Users of Echo Global Logistics’ (NASDAQ:ECHO) EchoDrive platform can now book loads and receive email confirmation seamlessly with new functionality. The company announced that it has added Book Now to its mobile app and web portal platform.
“The Book Now feature was designed to enhance the booking process for EchoDrive users,” said Dave Menzel, president and COO at Echo. “With this functionality, we’ve given carriers the ability to instantly book a load 24/7/365 through the EchoDrive web portal and mobile app, eliminating the need to make phone calls.”
According to the company, usage of the Book Now feature improves general rate visibility and streamlines the overall booking process. Dispatchers and drivers can now book Echo Global loads at any time without the need to speak to anyone on the other end of the transaction.
Book Now had been tested by “thousands” of participants over the past few months.
“At Echo, technology is at the center of how we support our carrier network, and we are continuously looking to invest in new tools that add efficiency and create more value for our carrier partners,” said Jay Gustafson, senior vice president of marketplace solutions at Echo. “The full implementation of Book Now in EchoDrive, which optimizes the booking process for Echo’s carriers, further demonstrates this commitment.”
EchoDrive is built on the EchoAccelerator architecture and gives carriers real-time access to search, bid, book, manage, track and get paid on freight hauled for Echo. The new Book Now tool offers visibility into rates for loads located with EchoDrive. Rate confirmation emails are sent within seconds for loads booked through the platform.
Earlier this year, Echo announced a partnership with TruckPark to give Preferred members access to TruckPark’s network of overnight commercial truck parking resources at a discounted rate. EchoDrive Preferred is a complement to EchoDrive.
The partnership gives EchoDrive Preferred members a 50% discount on parking for owner-operators and fleets with one to five trucks and a 25% discount for company drivers and fleets with six or more trucks.
The addition of the TruckPark parking platform is a continuation of value-add services to the EchoDrive platform that has now been expanded with Book Now. Earlier this year, Echo added Preferred Lanes and Suggested Loads to the platform.
Preferred Lanes and Suggested Loads are designed to improve the load-booking process by assuring carriers receive loads that fit their needs. Preferred Lanes allows carriers to set up a profile of lanes they run regularly and get notifications when shipments in these lanes are available.
Similarly, Suggested Loads improves backhaul opportunities by suggesting shipments to fill empty trailers for Echo customers. Carriers can also choose to get alerts when they do a search for available shipments. Anytime freight becomes available that matches that search, they are notified.
EchoDrive Preferred members also benefit from enhanced payment terms based on a carrier’s relationship with Echo and discounts on truck leases, preventative maintenance programs and rental equipment, as well as discounts on fuel, maintenance, roadside service and more.
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