Dive into a recap of this year’s top three blogs, offering key insights for navigating the evolving logistics landscape
In an industry filled with uncertainties, one thing is clear: the logistics and shipping landscapes will keep evolving, making it essential to stay informed about the latest trends and innovations. The year 2024 has been full of technological advancements, growing customer expectations, and increasing complexities in managing parcel and freight operations. To help shippers navigate and mitigate these challenges, Varsity Logistics delivered a year of thought-provoking blogs, designed to empower shippers with actionable insights and game-changing strategies.
As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect back on the blogs that made the greatest impact on our readers, not only sparking insightful conversations, but also offering practical solutions for some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. Here are the top three Varsity Logistics blogs of 2024 you don’t want to miss.
#3. The IBM i (AS/400) Guide to Handling Increased Parcel Throughput
Coming in as our third most popular piece of 2024, this blog recognizes the challenges of scaling operations to handle increased parcel volumes for businesses operating on the IBM i platform. It provides a roadmap for shippers to optimize their workflows and boost efficiency without overworking their existing systems. By focusing on practical strategies, such as leveraging multi-carrier shipping software, the blog empowers readers to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced e-commerce landscape while maximizing the value of their legacy infrastructure.
Why This Blog Resonated in 2024
As parcel shipping demands continue to grow in response to e-commerce growth over the past few years, businesses still relying on the IBM i (AS/400) are in search of solutions that will bridge the gap between traditional technology and modern shipping needs. This blog’s emphasis on overcoming bottlenecks, improving throughput, and ensuring operational efficiency during crucial peak seasons is something that makes it a standout resource for logistics professionals.
#2. What to Know Before You Invest: 7 Key Questions About Shipping Software
Investing in a shipping software solution is no small decision. This blog earned its spot at #2 by providing a comprehensive guide for businesses looking to make the right choice in their shipping software purchase journey. The seven essential questions to ask before committing to a solution equips readers with the tools they need to effectively assess their unique needs, evaluate potential options, and future-proof their shipping operations.
Why This Blog Resonated in 2024
As businesses increasingly seek to optimize their logistics strategies, this blog stands out for its clarity and relevance. It addresses the common pain points of shippers navigating a crowded shipping software market and provides a structured approach to making informed decisions. It provides practical advice and emphasizes the importance of aligning your technology systems with long-term goals, making it a top piece for not only 2024, but many years to come.
#1. The New Era of Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): How LTL APIs Are Revolutionizing Freight Shipping
And earning its spot as the #1 Varsity Logistics blog of 2024, this article explores how LTL APIs are revolutionizing freight shipping. By streamlining operations, enhancing visibility, and improving connectivity between shippers and carriers, LTL APIs are reshaping the way freight moves through the supply chain. A must-read for freight shippers, this blog highlights the LTL APIs’ role in enabling quicker decision making, optimizing routes, and boosting overall efficiency.
Why This Blog Resonated in 2024
As the supply chain continues to evolve and grow more complex, the need for innovative solutions like LTL APIs becomes more crucial. This blog stands out because it provides a straightforward, actionable look at a technology that is significantly transforming the logistics industry. The real-world benefits discussed in the blog such as cost reduction and improved customer satisfaction make it the top performing blog of the year.
Looking back at the top three Varsity blogs from this year, they deliver several key lessons that can help businesses shape the future of their logistics and shipping strategies, including:
Embrace Innovation: In a fast-paced business environment, embracing innovation and technological advancements is essential. Partnering with a shipping software solution provider that shares this mindset is equally critical. Such a partnership ensures you can effectively streamline operations, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience. Together, you can remain competitive, adapt to industry changes, and unlock even greater potential for success.
Assess and Invest Wisely: Investing in shipping software should not be taken lightly – this process deserves a strategic approach. Asking the right questions prior to making a decision ensures you invest in the best shipping solution for your business’s unique needs and long-term goals.
Leverage Your Systems Effectively: For businesses still operating on platforms like IBM i (AS/400), moving off the platform may be a long-term goal – but timing is everything. In the meantime, the focus should be on optimizing and integrating these systems with trusted solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency. By taking this approach, you can address immediate challenges and meet current operational demands, all without disrupting your existing infrastructure.
Looking Forward to the Path Ahead
While 2024 may be wrapping up, the logistics industry will continue to evolve at an accelerated pace as we transition into 2025. The insights shared in not only our top three blogs, but all of our blogs this year provide a strong foundation for businesses to take future challenges head-on and seize new opportunities. From leveraging cutting-edge technologies to optimizing existing systems, the key to success lies in staying informed, adaptable, and proactive.
Want to get a head start on your 2025 projects? Reach out to Varsity Logistics today to ensure you’re partnering with the only holistic shipping solution built for the IBM i. Varsity Logistics looks forward to continuing sharing valuable insights and seeing what the year 2025 will bring to the supply chain and logistics industries!
Discover how you don’t have to compromise operational efficiency with the right integrated partnership
For decades, IBM’s Application System or AS/400 (now known as IBM i) has been a reliable and trusted platform for businesses seeking stability and scalability. However, as technology continues to evolve, concerns have grown among these users about the limitations of an older system. While the AS/400 remains a backbone for many enterprises, it is a common opinion that this system is outdated and ill-equipped to handle the modern complexities of today’s businesses.
For shippers, relying solely on an AS/400 system without modern integrations can create inefficiencies, limit flexibility, and hinder a business’s ability to keep pace with today’s rapidly changing logistics demands. So, what’s the missing link for many AS/400 users? Seamless integration with advanced shipping software. Connecting your time-tested system with the right modern, flexible shipping solution can help eliminate bottlenecks, reduce costs, and increase throughput.
Let’s begin by taking a few steps back to dive into the AS/400.
What is the AS/400?
Developed by IBM and released in 1988, the AS/400 is a family of servers and network adapters. Back then, this technology completely revolutionized the way businesses operated, “creating the digital work environment we know today” and speeding up workflow processes four times faster than before. As the groundbreaking technology of its time, it was built to seamlessly handle a wide range of business applications including financial, manufacturing, customer service, and inventory management.
A defining feature of the AS/400 was its unique combination of hardware and software. The system ran on the OS/400 operating system, the heart of the AS/400, which was designed exclusively to support the integrated operations of the AS/400. The platform’s reliability and scalability made it a popular choice for businesses, earning a reputation over the years for its ability to handle complex workloads with minimal downtime.
The IBM i Landscape in Modern Shipping
Despite how long this system has been around, it has proven to be a durable solution still relied on by many businesses for day-to-day operations. The modernization of IBM i applications continues today to help them maintain an infrastructure that provides scalability and flexibility. However, the current global supply chain has become increasingly complex, and the traditional AS/400 infrastructure wasn’t designed to handle the dynamic demands of modern logistics, such as:
Multi-Carrier Management: Handling multiple carriers with different rules and pricing structures can be challenging without the right shipping software integration.
Real-Time Tracking: Providing customers with up-to-date tracking information and managing logistical complexities in real-time can be difficult with outdated systems.
Omnichannel Fulfillment: Seamlessly fulfilling orders from both online and in-store requires the right integrated approach that works with your AS/400 system.
However, this doesn’t mean that IBM i users must abandon their trusted platform. The key to navigating the modern shipping landscape is integration. By pairing IBM i’s trusted solution with advanced multi-carrier shipping software, businesses can bridge the gap between legacy systems and proven logistics solutions. This integration enables streamlined workflows, improved accuracy, and better carrier management, all while maintaining the stability and reliability IBM i is known for.
Seamless integration between your IBM i system and comprehensive shipping software is no longer a want – it’s a need. As the logistics landscape grows more complex and customer expectations continue to rise, having a fully integrated shipping solution can be the difference between staying competitive and falling behind.
Without proper integration, businesses are forced to rely on manual processes and disconnected systems, leading to dreaded inefficiencies and bottlenecks. These disjointed systems can also slow down workflows, increasing the chances of delays and missed deadlines. However, when you leverage a seamless integration, it can offer several key benefits that:
Eliminate Manual Processes: Seamless integrations allow for data to flow between systems, reducing the need for manual data entry which minimizes room for errors and inconsistencies.
Improve Workflow Efficiency: The free flow of data between systems also helps accelerate workflows and reduce delays, especially with the automation top shipping software solutions provide.
Enhance Order Accuracy: Real-time updates and synchronized systems ensure more accurate customer information, tracking, and order fulfillment.
Increase Speed: Automated processes allow businesses to respond quickly to customer needs, improve order fulfillment times, and ultimately increase throughput.
Reduce Costs: Streamlining operations helps to cut down on overhead and operational costs, rate shopping capabilities lower shipping costs, and reducing manual tasks eliminates the risk of costly errors.
Improve Customer Experience: Increased speed, order accuracy, and throughput gets more orders out the door and into the correct hands, significantly improving customer experience.
Boost Competitive Edge: In a fast-paced market, optimizing your shipping processes will give any business an advantage.
The true value of seamless shipping software integration is in its ability to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience. By optimizing your shipping processes, you not only streamline internal operations but also gain a competitive edge in an increasingly fast-paced market.
Introducing Varsity Logistics: Purpose-Built for IBM i (AS/400) Shippers
What if there was a shipping software solution designed specifically to work with your IBM i system – one that could seamlessly integrate with your existing infrastructure while optimizing your shipping operations? This idea isn’t so far-fetched. Varsity Logistics is exactly the partner you’re looking for.
Varsity Logistics, the leading provider of native multi-carrier shipping software for parcel and freight shippers on the IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems, is a solution that connects your legacy system and the demands of modern shipping. This shipping software helps businesses unlock new levels of efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility while preserving the characteristics IBM i users value with:
Streamlined Integration: Varsity’s software is a plug-and-play solution, providing seamless integration with your current IBM i environment whether that be enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and/or warehouse management systems (WMS). This ensures smooth data flow and minimal disruptions to your existing operations.
Multi-Carrier Support: Varsity integrates with a wide variety of North American carriers, enabling you to manage both parcel and freight shipments effortlessly. With advanced rate shopping capabilities, you can compare rates across carriers to select the most cost-effective and efficient delivery options for every shipment.
Automated Shipping Processes: From label creation to route optimization, Varsity’s software automates key shipping tasks, reducing costly errors and saving your business valuable time.
Real-Time Visibility: Access to real-time communications, delivery status, tracking information, and up-to-the-minute shipment updates ensure efficient supply chain management and visibility while keeping your customers happy.
Scalability for Growth: Varsity provides the flexibility to handle increasing shipping volumes and expanding carrier networks, growing with your business to support and maintain business continuity.
Expert Knowledge and Support: Varsity is built of a team of IBM i (AS/400) Power shipping experts that know the product best, providing top-tier support for your systems whenever and wherever you need it. We also have technical and operational training resources available at all times.
With Varsity Logistics, you can dismiss the concerns you have with your AS/400 system not keeping pace. By leveraging this partnership, you don’t have to compromise between the trusted performance of your IBM i system and the capabilities of advanced shipping solutions. Our purpose-built software allows you to optimize your shipping processes, cut costs, and deliver an enhanced customer experience – all while staying true to the platform you rely on.
Future-Ready Shipping for IBM i Users
The IBM i (AS/400) has stood the test of time, proving its reliability and strength in managing critical operations. However, to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced logistics environment, businesses must adapt their strategies by integrating their trusted platform with comprehensive shipping solutions.
Leveraging the seamless integration with Varsity’s advanced multi-carrier shipping software is the missing link to unlocking streamlined workflows, greater efficiency, reduced costs, and delivering outstanding customer experiences. By implementing Varsity’s multi-carrier shipping software, businesses can future-proof their operations, ensuring they’re not only meeting today’s challenges but also ready for what’s ahead.
Ready to discover how this powerful shipping solution can help you bridge the gap between your IBM i (AS/400) system and modern shipping demands? Contact our team of shipping experts or schedule a demo to explore how Varsity Logistics can transform your operations into an efficient logistics powerhouse.
Unpack the components of essential shipping documents and gain a clear understanding of their role in the shipping process
Shipping labels and logistics documentation may seem like small details in the grand scheme of the logistics world, however, they hold extremely valuable information. An accurate and well-designed shipping label ensures packages and pallets reach their destinations on time, while precise documentation prevents costly delays and disputes. While these pieces are crucial, many people don’t have a full understanding of the critical components that they’re made up of, leaving room for missteps that can manifest into major operational issues.
In this blog, we will break down the essential elements of three key shipping documents: the parcel shipping label, the less-than-truckload (LTL) pallet label, and the bill of lading (BOL). Whether you’re shipping small packages to customers, coordinating freight shipments across the country, or a bit of both, knowing how these components work together can enhance efficiency and ensure consistent reliability in your operations.
The Anatomy of a Parcel Shipping Label
Parcel labels may appear straightforward, but these labels are packed with important information that ensures packages can travel from point A to B without a hitch. Let’s dive into the key elements of a parcel shipping label and what information they provide for the shipping process.
1. Sender and Receiver Details: In the top left corner of the label, you will find the essential contact details of the shipper and receiver (“ship to”) including their full names, street addresses, city, state, and zip code. This information is necessary for the correct delivery of a package.
2. Weight and # of Packages: The top right of the label will indicate the weight of the package as well as the number of packages included in that same shipment. This information ensures proper handling and that multi-parcel shipments are kept together accurately.
3. Unidirectional Code: Also referred to as a “MaxiCode” or “Smart Label”, this code is read by a machine to retrieve essential information about the shipment to help sort and route packages efficiently and accurately while moving through shipping facilities.
4. Routing Code: This section is used by carriers to guide the package through their network and to the appropriate sorting facilities. The first two letters indicate the state, the first three numbers match the beginning of the destination zip code, and the 9-02 code is used by the carrier to determine the delivery area and zone.
5. Shipping Method: This indicates the shipping method selected for the package, such as Ground, 2-Day Air, or Overnight services. The shipping method determines the speed and priority of the delivery and influences how the package is handled in transit.
6. Tracking Number: This number assigned by the carrier acts as a unique identifier for each shipping label that allows both the shipper and receiver to monitor the package’s transportation journey in real-time on the carrier’s website. Tracking numbers are vital for providing visibility and transparency.
7. Barcode: The tracking barcode is one of the most crucial parts of the shipping label as it encodes key shipment details and is scanned at multiple locations throughout the package’s journey. Shipping label barcodes help facilitate automated sorting, routing, and tracking that ensures packages move efficiently through the carrier’s network.
8. Billing Details: This section specifies how a shipment will be billed – Pre-paid (P/P), third-party (T/P), or by freight collect (F/C). Proper billing details ensure that charges are accurately applied, reducing delays or disputes.
9. Reference Details: Relevant reference numbers, such as purchase order (PO) numbers, customer reference numbers, or invoice numbers, may also be included on the label to help shippers or recipients match shipments with internal records.
Best Practices for Accurate Labeling
Print Quality Matters: Ensure all labels are printed clear and legible, with no ink smudges or fading.
Proper Placement: All labels should be placed against a flat surface, avoiding any creases or inconsistencies that could affect scanning.
Double-Check Label Information: It is important to always double check that the label information is accurate to avoid delays or misrouting.
The Anatomy of an LTL/Pallet Label
Different than parcel labels which are designed for individual packages, LTL/pallet labels are generated for freight shipments. These labels make sure that pallets or large shipments are routed, tracked, and delivered correctly, as the transportation process can be highly complex. Let’s take a closer look at the parts of an LTL/pallet label and why they’re crucial for freight logistics.
1. Shipping and Consignee Details: The top left corner of the label displays the name, address, and contact information of the shipper (sender). Slightly below displays the “ship to” or destination information for the consignee (receiver). This information ensures the shipment moves to and from the correct locations.
2. Carrier: The label must display the carrier’s name to indicate which carrier is providing transportation and is responsible for the shipment. This ensures the shipment is put on the correct route and properly handled.
3. PRO Number: The PRO (Progressive Routing Order) number is assigned by the carrier and acts as a unique identifier to provide traceability and visibility of a shipment. This enables monitoring of the shipment through transit to check status and ensure the package is moving where it should be. This number will be the same as the PRO number on the corresponding bill of lading.
4. PRO # Barcode: The PRO number barcode is the visual representation of the PRO number that allows carriers to scan and track the shipment throughout the transit process.
5. Purchase Order (PO) Number: The PO number is a reference code assigned to a specific purchase that helps the shipper and consignee easily link the shipment to its respective order, ensuring accuracy in fulfillment and tracking.
6. Pallet Weight and Pallet Sequence Number: This displays the total weight of the pallet, used by the carrier in calculating shipping costs and ensuring proper handling. Below the weight is the pallet sequence number which helps identify the order in which the pallet should be loaded up and delivered in the event the shipment contains multiple pallets. For example, a shipment that contains three pallets may have labels that display “1 of 3”, “2 of 3”, and “3 of 3”.
The Importance of Consistency and Compliance
Meeting Standards: Each carrier may have specific requirements for things like label placement, format, and included information. Ensuring adherence to these standards minimizes delays and other potential issues.
Clear Positioning: Pallet labels should be placed in a visible location to ensure packages are transferred correctly during scanning and manual handling.
Regular Auditing: Evaluating your label accuracy and processes every so often can help ensure your operations continue to maintain efficiency and meet standards.
The Anatomy of a Bill of Lading
Serving as both a legal contract and receipt of goods, the bill of lading is a valuable logistics document that provides critical details that guide the entire shipment process. An accurate BOL protects all parties involved in the transportation of freight as its three primary functions include:
Contract Terms of Carriage: The BOL outlines the terms and conditions that the shipper and carrier agreed upon for transporting and releasing the goods.
Receipt of Goods: It provides acknowledgement that the carrier has received those goods in the specified condition and has loaded them onto the vehicle of transportation.
Title to Goods: The BOL can act as a title agreement, granting legal ownership of the goods and must be presented to the shipper in order for the goods to be handed over.
Let’s break down its components and the important role they play for each freight shipment.
1. Shipper and Consignee Details: Both the “ship from” and “ship to” sections clearly identify the shipper’s (sender) and consignee’s (receiver) information including name and address or destination. This ensures the goods are delivered to the correct destination.
2. BOL Number: The BOL number acts as a unique identifier for the Bill of Lading documentation, enabling the shipper and carrier to track and reference the shipment throughout its transportation.
3. Carrier Name: This identifies the carrier that is responsible for transporting the shipment to its destination and ensures all involved parties are aware of what carrier is handling the goods throughout transit.
4. Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC): An SCAC code is two to four letters given to a carrier for identification, tracking, and billing purposes. This ensures billing and payment processing is completed accurately.
5. PRO Number: The PRO (Progressive Routing Order) number is assigned by the carrier and acts as a unique identifier to provide traceability and visibility of a shipment. This enables monitoring of the shipment through transit to check status and ensure the package is moving where it should be. This number will be the same as the PRO number on the corresponding pallet label.
6. Special Instructions and Accessorial Charges: This area provides any specific requirements or handling instructions for the goods as well as additional charges that might apply to the shipment, such as liftgate usage, residential delivery, and hazardous materials handling.
7. Payment Terms: The freight charge terms disclose payment details including who is responsible for the freight charge and the payment method (prepaid, collect, or billed to a third-party).
8. Shipment Breakdown by Customer PO #: This section lists the PO number(s) included in the shipment, as well as the number of packages and weight associated with each PO number. This helps the shipper and consignee accurately match up the shipments to their specific orders.
9. NMFC Code and Class:The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) code is a number assigned to determine the proper classification of the shipment based on the freight’s characteristics, such as size, handling, weight, and liability. The class helps determine the shipping cost in a range from 50 (least expensive) to 500 (most expensive).
10. Shipment Breakdown by NMFC Code: A breakdown of the goods by their NMFC code ensures that the correct freight classification is applied, which is crucial for billing, insurance, and determining the shipment’s handling requirements. This information includes unit type and quantity, package type and quantity, weight, and description.
11. Collect on Delivery: This amount indicates the cost of the goods being shipped without the cost of freight included and whether it should be paid by the consignee upon delivery or if the amount was prepaid. This amount can be collected by the carrier on behalf of the shipper to ensure the goods are paid for before they are released.
12. Signature Section: The signature section of a BOL requires three separate signatures: One from the shipper to ensure the freight is sent out in good order, one from the carrier to acknowledge the freight was received in good order from the shipper, and one from the consignee to confirm the freight was received in good order at its destination.
How the BOL and Pallet Label Work Together
In freight shipping, the bill of lading and LTL/pallet label work hand-in-hand, each playing their distinct but complementary role. The BOL is responsible for establishing the shipment’s contract terms and overarching legal and logistical documentation. At the same time, the label acts as the shipment’s physical identification, providing visual and scannable key information such as the PRO number and destination details. When paired together, they create a seamless workflow that enables freight shipments to move accurately and efficiently through the shipment process.
The Role of Automated Shipping Software in Shipping Documentation
As supply chains continue to grow more complex, outdated methods of manually managing shipping documentation are no longer efficient as they are not only time-consuming but highly prone to errors. Businesses need an advanced tool, such as automated multi-carrier shipping software, to help revolutionize the way they handle their shipping documentation processes by:
Streamlining Documentation Creation: Automates the generation of labels, BOLs, and LTL documentation with minimal input, ensuring consistency and compliance.
Enhancing Accuracy: Reduces human error through auto-population, validation, and standardized formatting of shipping details.
Increasing Operational Efficiency: Speeds up workflows with batch processing, quick adjustments, and instant sharing of documents.
Improving Scalability: Adapts to growing shipping volumes with various supporting carriers, centralized visibility, and seamless integrations.
Simplifying Shipping Documentation with Varsity Logistics Multi-Carrier Shipping Software
Designed exclusively for shippers on IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems, Varsity Logistics is an industry leading multi-carrier shipping software provider. Not only do we have a comprehensive suite of supply chain execution modules for both parcel and freight, but our solution also empowers shippers to seamlessly rate shop between parcel and LTL shipments – ensuring they select the most cost-effective option while managing shipping documentation efficiently and accurately.
How Varsity’s Software Revolutionizes Shipping Documentation
Automated Label and BOL Generation: Varsity’s software automates the creation of parcel and LTL labels, as well as bills of lading, ensuring all documents are consistent, accurate, and compliant with carrier-specific requirements while speeding up workflows.
Seamless Multi-Carrier Support: The platform supports a wide range of carriers, including all leading carriers in North America, enabling shippers to generate documentation that adheres to each carrier’s unique standards.
Real-Time Data Integration: By pulling information directly from your enterprise resource planning (ERP) system or warehouse management system (WMS) with our seamless integrations, Varsity eliminates manual data entry, minimizing errors and saving valuable time.
Barcode Integration for Enhanced Traceability: The software automatically generates tracking and PRO numbers, eliminating the reliance on premade carrier tracking sticker labels. It also incorporates scannable barcodes into labels and BOLs, facilitating real-time tracking and visibility throughout the shipping process.
Developed to handle the complexities of parcel and freight shipping from one centralized application, Varsity’s multi-carrier shipping software is a valuable player on every IBM i shippers’ team. As your business grows, Varsity’s platform scales with you, handling increased shipment volumes and a growing number of carriers with ease.
Whether you’re looking to reduce errors, speed up workflows, or optimize your shipping processes, Varsity Logistics can help you master the complexities of shipping documentation to achieve seamless shipping success. And with accurate labels and streamlined processes comes on-time deliveries and satisfied customers, enhancing the overall customer experience while ensuring your operations run smoothly.
Ready to explore how Varsity Logistics can help reduce shipping headaches and eliminate shipping documentation challenges? Contact our team of shipping experts or schedule a pressure-free demo today and discover how Varsity can help take your shipping game to the next level.
Discover key factors to look for in customer reviews throughout your shipping software search
Today, it feels like there are more oversaturated markets than not, including the shipping software market. This can make the task of searching for new shipping software feel comparable to searching for a needle in a haystack. With so many options out there, offering an endless array of features and capabilities, the research process can quickly become overwhelming. Marketing materials and sales pitches can paint a perfect picture, but how can companies distinguish what’s truly the best fit shipping software for their needs versus what appears the shiniest and most attractive?
The answer is customer reviews. These pieces of real-world feedback from actual users offer invaluable insights into the product, cutting through the advertising noise and highlighting what actually matters. By focusing on the key characteristics you’re looking for in your shipping software solution, such as integration, customization, compliance, and support, you can gain a better understanding of whether the solution can meet your business needs or if it just looks good on paper. Let’s dive into why these four factors are crucial when assessing reviews, helping you make a more informed decision and find the right shipping software for your business.
Essential Features to Look for in Shipping Software Reviews
While every business has their own unique needs when it comes to shipping software, there are four key factors that stand out as particularly important when assessing customer reviews: integration, customization, compliance, and support. Positive feedback in these areas is often a strong indicator that the software will deliver the reliability and functionality your business requires.
1. Integration: Ensuring Seamless Compatibility
In order to maintain efficient shipping operations, your shipping software should integrate seamlessly with your existing systems – whether that be an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, warehouse management system (WMS), or e-commerce platforms. A smooth integration between various systems ensures a streamlined flow of data, eliminates time consuming manual data entry, reduces the risk of costly errors, enables business continuity, and much more. Each of these factors help orders move quickly through the shipping process, ensuring businesses maintain their shipping speed and accuracy.
While software demos can showcase integrations with other tools and systems, customer reviews often reveal the true ease of software integration. Positive user feedback typically highlights how quickly and painlessly the software integrates with both existing technology stacks and carrier networks. Users frequently share their experiences with the integration process, noting minimal disruptions, smooth onboarding, and seamless carrier connections. It is also crucial to note mentions of compatibility with specific platforms and carriers, along with how easily the software can adapt to varying shipping requirements, as this can be very telling into the solution’s real-world performance. For businesses considering their options, these reviews are essential for determining whether the software will seamlessly fit into their operations or cause unnecessary complications.
2. Customization: Tailoring the Solution to Fit Your Needs
The modern supply chain world is far past the times of a one-size-fits-all shipping software solution. Each business has its own set of diverse needs, so the ability to customize a shipping solution to specific workflows, processes, and more, is not just a nice-to-have – it’s an essential capability. Positive customer reviews often emphasize the flexibility and customization options that a software provider offers, from adjusting business rules and carrier preferences to personalizing user interfaces. Customization enables shippers to meet their unique requirements without compromising their efficiency or functionality.
Shipping solutions with reviews emphasizing how easily users can configure the software to suit specific business needs provide key insight into the true value of the product. Users often praise shipping software that offers intuitive tools for personalization, such as automated workflows, customizable reporting, and the ability to scale as the business grows. This level of flexibility ensures that businesses can remain agile, adapting to shifting demands and mitigating unforeseen circumstances. For companies in the market for shipping software, customer feedback on customization abilities can be critical in determining if the solution will continue to meet evolving needs or if it will require expensive modifications down the line.
3. Compliance: Staying Ahead of Industry Standards
The shipping and logistics industries involve highly complex regulations and requirements that businesses must comply with to operate. Because of this, it is crucial that compliance with industry standards and regulations are a key consideration when choosing shipping software. Top-tier shipping solutions stay up to date with the latest requirements, helping businesses avoid costly fines and operational disruptions. Consistently meeting compliance standards provides shippers peace of mind, ensuring they’re operating within legal boundaries and minimizing legal risk.
Positive customer feedback often points out the software’s ability to automatically update regulatory changes without having to do it manually. Businesses should look for shipping software with reviews highlighting how well the provider keeps up with evolving regulations such as customs documentation, hazardous materials handling, or sustainability practices. Industry requirements are constantly changing, so your shipping software should also remain adaptable to evolving standards.
4. Support: Reliable Help When You Need It
Even the most prestigious technologies can experience issues, having significant impacts on businesses. That is why reliable customer support is essential when choosing shipping software. Positive customer reviews typically mention the responsiveness and effectiveness of a software provider’s support team, praising quick resolutions to issues when needed. From troubleshooting a technical issue to assisting with integration, having access to a support team who is knowledgeable and responsive ensures businesses can maintain smooth operations without unnecessary downtime.
Happy customers usually mention how easy it is to get in contact with support and the various communication channels available such as phone, email, and live chat. Reviews that highlight the quality of ongoing training and user resources can provide further assurance that the provider is committed to helping businesses succeed. For companies considering different software solutions, feedback on support quality can be a deciding factor, ensuring that assistance is always just a call or click away when it’s needed most.
Meet Varsity Logistics: A Top-Rated Multi-Carrier Shipping Software Solution
When it comes to choosing a shipping software solution, Varsity Logistics stands out as the leading provider of multi-carrier shipping software for both parcel and freight shippers on the IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems. Recognized for its reliability and flexibility, Varsity has earned the trust of businesses across various industries by simplifying shipping complexities and enhancing operational efficiency. With Varsity, businesses can confidently navigate the ever-evolving world of logistics and shipping, knowing they have a comprehensive solution that meets their needs today and scales with them into the future. But don’t just take our word for it, listen to some of the things our customers had to say when it comes to the 4 key considerations.
Integration: Varsity excels in seamless integration with your existing IBM i ERP, WMS, and/or customized-in-house and home-grown systems. With positive customer feedback highlighting the smooth integration process, Varsity ensures that businesses experience minimal disruptions. Its compatibility with all major North American carriers and third-party systems ensures streamlined order fulfillment, reduced operational delays, and access to the best carrier services, helping you maintain satisfied customers.
When asked about Varsity’s biggest advantage (pro), the reviewer stated:
“We have been a customer for as long I have been here (over 18 years) and have always been very happy with the product. [Our biggest] Pro: Full Integration with my VAI S2K ERP system.” – Senior Programmer Analyst, Wholesale Company
Customization: One of Varsity’s greatest strengths is its ability to tailor the shipping software to meet the unique needs of each business. Varsity offers an intuitive, centralized platform that allows users to customize workflows, business rules, reporting features, and more. The flexibility to adjust the shipping solution to specific business processes ensures that companies can improve efficiency and maintain agility as their needs evolve.
“It has everything we need to run the business, and at the same time it’s very flexible in configuration, allowing us to select and use only the modules we need.” – IT Director, Manufacturing
Compliance: In an ever-changing regulatory landscape, staying compliant is a top priority. Varsity Logistics is committed to keeping businesses ahead of industry standards by continually keeping its software up to date to meet evolving regulations. From customs documentation to hazmat shipping and carrier requirements, Varsity ensures that businesses comply with all relevant rules and standards, minimizing risk and preventing costly fines.
“Varsity Logistics has been an integral part of our parcel shipping for over 25 years. Their product along with their professional services team has help us respond to carrier requirements allowing us to focus on other areas of our business.” – Director of Technology, Consumer Goods
Support: Varsity Logistics understands that responsive, expert support is critical to keeping operations running smoothly. That’s why Varsity provides its customers with additional training resources and outstanding customer service, known for its fast response times and knowledgeable assistance. Whether businesses need help with integration, troubleshooting, or optimizing shipping processes, Varsity’s support team is there to help every step of the way.
“We have been a Varsity customer since 2007. During this time, we have had great support and quick response time.” – IT Manager, Transportation
Varsity Logistics is a trusted partner for businesses looking to optimize their shipping operations. Is your business looking for a game-changing shipping solution? Contact Varsity’s team of seasoned shipping experts or schedule a demo to discover how our industry-leading solution can streamline your shipping processes, stay ahead of the competition, and maintain business continuity for future success. Let us show you our solution lives up to our customers’ testimonials.
Dive into the top 3 takeaways you missed at our session during this year’s virtual event
Another successful ProS Who Know Virtual Event has come to a close and Varsity is thrilled to have been a part of it. This annual webinar event, hosted by ProShip, Inc., is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to hear from industry professionals, supply chain experts, and logistics leaders on a wide variety of crucial and timely parcel and LTL shipping topics. For the second year in a row, Varsity Logistics participated in a webinar session, this year joined by experts from customer companies, 3PL NRS, Inc. and rug retailer Gertmenian.
While last year’s webinar focused on unexpected shipping costs, this year’s insightful session was focused on the pain points associated with utilizing multiple carrier systems in today’s modern supply chain landscape. Are you regrettably thinking to yourself, “this sounds great, but unfortunately, I missed it”? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. While ProS Who Know 2024 might be officially over, not only can you view the on-demand session recording, but we’re also diving into the top three takeaways from this year’s session.
Here’s what you missed at…
[Unearthed Pain Point] Carrier System Memorial Service: A Farewell to Utilizing Multiple Shipping Systems
Takeaway 1: Puzzle Pieces That Don’t Fit – The Disjointed Integrations Dilemma
For businesses managing multiple carrier systems, shipping logistics can feel disorienting. Rather than forming a unified picture, these systems work independently of each other, causing a tangled web of processes, interfaces, and data that doesn’t connect. Each carrier system likely needs their own integrations with other essential software such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and warehouse management systems (WMS), resulting in a fragmented experience that’s as time-consuming as it is confusing.
More than just the chaos disjointed systems create is the potential of siloed data. When using multiple shipping systems, data can get trapped in different systems that don’t communicate with one another. It also likely looks completely different in each system. Not only can the lack of connectivity lead to unnecessary manual processes that absorb valuable time, but it also leads to increased errors which can snowball into major issues such as inaccurate shipping labels, incorrect tracking information, and delayed deliveries (yikes!).
Furthermore, each shipping system comes with its own interface and workflows, making it far from intuitive for staff to navigate. System usability is crucial as it takes a lot of time and money to train staff to properly use them. However, throwing several different systems into the mix creates a steep learning curve, increases onboarding time, and leads to a greater chance for mistakes – all issues that would be avoided with seamless system integrations.
“Integration is a big piece of it. When looking at systems, it was a big deal for us to make sure that [it] not only integrates well, but it also is very user friendly at the other side. Training is a big part of everything, and you want to make sure not to over complicate things and make sure the user is able to use that system wisely.” – Robert Banas, Chief Information Officer at Gertmenian
Takeaway 2: Caught in Shipping Gridlock – Slow Speeds and Decreased Throughput
When relying on multiple systems, each system adds an additional layer of complexity, slowing down operations and throughput. Without a streamlined integration, each carrier’s system can take a painfully long time to process and update – a major problem for shippers especially around peak season and high-volume periods.
This lag creates a delay at every stage in the shipping process, from order processing to label creation, forcing teams to wait for each system to catch up. Not only is this strategy a drain of valuable time, but these snail-slow processes can severely impact shipping output, negatively affecting customer satisfaction and your bottom line. A unified shipping solution eliminates these bottlenecks, streamlining the shipping process for faster operations, more efficient workflows, and increased throughput.
“With a single carrier station, we weren’t able to keep up with the shipping that we needed to do and sometimes it exceeds one thousand packages a day…it would take us two to three minutes to ship one package sometimes, by the time they filled in all the information manually.” – Mike Corbo, Director of Software Development at NRS, Inc.
Takeaway 3: One-Way Street – Limited Multi-Carrier Strategy Flexibility
One thing for certain is that times have changed and relying on just one or two carriers isn’t enough to cut it in today’s fast-paced logistics landscape. There is a wide variety of shipping options now available, so businesses that choose to limit their set of carriers also choose to miss out on opportunities to optimize costs, delivery times, and service quality.
Modern shipping demands flexibility, and businesses need the capability to choose the best carrier for each individual shipment based on real-time factors such as cost, time in transit, and delivery reliability. This level of flexibility, however, becomes nearly impossible to achieve when utilizing multiple disconnected shipping systems. The lack of integration between platforms forces companies to settle for suboptimal options or spend excessive time comparing prices and services across several systems.
“These carrier-provided systems were really designed just to process and create a manifest billing file for the individual carrier. They’re so far from a good multi-carrier shipping software package”, explains Charlie Hawkins, Director of Sales at Varsity Logistics. “These carrier-provided systems create situations where you have reduced efficiency based on exceptions. There’s basically no rules there…you want a system that makes decisions based on a lot of different factors and the integration is definitely one of the big shortcomings of the carrier provided systems.”
Top-tier multi-carrier solutions eliminate these limitations, giving businesses the ability to make smarter, faster decisions, especially when it comes to selecting the best shipping option for each package. It opens the door to a world of flexibility that enables companies to stay competitive in a landscape that values efficiency and customer satisfaction so highly.
During this ProS Who Know session, we dove deep into the challenges of managing multiple carrier systems and the pain points businesses face as they struggle to keep everything running smoothly. From disjointed integrations to slow speeds and limited flexibility, it’s clear that a multiple shipping system strategy only creates more roadblocks than solutions. But as these experts discussed, the single most important takeaway is simple: businesses need to shift gears and embrace a unified multi-carrier shipping software (MCSS) solution.
Varsity Logistics deeply understands the complexities of modern shipping, which is why our industry-leading multi-carrier shipping software suite is designed to address the very issues discussed at this year’s ProS Who Know session. Built exclusively for shippers on the IBM i (AS/400) Power systems, our advanced platform streamlines the entire shipping process by unifying carrier integrations, improving speed with automated workflows, and offering the flexibility needed to optimize every shipment.
With Varsity’s MCSS, businesses can easily manage both parcel and freight shipping in one solution, eliminating the inefficiencies and limitations of using multiple carrier systems. Our software supports a wide range of carriers, allowing you to compare rates, select the best shipping options, and track shipments in real time—all from a single, intuitive interface. This not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures your team can focus on delivering the best possible experience to your customers.
Ready to discover how a unified multi-carrier shipping solution can revitalize your shipping operations? Catch up with the on-demand session and then contact our team of shipping experts today to learn more about our software suite and how we can help you navigate your shipping system pain points in the modern supply chain environment. Better shipping starts with the only holistic shipping solution built for the IBM i.
Shipping software should be more than a strategy; it’s a long-term investment. Does your solution level up?
As the supply chain industry continues to evolve rapidly and the intense pressures to meet consumer expectations remain, your business is faced with two options: adapt or risk falling behind.
While it may seem obvious that any business owner would adapt and continue, the requirements of the modern business world can feel overwhelming. Adapting advanced technologies and strategic planning are crucial to remain competitive, in fact 45% of CEOs believe their company will struggle to remain viable in 10 years if they continue their current trajectory.
However, many companies are still tethered to outdated and underperforming systems, struggling to keep pace with the demands of modern shipping. Businesses that rely on single-carrier shipping strategies limit their ability to pivot in the face of challenges such as carrier rate increases or service disruptions. Sticking to a single carrier or outdated carrier-based system can create bottlenecks and limit access to alternative delivery options. Relying on one carrier puts businesses at risk of delays, higher costs, and missed customer expectations.
Today, nearly 70% of operations and supply chain officers say their tech investments have not met their expectations. These complexities underscore the importance of upgrading your shipping solution to a flexible multi-carrier shipping software (MCSS). This decision is not only a technical necessity; it’s a strategic move that can enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
But with the urgency to upgrade your shipping software comes the need for careful budgeting and planning. Effective resource allocation can make all the difference between a seamless transition or a disruptive experience. As we approach the end of the year, it is time to reevaluate if your current multi-carrier shipping software is just barely meeting or exceeding your expectations.
Why Upgrading Your Multi-Carrier Shipping Software is Essential
In today’s modern world, consumption is at an all-time high where e-commerce is booming, and customer expectations continue to increase. The question is not whether shippers should be utilizing a multi-carrier shipping software solution, but if their solution is doing what it needs to, to give businesses the opportunity to thrive. Shippers that still utilize outdated systems lack the scalability and flexibility they will need to accommodate growth in their business, whether that be increases in volume or physical locations.
Outdated carrier integrations also present an issue, as shippers who aren’t using advanced delivery options, such as same-day and next-day delivery provided by newer and more prominent carriers, can put them in a position of falling behind competitors. Additionally, limited automation capabilities in older software can lead to increased manual errors and inefficiencies in shipping processes. Modern multi-carrier solutions offer automated features that streamline workflows, from label printing to tracking updates, ensuring a smoother experience for both shippers and customers.
Beyond these challenges, today’s market is plagued with uncertainty. Political shifts, the upcoming presidential election, climate change, and severe weather events, such as the recent hurricanes we’ve experienced, all impact supply chains unpredictably. Having a flexible, modern shipping system that can adapt to these unforeseen disruptions is critical. Outdated solutions leave shippers vulnerable to these market fluctuations, while a robust, flexible system can better prepare your business for whatever lies ahead.
Upgrading your MCSS goes beyond meeting the demands of the supply chain industry; it’s a strategic investment to help benefit the future of your business. By integrating a modern solution, you will boost scalability, enhance automation, increase delivery options, and improve your business operations overall. This positions your business to effectively tackle the challenges ahead, ensuring you remain competitive and responsive in a dynamic market.
What to Look for in Your Multi-Carrier Shipping Software
Once you’ve decided that it’s time to invest in upgrading your multi-carrier solution for 2025, it is crucial to identify the must-have features your business needs to drive efficiency, flexibility, and growth. Some key MCSS features that you should look for include:
Scalability: As your business grows, so should your shipping software. Scalable solutions ensure that your system can handle increased shipping volumes, new carriers, and expanded services without sacrificing performance and allowing your business to maintain profitability.
Cost-Effectiveness: When investing in multi-carrier shipping software, it is crucial to look beyond the initial price tag because the cost doesn’t stop there. Additional costs come with things like implementation, training, IT and maintenance that can add up significantly. A lower upfront cost may seem more appealing; however, a long-term ROI is key. Investing in a solution that reduces manual labor, minimizes errors, and optimizes carrier selection can pay for itself in the long run.
Seamless Integration: Top-tier MCSS enables seamless integration with your existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management systems (WMS), and other existing systems. This is essential for streamlining workflows, improving data accuracy, and enhancing overall visibility across your supply chain.
Intuitive Interface: The multi-carrier system you invest in should be intuitive and easy for your team to learn and use, minimizing the additional time and costs it takes to familiarize and train your staff. Utilizing a user-friendly interface can improve day-to-day productivity and allow for any employee to effectively use the software.
Variety of Carriers: MCSS solutions with a diverse carrier network for both parcel and freight ensure flexibility in meeting customer demands, mitigating disruptions, and optimizing shipping routes and costs. Having access to unique providers and more options puts shippers in a better position to respond to fluctuations in pricing and service availability as well. [Read more about the power of going multi-carrier.]
Customization: Since every business is different, your shipping software should reflect that. Leading multi-carrier shipping solutions are not one size fits all; they are built to meet each business’s unique needs. Look for a customizable solution that allows you to tailor operations such as workflows, reporting, and carrier preferences.
Customer Support: It is crucial with any sort of major technology that there is responsive and widely available customer support. Make sure to look for a MCSS solution with support that ensures reliable and prompt resolutions to potential technical issues when needed. Strong support is paramount to ensuring minimal disruptions and helps you maintain operational continuity.
Taking these characteristics into consideration when upgrading your multi-carrier shipping software will help you equip your business with the tools and capabilities needed to thrive in the ever-evolving logistics environment. These features are essential not only for meeting today’s operational demands but also for future-proofing your shipping processes.
The Solution That Has It All: Varsity Logistics
Finding a solution that meets every functionality requirement might feel like a tall order, however, Varsity Logistics delivers exactly that. A leading provider of multi-carrier shipping software built exclusively for shippers on IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems, Varsity offers a comprehensive parcel and LTL software suite designed to tackle the challenges of modern shipping head-on. For businesses budgeting for shipping software in the upcoming year, Varsity is the optimal choice, checking the boxes to key characteristics including:
Scalable Software: Varsity’s multi-carrier shipping software is designed with scalability in mind, enabling businesses to easily adjust to business growth and demand fluctuations. Its proven functionality allows for seamless management of higher shipping volumes in the short term during peak seasons as well as with long term business expansion, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted operations. However, scalability goes beyond just handling higher volumes – it also means evolving with technology and the dynamic logistics landscape. Varsity’s solutions are built to tackle today’s shipping challenges – whether it’s optimizing containerization for more efficient packaging, providing real-time tracking for enhanced visibility, or offering robust reporting tools for data-driven decisions.
Return on Investment: Beyond the initial cost of Varsity’s software, our solution provides your business with many opportunities for minimizing and optimizing costs. Automated workflows, fewer errors, optimized carrier rate shopping, and auditing are just a few of Varsity’s key functions that can help your business save big in the long-term.
Integration Capabilities: Varsity’s MCSS integrates seamlessly with all major IBM i enterprise resources planning systems, warehouse management systems, and hundreds of existing home-grown and customized in-house systems as well. This allows businesses to easily implement a flexible shipping strategy without disrupting existing workflows.
Unified Platform: Our user-friendly interface consists of a single centralized application that simplifies operations. This centralized approach reduces training time, streamlines processes, and allows your team to manage workflows efficiently from one place.
Carrier Diversity: Varsity maintains strong relationships and software integrations with leading parcel and LTL carriers in North America. This extensive network provides your business with access to world-class delivery services and solutions, enabling you to save money while enhancing customer satisfaction and delivery efficiency.
Customization: Varsity’s software allows you to create and implement customized business rules tailored to your unique shipping needs. Whether it’s automating specific shipping workflows, creating custom rate-shopping parameters, or setting rules for carrier selection based on region, product type, or delivery speed, Varsity ensures your operations align with your business goals.
Customer Support: With nearly 40 years of experience in supply chain logistics and a support team whose tenure exceeds 120 years, Varsity Logistics offers unmatched expertise to help you navigate shipping challenges. Their seasoned team not only provides responsive customer support but also offers deep industry knowledge to ensure your business remains resilient in the face of market volatility.
As 2025 approaches, it’s crucial for businesses to assess their current shipping software and start budgeting for making the necessary upgrades that will maintain a shipping infrastructure capable of withstanding future challenges. Whether those challenges are market uncertainties, shifting customer demands, or unpredictable disruptions in the global supply chain, your MCSS should have your back. Budgeting for a robust multi-carrier shipping software solution is more than just a strategic move; it’s a long-term investment into your business’s operational efficiency and longevity.
Ready to future-proof your shipping operations? Take the step towards better shipping software solutions in 2025 with Varsity Logistics comprehensive software suite. We’re here to help your business grow and achieve long-term success. To learn more, please contact our team of shipping experts or schedule a demo.
Tune in to Varsity’s virtual session at this year’s ProS Who Know virtual event hosted by ProShip, Inc.
The annual ProS Who Know Virtual Event, hosted by ProShip Inc., is back for its 5th year of insightful conversations and unmatched industry expertise and Varsity Logistics is thrilled to be invited back to participate in our very own session. The virtual event will take place from October 28th- 29th, featuring a diverse group of industry leaders, supply chain professionals, and knowledgeable logistics experts. Over the course of these two days, attendees will have access to 5 valuable webinar sessions covering a variety of timely and essential industry topics.
Varsity Logistics at ProS Who Know 2024
Have you ever felt like your shipping operations were a tangled mess of carriers and endless complexities? Varsity Logistics will share the spotlight with a customer of their own in a virtual webinar session that will explore how a simpler, more streamlined approach in one unified parcel and LTL platform can help your business ship smarter and save more.
About the Session
[Unearthed Pain Point] Carrier System Memorial Service: A Farewell to Utilizing Multiple Shipping Systems
Tuesday, October 29th | 2PM CDT
Join our friends from Varsity Logistics to hear about…
Why utilizing multiple carrier systems as a shipping strategy is better off dead (condolences)
How shippers rose from the ashes and made the switch to a holistic solution, highlighting the outcomes experienced
A special nod to shipping on the IBM i (AS/400): How to leverage your current infrastructure to optimize your shipping operations
Are you unable to make it to the live event? You can still sign up as all registered attendees for ProS Who Know 2024 will receive an on-demand session recording post-event. We hope to see you at this top-tier parcel and LTL shipping virtual event!
Unlock the cost-saving powers of advanced rate shopping tools and how multi-carrier shipping software can facilitate them
The holiday season is one of the most crucial times of the year for businesses across the globe, especially with the massive amounts of online shopping that’s increased over the past several years. In fact, we’ve seen e-commerce revenue in the U.S. increase from $539 billion in 2019 to $1,065 billion in 2023, and it’s only expected to grow from here. For many companies, this period can either make or break their annual revenue as this time can account for a substantial portion of their profits. However, while there are plenty of exciting opportunities for businesses to increase sales, peak season comes with heightened logistical complexities for both parcel and freight shippers.
Especially for shippers, the surge in order volumes during this period becomes a focal point of concern, adding immense pressure to supply chains with warehouses, carriers, and fulfillment centers all scrambling to keep up. The recent dockworkers strike on the East and Gulf coasts, for example, further emphasized the pressure on supply chains, causing additional delays in shipments. Here’s the reality: quick delivery is no longer a luxury – it’s an expectation of the modern consumer. To succeed in the upcoming holiday peak season, businesses must not only optimize their operations but also strategically prepare for potential additional costs that come with increased demand, such as carrier surcharges.
At the heart of this preparation is the ability to control shipping costs. Avoiding unnecessary overspending and maintaining profitability during this busy time requires businesses to implement smarter tools to manage their shipping strategies. An advanced tool like rate shopping can provide shippers with a much-needed advantage. Leveraging this technology enables businesses to compare rates across multiple carriers – both parcel and LTL – based on a variety of pre-defined criteria in real-time. This ensures the most cost-effective carrier is chosen every time while alleviating the pressure of peak season surcharges.
Demand and Peak Season Surcharges: Preparing for the Cost
A surge in order volumes isn’t the only surge we encounter when it comes to the holiday season. During this time, we also see a rise in shipping expenses, largely caused by surcharges – typically a flat fee – that carriers implement to help manage heightened demand and offset increased operational costs from factors such as labor, fuel, and limited capacity. These additional fees may be standard in the modern supply chain world, however, mitigating their impact on shippers’ bottom lines is still a challenge.
Key Types of Surcharges to Watch For
Regardless of the number of times you’ve navigated your way through a peak shipping season, it is still important to stay informed on the various surcharges that carriers are likely to impose during this period, including:
Capacity Surcharges: These are higher fees applied to shipments to offset the cost of additional handling. This can be determined by several factors including weight, size, lineal feet, and pallet space.
Residential Surcharges: These are higher fees for delivering to remote or densely populated urban areas, where delivery may be more difficult during peak seasons. It also helps mitigate the cost of failed delivery attempts, address corrections, and other potential delivery complications carriers can face.
Fuel Surcharges: These are higher fees imposed to help manage the unpredictability of fuel costs. They help cover the potential change in fuel prices during the duration of the delivery process. These additional fees are often calculated as a percentage of the base rate.
It’s important to monitor peak season surcharges notices from major carriers like, UPS, USPS, and FedEx to adjust your shipping strategies accordingly.
The Financial Impact
While a single surcharge may seem manageable, these additional fees can add up and have a significant impact on a business’s transportation costs, especially if they’re applied to thousands of packages. This can cause major strain on a company’s profit margins and heavily influence pricing strategies, shipping rates for the customer, and overall competitiveness. By staying on top of potential carrier surcharges, you can be more prepared to make informed decisions, creating better opportunities for efficient and profitable shipping operations during peak.
For most businesses, the idea of simply absorbing these surcharges is undesirable and many can’t afford to do so anyway. Utilizing carrier rate shopping not only helps shippers save money, but it increases competitiveness in a highly competitive environment. The ability to compare rates across multiple carriers gives businesses an effective way to avoid the negative impact of peak season surcharges. When various factors fluctuate, such as transit time, mode, cost, or carrier performance, rate shopping enables shippers to select the most efficient and cost-effective carrier for each shipment. This capability helps businesses make better informed decisions, leveraging real-time data to ensure shipping strategies can stay agile even in the most challenging conditions.
Furthermore, the ability to rate shop between carriers provides unmatched flexibility. With the constant fluctuation of carrier fees and other unpredictable factors, there is no guarantee that any one carrier will be available at any given time. Having the option to compare rates not only across multiple parcel carriers but also less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers ensures businesses can always find the most cost-effective and reliable shipping solution. Access to alternative shipping options ensures consistent service without being locked to a single carrier provider. This adaptability is key as it can be the difference between maintaining a profitable operation and allowing peak surcharges to devastate your bottom line. Especially in a landscape where customer expectations for fast and cost-effective shipping are higher than ever, utilizing rate shopping between parcel and LTL carriers empowers businesses to navigate holiday shipping challenges seamlessly.
By leveraging a rate shopping tool within your shipping strategy, your business will be better positioned to succeed even during the busiest and financially straining times. However, to fully embrace the benefits carrier rate shopping can deliver, shippers must integrate the right advanced technology to streamline the process and ensure your business is getting the best rates possible. An advanced solution like multi-carrier shipping software (MCSS) takes rate shopping capabilities to the next level, automating rate comparisons in one centralized platform. This ultimately gives businesses a better opportunity to make smarter, faster decisions when dealing with peak season surcharges.
How Multi-Carrier Shipping Software Facilitates Rate Shopping
By automating the carrier rate shopping process, multi-carrier shipping software enhances operational efficiency and cost-saving opportunities for shippers. Let’s take a closer look at how MCSS facilitates rate shopping:
Real-Time Rate Comparisons: Multi-carrier shipping software streamlines and automates the carrier rate shopping process – a far more efficient technique than comparing rates manually across various carrier sites. From a single, unified platform, businesses can use this software to access rates from both parcel and LTL carriers in real-time, saving shippers time on carrier selection and ensuring that each shipment is processed with the most accurate information available.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Factors like demand, surcharges, and capacity limitations can shift throughout the duration of peak season, making the availability of real-time data through MCSS essential. Having instant visibility into available carrier options is crucial for avoiding excessive fees and delivery delays. Multi-carrier shipping software equips businesses with the flexibility to quickly adapt to changing conditions, whether for smaller parcel shipments or larger freight, offering alternative carriers and services when necessary to minimize costs without sacrificing delivery speed and reliability.
Data-Driven Optimization: Additionally, advanced features like automatic rate comparison and integrated analytics empower businesses to evaluate and adjust their shipping strategies. Historical data can help companies analyze shipping patterns and carrier performance to identify key trends and optimize routes. Embracing a data-driven approach not only enhances efficiency during peak season but also puts shippers in a better position to achieve long-term success by integrating rate shopping as a key component in their overall shipping strategy.
Parcel and Freight Rate Shopping with Varsity Logistics
The complexities that come with the chaos of peak holiday season aren’t going anywhere, especially carrier surcharges. However, as businesses continue to search for ways to effectively navigate these hurdles and optimize their shipping operations, Varsity Logistics stands as a trusted partner. With a comprehensive multi-carrier shipping software suite built exclusively for shippers on the IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems, our shipping solution is designed to empower businesses with the robust tools they need, like advanced rate shopping capabilities, to ensure they can effectively manage costs while maintaining top-notch service quality.
For parcel shippers, Varsity’s ShipSoft-Parcel suite offers a top-tier automated carrier selection module, ShipSelect, that evaluates every shipment based on various criteria such as transit time, cost, mode, performance, and carrier service types. This advanced functionality ensures that shippers always choose the optimal and most cost-effective carrier while also adhering to routing guides and various business requirements, all from the moment the order is placed.
Beyond Varsity’s rate shopping capabilities for parcel alone, our MCSS solution allows for advanced carrier rate shopping functionality that enables shippers to compare rates across both parcel and less-than-truckload carriers simultaneously. This automated process streamlines the best-fit carrier selection process, allowing businesses to lower transportation costs significantly, keep shipping operations running smoothly, and ultimately create a better customer experience.
Today’s ever-evolving supply chain landscape requires effective shipping management to remain competitive. With Varsity Logistics on your team, your business can be confident when navigating peak season surcharges, optimizing your shipping strategy for smooth operations and delivering positive customer experiences – all while protecting your bottom line. Ready to learn more about what Varsity can do for your business? Contact our team today or schedule a demo call with our shipping experts to take control of your next peak season.
Unlock the benefits of containerization for your business and how it can enhance the customer experience
Imagine you order a new product online, and within days, your package arrives at your doorstep, unscathed and on time. And with the expectations of modern consumers, this is how anyone should expect it to happen, right? However, behind the seemingly effortless delivery process lies a crucial technique that helps make it all possible: containerization. This innovative method of optimizing how products are packed into cartons, pallets and trailers based on several key factors has significantly transformed the way goods move from the warehouse to the customer’s doorstep, ensuring smooth, secure, and efficient shipping.
While containerization plays a significant role in shipping logistics, it also enhances the entire experience as a customer. From faster deliveries to better product protection and cost savings, containerization touches every part of the journey. As we dive into the world of containerization, let’s explore the ways this innovative strategy directly influences the customer journey, creating a faster, safer, and more reliable consumer experience than ever before.
Faster Delivery
It’s no secret that today’s consumer expects their goods to be delivered quickly and accurately, especially with the increased availability of two-day, one-day, and same-day delivery options. Containerization helps shippers meet this expectation. By optimizing how products are packed, this strategy streamlines the entire fulfillment process, enabling warehouses to process orders quicker and more efficiently, speeding up the shipping process overall.
Struggling with oversized boxes and finding the right fit for product after product can be time consuming and a hassle, but containerization technology ensures each item is packed into the best-fitting carton for transportation from the start. This eliminates the need for last-minute adjustments and speeds up the packing process, moving orders out the door and to the customer faster.
Beyond its work in the warehouse, cartons optimized with containerization enable more efficient loading and transportation. Containerization tools evaluate each shipment to determine whether to pack them in cartons or pallets, helping warehouses process large orders faster. For parcel, properly packed shipments take up less space, allowing carriers to fit more deliveries into a single trip. For freight, properly packed pallets allow for quick, bulk loading onto trucks, reducing handling time and expediting the shipping process. This creates shorter delivery routes and reduces delivery delays, ultimately leading to faster deliveries and happier customers.
Reduced Damage and Reliability
It is typical consumer expectation that any goods they order should be protected throughout the shipping process and arrive in original condition, especially fragile or valuable goods. It is arguable that reliable shipping is just as important to consumers as speed, and this is where containerization shines. By optimizing packing choices for both cartons and pallets, containerization ensures that goods are packed securely, minimizing damage and enhancing the reliability of deliveries.
The containerization process carefully selects carton size for each individual order based on various factors such as weight and compatibility with other products. Securely packing items in a box that fits its dimensions eliminates excess space that could cause items to shift around or collide with other products. This prevents breakage, especially for products that might be more fragile or oddly shaped, while also reducing the need for excessive packaging that adds unnecessary waste and weight. By selecting the best-fit carton, businesses create more reliable deliveries and satisfied customers.
For larger shipments, containerization extends beyond individual boxes to pallets and trailers. When orders involve bulk quantities or oversized goods, this process determines whether products should be packed in cartons or consolidated onto pallets for more secure shipping. Properly stacked pallets ensure stability during transportation, reducing the risk of crushed or damaged items.
Reducing the risk of product damage also significantly lowers the number of costly returns. Properly packaged items lower the chance of crushed and damaged cartons during transportation because it allows for better stacking and load distribution within trailers, preventing tipping, sliding, or uneven weight distribution. Containerization helps ensure packages arrive at their destination in the same condition they left the warehouse, reinforcing customer trust and brand reliability.
Elevated Cost Savings
Behind every purchase is a complex chain of decisions aimed at balancing quality with affordability. Containerization is a significant factor helping to keep prices in check. This process optimizes the way items are packed, helping businesses save on both packing materials and transportation costs – savings that often get passed down to the customer.
Have you ever received an item free floating in a box that was three times the item’s size? Not only does improper packing put the item at risk for damage, but the business is also overpaying for all the space in the box that isn’t utilized (“paying for air”). While containerization provides the ability to select the optimally sized box for each order, it also minimizes the use of oversized cartons. This significantly reduces the amount of packing materials needed, lowering the costs associated with excess packaging and filler material. Furthermore, appropriately sized packages take up less space in delivery trucks and shipping containers, allowing businesses to move more items out in a single trip.
Containerization also helps businesses decide whether an order should be packed in boxes for parcel shipping or consolidated onto pallets for freight. This flexibility enables companies to choose the most cost-effective method – parcel for smaller shipments or freight for larger loads – while optimizing the space in each. By analyzing whether it’s cheaper to ship as a parcel or freight load, containerization helps businesses avoid unnecessary costs and further control transportation expenses.
Lastly, containerization helps companies avoid costly penalties from carriers who charge based on dimensional (DIM) weight, a pricing model based on the package volume relative to weight. For example, if a carton is too large, meaning there is too much air in the box, this can trigger an unexpected dim rate. If there are dim weight charges on nearly every package a company ships out, it can create a huge expense. Containerization helps business avoid this and keep shipping costs under control by finding the right sized carton.
So where do the savings come to the customer? The savings on shipping expenses means that businesses are more likely to offer competitive pricing on products and services. Whether this is reflected in lower product costs or free or reduced shipping, the financial benefits of containerization help enhance the shopping experience overall. Customers can enjoy high-quality goods at affordable prices, knowing that the logistics processes behind the scenes are optimized to save both time and money.
Leveraging the Power of Containerization
Containerization has redefined how businesses handle shipping, providing a cost-effective, secure, and efficient way to package and deliver goods. But while the benefits of leveraging containerization are already substantial, companies can take this efficiency even further with advanced packing technology. By strategically managing how products are packed and shipped, with the right tools in place, businesses can unlock even more savings, streamline operations, and further enhance customer satisfaction.
As shipping costs continue to rise and warehouse operations become more complex, businesses need more than just optimized cartons to stay competitive – they need smart solutions. With major carriers like FedEx recently announcing a 5.9% General Rate Increase (GRI) for 2025, controlling costs has become an even greater priority for shippers. Varsity Logistics, a leading provider of multi-carrier shipping solutions built exclusively for shippers on the IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems, offers a comprehensive suite of parcel and freight execution modules designed to help businesses revolutionize their shipping operations. Within that suite of modules is Varsity’s ShipOptimizer, an advanced containerization solution designed to streamline your packing process and reduce costs, all while enhancing the customer experience.
ShipOptimizer enables businesses to accurately predict shipping costs at the point of order, whether online or during entry, providing transparency that customers appreciate. This powerful tool can also optimize the entire packing process in the warehouse. By analyzing each item’s dimensions, weight, and compatibility, ShipOptimizer selects the ideal number and size of cartons needed for shipping. This eliminates the guesswork, reducing wasted space, packing materials, and even the likelihood of product damage that could lead to costly returns.
More than just a cost-saving tool, ShipOptimizer addresses the increasingly complex fulfillment requirements faced by businesses today. From handling split-case picking to developing pallet and trailer build plans, it transforms warehouse operations into a well-oiled machine. This results in reduced operating expenses, faster fulfillment, fewer damaged goods, and a better ordering experience for your customers overall.
By utilizing ShipOptimizer, companies can offer real-time shipping cost quotes, improve warehouse efficiency, and ensure their products arrive in perfect condition – ultimately passing down these benefits onto the end customer through lower prices, faster delivery, and higher satisfaction. To learn more about how Varsity Logistics can transform your shipping operations and help you meet the expectations of the modern consumer, contact our team of shipping experts or schedule a demo today.
Discover the transformative supply chain trends and how multi-carrier shipping software can help you navigate them
The supply chain and logistics industries are characterized by the constant and rapid transformations they endure, especially as businesses face increasing pressures to meet evolving consumer expectations and adapt to global challenges. As demand increases for faster deliveries and sustainable practices, businesses are coming to the realization that their previous methods of supply chain management may no longer be sufficient. And what lies at the center of all this change? A convergence of advancements in technology, shifting consumer behaviors, and the drive for greater efficiency.
While logistics operations grow increasingly complex, several key trends are emerging, redefining the future of supply chain management as we know it. These trends are not only driving the industry towards more automation and intelligence, but also pushing the importance of greater visibility, transparency, data-driven insights, and sustainability. This blog will dive into five impactful supply chain trends currently shaping the future of the industry and how businesses can adapt and thrive in this ever-changing landscape.
Automation and AI-Driven Operations
Over the past few years, we’ve seen automation and artificial intelligence (AI) reach heights many of us never could have imagined. Today, these two capabilities function as the backbone of modern logistics, streamlining processes, reducing errors, lowering costs, and enhancing operational efficiency.
The power of AI has helped businesses better anticipate demand fluctuations, manage inventory levels, and avoid costly delays. The ability to automate processes has made a world of difference for companies, saving them time on manual tasks, reducing the risk of expensive errors, and streamlining workflows to improve overall productivity. The rise of artificial intelligence and automation not only reduces operational costs but also enables businesses to scale their operations seamlessly. As these technologies continue to advance, they will play an even more essential role in the future of logistics, allowing supply chains to function with greater efficiency and intelligence.
Data and Analytics
Today’s world is driven by data and the supply chain and logistics industries are no different. Leveraging data and analytics is the gateway to valuable information that can give your company a competitive edge. From transportation routes to order volumes, information collected by supply chain operations over time holds unmatched value that can help businesses make informed decisions and improve efficiency.
Historical data helps identify patterns, forecast demand, optimize inventory levels, and plan for peak seasons throughout the year. Analyzing past performance allows businesses to improve their operational efficiency, prepare for potential disruptions, and make informed decisions about resource allocation, supplier management, and more. Data availability also enables businesses to make quick, last-minute changes that can have a significant impact on operations. Leveraging this valuable information reduces the risk of bottlenecks and helps ensure smoother operations overall.
In addition to operational efficiency, data and analytics also plays a crucial role in improving the customer experience. Analyzing the purchase behaviors and delivery preferences of consumers can help companies adjust and tailor their services to better meet the demands of customers, increasing both customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
Omnichannel Fulfillment
Gone are the days when the only way to shop was brick and mortar. With the rise of technology and mobile applications, we’ve seen an immense spike in e-commerce, reshaping how consumers interact with brands. Omnichannel fulfillment has emerged as a key strategy in meeting the modern-day consumer’s expectation for a seamless shopping experience, whether that be online, mobile app, or in-store.
This strategy enables businesses to meet consumer demands for speed, convenience, and flexibility. We’ve seen retail companies strive to create a more seamless and personalized shopping experience with strategies such as buy online and pick up in-store (BOPIS), curbside pickup, and same-day delivery.
At the same time, integrating several forms of purchase has had a significant impact on the logistics industry as it makes things far more complex. Several areas within a business including inventory management, warehousing, and transportation strategies must be adjusted effectively to ensure that smooth operations are maintained, and products are still available when needed.
Visibility and Transparency
Another key trend that’s become crucial for effective supply chain management is visibility and transparency as the demand for real-time information and accountability across the supply chain has increased. Advanced technologies have enhanced visibility, enabling businesses to track and monitor goods at every stage of their journey, from start to finish. This includes providing real-time tracking and detailed updates on the movement and status of shipments, keeping businesses aware of potential issues and delays.
Transparency goes beyond tracking; it involves open communication and data sharing across the supply chain. By integrating various systems and promoting collaboration among suppliers, carriers, and retailers, companies can create a unified view of their operations. Doing so not only creates opportunity for better decision-making but also helps build trust with customers, who highly depend on having visibility for the whereabouts and status of their shipment at any given time.
Sustainability and Green Logistics
Sustainability has become an increasingly prominent concern and factor amongst consumers, as 46% say they buy more sustainable products to reduce their negative impact on the environment. As a direct response to these shifting customer behaviors and preferences, sustainability has become a central focus for many logistics companies who strive to reduce their environmental impact. Today, we see more electric and hybrid vehicles, optimized transportation routes, and increased investments in renewable energy when it comes to the logistics environment.
Better sustainability can be achieved in more than just transportation, however. Many businesses are shifting towards sustainable packaging, utilizing recyclable and biodegradable materials to reduce waste. Additionally, innovative packaging and packing designs help reduce both material usage and space usage when loading packages for transportation, overall reducing shipping costs. Driven by regulatory requirements and consumer expectations, these green practices not only benefit the environment but also enhance operational efficiency and brand reputation.
How Multi-Carrier Shipping Software Can Help
As the supply chain and logistics industries continue to grow more complex, multi-carrier shipping software (MCSS) solutions stand as an essential tool for shippers to utilize to swiftly adapt to the shifting trends shaping the future of these industries. Top-tier MCSS solutions offer shippers flexibility, automation, real-time insights, and more that helps businesses navigate challenges such as omnichannel fulfillment, supply chain visibility, and sustainability.
Staying on Top of Supply Chain Trends with Varsity Logistics
For businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve, Varsity Logistics offers a leading multi-carrier shipping solution, equipped with a suite of powerful modules designed to help streamline shipping operations for both parcel and freight shippers. Whether you’re managing a high volume of e-commerce orders or complex freight logistics, Varsity’s solution helps businesses adapt to the challenges of modern supply chains while maintaining a competitive edge. Let’s take a closer look at how Varsity supports each of the five key supply chain trends:
Advanced Automation: Varsity’s ShipSoft-Parcel automates the entire small parcel shipping process all the way from entering the order through shipment tracking and report creation. Automated tasks like carrier selection, rate shopping, and label printing all reduce manual workloads and streamline shipping processes.
For shippers using Varsity’s ShipSoft-Freight, they don’t have to worry about the complicated tasks. LTL rating, carrier selection, shipment planning, shipment documentation, and more are all automated to boost efficiency, cut down costly errors, and allow employees to allocate valuable time to other areas that may need it.
Data and Analytics: A common issue for shippers is the lack of sufficient access to well-organized historical data. Varsity Logistics eliminates this challenge with their robust Transdata module, providing access to well-defined, detailed, organized, and readily available historical shipping and carrier data. This enables businesses to track performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to optimize shipping costs and improve overall efficiency. By leveraging these analytics, companies can fine-tune their logistics strategies and remain competitive in an ever-evolving market.
Omnichannel Fulfillment: Whether your customers are shopping online, in-store, or using a mix of both, Varsity’s MCSS ensures that their orders are delivered accurately and on time. With Varsity’s ShipSelect module, carriers are selected automatically by predefined criteria such as transit time, carrier preference, cost, mode, and more. This ensures that the optimal carrier is chosen for each individual package, streamlining fulfillment across all channels, saving you on your bottom line, and optimizing shipments to make sure products reach the end customer quickly and efficiently, regardless of how they purchase.
Shipment Visibility: Varsity’s MCSS offers enhanced visibility through ShipTalk, a comprehensive tool that provides real-time tracking and detailed shipment information. ShipTalk allows businesses to monitor every stage of the shipping process, from dispatch to delivery, with up-to-the-minute updates. This transparency not only improves your ability to manage and resolve issues swiftly but also builds trust with customers by providing them with accurate and timely updates on their orders.
Sustainable Practices: There are various advanced features that enable Varsity to support sustainability efforts. The ShipOptimizer module improves parcel packing by optimizing containerization, reducing wasted space, and minimizing material usage. Varsity’s FreightPlan offers advanced dynamic load building and order consolidation, intelligently aggregating shipments destined for the same location into larger, more efficient loads. This approach maximizes transportation capacity, reduces empty space, and ensures that truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) moves are optimized for the most efficient geographic routes. The capabilities not only lower transportation costs but also cut carbon emissions, supporting greener logistics practices.
Built exclusively for shippers on the IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems, Varsity’s multi-carrier shipping software is designed to help businesses navigate these trends effectively, all within one centralized platform. By integrating Varsity’s MCSS into your logistics strategy, you can enhance your operational efficiency, reduce costs, and meet customer expectations with greater precision.
As you adapt to the future of logistics, Varsity stands ready to support your journey toward a more agile, sustainable, and data-driven supply chain. Ready to learn more about preparing your business for the future of the supply chain? Contact our team of shipping experts or request a demo today.
