7 Best Digital Freight Forwarding Platform Providers

1. Saloodo

Saloodo’s online freight platform connects shippers and carriers by providing an efficient and convenient digital solution for logistics purposes.

Here’s what Saloodo has to offer:

Features

• Book and manage freight shipments via easy online bookings.
• Access an extensive carrier network, including trucking companies, logistics service providers, and a freight forwarder network.
• Access updates about shipment tracking, like status and location, and receive electronic proof of delivery upon completion.

2. Flexport

Flexport’s global trade logistics software solutions empower buyers, sellers, and their logistics partners with the technology and freight forwarding services to grow.

Flexport’s highlights are:

Features

• Shipment tracking of ocean freight, air freight, and land freight with milestone updates, exception alerts, and more.
• Enjoy real-time collaboration with everyone involved in the supply chain via enterprise resource planning (ERP) and transportation management systems (TMS).
• Minimize import duties and optimize customs clearance with the help of an expert freight broker.  

3. Sennder

Sennder is a digital freight service that caters exclusively to the full truckload segment (FTL) by providing logistics software to match shippers and carriers.

Its best features include:

Features

• Control the entire shipping process by staying updated about delays and expected arrival times.
• Receive notifications and alerts regarding shipment management at specific touch points of the shipment’s journey.
• Maximize your supply chain management with data analytics.

4. myCEVA

myCEVA offers users an all-in-one digital freight platform where buyers and forwarders can efficiently perform multiple shipping functions.    

Here are some of myCeva logistics offerings:

Features

• Book shipments and get instant quotes, freight rates, and updated tariff information anytime.
• Manage your shipping process with all necessary documents in one place.
• Provide excellent customer service with top-of-the-line customer service support. 

5. Beacon

‍Beacon provides users with digital tools to make better decisions and fast-track supply chain processes and global trade operations.

Here’s what you can expect:

Features

• Track shipment movements and purchase order data all in one place.
• Respond quickly and minimize impact downstream with email notifications based on real-time data that flag any ETA changes.
• Monitor the carbon footprint of every forwarder and carrier port-to-port.

6. Spotos

Spotos is a self-service digital freight forwarding platform that allows shippers and carriers to save time and costs while enjoying a high-quality shipping experience.  

Its key features include:

Features

• Reduce dead mileage and empty return journeys with truck return loads and backloads.
• Connect your supply chain business to customers with the international freight forwarding service.
• Scale your operations with access to a digital freight exchange marketplace for Full truckload (FTL) and Less than truckload (LTL) road transportation.

7. Zencargo

‍Zencargo is a digital freight forwarding platform that helps you improve supply chain management, strategies, and performance. 

Its top features include:

Features

• Access a vast multi-modal transport network backed by experts and the latest digital freight platforms.
• Pay for the volume you ship with an LCL (Less-than-Container Load) service that helps improve your lead times, cash flow, and more.
• Build a cost-efficient shipment structure through the consolidation of warehousing and packing options.

Curious about what benefits digital forwarding platforms offer? 

Let’s find out the benefits of these software platforms. 

Digital platforms can quickly help traditional freight forwarders streamline their freight forwarding process by offering a better customer experience.

Here are some of the main benefits:

1. Convenience

Most digital platforms offer configurable internal communication channels that are user-friendly. So you can quickly communicate with different parties involved in the shipment process to resolve any problems that arise. 

Plus, you can use your mobile device to access these digital freight platforms from anywhere.

2. Security

Digital freight forwarding platforms secure transactions and cargo transportation details better than traditional freight forwarders.

Moreover, the best platforms use cloud service technology and don’t store data locally. So, there’s a lower risk of unauthorized access and interception of data when compared to a traditional forwarder.

Shipping companies can also use online freight forwarding data protection tools to protect them against phishing and check the integrity of their data. 

3. Transparency (Shipment Visibility)

Customers are concerned about the transparency of operations in the freight forwarding industry. They might wonder if their cargo will get lost or if the real-time updates are accurate. 

One way to put them at ease is to let them track the movement of cargo. 

Digital forwarding platforms ensure users have all the information at their fingertips, from tracking shipments to details about warehouse management. 

4. Workflow Automation and Efficiency (Reduced Costs) 

Digital freight forwarding platforms offer workflow automation, which helps minimize errors and increase the efficiency of supply chain processes. 

It lets freight forwarding businesses reduce specific manual business processes, offer better turnaround times, reduce costs, and enjoy better rate management. 

Without digital technology, there is a higher risk of human error, especially when working with large data sets and multiple deliveries. This also delays the logistics process, significantly affecting the delivery's timing and cost.

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And that’s not all!

Automating certain tasks can offer delivery optimization by finding the most efficient routes and considering traffic and other factors. Online freight forwarding that automates package management with auto-dispatch systems allows you to boost efficiency without increasing costs.

See why digital forwarders are so appealing to users? 

5. Data Analytics

Since AI algorithms can monitor the current state of supply chain systems, digital forwarders can use these digital tools to predict things like:

• Potential delays 
• Necessary infrastructure maintenance
• Increased demand for transportation services

Using AI to predict these issues ensures that shipments are timely, and that you’re always on top of supply chain disruptions. 

6. Last-Mile Delivery

Digital freight forwarding solutions help solve the problem of last-mile delivery. 

Inaccurate calculations of resources needed to deliver goods to the customers’ doors can increase delivery time and costs.

However, AI freight forwarding systems can calculate optimal vehicle routes, reduce costs, and effectively use tools, like delivery drones, to enhance last-mile delivery.

These systems pair a large carrier with local delivery services to build an effective structure, providing fast, reliable, and profitable cargo transportation.

Sold on the idea of a digital freight forwarding platform? 

Let’s discuss what to consider when choosing one. 

Finding the right digital freight platform for your freight forwarding company can take time and effort. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best one:

• Know What Your Business Needs: Ask questions like:

• What shipments do you typically send?
• How often do you need to ship items?
• What freight rates can you afford?

The answers to these questions will help you pinpoint and choose a platform best suited to your shipping needs. 

• Compare Available Features: Compare the features of different digital platforms available in the digital freight forwarding market. Always ensure you read the fine print and consider everything that’s relevant to your business needs.

• Get Recommendations: Still undecided? Use your ‘call a friend’ card!

You can ask for feedback and recommendations from others in the freight forwarding industry or check out review platforms like G2. Their advice can point you in the right direction.

• Check Ease of Use: Ensure your chosen digital platform is easy to navigate and use. This will save you time and allow for seamless integration. 

• Try Before Purchasing: Take advantage of the free trials and try a few different platforms before committing to one. This process will give you a real life look into how each platform will help your freight forwarding company.

The answer is easy: Try Shipthis!

‍Shipthis is a comprehensive freight forwarding digital solution that allows your business to embrace the digital transformation by becoming a digital-first operation. 

Shipthis is the best freight forwarding software with features like:

• A multi-modal and intermodal transportation management system for shipments that use various transport modes.
• A document management system for generating and managing any required documents, like airway bills and bill of lading.
• A comprehensive dashboard with advanced integrations for automating bookings, invoices, and reports. 

All of this and more in one amazing freight forwarding platform.

Embrace the Future With a Digital Freight Forwarding Platform 

Using digital technology to fast-track processes has become the norm in every industry, and the logistics industry is no different. 

The best way for a traditional freight forwarder to modernize their operations and embrace digitization is by becoming a digital freight forwarder. 
So, why wait?

Sign up for a free demo of Shipthis’s comprehensive digital freight platform to take the first step in your digital transformation.