High volume shippers face demands from all sides — particularly during peak season. Carriers add substantial surcharges during the end of year holiday months. This year, both FedEx and UPS are adding as much as $8.25 per parcel for large volume shippers whose deliveries spike during peak season.
Parcel shipping is expensive. Despite that, customers expect low cost — ideally free — shipping and rapid delivery. High volume shippers are squeezed between these competing demands. As a result, many are leveraging multi carrier shipping software to reduce costs without reducing customer service.
Five (More) Benefits of Multi Carrier Shipping Software
The five most important benefits of multi carrier shipping are:
- Greater visibility
- Better rates
- Automated documentation creation
- Standardized shipping processes
- Consolidations
These rise to the top because they reduce costs while creating a positive customer experience.
Having said that, there are five more benefits that are of particular importance in high volume parcel shipping environments.
AUTOMATED ROUTING
You can increase logistics cost effectiveness with automated routing. Multi carrier shipping software can select the cheapest shipping method that can deliver within the required timeframe.
Automated routing follows your business rules. As a result, you can determine whether or not to always use the lowest shipping rate. Conversely, cost savings may not be your only goal. You can also automatically route parcels via a premium service or specific carrier for certain customers.
MORE CAPACITY AND SERVICES
Peak season stretches the capacity of many carriers. A multi carrier shipping solution gives you access to more carriers — and more capacity.
This also means that you have access to more routes and shipping options, including international shipping.
BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE
High volume shippers often service customers that have their own carrier preferences. As a result, shippers must accommodate these requirements to keep the customer’s business. This can cause a problem for shippers who have entered into an exclusive relationship with a carrier.
Consumers regularly abandon their shopping carts when they see slow delivery time or high shipping costs. Therefore, multi carrier shipping software’s ability to instantly provide a variety of delivery services can help increase revenue without increasing costs.
FLEXIBLE RETURNS
E-commerce typically results in a higher return rate than goods bought in store. Multi-carrier shipping lets your business better manage returns. They can choose the carrier with the best rates or the one that’s most convenient for their customers.
GREATER NEGOTIATING POWER
Exclusive relationships between shippers and carriers create complacency. Carriers may not actively advise shippers of lower cost service options. As a result, the shipper may be paying more than necessary for service.
But when carriers know that a shipper has multiple options, they are more likely to offer their best rates and services. The carrier needs to earn the shipper’s business, instead of taking it for granted.
Meet Customer Demands with Multi Carrier Shipping Software
For high volume shippers, customer satisfaction is as critical as having the right product mix. Multi carrier shipping software helps meet customer demands by addressing the key areas that cause unhappy customers.
Multi carrier shipping software provides visibility into carrier rates and delivery times. This allows your organization to choose the best carrier while controlling costs, and avoiding bottlenecks.
The software provides real time package exception alerts, enabling shippers to proactively address issues and maintain good customer service.
Additionally, the software facilitates consolidation for international shipments, simplifying customs clearance and reducing delays.
Multi Carrier Shipping Software for Enterprises: 3 Critical Questions to Ask
Multi carrier shipping software does more than just compare rates, print labels and track packages.
Before choosing multi-carrier shipping software, ask yourself these three questions.
- Is it scalable and future-proof?
- Do you need an end-to-end solution for global logistics?
- Will it minimize costs and optimize performance?
Over the years, your needs may change. Make sure you factor growth into your system specifications. This could include higher volumes or new markets. Whatever solution you choose should help your organization control costs, simplify shipping activities and ensure operational excellence.
Want to see how QAD Multi Carrier Shipping could help your enterprise? Please contact us for more information.
