Ross Express leverages CLI’s FACTS transportation management system to manage growth and improve service
“With the automated and integrated capabilities in FACTS transportation and freight management software from Carrier Logistics we’re saving hours of dispatcher time weekly, cutting the time it takes to create rate structures by 90%, and handling a growing volume of business without the need to add staff. Additionally, FACTS has improved our operational planning and customer-facing tools, making us more competitive.”
– Kenneth Munsell,
Senior Business Systems Analyst,
Ross Express, LLC
Ross Express Challenges: To manage LTL operations more efficiently and effectively—
Experiencing double-digit growth and using the same Transportation Management System for 18 years, Ross Express needed a solution that would provide advanced and automated shipment rating, and which could handle the unique way they price freight by the fractional pallet spot in trailers.
Other capabilities that Ross Express required were for optimized delivery planning that would eliminate overlapping routes, integrated order entry and dispatch systems, streamlined accounts receivable data entry processes, and advanced reporting.
As the carrier evaluated software options, driver workflow solutions were also prioritized.
To provide customer facing capabilities—
In customer surveys about online capabilities, Ross Express was ranked well below its competitors. A new solution would enable better visibility into shipment location and status updates, access to online and API rate quotes, and the ability for shippers to tender orders via a variety of technologies.
Solution: CLI has been instrumental in transitioning Ross Express from an outdated TMS to an innovative transportation and freight management system specifically for LTL operations.
Throughout the process, CLI has worked side by side with the carrier to implement FACTS and develop unique capabilities designed to meet their needs.
Ross Express is now using CLI’s FACTS solution, including the software’s rate engine, automated and dynamic reporting capabilities, and dispatching module with route optimization capabilities. The carrier has also deployed a CLI-built integration to improve pickup and delivery workflow by streamlining communication between drivers and dispatchers.
The FACTS solution provides Ross Express with a customer portal that enables access to customized rate quotes, order entry tools, accurate shipment tracking and status updates, and advanced reports.
Results: Saving time by utilizing automated processes
and customized solutions—
With the integrated order entry and dispatch system in FACTS, Ross Express has replaced a manual process with an automated solution that is saving hours weekly in dispatcher labor time. Additionally, FACTS payment entry tools are saving the company’s accounting department approximately 25 hours per week. One person can now handle the volume of payment entry that previously required the assistance of two additional staff members.
With the FACTS Deal Management pricing and rating module, a 90% improvement is being realized in the time it takes to create rate structures. Using a rate template, the carrier’s pricing team can create variations to standard structures, including automated price application down to fractional pallet spots, which is a unique Ross Express pricing solution.
Improved operational results are being realized with route optimization and real-time display of truck locations on the dispatch map in FACTS. With the automation that the
software provides, pickup requests entered by customers via the carrier’s website are routed and automatically dispatched to the best driver with minimal human intervention.
Enhancing customer service with online capabilities—
With customer facing capabilities in an easy-to-use web portal, Ross Express is providing visibility into shipment location and status updates, access to rates, the ability to upload pickup orders, and customized reports. Ross Express is proud to now be ranked a leader for its customer online user experience after moving to CLI. It signifies their commitment to improving the quality of the customer experience, a key company goal.
“Without CLI we could not have made the transformation to a management solution that could scale with our business, which is experiencing double digit growth. By working closely with us to implement FACTS, we now have a fully integrated system that automates processes, leverages the latest technology, and provides customers with best-in-class tools. CLI was the clear choice because the components and modules in FACTS meet our needs very effectively, and they have consistently been willing to create and support custom solutions for our business.”