For Canadian SMBs relying on carriers, freight forwarders, or brokers, transportation optimization is essential. Without an in-house fleet, finding reliable partners and streamlining logistics can be challenging. Inefficient transportation leads to higher costs, reduced profit margins, delays, and customer dissatisfaction.
That’s where NexaFlux comes in. Our fractional supply chain services provide SMBs with expert logistics support using Excel and Power BI to deliver data-driven insights that streamline processes and improve logistics.
Here is how NexaFlux can help you optimize your transportation:
Carrier Performance Optimization: Choosing the Right Partners
Working with the right carriers is critical for successful logistics. Poor performance can lead to delivery delays, damaged goods, and additional costs. SMBs often lack the time or resources to continuously monitor and evaluate carrier performance.
Strategy:
- Carrier Performance Reviews: Track key metrics such as on-time delivery rates, damage claims, cost per shipment, and customer satisfaction. Regularly reviewing this data ensures informed decisions about carrier relationships.
- Carrier Diversification: Relying on a single carrier limits flexibility. Diversifying your carrier network provides the ability to manage demand surges and mitigate risks associated with underperforming providers.
How NexaFlux Can Help:
- Automated Carrier Tracking: We can automate carrier performance tracking using Excel and develop Power BI dashboards that provide real-time visibility. You can monitor KPIs without needing expensive logistics software
- Carrier Diversification: Relying on a single carrier limits flexibility. Diversifying your carrier network provides the ability to manage demand surges and mitigate risks associated with underperforming providers.
Want to ensure your carriers are delivering on time and cost-effectively? NexaFlux can build customized dashboards to give you instant visibility. Contact us today to learn more.
Controlling Freight Costs: Managing Rates and Surcharges
Freight costs can quickly erode profit margins, especially with unpredictable rates and surcharges from carriers. SMBs often face higher costs due to limited negotiation power.
Strategy:
- Freight Rate Negotiations: Regularly benchmark and negotiate rates with carriers. Leverage volume discounts and performance-based terms to reduce freight costs.
- Surcharge management: Track and analyze common surcharges such as fuel, peak season, additional handling, and oversized/overweight fees. Reducing these costs through better planning and optimized shipment dimensions can significantly impact the bottom line.
How NexaFlux Helps:
- Custom Cost Analysis Tools: NexaFlux creates Excel-based tools to track and analyze ancillary charges, such as fuel and handling surcharges. We help you identify patterns and implement actionable strategies to reduce these costs.
- Freight Cost Dashboards: NexaFlux We develop Power BI dashboards that provide a comprehensive view of your freight expenses. This enhances visibility and simplifies cost management, making data-driven decision-making easy.
Tired of unpredictable freight costs? Let NexaFlux help you track and manage surcharges with customized tools. Get in touch for a demo.
Shipment Consolidation: Maximizing Load Efficiency
Shipping half-full trucks or containers can lead to high transportation costs and inefficiencies. SMBs can significantly reduce costs by consolidating shipments but identifying consolidation opportunities can be difficult without the right tools.
Strategy:
- Consolidation: Combining smaller shipments into larger, more efficient loads helps maximize truck or container utilization, leading to significant savings.
- Leverage 3PL Expertise: Work closely with your freight forwarder or 3PL to ensure loads are fully utilized and optimized for cost-efficiency.
How NexaFlux Helps:
- Consolidation Analysis Tool: NexaFlux uses Excel-based models to identify opportunities for shipment consolidation, helping SMBs maximize load capacity and reduce costs.
Customized Power BI dashboards provide a visual representation of your shipping volumes, allowing businesses to see where consolidation can improve efficiency.