Transportation is one of the largest industries in the world, making up an estimated 6% of all economic activity. But it’s not just a big industry, it’s also a vital one. Without the transportation sector, no other industry would be able function at all, and millions of workers can provide for their families because of their work in the industry.

For the thousands of U.S. companies involved in the industry, transportation comes with huge operating expenses. Drivers, insurance, labor, supplies, and even all those Styrofoam packing peanuts add up to huge overhead costs. Fortunately, 3PL, or Third Party Logistics software can help business shave down their overhead, increasing revenue in the process.

Here are three types of software that can help companies cut down on shipping costs:

Invest In An Integrated Transportation Management System

Integrated transportation management software allows companies to more effectively gather and use data about their activities. By improving the visibility of transportation information between various company departments, it can be easier to make informed decisions. It also speeds up communication between carriers and suppliers, saving money on labor, shipping, and more.

Automated Bill of Lading Creator

To outsiders, poring over a bill of lading might seem dull. But those of us in the know appreciate how important this humble document really is. This document is at the heart of maritime law and trade, and an automated bill of lading creator can save time. Plus, a bill of lading creator is less likely to make mistakes, saving money from human error.

Freight Bill Audit and Payment

If you want to ensure you aren’t bleeding money, then invest in logistics software to help audit your freight bills. When you have an advanced system to ensure the best freight auditing, you can discover costly mistakes and save money. It’s hard enough recovering money from carriers, don’t waste your time and money to audit freight bills that could be better handled by software.

And if all else fails, you can always ditch those Styrofoam packing peanuts for bubble wrap, which is about 75% cheaper. But, we really would recommend the software instead. Find out more here.