last updated 09-09-2024
by FreightPrint
Every logistics company has two primary objectives: to process orders for their customers and deliver their orders efficiently.
The tools they use for these goals are CRM and TMS.
So, whether you run the last mile carrier company or you’re an auto parts distributor, let’s find out what CRM and TMS are and how you can use them both to successfully manage your operations and achieve your goals.
65% of logistics companies recognize switching to the digital business model to survive in the digital age, according to Forbes Insights.
CRM or Customer Relationship Management is a software that controls all interactions between a company and its customers.
A CRM helps you manage your interactions with current and future customers, from collecting their contact information, sending marketing messages and ultimately creating sales.
Before you choose your CRM software, it is essential to understand the needs of your company and customers. Do they like the instant chat option in the customer support tickets? Do they prefer your previous logistic marketing campaign more than the new one?
An unhappy customer can turn to your competition in a minute. Customer relationship management software helps you to know what people want and how you can serve it to them in a way they like.
Customer Relationship Management covers several key elements:
In the fast-paced world of logistics and trucking business, customer support and service are essential for maintaining a competitive edge. A CRM system provides real-time access to customer data, allowing companies to track interactions and identify preferred communication channels quickly and efficiently.
By utilizing CRM, companies can streamline customer support requests, improving the quality and efficiency of operations. This enables them to intervene promptly, implement corrective actions, and ultimately satisfy the customer's needs.
Marketing efforts within the logistics and trucking industry are crucial for targeting potential customers and executing successful strategies. A CRM system aids in planning advertising campaigns, measuring effectiveness, and automating reports to enhance service quality.
Sales tracking is another key feature of CRM for logistics companies and trucking businesses. By analyzing sales data, companies can determine customer origins and evaluate each stage of the sales pipeline. This valuable information allows companies to enhance the customer journey and calculate the cost of acquiring new customers effectively.
In today's competitive business landscape, utilizing CRM for logistics companies and trucking businesses is essential for improving customer experience and staying ahead of the competition. By harnessing the power of CRM technology, companies can optimize operations, enhance marketing efforts, and drive sales growth in a professional and efficient manner.
A transportation management system or a TMS is a set of solutions for logistics and delivery businesses to manage the transport of shipments.
Transportation Management System needs three sets of data to be able to work:
These sets of data then work to:
The most helpful feature of a TMS is that it finds the best route for a shipment to be delivered according to the traffic and fleet availability.
With it, you don’t have to manually calculate where your drivers will go and the ETAs are much more accurate.
A TMS shows shipment status when it has information from the warehouse and the ETA. It’s what your customers will see within the routing software app.
The last important feature of a TMS is that it stores all crucial logistic documentation.
This storage can contain invoices, bills of lading, rate confirmation, customs documents, proof of delivery, carrier contracts, and other paperwork.
Information about the customers that get pulled from your CRM strategies ends up in TMS. It gives you data such as their address and their phone number, which are necessary for the delivery process.
Moreover, you can quickly work on a specific issue within the TMS, like wrong shipment status or lost parcels if your customers contact you through your customer support, which is a part of CRM.
Sales analysis in a CRM can also pinpoint what you need to fix in your marketing but also in your TMS.
Lastly, if a customer contacts you about the documentation they need, you can automatically pull it out of your documentation storage in a TMS.
Wondering how to choose the right TMS?
FreightPrint is a simple logistics management tool that could help with both your customer and carrier relationships.
Interested in a free demo?
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Are you managing your logistics operations manually or using outdated and confusing software?
FreightPrint can help!
FreightPrint™ is an AI-powered logistics software built to boost your transportation and delivery operations
We know logistics is complicated and time-consuming.
Imagine delivering orders to your customers with consistency, accuracy and simplicity.
If you're looking to streamline your shipping and logistics operations, FreightPrint™ could help you a lot!
Read below to learn more about key features and benefits of FreightPrint™.
Imagine processing customer orders, automatically creating optimized routes, communicating with drivers and customers, all without spending any extra time.
▸ Dispatch Loads
Dispatch loads on the go or schedule to dispatch for a future date. Work with carriers, brokers, dispatchers and shippers all from one platform.
▸ Automated Routes
Pick multiple shipments and create routes instantly. Assign drop numbers, edit or remove stops without contacting the drivers.
▸ Driver Assignment
Assign a task or a route to a driver. Don't know who can do the delivery? Allow drivers to pick their loads, or broadcast loads to your carriers and have them bid on your loads.
Free up your phone lines and staff, while meeting and exceeding your customers’ expectations. Spend your precious time closing more deals and going on vacation.
▸ Provide Shipment Tracking
While the FreightPrint™ app provides status updates and other useful information, it can also provide you with shipment tracking.
▸ Collect Signatures, Pictures and Notes
Create an audit trail of shipment statuses with timestamps and location stamps.Receive proof of delivery signature and pictures instantly.
Create and design your own shipping documents. Create templates for your customers to match their specifications.
▸ Print Labels
Create, desigsn and print QR code labels. Add QR codes to your shipping documents and emails. Update shipments by simply scanning labels using your phone.
▸ Design and Customize Documents
Create and design your own shipping documents. Whether it's BOL, POD, rate confirmation or any other customized documents, our document creation tool can help you.
No software is built to perfectly fit everyone's needs, and that’s why we allow you to customize it. FreightPrint is flexible to serve your business needs.
▸ Use API and Automation
Create custom fields and custom checklists to ensure your team can track progress. Connect with SalesForce and OrderTime natively, integrate with your own in-house software using our API, or build automation with Zapier.
Download the free FreightPrint mobile app and start using it for free for 2 weeks. There is no need to enter your credit card details.
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We're here to assist you with your transportation software needs. Whether you are a small shipper or big transportation company, we'd be happy to give you a free demo of FreightPrint and answer your questions.
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Want to see if FreightPrint is a good fit for your needs? Whether you are curious about how the software works, or have specific questions about a feature, our product demo is a great way to get started.
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