International trade has taken a mammoth form in the past few decades. The rise in e-commerce and cross-border trade has accelerated the cargo movement. Because of the increased volumes, high demand for timely delivery and stringent international regulations, cargo transportation has become a complex process. Moreover, managing manpower, legal matters, customs solution, warehousing, cargo vehicles etc. is a tedious task and it is difficult even for specialized personnel to handle it effectively. Hence we require advanced software like ERP solution software or end-to-end cargo management software that can handle and streamline all the processes and make the cargo operation smooth and error-free.
Cargo Management Solutions:
Cargo management solutions are customized software which integrates all the processes like warehousing, transportation, human resources, accounts, sales and marketing that are involved in cargo transportation and optimizes them for better performance of the entire operation.
Benefits of Cargo Management Solutions:
There are a number of benefits of incorporating cargo management software in your business. A few of them are as follows.
Efficient Cargo Tracking:
One of the major concerns for freight forwarders, logistics companies and customers is knowing the exact location of their cargo. It gives them an idea about the tentative delivery time, potential delays, weather conditions etc. that help in planning further activities. Cargo tracking can be easily done with the help of technologies like GPS and satellite positioning. Cargo management solutions gather the data and present it to the stakeholders. It manages other necessary operations depending upon the locations and arrival time of the cargo.
Cost Reduction:
Cargo management software analyzes the processes which should be optimized to reduce the overhead cost. Moreover, a major chunk of cargo transportation is done by software which reduces the required manpower to manage such processes up to a great extent, which further reduces the cost. The cargo management software is very accurate and effective, it reduces human interference and hence there are minimal or no chances of error or rework.
Effective Workforce Management:
Cargo management software manages the workforce effectively. It keeps a record of the working shifts of the employees, their leaves, overtime, salaries, insurance etc. This software also keeps a track of the key performance indicator of employees which makes it easy for the management to analyze them. It helps in deciding the perks, bonuses or different challenging assignments for them.
Automatic Scheduling of Maintenance:
A cargo management business requires many vehicles for the transportation of goods from one point to another. The operation also requires heavy machinery like cranes, crawler loaders and other material handling equipment. The vehicles and machinery must undergo regular maintenance to reduce fuel consumption, accidents or break down. But it is not possible to keep a track of the maintenance schedule manually. However, cargo management solutions keep a record of vehicle maintenance and the status of machinery through temperature and vibration sensors.
Enhanced Customer Service:
Giving satisfactory customer service is an important part of cargo management and logistics businesses. The management software helps in addressing the customer’s query effectively and in time. It has an AI-powered customer care system that manages customer care effectively. Also, it sends timely updates about the location and status of the cargo. It also warns about the weather conditions and time of arrival of cargo.
Assists in Documentation:
Cargo transportation required numerous documents, especially for international trade. These documents are traditionally prepared by in-house members or outsourced to service providers. Both options are costly. However, cargo management software can assist in preparing documents required for international trade according to the nature of cargo and regulations of the destination country. It also accurately calculates the customs duties, fees and cesses for cargo transportation.
It is thus a smart choice to incorporate a cargo management software to enhance your business.
