Forward, Summer 2016 Issue

Summer 2016

Forward Magazine

nformation is the hidden element that moves behind

the scenes in parallel to the movement of freight.

Although there has been much industry analysis

on the cost of moving physical goods, the actual

cost of moving freight-related data is unclear. What is

clear, however, is that the more manual the processes and

the more disparate systems involved, the more expensive

the whole proposition is as a result of lost, inaccurate,

inaccessible or unavailable data. With the entire logistics

and transportation industry characterized by even greater

change, what is also clear is the rising premium on the

movement of quality data for regulatory compliance,

customer visibility and shipment monitoring, alerting

and exception management.

Data in Motion

With already tight margins for participants across all

modes of transportation, freight rates may remain fixed

or have little wiggle room. However, the methodologies

used to aggregate, display and move the added

component of data, and in what format, is often a

key differentiator for success in today’s competitive

marketplace. Freight forwarders and logistics service

providers frequently serve as the central communication

conduit between carriers, regulatory agencies and other

supply chain participants as cargo moves. As a result of

this pivotal role in the marketplace, these companies

are uniquely positioned to view “big picture” scenarios

that address the best methods to move goods as well as

data. And what leading companies are demonstrating

is that moving information better—repurposing

data, improving accessibility, enhancing visibility and

supporting the latest data standards—means moving

freight better.

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