Multi-Carrier Shipping Software

What is Multi-Carrier Shipping Software?

Multi-carrier shipping software is a computer application that automates a multitude of decision-making and manual tasks required to prepare outbound shipments. In addition, multi-carrier shipping software is designed to centralize the management of carriers on a single platform.

Robust multi-carrier shipping software solutions make it possible to automate and manage shipping via multiple freight modes, including postal, parcel, regional, less than truckload (LTL), and truckload (TL) carriers, as well as national and international carriers.

Advanced Carrier Management Capabilities

Carrier rates and services can be loaded into the multi-carrier shipping software platform in multiple ways. Electronic rate files can be loaded directly into the shipping software and accessed through a carrier’s cloud-based application program interfaces (APIs*).

Today’s multi-carrier shipping software systems typically handle and automate freight rate comparisons and calculations, shipment routing, carrier-compliant shipping label printing, shipping according to custom business rules, carrier tracking and performance reporting, and pre-manifesting.

Advanced multi-carrier shipping software solutions also provide advanced analytics tools to enable companies to compare freight rates between modes and built-in logic to identify additional cost-saving shipping moves such as zone skipping.

Robust multi-carrier shipping systems also include advanced functionality to allow shippers to load standard rates and customize them for additional factors to streamline shipment processes and ensure accurate shipping decisions. For example, it is possible to contract-specific details such as carrier discounts to the rate files and add customer or carrier-specific business rules to be automatically applied for specific shipments, delivery areas, and more.

Reduce Warehouse Labor Costs

Multi-carrier shipping software also reduces warehouse labor requirements by automating manual shipping tasks, which frees up warehouse staff for other important work and reduces seasonal or temporary labor costs. In this way, the software enables companies to increase productivity and throughput without adding staff, increase shipping accuracy, enhance customer service and reduce costs related to shipping errors, returns, and re-shipments.

Multi-carrier shipping software systems fall into several tiers, defined by their architecture and functionality. When reviewing shipping software options, consider your daily order volume and the processing speed required to efficiently handle the workload and prevent order fulfillment delays.

Total processing time includes multiple factors such as the time needed to execute business and/or customer-specific delivery rules, compare rates between carriers and modes, calculate actual shipping costs, record the shipment, and generate shipping labels and other required documents.

Learn More About CLS Multi-Carrier Shipping Software Tiers

Selection Factors to Consider

When reviewing potential multi-carrier shipping software solutions for your business, consider your carrier requirements, current and future shipping volumes, and the level of customization or configuration required to achieve your operational goals.

Also, consider the level of system integration you will require to achieve maximum operational efficiency. Midsized to large shippers typically integrate the shipping system to exchange data with their order management, WMS, and ERP systems – requiring a significant implementation process. For this reason, it is essential to select a shipping software solution that is flexible, configurable, and can scale up as shipping volume grows over the next 5-10 years.

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Learn More About CLS Multi-Carrier Shipping Software
Visit the CLS Carrier Library

For other tips, read our blog: Five Ways to Reduce Unexpected Carrier Back Charges

Creative Logistics Solutions (CLS) is a leading provider of multi-carrier shipping software solutions that help companies reduce labor, freight costs, and unexpected shipping fees. Please contact us today for a complimentary consultation and software demonstration.

*API stands for Application Programming Interface. This type of interface can be thought of as a contract of service between two applications. In the case of shipping applications, the carrier web-service API is used to access the needed carrier host rating and routing system via the internet or a VPN.