Insider Q&A: Unlock Supply Chain Agility With Advanced TMS & Freight Audit

The global supply chain management environment is a complex landscape marked by rapid technological change and shifting market demands. Digital transformation initiatives are proliferating and companies are harnessing the power of data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to enhance visibility, optimize their operations and predict market shifts.

There’s also a growing imperative to reduce carbon footprints and implement eco-friendly practices, driven by both regulatory pressures and consumer demand. Companies are reevaluating their supply chains from the ground up to make environmental responsibility a core consideration.

Finally, agility has become a critical competitive advantage for all supply chain operators. In the face of disruptions such as the pandemic, geopolitical disruptions like the Red Sea attacks, trade tensions, and natural disasters, being able to adapt rapidly to changing circumstances has become table stakes. This shift towards more agile supply chain models includes embracing just-in-time production, diversifying supplier bases, and developing contingency plans to mitigate risks.

In this Insider Q&A, Stewart Dunsmore, SVP, supply chain services at nVision Global, highlights the key challenges that companies are dealing with in this uncertain environment, outlines some top strategies for navigating these complexities and explains how nVision’s solutions facilitate a seamless workflow amid this unpredictability.

Q: What key obstacles are global supply chain operators managing right now?

A: Global shippers are encountering a multifaceted set of challenges that vary by region and industry. Regionally, supply chain disruptions remain a significant hurdle, with some areas experiencing higher levels of political instability, regulatory changes, or infrastructural constraints.

For instance, shippers in Asia-Pacific may be dealing with congestion at ports due to high export volumes, whereas those in Europe might be grappling with stringent environmental regulations impacting their operations.

Industry-specific challenges are also prominent. The pharmaceutical industry, for example, must ensure cold chain integrity for temperature-sensitive products, a complexity not as prevalent in the consumer goods sector. Meanwhile, the automotive industry faces its own unique supply chain pressures with just-in-time manufacturing requiring impeccable timing and reliability.

Finally, the digital transformation journey is complex and requires substantial investment and cultural change. Sustainability efforts must balance cost-effectiveness with ecological impact. Achieving agility often demands a rethinking of long-standing processes and partnerships. Despite these challenges, these trends present significant opportunities for innovation and competitive differentiation in the global supply chain space.

Q: How should global supply chain professionals adapt their strategies?

A: Digital integration is key to overcoming many of the current challenges that shippers are facing. By implementing advanced transportation management systems (TMS) like nVision Global's IMPACT TMS, professionals can gain better visibility and control over their supply chains. These systems can analyze big data to optimize routes, predict potential disruptions and provide real-time tracking of shipments.

Embracing a collaborative approach with all stakeholders, including suppliers, carriers, and customers, also ensures a more resilient and transparent supply chain. This means breaking down silos within the organization and ensuring that information flows seamlessly between departments and external partners.

Finally, global supply chain professionals must be proactive in risk management approaches by developing strategies that anticipate disruptions and having contingency plans ready to implement. This involves regular analysis of the supply chain for potential risks and the development of robust business continuity plans.

Q: How do nVision Global's solutions facilitate a seamless workflow in this complex environment?

A: No two supply chains are identical, which is why systems like IMPACT TMS are built with flexibility and adaptability at their core. We ensure compatibility with a wide range of existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management systems (WMS) and other supply chain management tools. This interoperability enables real-time data exchange and process harmonization across different systems, which is crucial for maintaining workflow continuity.

The technology is scalable, so it can grow with the business, accommodating increased volume without compromising performance. This scalability is vital for companies looking to expand their market reach or adjust to seasonal fluctuations in demand. With nVision Global, customers can expect a streamlined process from order to delivery.

IMPACT TMS offers end-to-end visibility, enabling clients to plan, execute, track, and analyze transportation activities in a unified interface. This encompasses everything from carrier selection and rate negotiation to freight audit and payment, all within one ecosystem.

Q:  How does IMPACT TMS differentiate from other solutions in the market?

A: We understand that the effectiveness of a TMS is not just in its functionality, but also in its usability. Users can quickly navigate through the system, which enhances the efficiency of their day-to-day operations and reduces the learning curve for new team members. IMPACT TMS is also built upon real-world logistics experience.

It’s not just software; it's the culmination of decades of industry knowledge, ensuring that our customers are leveraging best practices in transportation management. Finally, IMPACT TMS doesn't just collect data; it turns data into actionable insights.

Using its smart analytics tools, supply chain managers can optimize their shipping operations, identify cost-saving opportunities and make informed decisions based on real-time data.

Q: What advantages does nVision Global’s freight invoice audit and payment services offer?

A: Our freight invoice audit service meticulously examines each invoice against contracted rates and terms, ensuring that billing is accurate. The service saves companies money by identifying billing errors and ensuring that only valid charges are paid. Our customers often discover that the savings realized from our audit services can be substantial and directly impact their bottom lines.

The administrative burden of auditing and paying freight invoices can be significant. nVision Global streamlines this process, freeing up resources for more strategic tasks. Our automated systems and expertise in freight audit allow for quick processing and payment, which in turn can lead to better relationships with carriers due to timely payments.

The solution also goes beyond just audit and payment to provide valuable data analytics and reporting capabilities. By leveraging this data, companies can gain insights into shipping patterns, costs, and opportunities for further optimization.

Q: How does nVision’s Claims Management solution operate and what unique benefits does it provide?

A: It manages the entire claims process using our proprietary freight claims management software. This full-service approach means that each claim is handled by our team of seasoned professionals with an average of 10 years' experience in loss, damage claims processing, and collection. Our track record speaks for itself: with an 87% recovery rate on nearly 8,000 filed freight claims over the past two years, recovering in excess of $7 million for our customers.  

Whether they’re spotting visible or concealed damage, shortages, loss, service failures, or overcharge claims, our team has the expertise and software to handle them all. We ensure that clients receive the compensation they are due, particularly when they have paid for services that were not adequately provided [e.g., late deliveries or next-day services that fail to meet the timeline].

Q: What synergistic benefits do nVision Global’s solutions collectively offer?

A: With all of their logistics components interconnected, users can quickly adapt to changes such as carrier performance issues, regulatory changes or unexpected events. For instance, if a freight claim arises due to shipment damage, the seamless connection between the claims management system and the TMS allows for immediate action to find alternative solutions to mitigate impact.

The end-to-end solution also ensures that all parts of the supply chain are monitored and managed through a single, unified system. This makes the system more responsive to disruptions. Data from our Freight Audit & Payment services can be leveraged to identify trends in carrier performance, which, when analyzed alongside TMS data, can inform better decision-making and prevent potential issues before they occur.

This holistic approach eliminates redundancies and enhances efficiency. Data and processes that flow seamlessly between the TMS, freight audit, and claims management solutions reduce manual intervention, saving time and reducing the likelihood of errors. Also, the combined operation of these systems offers complete visibility and control over every aspect of the transportation process.  

Q: How does nVision Global enhance visibility?

A: In an era where supply chains are global and markets are volatile, the ability to see and react to change is not just an advantage, it’s a necessity for survival and growth. Visibility transforms the supply chain from a series of isolated steps into one connected, transparent and efficient process. It enables agility, allowing companies to respond to the market and operational challenges with speed and confidence.

nVision’s advanced TMS provides real-time tracking of shipments and ensures that users have up-to-the-minute information on the location and status of their goods. It also offers live data feeds, so any updates or changes in the shipment status are immediately available to stakeholders. This level of detail extends from the moment the goods leave the warehouse until they reach their destinations.

Visibility is further enhanced by integrating data across all our services, including freight audit and payment and claims management. This integration allows for a holistic view of the logistics operation, providing insights into performance, costs, and opportunities for optimization. With all of these pieces in place, companies can rest assured that they have all the tools they need to tackle the “now” and prepare for what’s coming next.