Freight brokers face a daunting challenge: How do they build trust in a complex network of shippers and carriers that all rely on data to make informed decisions for carrier selection and capacity management? The industry’s fragmented nature often leads to gaps in information and lapses in due diligence, allowing fraudsters to exploit these vulnerabilities.
However, technology solutions like Highway and Isometric Technologies (ISO) are stepping up to the challenge, democratizing access to carrier data to transform how the industry approaches capacity management, carrier selection, and overall network reliability.
CW Carriers, with its network of diverse carriers ranging from single owner-operators to national fleets, implemented Highway and ISO about eight months ago.
“In this highly competitive market, especially with large, asset-based carriers having plenty of capacity, we really know that shippers turn to us for our ability to use our network more intelligently than the next guy,” CW Carriers Chief Operating Officer Rob Workman said.
Workman recently joined John Stauffer, CEO of ISO, and Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer of Highway, to discuss how democratized data drives fraud prevention, improves carrier selection, makes capacity management more efficient, and enhances customer experiences.
Watch the webinar now or read on to learn more about their insights.
Key Takeaways
Technology and improved access to carrier data are reshaping critical aspects of logistics operations — from building a more reliable capacity strategy to enhancing customer interactions.
Stop Throwing Bodies at the Problem
Collecting carrier data traditionally has been a brute-force task, not unlike cold calling to find the right carriers. Hire a hundred (or more) carrier reps to call dark capacity — many of which turn out to be fake loads — and then manually upload all those carrier truck postings into a TMS. But, as Caney said, you don’t have to “throw bodies at the problem anymore.” Thanks to technology designed to democratize carrier data, Highway and ISO can quickly identify a carrier’s complete digital profile and all service metrics. The result? You build trust and get results faster. Watch and listen as Caney explains:
Workman said the combination of technology provided by Highway and ISO has streamlined the carrier vetting process and has fundamentally changed CW Carriers’ sourcing strategy to one that is “very targeted and strategic.” Watch as he explains in greater detail:
John Stauffer adds his take on how this data levels the playing field:
Lack of Trust = More Fraud: ‘It’s Costing All of Us’
The financial repercussions of fraud on both brokers and shippers are extensive. As Workman noted, “Trust or a lack of trustworthiness in one’s network has a real financial impact. It has a cost to our customers and a cost to us.” Workman illustrated how poor carrier data leads to financial penalties, lost shelf space, and increased operational costs, particularly for shippers relying on a limited carrier network.
Caney agrees, pointing out that anytime there’s a break in trust, everything slows down and that fraud perpetuates an ongoing cost for everyone. “The industry across the board is reacting… that’s why it’s important that collectively we pull fraud out of the industry because it’s costing all of us money.” Watch as he explains:
Shifting the Narrative from Proactive to Reactive
Better carrier data and reporting can fundamentally change how companies interact with their customers. Stauffer discussed how the proactive use of service and carrier data allows brokers and carriers to shift from a reactive approach to one that’s proactive.
Stauffer said leaders at major carriers and brokers aren’t comfortable not understanding how they’re performing for their largest customers until they’re told how they’re performing. By the time they understand and unpack where they’re falling down or not meeting the mark for their customers, it’s too late. Listen as he explains:
Conversely, with today’s carrier data technology the narrative switches to a proactive approach that builds trust and produces favorable outcomes.
“Shippers trust us for our carrier data and to eliminate and mitigate risk on their behalf,” Workman said. “The bar has been raised for expectations in terms of service levels, particularly with enterprise-level clients.”
By using carrier data, CW Carriers ensures they are working with trusted partners, which allows them to be strategic in managing capacity and providing exceptional service.
Creating a Cohesive Tech Stack
The panelists agreed on the importance of building a cohesive tech stack that integrates seamlessly with existing systems. “You don’t need to have a vendor that does everything,” Caney stated. He stressed the value of selecting technology partners that complement each other and work together to provide a holistic solution for fraud prevention and carrier management.
The Future of Carrier Management: Why Data-Driven Decisions are Your Competitive Edge
The transportation and logistics industry is at a pivotal moment. As fraud becomes more sophisticated, the need for advanced technology solutions has never been greater. By leveraging tools like Highway and ISO, companies can not only prevent fraud but also enhance their carrier identification processes, ultimately strengthening operations and improving customer satisfaction.
This webinar provided a glimpse into the future of carrier management, showcasing how technology can transform a complex, risk-laden process into a streamlined and efficient operation. We encourage you to listen to the webinar on-demand to gain a deeper understanding of these insights and hear more from the experts.