Becoming a freight broker is becoming a matchmaker. Finding the right driver for a load isn’t just lucky. It’s not intuition. It’s a methodical use of data to create a partnership. Freight brokers and data aren’t random – they’re the keys to building a successful brokerage business.
That data starts with the rate con. See how TruckingOffice Brokerage Software produces rate cons and keeps every shipper and load searchable.
So what data do freight brokers need? How do they organize it? How do they use it?
Freight broker software is a system that stores the shipper, carrier and load data a broker collects on every rate con — pay rates, pickup and delivery locations, size, weight, payment terms, equipment requirements and each driver’s track record — so the broker can pull it up on demand and match the right truck to the right load instead of guessing.
Freight Brokers Compile Data
Shipper Data
Every load that a broker assigns to a driver or a trucking company creates data. First, all the data about the client
- Pay rate
- Pick up location
- Delivery location (and possible appointment details)
- Size
- Weight
- Payment terms
- Equipment (trailer) requirements
- Billing information
that shows up on the rate con becomes information that a freight broker can use again. Even if it’s a one-time-only load, knowledge about the shipper may come in useful in the future. Knowing the pay rate can help a broker set a reasonable rate for a future trip. Historical data gives a broker a leg up on finding a good driver for a load. Maybe this shipper won’t have another similar load, but knowledge about these types of loads can transfer to other opportunities.
Trucker Data
The same with the driver. A trucker who has a load to haul will demonstrate many details that a broker would want to know. Is the trucker
- on time and reliable
- handles communication well
- reports problems quickly
- driving safely
- driving a secure rig
are all details that a broker will want to know. It’s not just the driver’s reputation that suffers when a load isn’t handled well. The freight broker’s reputation is also at risk. If a truck driver can’t deliver on time, it’s like blaming the waiter at a restaurant when a meal is slow in coming. It’s not the waitstaff’s problem usually, but they’re the ones who get the blame.
What Freight Data Should a Broker Track?
A freight broker should track three kinds of data: shipper data from every rate con, carrier data on how each driver performs, and freight data such as which trailers a carrier can pull and which shippers change their needs by season.
Most truckers don’t care what they haul, as long as they’re prepared for it. Imagine what a truck driver would think if they pull in with a van and find out they’re expected to haul a refrigerated load.
Some truckers have multiple trailers and can haul a variety of loads. Some companies have different shipping needs during different seasons. Wouldn’t it be great if the broker knew those details?
It’s likely a broker does. The question is how do they use it?
Why Organization Matters for Freight Brokers
Keeping track of random bits of data – who’s got the brain power for that? We’ve got plenty to think about without trying to remember which trucker handled a load a couple of months ago. That’s the value of a system that tracks those details for us.
Instead of tearing our hair out, trying to remember which driver handled a load back in February, wouldn’t it be easier to have a system that you could ask? Spreadsheets and doc files have their place, but in an emergency, searching through them isn’t fast or efficient. It takes time that a broker might not have to spare. Organization isn’t about having all the data online – it’s about having it accessible on demand. Paper spreadsheets and sticky notes aren’t helping anyone build a successful brokerage – they’re stopping it.
With that information, a savvy freight broker can provide a customized service to a shipper. Provide the right trucker who can handle their load – and make a customer for years. That’s how to build a successful trucking business.
This isn’t Tinder or Bumble. It’s not a random choice to swipe right or left. The smart freight broker is looking for the right match because they’ve got the data available to put shipper and driver together. It’s not a random option of many choices. Having the right data to put together a rate con that delivers the goods and creates a positive experience for the trucker builds business for the future.
With great data comes great responsibility. Using data ethically and securely is important to shippers and to drivers. Which is why you need a system that’s secure and organized.
TruckingOffice Brokerage Software
If you’re starting out as a freight broker, there are many details you’ll have to track. That’s why getting a trucking brokerage software is critical from the very beginning of the business. Trying to track everything on paper is one spilled cup of coffee away from a disaster. Spreadsheets, documents, and images that can’t provide the data when you need it are useless, no matter how many hours you spend creating them. Keeping your data on your computer instead of a secure system in the cloud protects your business from first client call until you’ve got the signed BOL from the driver after delivery.
That’s why a dedicated program like TruckingOffice Brokerage is worth the investment. Get organized from the start, tracking critical data that will be used again and again because you can find it when you need it.
Many brokerage software programs cost too much for a new freight broker to afford. Not TruckingOffice Brokerage. You can get started today with a free trial of our software. Nothing hidden, no inaccessible parts of the program. Give it a full try and discover how to jump start your trucking freight brokerage business today!
Freight Broker Software FAQ
What data do freight brokers need?
Freight brokers need shipper data from every rate con — pay rate, pickup and delivery locations (plus any appointment details), size, weight, payment terms, equipment requirements and billing information. They also need carrier data: whether a driver is on time and reliable, communicates well, reports problems quickly, drives safely and runs a secure rig.
Why should freight brokers keep historical load data?
Even a one-time load creates data a broker can use again. Knowing a past pay rate helps a broker set a reasonable rate for a future trip, and knowing which drivers handled similar loads gives the broker a leg up on finding a good driver for the next one.
How does a driver’s performance affect a freight broker?
When a load isn’t handled well, the driver’s reputation isn’t the only one that suffers — the freight broker’s reputation is also at risk. That is why brokers track how reliable, communicative and safe each carrier is before matching them to a shipper’s load.
Why use freight broker software instead of spreadsheets?
Spreadsheets, doc files and sticky notes aren’t fast or efficient to search in an emergency, and paper records are one spilled cup of coffee away from disaster. Brokerage software keeps data organized and accessible on demand in the cloud, from the first client call until the signed BOL comes back after delivery.
Can I try TruckingOffice Brokerage before buying?
Yes. TruckingOffice Brokerage offers a free trial with nothing hidden and no inaccessible parts of the program, so a new freight broker can try the full software before committing.
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