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Riding The Market Roller Coaster With Transport Management System Any business in the present day is dependent on market volatility, even more so in the trucking business, but the recent times has witnessed an erratic ebb and flow in the supply and demand. Market swings are inevitable but there is a possibility of coping with it with an efficient transport management system in place. Here is how it can be done…. It is a fact that there are plenty of forces that determine the fluctuations of the market which includes both natural and artificial ones. The stresses and strains of these fluctuations have been building up for some time now and thanks to the service regulations that have been imposed, it has only tightened the screws on the market’s potential even further. An increase in the shortage of drivers has added to the pressure of it, not to mention some carrier deficiencies that have been as a result of the plunging economic conditions. There have been plenty of problems that have contributed to the erratic fluctuations we are experiencing today in the transportation industry that includes shorter lead times, higher accessorial, inbound delays, schedule disruptions, etc. With an increase in market fluctuations it becomes necessary for shippers to work with their TMS teams which will help them manage the ebb and flow with ease. Carrier Performance TMS tools can help to analyse a carrier’s performance, which includes the load capacity, rates, number of successful deliveries made, accidents, non-deliveries, price variations, etc. that enables transportation businesses to identify trends and anomalies. Frequent updates and information sharing can offer a granular picture of the performance of carriers while facing extreme market conditions. The lead indicators on TMS can be used to derive at favorable decisions that can benefit the business. Also this can help to make contingency plans while fearing the worst which will help in making the business make profits in spite of being in a very tight market place. Spot Bidding Strategy In a tight market place, it becomes difficult to identify or have a definite carrier for transportation of goods. Though many shippers don’t prefer this spot bid option, in a difficult market place, it can be the ideal solution. Spot bids can help businesses to compare with the existing prices offered by carriers and can move onto another alternative without having to rely only on one carrier to move out all the loads. This will help save cost and also time thereby helping to decrease the lead time. Improving Effectiveness TMS can help in shedding light on the effectiveness of a particular strategy used in transportation business. Unrealistic lead times, cost effectiveness, route planning, charges levied, hands hired, etc. can all be analysed with the help of TMS which can help in making informed decisions. When dealing with larger numbers, even the smallest of cost advantage can account to plenty and the slightest change in the delivery time can make or break reputation with the customers and suppliers. It is no rocket science as to how transportation markets may span out to be in the future. But given the political and economical climates on a global level, it can be said that it is here to stay for the time being. Proper use of TMS technology can help in riding this roller coaster safely. For further information on transportation market impacts and TMS technology, log on to www.somatec.in
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Market Roller Coaster, Transport Management System, Riding The Market Roller Coaster, Spot Bidding Strategy, ,
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