Managing the transportation of your products can be an extensive, time-consuming process, especially when you’re trying to decide which full-truckload quote is right for you. Now, through ShipHawk’s Transportation Management System (TMS), you can process full-truckload (FTL) shipments entirely through ShipHawk so that choosing the best shipment option doesn’t become a tedious, manual process. Capable of supporting parcel and LTL in one system, ShipHawk now supports full-truckload  shipping, allowing you to request quotes and book shipments with carriers through email within ShipHawk, making the shipping process convenient and cost-effective.

The FTL Shipping Process

Previously, FTL carrier communications had to be performed outside of ShipHawk, forcing shippers to jump from system to system to carry out basic functions. One would have to email a plethora of carriers individually to receive quotes for shipments, and generating the bill of lading (BOL) would have to be done manually or with another software entirely. Additionally, having to update the ERP manually takes up more time that could be better spent on other tasks, and opens up the possibility for errors in manual entry.

With ShipHawk’s new FTL shipping feature, communications between shippers and carriers can take place within ShipHawk itself—including automatic BOL generation and updating the ERP. With our FTL solution, you can write quote requests to carriers that ShipHawk manages by emailing the carrier on the behalf of the customer. The carrier can then respond through a link ShipHawk provides so they can communicate with the shipper on the quote portal. After receiving quotes from carriers, the shipper can compare these rates. On top of that, they can even compare side-by-side FTL and API LTL quotes before moving forward and booking the shipment. This can be especially useful for shipments that can go either FTL or LTL. Once the shipment is booked, ShipHawk will notify the carrier that the quote has been accepted and to proceed with pickup. 

Through ShipHawk’s TMS, the carrier and shipper can communicate about things like accessorials, destination and origin address, delivery due dates, dimensions/weight, the size of the truck needed, and any other additional needs. Shippers can send questions back and forth with the carrier throughout the entire process: quoting, booking, and post booking can all be handled within ShipHawk, ensuring consistent communication so that each step is executed in a timely manner. 

With ShipHawk’s FTL feature, you’ll receive:

• Flexibility to include any details you’d like in the request for a quote. 
• Manage carrier communication for FTL orders without leaving the solution. 
• Easily compare rates from FTL and LTL carriers for the shipment. 
• Automatically write back shipment details to your ERP. 
• Automatically generate the BOL and other documentation. 

This functionality can also be used to request quotes from other types of carriers not already supported by ShipHawk. For instance, smaller LTL carriers that don’t have APIs to quote or dispatch shipments will rely on email for communication, but with ShipHawk’s email quoting solution, you can carry out these requests directly instead. 

While having the ability to contact as many carriers as you’d like, ShipHawk’s solution also allows multi-stop FTL shipment quote requests, providing a wide range of FTL services that work to your advantage. By utilizing ShipHawk’s FTL shipping functionality, shippers can process parcel, LTL, and FTL in one solution while also increasing visibility and reducing order processing time. This way, you have eyes on every step of the process.

The Benefits Of ShipHawk’s TMS 

With ShipHawk’s TMS for full-truckload shipping, you can skip the hassle that comes with having to work with carriers outside of ShipHawk, which can be a strenuous process full of delays and misunderstandings. When everything is streamlined within one platform, communication becomes clear and direct, allowing users to send as much information as is needed to ensure their products are shipped smoothly and their rates are correct. After shipments are invoiced, ShipHawk Audit can help to collect, examine, and recover carrier costs as well. 

Shippers no longer have to juggle multiple systems for quotes and shipments; they can do everything easily within ShipHawk’s TMS. When users have the ability to directly contact carriers about quotes through ShipHawk’s FTL solution, it makes operations more easy to manage. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to reach out today!