If you’re a global supply chain professional responsible for freight billing, chances are it’s one of the most labor-intensive tasks on your plate. Auditing for invoice accuracy can be a cumbersome process that only gets more complicated on a global scale.
When invoice approvals and charge code assignments are added to the mix, the processing time can balloon. As a result, cash flow, accounting statements, and data integrity can suffer — and that’s not even considering the increase in emails, calls, and support requests stemming from payment inquiries.
If your team is struggling with completing the billing process or wasted communication, consider the following ways to save time, effort, and energy – while maintaining accuracy.
How to Conquer Freight Billing on a Global Scale
There are some common issues companies need help with regarding freight billing. When the process becomes complicated, companies tend to decrease the use of technology and sophisticated tools, opting for a manual, so-called “tried and true” approach. We often see that companies will:
- Email back and forth for answers.
- Manage complex spreadsheets with shipper and carrier information.
- Print and scan documents like bills of lading
- Spend an excessive amount of time on the phone
- Perform other manual tasks to maintain daily operations.
Once time delays and discrepancies pile up, the process quickly becomes unmanageable. If these sound like your team’s daily struggles, it’s time to find solutions that help you regain control of your billing operations. Here are five tips to help you save time and get back on track.
1. Evaluate the Situation
You can only improve if you know where the bottlenecks are. Take a step back, take an objective look at the current situation, and identify any pain points that may be causing delays or errors in your process. As you do so, ask yourself the following questions:
- What’s the current process flow?
- Do you have visibility into the carriers you manage?
- How many cost centers, locations, and approving parties do you have?
- What are the specific challenges your company is experiencing?
- What systems are you using?
Once you’ve mapped out your current circumstances, you can quickly identify areas for improvement.
2. Obtain Input
We all have blind spots — even when it comes to something as close to us as our work processes. That’s why it pays off to get input from other stakeholders. Ask your team and other departments for their perspectives on the current situation.
- Do others in your company agree with the current process and challenges?
- Are there other challenges you might have missed?
- Are there any other wish list items for improvement?
You’d be surprised how much insight others can offer when it comes to streamlining processes and improving collaboration.
3. Explore Solutions
Most solutions involve improvements in people, processes, or technology — or a combination of the three. Determine which areas need the most attention, and start exploring solutions to help your team make tangible advancements.
For example, you may have suitable systems in place, but they’re not correctly implemented. In that case, you would need to work on people and processes. This step could include the following actions:
- Creating more detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Training employees.
- Restructuring roles and responsibilities.
If everything is happening manually and your challenges are significant, it’s definitely time to explore new technology. The process doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming — many options could suit your specific needs.
4. Enlist Outside Assistance
Go beyond your team or company to find out how other companies handle freight billing challenges.
- What options are really out there?
- How are others in your industry handling this?
- What solutions can you leverage to get ahead?
Radical change is rarely a one-person job. That’s why enlisting outside help can be a great way to ensure you make the best investments for your team.
For instance, you may want to partner with a freight billing solutions provider. A partner can help you gain access to the right technology, best practices, and expertise. Having an expert partner with you on your journey makes it easier to keep up with the ever-changing billing landscape on a global scale to ensure your team is set up for success.
5. Work With the CloudLogix Team
CloudLogix is a leading provider of supply chain logistics solutions designed to provide end-to-end visibility into your global supply chain operations.
Our cloud-based CloudLogix platform helps you gain control of your freight billing process by streamlining invoice audit and analysis while automating approval processes.
But we’re not just a software solutions provider. Partnering with us also gives you access to a team of dedicated support staff who can help you in the following ways:
- Identify time-saving opportunities.
- Optimize existing processes.
- Quickly get up to speed with our game-changing technology.
Our support staff is equipped with years of experience managing freight billing processes. When we begin working with global supply chain companies, we make an effort to understand exactly what their challenges and needs are, then offer a solution that will save both time and money.
We already have the core tools in place for swift implementation so that you can realize the benefits of your custom-tailored solution almost instantly. We’ll then continue to nurture and support all applicable parties in your organization to keep them engaged, as well as adjust solutions to meet changing processes and compliance requirements.
Contact CloudLogix to Discuss Our Solution
If you’re looking to move beyond manual processes and gain control of freight billing, we invite you to reach out to our team to schedule a consultation.
From the get-go, we’ll identify a custom solution that fits your organization’s needs. We’ll help you realize the benefits of an efficient, cost-saving process that comes with modernizing your billing system. Contact us today to get started!
