Top 7 Logistics Applications for Optimizing Your 3PL Business

Logistics Applications Explained

Logistics applications are software solutions or tools used to manage and optimize various aspects of logistics and supply chain operations. These applications are used to streamline and enhance the different stages of the logistics process.

Logistics applications encompass a range of vital functions for 3PL businesses that significantly optimize logistics operations:

• Gain immediate access to real-time truckload rates
• Access comprehensive Less Than Truckload (LTL) pricing
• Streamline the quoting process by obtaining precise truck mileage
• Obtain accurate truck routes and location data

Top 7 Logistics Applications to Optimize Your 3PL Business

Below are seven logistics applications that you can utilize to optimize your 3PL business:

1. Supply Chain Relationship Management (SCRM)

Supply Chain Relationship Management (SCRM) is a CRM for the logistics industry developed to help 3PLs manage customers and track sales leads. It aims to help you secure more shipments as well as grow and retain your customer base.

Unlike generic CRMs in the market, SCRM does not require customization since it offers fully specialized 3PL features with an advanced logistics quoting tool out of the box.

2. DAT Freight and Analytics

DAT Freight and Analytics is a tool freight brokers and freight forwarders use to find real-time truckload rates. Using this tool, you can access an extensive database encompassing past, present, and projected truckload rates for competitive pricing of shipments.

With DAT Freight and Analytics, you can quote faster using the most current rates on every lane and trailer type.

3. BlueGrace

BlueGrace is a vital logistics app used by 3PLs in the logistics industry to access real-time LTL pricing from over 100 carriers nationwide.

With BlueGrace, there’s no need for 3PLs to contact carriers individually to gather pricing for specific cargo lanes. This manual process of comparing multiple carrier prices becomes cumbersome and time-consuming, slowing down the quoting process significantly.

4. PC*MILER

PC*MILER is a logistics app that provides precise truck mileage calculations and a detailed map with truck restrictions.

Third-party logistics (3PL) companies might resort to generic GPS tools, which typically offer routes suited for cars but lack crucial truck-specific information. Applications like PC*MILER consider essential details like height, width, and turn restrictions relevant to trucks.

5. TomTom

TomTom is a navigation and traffic application to obtain precise truck routes and location data.

This application empowers 3PL companies with its accurate navigation and real-time traffic updates. The absence of this logistics app can lead to inefficient route planning and increased transit times, impacting overall productivity.

6. Tai TMS

Tai TMS is a powerful logistics application designed for efficiency and growth in operations.

Without this type of logistics app, businesses may find themselves grappling with manual tasks throughout the shipment lifecycle, which could impede efficiency and restrict the allocation of resources for business expansion. By offering direct connections to major carriers and load boards, Tai TMS streamlines operations, enabling a seamless transition from quote to delivery without manual intervention.

7. LoadPlus

LOADPlus is a comprehensive logistics solution for freight brokers or trucking companies, freight agents, intermodal/drayage, and Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight companies.

This logistics application empowers users to oversee all back-office operations of both asset and non-asset-based logistic enterprises through a cloud-based system.

How to Unlock the Full Potential of Logistics Applications for Your 3PL Business

While these logistics applications are separate systems and can stand alone, their maximum potential can be realized once they are incorporated into expansive ecosystems. In this case, these ecosystems are customer relationship management (CRM) systems for logistics companies.

Imagine an operational ecosystem where every facet of your logistics business is automated, and you do not need to manually open extra applications to gather data for quoting, for instance. From managing data manually, integration of logistics applications signifies a strategic shift — streamlining and supercharging your logistics operations.

Think of it as a holistic approach to optimizing your 3PL business. Businesses that merge logistics applications with their CRM systems experience lowered operational expenses through enhanced process automation.

Integration of Logistics Applications Into Your CRM System

The synergy between logistics applications and CRM systems creates a symbiotic relationship. This is why we built a CRM integrated with these logistics applications. With this, you can achieve smoother operational efficiency and increase sales without relying on multiple applications.

You can read below how SCRM blends with several widely used logistics applications available in the market.

1. DAT Freight and Analytics

With this integration, there’s no need to open another DAT application to gather the needed information. The integration of DAT enables real-time access to truckload rates while quoting within the application. These rates are based on the current market conditions for the specific lane entered.

With DAT Freight and Analytics, you can quote faster using the most current rates on every lane and trailer type.

2. BlueGrace

Based on the specific entered lane and cargo details, BlueGrace integration allows SCRM to provide you with all the available LTL carriers. SCRM will then recommend the most suitable carrier from this extensive list after comparing their cost or transit time.

With prompt access to carrier information in the quoting tool, users can create quotes faster, enhancing their ability to secure more LTL loads. With this integration, 3PL companies can find the best carriers in the shortest time possible.

3. PC*MILER

A CRM Software for 3PLs with PC*MILER integration can calculate accurate truck mileage. This process facilitates the fast creation of precise quotes with competitive pricing, ultimately increasing the likelihood of securing more shipments for 3PLs. This enhances the efficiency and precision when generating quotes.

4. TomTom

TomTom is another logistics application integrated within SCRM that provides you with accurate truck routes and location data to streamline quoting. With this integration, SCRM can figure out the distance between several stops. Additionally, it helps users rearrange the stops and final destination to get the shortest route. Shortest routes mean lower costs, making it more likely for you to win a deal.

5. Freight Management Systems’ LOADPlus

With the integration of LOADPlus, you can gain a holistic view of your customers' behavior, especially about revenues. This synchronization integrates critical data — revenues, profits, gross margins, and shipment counts — per customer within the SCRM. Revenue information, along with communication data (emails, calls, meetings, notes) lets you gain complete visibility of your customers. This allows you to prioritize service for loyal customers or reclaim those, reducing shipping volume.

Conclusion: The Transformative Impact of Logistics Applications

In conclusion, these logistics applications serve as indispensable tools for 3PL businesses when integrated into a specialized CRM. They optimize your business operations by providing immediate access to real-time, precise, and comprehensive logistics data.

Through these integrations, you are enhancing operational efficiency, curbing unnecessary costs, and boosting customer satisfaction. Ultimately, this synergy translates into increased revenue, keeping you ahead in the competitive logistics industry.

If you want to learn more about a CRM with integrated applications built for the logistics industry, book a demo today. Further, if you have any other logistics applications that we can integrate with our logistics CRM, feel free to contact us.