Existing customer? Login

Freight Management & Ecommerce integrations: Perfect Match

Aug 15, 2024
integrating freight software with ecommerce platforms
integrating freight software with ecommerce platforms

Table of Contents

Easily connect all parts of your ecommerce supply chain with freight management software.

If you’re running an online business here in Australia, you’ll be familiar with the importance of smooth and efficient shipping. You’ll also know that being able to manage every facet of your supply chain requires a finely-tuned logistics software system. From ordering and processing through to successful delivery to satisfied customers, you need to have complete oversight of the entire operation.

Freight management software (FMS) and ecommerce platforms are a dynamic duo that can make or break your logistics game.

In this article, we’ll cover the significance of integrating freight management software with your online operation’s ordering and delivery process, and how this synergy can have huge benefits for your business.

What is a Freight Management System

A Freight Management System (FMS) is a type of logistics software that streamlines shipping operations for businesses by integrating multiple carriers into a single platform. Akin to a marketplace, this lets businesses compare shipping costs and choose the best option for each shipment based on cost, speed, and service quality. An FMS usually includes features like shipment tracking, reporting, and analytics to improve freight management.

If you’re running an ecommerce store (aka online stores running on platforms such as Wix, Shopify, etc.), an FMS can be especially useful for automating shipping.

How Freight Management Systems Streamline Operations

The Australian ecommerce scene is buzzing with opportunities at the moment. And in Australia’s vast landscape (literally and figuratively), smooth and efficient ecommerce logistics is the name of the game.

By integrating freight management software with your ecommerce business, you can take much of the guesswork out of managing your operation. A robust logistics software system will simplify the entire shipping process and make your supply chain work faster than you can say: “Holy successful delivery, Batman!”

Here’s how it works:

Automated Order Processing

Orders from your online store can be seamlessly imported into your FMS system by integrating with various ecommerce platforms, eliminating manual data entry. This saves you and your staff valuable time and will reduce the risk of picking errors.

Rate Shopping

Freight Management Software will help you to select the most cost-effective shipping options, saving you and your customers money by managing and reducing freight costs. It does this by analysing the cost of different shipping options based on destination, traffic flows, size and shape of the items to be shipped, and various other parameters that you can set.

The software will then suggest the best option based on this analysis. This not only reduces your shipping costs (and allows you to offer shipping discounts) but also enhances your customer experience by offering competitive carrier rates.

Label Printing

An advanced FMS system will allow you to print your own labels for your parcel carriers, as well as Bills of Lading (BOLs) for Less Than Load (LTL), Full Truck Load (FTL) or intermodal carriers. The system generates shipping labels automatically, reducing the chances of errors. This ensures that your packages are properly labelled and delivered to the correct address.

Real-Time Tracking

This is the really big advantage of any logistics software package. A FMS system will allow you to automatically give your customers accurate updates on their shipments. These days, people like to know about the progress of their orders. So if you can give them updates in real time, it will considerably improve their overall shopping experience. This transparency keeps customers informed and reduces anxiety about their orders.

The Customer Perspective

For your customers, a smooth shipping experience facilitated by a robust shipping platform is often a decisive factor in their purchasing decisions. If your business provides accurate and timely updates and delivers on time, customers are going to return to your online business time and time again.

Integrating a Freight Management Software system with ecommerce platforms can enhance your customer service in several ways. Let’s throw a spotlight on some of the ways it can help.

Transparency

People like to be kept informed. And they also really, really…REALLY don’t like being messed around and given conflicting information about their orders. Real-time tracking features in Freight Management Software keep your customers informed and reduce anxiety about their orders. This builds trust and enhances customer satisfaction.

Quick Processing

We all want our stuff delivered ASAP. And if your ecommerce business employs a FMS system, you’ll be able to get your orders processed faster and your packages shipped promptly, leading to quicker deliveries

As well as enhancing customer experience, this reduces the risk of lost revenue due to slow shipping.

Flexibility

By offering multiple shipping options and carriers, you will allow your customers to choose what suits them best. This flexibility enhances the customer’s experience because they can call the shots about how and when their order will be delivered.

Automated Notifications 

There is something quite exciting about receiving notifications about the progress of your order. With an FMS setup, your customers will receive timely shipping notifications and updates. This will reduce the number of “Where’s my package?” inquiries and boost the number of great reviews you get. This not only improves customer service but also reduces the workload on your support team.

Cost Savings and Efficiency for Your Business

Integrating a Freight Management Software system with ecommerce platforms isn’t just about making your customers happy. It’s also about streamlining your operations, improving inventory management, and saving you money. This is a vital component of successfully managing an e-commerce business because of the volatility of prices, supply chain vulnerability and the general unpredictability of supply and demand.

An FMS system helps you keep a lid on costs, easily match customer expectations with real world realities, and make your business stand out above the crowd. It can do this in a number of ways.

Reduced Labour Costs

Automated processing of orders means that fewer hours are spent on manual order entry and shipment tracking. This not only reduces your labour costs but also frees up your staff to focus on other tasks.

Optimised Shipping Costs 

FMS systems will help you choose the most cost-effective shipping methods and carriers for each order. By offering competitive rates through reduced shipping costs, you can gain an edge on the competition.

Error Reduction 

Nothing pisses a customer off more than receiving an incomplete or incorrect order. Automation reduces the chances of human errors in order processing and labeling. This ensures that your packages are properly labeled and delivered to the correct address, reducing the risk of lost or damaged shipments.

Scalability

As your e-commerce business grows, your Freight Management Software system can grow with it. It can scale with your growth as it happens, handling larger order volumes with ease. This not only ensures that your logistics operations remain efficient, but also allows you to expand your business without worrying about logistics challenges.

The Challenges of Integration

While the benefits of integrating freight management software with ecommerce are significant, it can be a complex process. For example:

Initial Setup

The integration process can be complex, requiring time and expertise. This can be a significant barrier to entry for small businesses with limited resources. But if you choose a provider with proven experience and a team of dedicated professionals to help get your system up and running, you’ll be reaping the benefits before you know it.

Compatibility

Ensuring that your ecommerce platform and your chosen FMS platform are compatible is essential. This will require careful consideration of factors like Application Programming Interface integrations and data formats. But once again, if your chosen provider has a proven track record of creating systems that will neatly dovetail with your existing setup, you’re going to be golden!

Training 

Your staff are going to need training in order to use the integrated systems effectively. This can be a time-consuming and costly process, particularly for businesses with a large staff. So make sure that the provider you choose has an effective and efficient support programme that you can access if your staff get stuck.

The Future of E-commerce and Freight Management

As modern logistics and ecommerce continue to evolve, so will Freight Management Software systems. Rapid developments in areas like predictive analytics, AI-powered customer service, and enhanced personalisation are set to further enhance ecommerce businesses.

  • Predictive analytics will help businesses anticipate shipping demand and optimise their logistics operations in real-time.

  • AI-driven customer service is rapidly gaining popularity as a way to provide personalized recommendations and support, improving the customer experience.

  • Freight data gathered by logistics software systems can be used to tailor shipping options and carriers to individual customer preferences.

Whether it’s Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix, integrating freight management software with your ecommerce platform will be a game-changer for your online business. It streamlines the shipping process, enhance your customers’ experience, and save you money.

While there are challenges to integration, the benefits will far outweigh the costs. And that has to be a perfect match!

Which site would you like to visit

Stay on our AU site Visit our US site