Blog

CloudLogix Featured in Transportation & Logistics International

October 30, 2018 By Jay-Lynn Wallace

We are proud that our company was featured in Transportation & Logistics International for our support of StandardAero, a global aerospace service provider.

By implementing our LoadStar TMS solution company-wide, the client is better able to manage shipping operations and third-party contract management.

LoadStar is also enabling the company to save on shipping costs and allowing them to be more competitive in their industry.

[Read the Full Magazine Article About Our Partnership with StandardAero]

How Does CloudLogix Support Clients?

We support our clients by providing tools to improve shipping operations and better manage contracts with third-party logistics providers.

In addition to reporting, LoadStar provides the ability to consolidate and tender freight, bid, track, audit shipping invoices, and allocate freight charges.

What are the Keys to Minimizing Shipping Expenses?

September 21, 2018 By Jay-Lynn Wallace

There is a famous quote from Peter Drucker, an author and leader in modern business management, that says: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.”

This concept applies directly to you minimizing your organization’s shipping expenses. It all begins with determining how you gather and track those expenditures.

For some companies, shipping data needs to be pulled from various sources to compile and build totals. And For other companies, you might be missing information that actually limits your ability to view complete shipping expense information. Or, perhaps your data is readily available and clearly shows that you are over-budget on freight spend.

Regardless of where you fall on tracking of your shipping expenses, there are multiple places you can look to identify cost-savings opportunities.

Three Ways to Minimize Shipping Expenses

1. Focus on Your Data

For starters, make sure you have complete and accurate data.

Do you have full shipment details that include carrier, mode of transportation, pieces, weight, and dimensions?
If you have multiple locations, can you account for all shipments at each facility?
Do you have full invoice details for all carriers?

Before you can analyze, you must have the full data picture.

2. Perform a Thorough Audit

When you have access to all of the data, you can perform many different evaluations. Consider these examples:

Annual Freight Spend by Mode. This will help you evaluate your negotiated carrier rates to ensure you have maximum buying power.
Service Level Optimization. Is the most efficient service level being chosen by shipping personnel every time? Are the premium shipments really that urgent?
Invoice Accuracy. Are the invoices being billed for the right amount according to your contracted rates? Are there hidden accessorial charges? Was there a custom quote obtained? Is the invoiced amount true to that?

The options for an audit are endless, but these examples are a great start to minimize shipping expenses.

3. Have the Right Software to Support Your Objectives

To support your objectives and minimize shipping expenses, you should focus on two key elements: centralized data and automation. This is where software comes into play. Software not only helps you perform an array of back-end analytics, but it can make your front-end processes much more efficient as well.

Consider these two options for achieving your goals with software:

Integrate What You Have. If you already have one or more systems for shipping and another for invoicing and payments, you might be able to avoid shopping for new software. Instead, you can look into integrating what you already have. This can be more cost-effective than you might think.
Purchase a System. This does not have to be scary or expensive! There are fully web-based solutions that can accommodate exactly what you need without the features you don’t.

Partner with CloudLogix for Software Support

CloudLogix created a custom software solution called LoadStar that houses all your shipping and invoice data in one place, allowing for full automation of your auditing rules! Loadstar also integrates with your various transportation providers to allow for upfront rate shopping and booking, all from one screen.

By using the LoadStar software powered by CloudLogix, you can make life easier for you and your shipping personnel, all while efficiently minimizing shipping expenses.

Let’s talk about your supply chain operations and discuss the right solution together!

Overcome FedEx Outages

August 28, 2018 By Jay-Lynn Wallace

It’s a busy afternoon. You’re rushing to get all of your FedEx packages labeled before the driver arrives. Suddenly everything comes to a standstill. FedEx Ship Manager is down! You have to get these boxes out today, so you hop over to FedEx.com. Surely that will work so you can finish up. No — that’s down, too! Now what?

You may consider moving on to manual labels to overcome the FedEx outage. Or, you find yourself hitting refresh over and over while stressing about getting your packages out on time. There has to be a better way.

Wait, there is!

Consider the FedEx API to Overcome Outages

FedEx has another way of accessing their services called an API. Think of it as an electronic highway for two systems to communicate with each other.

Many times, when FedEx Ship Manager Software and FedEx.com are both experiencing an outage, the API is still up and running.

How does that help you? API means you still have an avenue to create your shipping documents. All you need is the vehicle to drive the API.

CloudLogix Has the Vehicle to Drive the API

CloudLogix developed a shipping system called LoadStar, which is fully integrated with many carriers’ API systems, including FedEx Express and FedEx Freight.

LoadStar TMS communicates directly through the API to generate the same labels and documents that you are accustomed to. This means you can use LoadStar to generate shipping documents even when Ship Manager and FedEx.com are down!

Additionally, because LoadStar integrates with other carriers, it can be your one-stop shop for all your shipping needs. Need another carrier in LoadStar? No problem! The helpful staff at CloudLogix can help implement exactly what you need.

During stressful times and busy afternoons, you need stability. LoadStar provides that stability to overcome FedEx outages and can be the ultimate driving force behind successfully meeting your customer’s deadlines.

Don’t wait until you’re in another stressful, last-minute shipping situation. Partner up with CloudLogix today!

Get More From Your Transportation Management System

August 14, 2018 By Jay-Lynn Wallace

Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are a dime a dozen these days, so what qualifies one to stand out above the rest?

With the array of options on the market, you have the power to be selective. If you keep a few key elements in mind, you will soon realize that not all systems are created equal.

The Four Most Important Elements of a TMS System

Independence: Gone are the days of obligatory usage of a TMS provided by one of your transportation vendors.

While many vendors will offer their systems for free, don’t feel pressured to take the bait! Because you are likely not your vendor’s sole client, all of your shipping data resides with a company that also houses competitor data.

What if you decide not to move freight with that vendor any longer? It’s best to consider an independent TMS provider to remove any potential conflicts of interest. Then, you control your data regardless of who handles your freight.

Qualified Customer Service: An average TMS provider employs a 24/7 customer service team. An exceptional provider operates with a team of seasoned professionals who know about the business, not just the software.

An experienced customer service team knows what it’s like to be in the shipping chair from first-hand experience. There is no question that these experts will make the best routing decisions to support your thriving business.

Synchronization: An exceptional TMS can utilize other modules such as order management and inventory management to connect your entire supply chain. An exceptional TMS can also synchronize with your existing platforms to enable you to keep your current software.
System Features: An average TMS handles basic shipping, booking, invoicing, and reporting. However, an exceptional TMS should be robust. Consider four key subtasks that should be expected in this area.

The Four Qualities of a Robust TMS Solution

– Shipping: A robust TMS can handle anything from small parcel to LTL, Truckload, Rail, and International shipments. It’s also important to understand what kind of pre-population features and other custom settings are available to save order entry time, such as custom shipment templates.

– Booking: An exceptional TMS can integrate with your pool of carriers for booking ease. Finding one that is fully integrated with FedEx and UPS is a must. You should be able to rate shop, track, and obtain appropriate shipping documents and labels for each carrier of your choosing.

– Invoicing: Many systems will say they can handle invoices, but how? An average TMS will import carrier invoices via various methods. An exceptional one will be able to audit those invoices by matching them to the original shipment quote that was generated in the system. An additional feature is allowing customization of necessary audit rules.

– Reporting: An average TMS will have a standard dashboard with decent-looking visuals and stock reporting data. An exceptional TMS provider understands that your analytical needs are ever-changing and will offer custom reporting complete with the ability to pull master data from the system to slice and dice how you choose.

CloudLogix Offers an Exceptional TMS System

Guess what? You do not have to settle for an average TMS. CloudLogix certainly did not settle when we built the robust LoadStar TMS to manage your entire supply chain.

Look no further! The answer to your TMS needs is LoadStar. Contact CloudLogix today to schedule a demo of our robust software solution.