Global trade excessively depends on maritime shipping. Ships carry almost 80% of the world’s cargo.
Sea shipping is relatively faster than land routes. It is also cheaper than air services. However, sea shipping involves uncertainty. Containers can be:
- Delayed
- Misplaced
- Offloaded to the wrong port
So, selecting the best container tracking tool is crucial to ensure visibility and reliability through the supply chain.
A good container tracking system enables companies to:
- Monitor containers in real time
- Anticipate disruption
- Maintain smooth operations
However, choosing the right container tracking tool demands careful thought. Read on to know the container tracking tool price and other offerings to consider when selecting an appropriate container tracking tool.
Features to Consider When Choosing an Ideal Container Tracking Tool
Beyond the cost, you need to focus on other features when comparing different container tracking tools. These include:
Real-time tracking
A reliable software would provide continuous location updates and accurate departure or arrival schedules.
It can help the logistics team to:
- React to delays
- Schedule changes
The software must consolidate the data from different carriers. It helps the company track all shipments in a single platform.
Visibility at Warehouse and Industrial Site
Containers spend a considerable amount of time waiting at warehouses, either pre- or post-shipping. Good tracking tools should keep a tab of the movement of each container in and out of storage areas.
Look out for the software that:
- Provides gate-in/gate-out reporting
- Tracks container status on-site automatically
- Permits customized workflows and task assignments to increase productivity
Centralized Data Access
A tracking tool should provide single-view tracking of every shipment’s journey from factory to final delivery, along with historical shipment data. Reviewing past performance helps identify bottlenecks, improve the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) prediction, and choose reliable carriers.
Broader Shipping Management Capabilities
Above and beyond location tracking, the advanced software systems ease other shipping operations.
They help the user:
- Compare carrier schedules and freight rates
- Manage bookings
- Store and share shipping documents
- Monitor performance metrics that include delivery time or emissions
So, with such functions, the tool becomes a complete logistics solution rather than just a tracker.
Practical Considerations Before Buying
Selecting a system is not just about the features offered. It’s more about how it can fit into existing processes.
Quick Setup
Avoid systems that take months to implement. Software that you can easily install and that integrates with your current setup would be ideal to find. Testing a trial version first will help establish compatibility.
Ease of Use
Not every team member will possess great technological skills. Prefer dashboards that make data visualizations simple. An easy-to-use interface makes it simple for everyone to access and act on real-time updates.
Integration With Existing Systems
Your tracking tool must perfectly integrate with the Transport Management Systems (TMS) or the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms.
This helps:
- Reduce manual work
- Ensure consistency across operations
Cloud-based further streamlines access to shipment data.
Reliable Data Source
A reliable system correlates GPS data with information received from ports and carriers for real-time updates. With reliable data, the logistics manager can make better and faster decisions.
Collaboration and Communication
A shipment involves multiple stakeholders:
- Suppliers
- Transporters
- Customers
A reliable tool will enable seamless information sharing with all stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality.
Organizational Needs
Each organization has unique requirements. So, before paying the cost of a containing tracking tool, evaluate:
- Shipment volume: High-volume operators require scalable systems.
- Visibility needs: Decide whether you need a major checkpoint or end-to-end tracking.
- Level of detail needed: Assess whether you seek basic or predictive analytics.
Your chosen solution must align with organizational goals.
Pricing
Lastly, evaluate the price-to-value ratio of different software tools. Pick not what’s the cheapest, but one that gives maximum value.
Now that you are aware of the key ideas to follow when choosing the best container tracking tool, implement them to ensure consistency and accuracy in your operations.
