In a sector as competitive as RFT, getting stuck using traditional methods such as manual document management and limited real-time visibility not only generates high costs but also a loss of competitiveness in the face of increasingly agile competition.
By digitalising your freight transport activity, you automate the majority of your tasks and therefore optimise your logistics chains. Beyond reducing your costs, this improves the quality of your service, while at the same time ensuring you comply with increasingly strict industry regulations. The digitalisation of freight transport is therefore no longer an option but a necessity.
Whether you are a shipper or a carrier, to succeed in your digital transition, it is essential to select the tools adapted to your activity and to fully understand the associated issues.
Today, the digitalisation of freight transport is mainly based on two types of software: transport management systems (TMS) and RFT marketplaces.
Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are essential tools for optimising logistics operations. These software solutions automate every step of your processes, from order receipt to invoicing, which simplifies vehicle fleet management and improves cost accuracy.
With a TMS, companies gain complete visibility into their spending and reduce both delivery times and production costs, leading to better customer satisfaction.
PAmong the most popular advantages of TMS:
A TMS can be installed on your company's internal servers or used via the cloud in SaaS mode, to offer you flexibility according to your needs and budget.
→ To learn more about TMS, go to our dedicated article.
You must be familiar with freight exchanges, the online platforms that connect charterers (shippers) and carriers. They make it possible to optimise trailer filling and routes, thus reducing the number of empty kilometres travelled.
On the one hand, shippers publish freight announcements on these platforms, specifying logistical details, while carriers publish the availability of their vehicles. Both parties can then negotiate and conclude their agreements there.
For years, the freight exchange model was sufficient because it offered centralised visibility on transport supply and demand and reduced the number of empty trips, but today, with the evolution of market needs and the digitalisation of RFT, these traditional platforms show certain limitations that can impact the efficiency and competitiveness of companies, including:
To meet new market requirements, the road transport sector has therefore had to evolve towards more competitive, transparent and efficient solutions.
Unlike freight exchanges, RFT marketplaces go beyond simply connecting shippers and carriers.
They offer centralised and comprehensive management of transport operations, including:
All this while remaining simple to use and offering a much lower cost than traditional freight exchanges.
By combining these two types of software, TMS and marketplaces, you can therefore optimise your operations and reduce your management costs, while improving the quality of your service.
The digitalisation of RFT is not only a response to recent events that have complicated logistics management (health crisis, driver shortage, new environmental standards, etc.), it is above all a way to optimise your daily organisation by automating as much as possible in order to focus on the essentials.
According to a study conducted by Accenture, companies using a digital platform in their supply chain see a 27% return on investment! In addition, McKinsey & Company estimates that a supply chain 4.0 can reduce operational costs by 30% thanks to process optimisation and an overall improvement in efficiency.
By combining Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and RFT Marketplaces, you can profoundly transform your business in the context of the digitalisation of transport:
The digitalisation of road freight transport (RFT) has profoundly transformed the sector, making it faster and more efficient. However, this development brings new challenges, particularly in terms of data security, as it exposes systems to cyberattacks.
It is therefore crucial for transport companies to protect their data against these growing threats.
The most common cyber attacks in this sector include:
These threats target computer systems in an attempt to access sensitive information such as customer data, financial transactions and vehicle routes.
To protect yourself effectively, you must therefore choose software that integrates robust security measures, such as data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and continuous system monitoring.
Investing in the security of your data means maintaining the trust of your customers and partners but also strengthening your competitive position in the road transport market while ensuring compliance with current regulations.
For more information on securing data and best practices, check out our article here.
The digitalisation of road freight transport (RFT) is an unavoidable revolution needed to optimise operations, reduce costs and improve service. By integrating tools such as transportation management systems (TMS) and RFT marketplaces, companies can therefore modernise their logistics management and effectively prepare for future challenges.
These solutions offer better visibility, more accurate cost management and greater customer satisfaction, however, they also involve challenges, particularly in terms of data security, requiring robust protection measures.