Southeastern Freight Lines has developed third-party logistics technology working with logistics firms to provide services for shippers and consignees. The growth of logistics partnerships are becoming a necessity for the trucking industry, Southeastern says, and the company made the decision to add its technology to advance relationships with third-party logistics firms.
“Other carriers are still adapting to the new reality of third-party logistics partnerships, we have made a commitment to be the best provider and partner to third-party logistics in our industry with the same driving commitment to excellence that we provide for all of our customers,” says Braxton Vick, Southeastern’s senior vice president of corporate planning and development.
Southeastern’s new logistics technology includes many features standard in third-party firms, the company says. Southeastern has built a tracking numbers database that relies on an electronic data interchange (EDI) system. The database links the tracking numbers to pickup information, enabling Southeastern to report shipment status based on the tracking numbers. The EDI also includes the ability to notify the shipper of a package’s status immediately via e-mail, text messages or telephone, and aggregate all shipping information for third-party firms to view electronically. And if a package doesn’t arrive on time, the software will give a reason.
“Providing shipment status information is common in the LTL industry, providing a reason why a shipment is not picked up is a new and innovative application for the third-party logistics industry,” says Bob Messemer, director of logistics procurement with Odyssey.
“Demand from third-party logistics (firms) led us to develop these systems, and now consignees are demanding the same level of reporting to make their business more efficient,” Vick says. “This is an evolution in the industry that we will continue to embrace for the benefit of third-party logistics and all of our customers.”
