The TSL (Transportation, Forwarding, Logistics) industry is growing rapidly. Year after year, the expectations of customers are growing, demanding faster deliveries, greater flexibility and accuracy in the execution of orders. However, even Poland's largest freight forwarding companies face problems that prevent them from reaching their full potential. At the center of these challenges is one thing: data management chaos.
Disjointed systems, paper archives, hundreds of Excel files and data stored in various tools make the daily management of operational processes not only complicated, but also costly. Is there a way to change this? Yes - the answer is a dedicated application for freight forwarding, or a central integration system. Find out how such a solution can revolutionize your business.
There are numerous challenges facing companies in the TSL industry. They often stem from one key problem: data stored in too many different places. Here are the most common difficulties reported by managers of transportation and shipping companies:
In a typical freight forwarding company, data is stored in many different systems, such as:
Lack of centralization often means that employees have to search through multiple sources to find the information they need. This results in longer turnaround times.
The data for a single order may differ depending on the source. For example, the status of a container in the TMS may not match the information recorded in the CRM. Such inconsistencies lead to operational errors and dissatisfied customers.
Shipping companies need accurate data for planning, reporting and decision-making. When data is scattered, creating comprehensive analysis becomes time-consuming and often fraught with errors.
Time wasted searching for data, correcting errors or manually transcribing information are real costs that strain a company's budget.
A dedicated integration system is a tool created for the needs of a specific company. It allows to combine all existing systems and data sources into a single, coherent whole. As a result, the entire company operates on the basis of uniform, up-to-date information. How does such a solution work?
The system connects to TMS, ERP, CRM and other tools, and also allows importing data from Excel. This eliminates the problem of “islands of data” and allows automatic exchange of information between systems.
All new data is stored in one place. Users can easily search, edit and analyze them - without having to jump between different tools.
The system compares data from different sources, identifies inconsistencies and automatically reports errors. For example, if the status of a container differs in the TMS and CRM, the application will suggest which entry needs improvement.
With OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, it is possible to convert scans of paper documents into digital data that can be stored in a central system.
The system provides data encryption and role-based access to ensure compliance with regulations such as RODO.
Implementing a central integration system is not only a solution to existing problems, but also a number of business benefits that translate into tangible results.
Employees do not waste hours searching through different systems or manually transcribing data. All information is available in one place, significantly speeding up order processing.
Automatic data verification minimizes the risk of mistakes, such as incorrect order or container information. This in turn leads to a reduction in costs resulting from errors.
With faster access to data, employees can respond to customers' questions and solve their problems in no time. This builds trust and loyalty.
With integrated data, executives have a complete picture of the company's operational and financial situation. This makes it easier to make strategic decisions based on specific data.
The system can be easily expanded with new functionalities and adapted to the changing needs of the company. It's an investment that grows with the company.
Data centralization makes it easier to comply with legal requirements, such as RODO, which minimizes the risk of financial penalties.
Implementing a dedicated integration system is a process that requires working with a reliable technology partner. Here are the steps in the process:
We start by understanding what data and processes need to be integrated. Together with the client's team, we define the key objectives of the project.
Based on the analysis, we create a dedicated shipping application that meets all business requirements and integrates with existing systems.
The system is connected to TMS, ERP, CRM and other tools. We also introduce mechanisms for importing data from Excel and digitizing paper documents.
We conduct thorough testing to ensure that the application works as expected. We then run the system in a production environment.
We provide training for employees so they can use the new tool effectively.
After implementation, we provide technical support and the ability to expand the system as needed.
We are a thriving software house that specializes in software services for TSL. In our daily work, we emphasize excellent communication, clear rules and looking for solutions that really improve daily work and bring tangible business benefits to our clients.
Chaos in data management is a problem faced by many Polish freight forwarding companies. A dedicated integration system is the solution to eliminate it, while opening the door to new opportunities. If you want to streamline your processes, increase efficiency and gain a competitive edge, it's time to invest in digitization.
