Freight broker software designed for dispatch operations is the most likely of the functional groups to be offered as a stand-alone product. Freight brokers should recognize that this type of software can make the difference between success and failure. Managing those resources is important but the best dispatch software also gives managers and dispatchers tools to monitor work in progress and communicate effectively with customers.
Freight broker software addresses two basic functional groups; dispatch operations and accounting. Much of the available freight broker software is sold with these functions as modules that can be purchased separately. Brokers that get to 20+ loads per month can usually begin to see the value of having one or more of the freight broker software modules.
Freight broker software designed for the accounting functions is the least likely of two to be offered as a stand alone product since it depends upon the other for data. Freight broker software designed to integrate with the over the counter accounting packages such as QuickBooks can ease the transition for many small brokers.
Freight broker software is derived from the larger field of trucking software. Large trucking companies began developing trucking software in the 1960’s when mainframe computers became more affordable and widely available. Trucking software can be as simple as software used to calculate point to point mileage or complex enough to manage virtually all functions of a trucking company or freight brokerage.
The internet has given rise to two interesting new developments in the field of freight broker software; software as a service and networking as a new functional group. Software as a service is delivered via the internet by subscription and has the following advantages:
Freight broker software is derived from the larger field of trucking software. Large trucking companies began developing trucking software in the 1960’s when mainframe computers became more affordable and widely available. Early trucking software was custom built and run on company mainframes at the large carriers. As with so many other fields, trucking software for medium or small sized companies did not begin to materialize until after the introduction of the I.B.M. personal computer in 1980. Trucking software can be as simple as software used to calculate point to point mileage or complex enough to manage virtually all functions of a trucking company or freight brokerage.
Dispatch software can now be extended onto the customers’ desktops. TDNweb.com is an example of this new breed of dispatch operations software.
No large upfront investment as in traditional buying of software.
No new hardware costs. Your existing network, internet connection and browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer are all that are needed.
Pay as you go. This type of software is often available month to month without a contract.
Maintenance and upgrades handled at the web server with little or no bother to the user.
