Real-time freight tracking is a way for freight forwarders to keep their clients informed about their shipments’ real-time location and whereabouts. From a technological perspective, real-time tracking is a network of one or more technologies (like GPS or RFID) that collect data about the freight and transportation vehicle’s location, condition, and surroundings. That data can be used to know the real-time location of the freight during transit. As the shipping industry grows and develops, real-time tracking has become a critical element of transportation. Businesses are investing in tracking technologies to bring transparency and reliability into their operations, boosting overall customer satisfaction.
This article is focused on elaborating on the importance of real-time freight tracking in transit. We’ll also explore different ways in which real-time tracking boosts the efficiency, transparency, and dependability of the freight transportation process.
Importance of Real-Time Freight Tracking in the Transportation Process
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Enhanced freight visibility
Ensuring real-time visibility of the freight during transit for freight forwarders and clients is the main purpose of real-time freight tracking. With the right tracking technology, you can keep an eye on your entire supply chain, no matter how complex the logistics are. Tracking technology keeps you updated on the exact location of shipments so you can offer enhanced freight visibility for your clients.
With RFID technology, you can put tags on valuable packages and collect data about their condition and surrounding environment during transit. Your freight tracking system will also help you get accurate shipment delivery times. The system also sends notifications (via email or SMS) to the clients in this regard.
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Helpful in making informed logistics decisions
One of the most significant benefits of real-time freight tracking for freight forwarders is that it helps them take informed decision regarding the transportation process. With the right tracking method in place, you can identify potential issues or delays that can affect the freight transit and address them before they turn into a problem.
Freight tracking also plays a vital role in effective route optimization. With supported data, it allows you to choose the shortest yet safest route for your freight’s delivery. The tracking system informs you about potential roadblocks so you can consider them while planning the route. It also allows you to give instructions to the drivers about potential delays or changes in the route during transit.
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Customer satisfaction
With the rapid growth of the E-commerce industry, the number of people who prefer to shop online is increasing exponentially. These people want consistent visibility into their shipments at each and every step of the logistics process, which is only possible through real-time tracking. Businesses that are using advanced freight tracking technologies are likely to be more successful in ensuring customer satisfaction than others. That’s because these businesses keep their customers in the information loop from the start to the end of the delivery process. Customers can know when their products have left the warehouse, how they’re being transported, and when they will receive them.
The tracking system also sends notifications to the customers, including a shipment tracking link, which allows them to track the exact whereabouts of their goods. In short, freight tracking allows businesses to keep the promises they’ve made to customers regarding on-time, fast delivery.
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Risk Management
Real-time freight is also an effective logistics risk management technique. The tracking system allows you to monitor the freight throughout the transportation process, empowering you to quickly identify any anomalies, theft, or damage so you can take immediate action to address it.
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Compliance with regulations
The real-time freight tracking technology makes it possible for businesses to comply with the regulations regarding customer’s rights to know the details and status of their shipment at every stage of the logistics process. It protects businesses against legal complications that may arise in case of non-compliance.
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Competitive advantage
Freight tracking saves businesses money and time, boosts customer satisfaction, and eventually increases revenue. Therefore, using a cutting-edge tracking system can offer you a competitive advantage over your competitors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, real-time freight tracking has become a necessity to optimize and make the logistics and transportation process more efficient. By leveraging tracking technology, companies can enhance shipment visibility, boost customer satisfaction, and ensure better mitigation of potential risk associated with timely delivery of the freight. However, businesses also need to invest in training their staff to make the most of freight tracking technologies.
VPL Logistics is working proactively to adapt modern freight tracking technologies to ensure real-time shipment visibility for its customers.
