Important questions to ask before choosing freight management software

Investing in an intelligent freight management software is one of the best ways for shippers to streamline their supply chain operations, reduce freight costs and drive profitability. 

While adopting a freight logistics software may not have seemed like a necessity when these solutions were new in the market, today, these systems have become a key enabler of smart supply chain management. 

To stay competitive, you must adopt a system that best suits your business’s needs and leverage it to the greatest extent. However, choosing the right system is not as simple as it sounds. 

While investing in freight management software, it’s essential that you carefully weed out sub-par systems and choose the one that genuinely optimizes your business. You can make a confident purchase decision and increase your potential ROI by asking the right questions while evaluating a freight software solution. 

To begin with, know what you want and what you truly need

Remember that every freight management software provider’s goal is to sell you the software. But all platforms aren’t equal. While most of them have a set of standard functions which allow improved visibility into freight spend and one-touch RFQ management; the key is to pay attention to other features. 

Some systems add value by offering analytics, actionable insights, real-time data and more. There are even systems that have the potential to be a one-stop solution for all your logistics needs. 

Besides, the ability to use cloud-computing has paved the way for easy access and upgrading of systems making these solutions even more dynamic.  

To ensure that you don’t fall prey to poor-performing systems, know your business needs and what you would expect from the system.  

Here are some essential criteria to consider when considering an investment in freight logistics software: 

• Understand the limitations of your current system and chalk out your long-term freight management software goals 
• Clearly define your basic requirements 
• Research well and build a business case 
• Schedule demos with service providers and understand the system
• Get an idea of the vendor’s goals, work culture and whether your organization will build a good rapport with them. 

What are the key questions to ask before selecting a freight Management software? 

Before you invest in a system, have a session with the vendor to discuss your software selection criteria. Furthermore, ask the following questions to be sure that you are making the right decision: 

1. How long does it take to upgrade the system, and how much will it cost?  

Every system stands the risk of becoming obsolete. But thanks to the emergence of cloud-based solutions, these software products can be upgraded easily and are scalable. It would be best if you are proactive in ensuring that you have access to the latest technologies and functions. 

Simultaneously, it’s essential to review the downtime requirements for updates and their costs, if applicable. 

2. What is the level of customer support that your vendor is willing to offer?

Another crucial factor you need to consider while investing in a freight management system is your vendor’s support level. Excellent customer service is vital. 

Irrespective of how user-friendly a system is, you may come across issues that will need customer support services in the long run. 

In most of the cases, IVRs automate a wide range of concerns, but there are times when only real-person customer support can address specific issues. Thus, it’s essential to make sure that your vendor offers top quality customer support. 

3. Is the system intuitive? If yes, to what extent? 

Intuitive systems are more comfortable to adapt to, require lesser training and can be seamlessly integrated with existing workflow.  A detailed demo or a paid trial can help you gauge the extent to which the system can be intuitive and how it can benefit you. 

Bear in mind that if a system seems too good to be true, it probably is and may result in heavy losses later on. So, choose wisely. 

Set your priorities right

While you can ask about the standard features a system offers, it’s advisable to focus on the additional system functions that come along. Ask your vendor what sets them apart from those in the market and closely review the features and functions their system promises to offer. 

You can rely on your selection criteria throughout the decision-making process, and it will simplify things for you by a hundred folds. The key is to evaluate and reevaluate your needs a few times before you know what you want and need from a system. 

Once you make the right choice, you can then sit back and relax while the system does the work for you. 

Are you looking to build a cost-effective and efficient supply chain? Checkout GoComet’s freight Management software here.