20 years of experience in the Transportation industry, is that customer's who show their appreciation and are willing to work with their Account Exec's tend to have a better business relationship with the vendor. My hope is that this article would be picked up by customers, the people that we sell to, and have this information applied to the way they do business. I wouldn't want to bet on this happening anytime soon, because for the most part, customers are set in their ways. They have been spoiled by us, the sales reps, because for every 1 customer that accepts this information, there will be 100's who laugh at it. I have personally been in situations where in a Carrier had the opportunity to "work with" a customer on resolving an issue, but decided not to- based solely on the fact that they didn't like the customers attitude. So now the typical reaction to this from a customer's point of view is "So what, I'll just go to another vendor." This may be true, but after a while the number of quality companies starts dwindling, and the customer is at a stalemate. Below I have listed 7 helpful hints customers can use to try to build a better rapport with their sales rep:

· Testimonials- Sales Reps can use this for their business building. Ask your sales rep to prepare one for you in advance so that you don't have to spend time thinking of what to say.

· Referrals- Just like testimonials, this could be very beneficial to the sales rep, and help them build their book of business. I only advocate giving referrals to the sales rep if, and only if, they have earned it.

· Pay Your Bills- This is very obvious. Vendors love it when customers pay their bills on time, and this is a sure way to stay in a positive light. Customers who are paying their bills within terms are not only rare these days, but LOVED by the vendors. Customers who pay late, or not at all tend not to get the "favors" that they might need one day.

· Honesty- I realize this may sound a little insulting at first glance, but I think one of the biggest things that can be established between a vendor-client relationships is honesty. For the sales rep, if you can be straight forward with the client, without having a hidden agenda, I believe this action will be rewarded after the relationship has developed and matured. For the customer, if you think the Carrier can be doing much better let them know, but more specifically be detailed in your criticism. Any good Sales Representative will be happy to receive positive performance based criticism.

· Don't Always Ask For Favors- Customers tend to wear out their favors from their Carriers before the relationship really begins. Customers, keep those favors in your back pockets until you really need them. Carriers do make mental notes of these favors, believe me, and when you most need it they will stop. I've seen this to many times in my career, and usually this ends in a bad break up.

· Integrity- Just like for honesty, a customer should demand this from his salesperson, but in return they should also reciprocate this as well. This characteristic is just a good life lesson, whether we are talking business, family, friends; it just makes good plain sense, to be a stand-up person.

· Consistent Behavior- I know that business and life can be rough, and everybody has their tipping points, but I've seen so many times wherein a customer will lash out at their salesperson because of them(customer) having a bad day. It's very important to avoid bad language, and to not take out your day on your representative. Find other ways to vent out your frustrations such as, the gym, yoga, reading, but remain a bigger person and a true professional, and don't succumb to life's pressures, especially towards your Sales Representative.

www.made-from-india.com offers solutions that help companies to improve bottom-line operational efficiency and meet new performance objectives. The exclusive database covers information about Logistic & Transport services in India, Logistic & Transportation Products in India, exporters of Logistic & Transportation Accessories, Logistic & Transportation products importer, Logistic & Transportation supplier, Logistic & Transportation manufacturers, & Wholesalers, logistics services in India, and customized global transportation.