API Trumps EDI. Here’s Why. – Freightgate
Q: Why invest in an API solution?
The transportation industry is changing and it’s changing fast. There are new players in the market like Uber Freight and they have a head start with their digitalization strategy. Offering a cheap and reliable service will not be enough when all of your competitors have moved forward.
Many problems can’t be solved by EDI connectivity. With rating and routing, for example, instant feedback is vital. Batch processing is outdated, expensive to maintain, and too rigid and slow to work well in the dynamic world of logistics—time to move on.
Q: How would I go about leveraging a best-in-class, scalable rate engine instead of wasting time and money by trying to re-invent the wheel?
Developing and maintaining a best-in-class, cloud-based rating solution is an extensive endeavor requiring a great breadth of knowledge. We have seen a substantial increase in inquiries regarding leveraging our rate engine via API access by various different sub-systems on the client side. By establishing strategic partnerships with our customers we give them a competitive advantage and an opportunity to access a broader range of resources and expertise. This fosters innovation to help generate new ideas, develop better products, and save costs.
Our customers trust us with these inquiries because we offer the only commercially available solution supporting the DOT (Department of Transportation) endorsed API framework for Electronic Freight Management (EFM). No wonder, as we have been the innovation leader since 1994, as the first to offer web-service enabled tracking & tracing, rate management, and built-in carbon footprint modeling.
Q: How much effort does it take to implement a solution like that?
We use a guideline of approximately 4-8 weeks, depending on your own infrastructure.
Trusting an experienced solution provider like Freightgate definitely pays off because it reduces your risks and gives you the opportunity to start immediately. In today’s world, time to market is more important than ever before.
Q: Are there any limitations?
You can easily handle hundreds of thousands of transactions. In terms of availability and accessibility, only a proficient and knowledgeable cloud solution provider is able to maintain a stable business process. With Freightgate, we maximize your system’s availability. We offer any-any rating and routing APIs, either mode specific (FCL, LCL, AIR, FTL, LTL, Rail, Parcel) or as a super-set mixed mode comparison allowing cross-modal optimization. In the latest version, we’ve added a mash-up that will also consider spot rate requests.
Q: What are the advantages of using a state-of-the-art API?
- Immediate deployment
- Vast scalability
- Proven technology
- Unmatched dynamic routing (door-door, any-any, etc.) for ALL modes
- Built-in CO modeling
- Cross modal comparison
- Multidimensional security
Q: What should you be looking for in a cloud partner?
- Experienced
- One-stop shop
- Certified
- SLA guarantees