In highly competitive markets, like today’s transportation and shipping environment, the need for shipment visibility remains a critical factor to supply chain stability. In-transit TMS tracking and monitoring is a critical part of omnichannel shipping optimization, especially in tight capacity markets.
According to DAT Trendlines, spot rate volatility persists across all transportation modes, swinging seasonally from peaks to lows. Looking ahead, the situation is consistently pressured by various factors, including, fluctuating demand, a higher-than-average peak shipping season, and bloated inventory levels for retailers and wholesalers. Even when ample trucking capacity exists, port backlogs can lead to delays. Those delays become major disruptions if not considered at the time of planning a shipment.
What Does In-Transit Visibility Mean
Consumers have plenty of options when they need shipping services, so a single bad experience can lead to a lost customer. In-transit visibility means keeping track of shipments in real time, so you can update customers with status reports and actions that are being taken to address issues that may arise. This is why an omnimodal TMS is so essential to customer satisfaction within day-to-day transportation management.
Where Traditional Shipping Management Loses Tracking Visibility
- Limited touchpoints.
- Uncertainty about processes outdated by real-time status.
- Confusion about the next steps in the delivery and transportation process.
- Manual check calls.
- Human errors and introduced disruptions.
- Disparate systems failing to integrate.
- Poor collaboration between partners.
- Too many things to do and not enough time.
At the heart of supply chain visibility is empowerment for shipping managers and logistics directors.
Lack of visibility is a common obstacle for companies that rely on global supply chain resilience to succeed and grow. Most supply chain managers and directors acknowledge that they do not have full visibility of their supply chains. They recognize that it causes problems throughout their networks.
Issues inherent in poor visibility, include limited cybersecurity, lagging data and sustainability of transport. Without visibility, top-line needs fall by the wayside.
There is a vast array of supply chain issues that can drive cost and impact service when there is poor planning due to limited visibility.
How TMS Tracking Enables In-Transit Visibility
To enable optimal shipment visibility and improve supply chain performance, transportation service providers must implement the following:
- Smart transportation instant alerts to notify appropriate team members of issues and disruptions as they occur.
- Automated tendering processes and dynamic rerouting systems that track packages in real-time.
- An approach to supply chain management that closely mirrors exception management practices.
- A singular supply chain control tower and tech stack that can be accessed and utilized by all team members.
- Data-driven insight into all modes and shipment methods at all times with in-transit tracking and monitoring.
- Careful monitoring and planning for anticipated reverse logistics, returns, and customer claims down the road.
- Predictive analytics to understand what’s happening and what needs to happen to achieve delivery that is on time and in full (OTIF).
- Tailored services and communication options that fit each customer’s unique wants and needs.
Calculate your potential Saving While Using an enterprise TMS
Gain Real-Time, In-Transit Visibility With the Right TMS Tracking
Without TMS platforms, supply chain managers cannot achieve this goal due to poor transparency and lack of shipment visibility. Improving in-transit visibility with accurate data and real-time data tracking and analysis is easy with the right TMS in place. Contact MercuryGate today for a demo to get started.
Watch our webinar to find out more about TMS tracking and visibility from origin to destination across all modes.
