OTD: What is it, and why is it so important? 

When ordering online, one of the key factors in how customers determine which products to buy is how quickly the supplier can ship the product. Quick shipping turnaround is no longer a nice to have, but a must-have in the eyes of consumers. This concept not only applies to customers but also applies to businesses. When signing a purchase order, businesses agree upon a Must Arrive By Date [MABD]. This blog will uncover why on-time delivery [OTD] is imperative for businesses, the ramifications for poor OTD, and how transportation/ logistics professionals can yield industry-best service.    Poor OTD Stops Production Manufacturing relies on several moving pieces to be successful. When one piece breaks down, a chain reaction occurs. Delivering goods on time is a crucial piece for manufacturers especially when raw materials are needed to keep production running. A recent example that comes to mind is the automobile semiconductor chip shortage that forced automakers to close production lines and/or remove popular features such as heated seats. According to motortrend.com, in 2021 the shortage cost the global auto industry $210 billion in lost revenue. Poor OTD Leads to Empty Shelves   Imagine walking into your favorite store ready to make a purchase and the item is nowhere to be found in the store. Empty shelves equal upset customers and poor customer experiences. And when items are essential, such as baby formula and medicine, empty shelves can lead to public panic. So the next time you see a large truck on the road, be thankful and remember that the driver is a critical part of ensuring your local shelves remain stocked.  Poor OTD Leads...

Do Transportation RFPs Still Work?

The objective of a transportation request for proposal (RFP) is to lock in freight capacity for a certain period of time. A typical RFP includes requirements, evaluation criteria, timeline, and the expected cost. While RFPs can be a useful tool, they have many drawbacks, and should never be considered the only solution when looking to secure full truckload [FTL] carriers. Here are a few disadvantages of the traditional RFP process, and how innovative shippers have turned to technology and data to help supplement gaps. Transportation RFPs Require Time & Money  Ask any transportation manager, and they’ll tell you that the traditional RFP process is time-consuming. Shippers spend a lot of time developing the RFP making sure the request is clear and concise. Then they spend more time waiting for each proposal to roll in. Once gathered, they have the painstaking task of vetting and comparing proposals to uncover the best possible carriers for their transportation needs. Carriers also spend a lot of time reviewing RFPs to ensure they understand the requirements and often have questions that require back-and-forth communications.  Transportation RFPs Reach A Small % Of Available Freight Capacity  Out of the millions of compliant, asset-based qualified carriers, RFPs only go out to a select few so the daunting process of comparing and negotiating is reasonable. Knowing shippers are cautious about how many carriers get invited upfront defeats the purpose of finding the very best options for the carrier network because not all options are invited to the table.   Transportation RFPs Don’t Follow Market Fluctuation RFPs lock in truckload rates for a certain period of time. But because the freight...