Status of Shipment Tracking in Today’s World
Status of Shipment Tracking in Today's World
When it comes to tracking a shipment of inbound or outbound goods, clients cannot rely on the carrier’s self-reporting services as they are often confusing or even sometimes misleading. So, the customers are resorting to a gold standard for tracking their shipments as well as getting a verified report of the carrier’s performance. They are taking the help of a third-party transportation management system which is also referred to as TMS.
When clients track shipments, they do so until the items are safely delivered. But there’s no way they can know in advance whether their goods will be delivered with damages or there will be any delay in the delivery process. Carriers are aware of all these details, but there is no way the clients can know all these. Why? It is so because the customers lack the staff or the correct technology to derive such information from the carrier’s end.
The third-party logistics or 3PL solution
The solution to this problem is to enlist the assistance of third-party logistics that will use their software to extract information from the carrier’s computer and let you have access to the much-needed information.
How will you be benefitted?
You will get a notification if your freight gets delay. You will also get to know about the location and status of your shipments. Also, 3PL will identify any damage or shortages at the time of delivery, and if you want you can immediately file for a recovery claim through them. Many shipping lines have introduced their own tracking system to satisfy their customers. They, just like a 3PL, provide all the benefits to their clients. One such example is the Cosco shipping tracking. The system identifies the information related to prepaid as well as inbound shipments.
What can be done for containers that do not have an electronic data interchange (EDI) system?
It might so happen that the carrier that is transporting your items does not have an EDI. One way to deal with this problem is to allow the carrier to have access to your network portal. It would then enable the carrier to upload shipment status information manually. In such cases, you will be receiving a delayed response.
The involvement of third-party logistics becomes crucial when you have a high-volume carrier. They help in connecting the information gap between the carrier and the client. The 3PL has the technology to upload a spreadsheet in its database. It then converts into data that the clients can easily access.
Other advantages a customer gets by enlisting with 3PL
- They are experts in this field and thus possess a strong network system. They exercise great influence on other companies and parties involved in supply chain management. Hiring one will aid you in using the best of the available facilities.
- Global logistics is a complex world. Third-party logistics have the required experience and efficiency to deal with any issue.
- By partnering with one such company, you can expand your business in other nations as well.
- You get the flexibility to use all their resources according to your need.
You can keep your customers satisfied by using their tracking system to enable your clients to have access to all the information about their shipments.
Conclusion
Their tracking system is so developing that it will not give you or your client any headache regarding the shipment process. But before going ahead and choosing a third party, you must take the advice of trusted guidance.