We’re focused on a full-service 3PL who has successfully implemented an automated alerting and management system that allows them to:

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• Avoid demurrage
• Avoid missed pickups
• Improve on-time delivery

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Improving customer satisfaction and driving down cost per seat. This post will show you exactly how they do it.

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The team’s full focus is on moving freight and serving customers, not data management

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The operations team starts each day with an up-to-date, accurate, reliable list of containers needing pickup.

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The list is sorted with the most urgent Last Free Days at the top, so the team wastes no time. They can focus immediately on the most important loads.

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This list is updated in real time with visibility data delivered straight from ocean carriers, rail carriers, and terminals, so they don’t need to waste time double checking to see whether it’s accurate.

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‍This includes Last Free Days, availability status, and more:
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• Last Free Day to prioritize urgent pickups and avoid demurrage
• Real-time Availability and Release Data
• Ocean/Rail Carrier details
• Customer and Consignee details for clear communication
• Dispatched Trucking Carrier for seamless coordination
• Packing Style (Palletized or Floor Loaded, etc.) for proper equipment allocation
• Reefer status for proper equipment allocation
• Delivery Appointment Date to easily manage schedules
• Comments for team collaboration and special instructions
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The time they would have spent organizing this data is now spent directly moving freight and serving customers.

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The result: Reduced demurrage and improved customer satisfaction

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This 3PL saw significant reductions in two key metrics:

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• Reduced late pickups
• Reduced demurrage
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With better visibility on the status of the most urgent containers, they were able to drive down the number of late pickups even as the market became more chaotic. This saved containers from going into demurrage.

As a result, they were able to drive significant improvements in these two areas:

• Increased on-time delivery
• Increased customer satisfaction

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As evidenced by this 3PL, the data-driven approach unlocked by OpenTrack not only enhances operational efficiency but also leads to significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.