Lack of Freight Carrier Visibility: The Consequences

June 9, 2023
Cassandra Gaines

In the intricate world of transportation and logistics, carrier performance visibility is an essential aspect that often poses challenges. This becomes a critical issue since monitoring and evaluating carriers' performance throughout the supply chain is crucial for businesses to ensure reliable and efficient operations.  

Carrier Performance Visibility: The Importance

Carrier performance visibility allows companies to monitor and assess the performance of carriers involved in transporting goods. It gives companies valuable insights into carrier performance metrics such as service quality and compliance.  

To obtain this information, companies utilize platforms like Carrier Assure, a performance-scoring platform that helps you anticipate how your carrier will transport freight.  

How Does Performance Visibility Benefit your Business?

Businesses can make data-driven decisions by having clear visibility into carrier performance, which allows them to identify underperforming carriers. This will ultimately enhance collaboration and help them take necessary actions to ensure seamless operations and customer satisfaction.  

Lack of Carrier Visibility: The Consequences

The lack of visibility into carrier performance leads to:  

  • Delivery delays
  • Low service quality levels
  • Increased costs
  • Safety issues
  • Bad reputation
  • Customers loss  

Why is There a Lack of Performance Visibility in Transportation?

There are several challenges that contribute to the visibility issue surrounding carrier performance, let’s talk about a few:

  1. Limited Data Availability

Carriers may not always provide complete and timely performance data to shippers and logistics service providers. More data transparency is needed to ensure accurate carrier performance assessment and tracking.

  1. Lack of Data Standardization

Collecting and reporting carrier performance data in different formats makes comparing and combining data across carriers difficult. Inconsistent formats make it hard to get a complete picture of carrier performance.

  1. Fragmented Systems and Manual Processes

Many companies use disjointed systems and manual processes to capture and analyze carrier performance data. This fragmentation and reliance on manual input increase the risk of errors, delays, and incomplete data.

  1. Reliance on Carrier Self-Reporting

Carriers often report their own performance data, introducing the potential for biased or inaccurate information. The lack of independent verification can undermine the reliability of the reported performance metrics.

Overcome the Carrier Performance Visibility Challenge

One of the most effective ways to overcome the carrier performance visibility issue is by utilizing carrier performance software like Carrier Assure, which provides the data you need to select a suitable carrier. With Carrier Assure, you can sift through FMSCA official data to ensure you are working with carriers that will deliver your freight safely and on time.  

Access complete transparency with Carrier Assure for a more effective and resilient supply chain. Sign up today!