In the freight logistics landscape, transportation management systems (TMS) have long been key players, working efficiently behind the scenes. Now, the rise of technology integration services is significantly broadening the capabilities of the TMS.
Speaking at the F3: Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Nov. 7, Eric Rempel, Redwood’s chief innovation officer, and Daniel Pickett, FreightWaves’ chief technology officer, highlighted the ongoing transformation of TMS. They emphasized how integrating new technologies into existing TMS infrastructures is enhancing and revitalizing these systems.
This blend of traditional and modern approaches is revolutionizing logistics and supply chain management, making operations smoother, increasing transparency and fostering smarter, data-driven decisions.
But with these advancements in technology come new challenges. A critical issue is balancing a company’s established strengths with its ambition to grow and reach new markets.
Here is where the role of integration services becomes pivotal. When effectively implemented, they can significantly enhance the functionality and impact of TMS. Pickett used an analogy to illustrate this point.
“Spreadsheets did not get rid of accountants — not by any stretch of the imagination,” he said. “[They] let them do much more advanced things.”
Navigating the future of freight technology with strategic integration
Embracing new technologies and their strategic integration is crucial within freight. This approach goes beyond merely adopting advanced systems. It involves smartly leveraging these technologies to boost efficiency and gain a competitive edge.
RedwoodConnect, an integration Platform as a Service built for logistics (iPaaS), exemplifies this approach as a leading platform for seamless integrations in the supply chain. Built specifically for logistics, RedwoodConnect enables businesses to effortlessly combine various systems, partners and processes. This capability is crucial, especially in an industry where speed and reliability are key. By allowing companies to work with different technologies and formats, RedwoodConnect helps create a supply chain that fits each organization’s unique needs.
For software companies, RedwoodConnect simplifies the integration process, which is vital for efficiency. It allows teams to focus on their core competencies, as seen with FreightWaves’ SONAR platform. By taking on the integration tasks, RedwoodConnect enabled the SONAR team to concentrate on their areas of expertise: data aggregation and analysis.
Shippers benefit significantly from RedwoodConnect. It streamlines the alignment between digital supply chain management and the actual shipping process, covering everything from pricing to tracking and payments. This comprehensive integration is vital for maintaining just-in-time delivery commitments, particularly during frequent market disruptions.
Logistics service providers, particularly those in third-party logistics (3PLs), also find value in RedwoodConnect. It provides end-to-end visibility and connects various operational elements, from quoting to final payments. This kind of integration is not only about enhancing user interfaces or efficiency metrics. It’s also about leveraging specialized knowledge and data analytics for deeper insights and more informed decision-making.
Rempel highlighted the efficiency of such integrations.
“Follow the Pareto Principle, right?” he said. “You can automate 80% of it with 20% of the effort and leave the rest there.”
The integrated approach is crucial for larger enterprises, which often face challenges in adopting new solutions due to their complex operations. Through strategic partnerships with platforms like RedwoodConnect, they can overcome these obstacles, benefiting from a future where efficiency, specialization and technology integration coexist seamlessly.
As the freight industry charts its course through changing times, embracing technological integration is not just a step forward — it’s a complete transformation. With innovative platforms like RedwoodConnect leading the way, industry stakeholders are boldly redefining efficiency and setting new standards for growth.
And this era of innovation is not just reshaping the freight logistics of today. It’s carving out a future where adaptability and vision are the driving forces of consistently more transparent supply chains.