The rise of e-commerce giants like Amazon and Walmart presents B2B shippers, particularly SMBs, with a dilemma. These e-commerce enterprises have kicked off an era of elevated shipping standards, offering customer conveniences like next-day—or even same-day—deliveries and real-time tracking. With delivery expectations higher than ever, small and medium-sized manufacturers and suppliers are faced with delivering on higher logistics standards with fewer resources.
Huge e-commerce brands have several advantages over smaller B2B companies, including the ability to lower prices and store and organize vast inventories. But that doesn’t mean small and medium-sized shippers are destined to be left behind. With enhanced shipment oversight, agile order management, and a transportation management system (TMS), B2B shippers of all sizes can build fast, resilient operations that satisfy their clients and their bottom line.
Logistics technology is opening up new efficiencies
Since the advent of one-click checkout and overnight deliveries, shipping expectations have been on an upward trajectory—and the world of B2B shipping has been scrambling to keep up. People now expect the best from supplier and manufacturer deliveries, including full transparency into shipment statuses, rapid exchanges, and frequent communication.
But with advanced logistics tools on their side—as well as economies of scale—e-commerce giants have a decided leg up on small B2B shippers. The following innovations equip today’s enterprises with increased visibility, speed, and organization.
- Warehouse management tools: Recent advancements in logistics and robotics technology have raised the ceiling on warehousing efficiency, allowing warehouse staff to process orders faster—and at a lower cost. Automation and integrative models for warehouse, order, and logistics management also enable shippers to consistently adopt new technologies.
- In-transit tracking: Real-time tracking technology provides full visibility into completed, in-progress, and upcoming transactions and shipments. Shippers without these capabilities can find themselves sorely underequipped to provide updates when buyers want information about their orders.
- Logistics data: Strategic supply chain data and analytics—provided by business intelligence tools—also have an important role to play, providing shippers with customized reports and KPI visualizations.
TMSs offer an invaluable advantage
For B2B shippers struggling to match the pace and conveniences of e-commerce giants, a TMS can play a pivotal role in their catch-up. This system offers comprehensive visibility into global supply chains and assistance with routine logistics tasks—including route planning, load optimization, and claims management.
For example, CTSI-Global’s Honeybee TMS provides access to AI, currency conversion, broker market, and mapping applications. The platform even offers access to a pre-vetted network with over 20,000 carriers, so shippers can easily switch between quality transportation options in case of any delays.
What’s more, choosing a TMS that integrates with blockchain technology, like Honeybee TMS, provides enhanced speed, cybersecurity, and data consistency. With this versatile tool, shippers with limited staff and resources can run their operations with tight organization and cost-efficiency, allowing them to make decisions with up-to-date information on hand and deliver a shipping experience that matches elevated standards.
E-commerce giants changed the game—but B2B shippers can still keep up
While large e-commerce brands have certainly set the precedent for transparent, seamless shipping, small and medium-sized B2B shippers can still take steps to upgrade their front-end delivery experience and back-end logistics process. Strategic investments in CTSI-Global technology like Honeybee TMS provide the shipment execution assistance, 24/7 visibility, and carrier relationships to accelerate operations over the long haul. By embracing technology that streamlines logistics workflows and increases data oversight, suppliers and manufacturers can deliver a fast, attentive shipping experience that exceeds high expectations and sets them apart from the competition.
Contact CTSI-Global to upgrade your logistics capabilities and thrive in a world of e-commerce innovation.
