The Importance of Connectivity in Freight Shipping
In today’s fast-paced transportation landscape, connectivity is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. Disconnected systems can cause processes to be slow and inefficient, not to mention expensive. J.B. Hunt utilizes both API and EDI integrations to provide secure lanes of communication between shippers, carriers and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) so that essential automations can occur. We are already connected with many of the top TMS providers using advanced APIs, making new connections with customers easier to complete. Keep reading to see how connectivity can improve efficiency through each phase of the shipment life cycle.
Improving Shipment Bookings
When preparing your shipments, do you have to enter a lot of manual information only to find your bookings difficult to manage? Or searching for shipping quotes but getting only outdated and inaccurate rates? Connectivity streamlines the booking process by automating and simplifying the way shippers, carriers and TMS platforms communicate.
With technology integrations like APIs and EDIs, you can instantly access real-time rates, available capacity and estimated transit times, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual inquiries. By integrating these systems, connectivity ensures all parties are aligned, making the booking process faster and more accurate.
Gain Visibility in Your Supply Chain
Connectivity significantly improves the visibility of your freight by providing access to critical shipment data. Through advanced integrations like APIs and EDIs, you can track and search for important information, including live location, delivery progress, delays and disruption information, status updates and more. This visibility empowers your decision making to mitigate disruptions and maximize efficiency.
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"Depending on our customers' needs, we can provide automated visibility updates throughout each phase of the load life cycle."
– Bill, J.B. Hunt Sales Executive
Deliver With Ease
Connectivity plays a crucial role in both the delivery and payments phase of freight shipping by ensuring seamless communication and data exchange between systems. Our commercial APIs allow for easy uploading and retrieval of digital documents, such as the bill of lading and proof of delivery. EDI integration can automate the payment and invoicing process by reducing the amount of manual work required, eliminating errors and accelerating the payment process.
Appointment scheduling can also be a pain point for many shippers and carriers. The Scheduling Standards Consortium (SSC) was established to provide consistency across the highly fragmented freight ecosystem. Head over to freightapis.org to see the published API requirements and connect with us to discuss how we can integrate with your appointment scheduling technology.
The Power of the Platform
The J.B. Hunt 360°® platform is an all-encompassing technology solution available to shippers at no cost. It provides access to a multimodal marketplace where you can compare rates across LTL, truckload, intermodal and temperature-controlled shipments. Plus, you can get increased visibility into your supply chain with dynamic updates and custom alerts.
"Technology in the global transportation space means real-time visibility, and the Shipper 360® platform does a very nice job of providing that for me."
– Director of Global Transportation and Trade Compliance, National Fishing Retailer
When it comes to freight shipping, every minute matters. You need a logistics provider who has a range of technology offerings so you can get connected to the data and receive the visibility you need. The team at J.B. Hunt is Driven for You™ and ready to help you simplify your shipping processes to give your business a competitive edge.
Ready to unlock the full potential of your supply chain? Connect with us to learn how our technology solutions can take your business to the next level.