When selecting carriers, price is often the main focus. But while price is a critical factor, building strong carrier relationships is a far more effective long-term strategy for optimizing supply chains. Beyond greater stability and enhanced collaboration, close carrier relationships can reduce overall costs through improved operational efficiency—while fostering mutual growth.
A carrier that values its relationship with a business will prioritize its shipments, ensuring on-time deliveries and reduced disruptions. Whenever any events or disruptions occur, they’ll be more likely to collaborate on finding solutions beyond basic contractual obligations—such as prioritizing shipments in times of reduced capacity, providing discounts or refunds, and working on long-term risk-mitigation strategies.
Transportation management systems (TMSs) can play a significant role in helping shippers build and maintain strong carrier relationships by providing tools for efficient communication, transparency, and collaboration. With streamlined communications, fluid data exchange, and reduced error rates, carriers and shippers have greater efficiency, increased reliability, improved performance, and fruitful partnerships that benefit both parties in the long run.
Get matched with the right partners
Strong carrier relationships translate to a strong knowledge of their strengths and offerings. A TMS provider can connect shippers with carriers that match their specific needs—from firms specialized in fragile and perishable cargo to those experienced in handling dangerous goods—leading to more compatible and reliable partnerships. Plus, choosing from the TMS’s pre-vetted list of carriers instead of fishing for prospects on a saturated market saves valuable time and resources—and ensures they always partner with trustworthy carriers.
Enhance communication and coordination
A TMS that digitizes paper-based communications can significantly improve communication between carriers and shippers—while also reducing errors and streamlining shipment lifecycles. CTSI-Global’s Honeybee TMS provides firms with a digital platform to communicate with carriers and securely exchange critical documents such as bills of lading, invoices, and delivery confirmations.
Data is stored in an easily accessible single source of truth to ensure seamless and accurate transfers. With enhanced visibility and data sharing, shippers and carriers have better coordination, improved exception management, and greater control over communications.
Benchmark performance with real-time KPIs
In addition to providing shippers with a comprehensive view of their transportation operations, one of the most valuable features of TMS platforms is its data reporting capabilities. This data yields valuable insights into carrier efficiency and performance by enabling analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery rates, transit time consistency, tender acceptance rates, and customer satisfaction metrics.
These insights can be leveraged to make informed decisions about carrier selections, route optimization, and overall supply chain strategy. With more reliable data the quality of carrier relationships can be better assessed and the appropriate steps can be taken to improve any partnerships falling short in performance and results.
Maximize the value of carrier partnerships
Manually checking carrier rates is a significant drain on shippers’ time and a difficult way to make accurate rates comparisons. CTSI-Global’s Honeybee TMS takes the guesswork out of rate comparison with a smart dashboard that integrates up-to-date and historical carrier rates.
Visibility into current market rates helps businesses determine whether the rates they receive are competitive and negotiate better terms whenever that’s not the case. At the same time, historical data on trends and rate changes aids decision-makers in identifying patterns and measuring ROI on carrier relationships.
Power successful carrier relationships from day one
Building strong carrier relationships requires time, effort, and the right tools. CTSI-Global’s Honeybee TMS empowers businesses, small and large, with all the resources they need to ensure successful relationships from day one. From selecting a carrier to managing exceptions and claims, shippers can oversee every facet of their carrier relationships in one powerful and easily accessible platform.
Contact us to learn how our suite of software tools can help your business foster stronger and more successful carrier relationships.
