Issue link: https://resources.echo.com/i/1488555
3 Balance of Cost, Service, and Efficiency White Paper: Multimodal Capabilities of 3PLs shipments across all transportation modes and works directly with carriers on your behalf, you will only need to communicate with one partner, the 3PL, to get details on all your shipments. In addition, 3PLs can provide technology to further increase visibility and streamline communication for shippers. At Echo, shippers can leverage our self-service shipping platform, EchoShip™, which allows them to quote, book, ship, manage invoices, and track shipments in real time. With all shipment information in one easy-to-use online portal, shippers can access key details whenever they need and wherever they are. Size and scale matter when it comes to leveraging a multimodal shipping strategy. As a single shipper working directly with carriers, it would be challenging to execute a multimodal shipping strategy without partnering with an established 3PL. For example, LTL rates are largely based on the volume of freight shipped with an LTL carrier, so if a shipper chooses to results. This can not only streamline your shipping operations but also improve your company's bottom line. Many companies feel constant pressure to keep transportation costs low and may be inclined to choose the shipping mode that costs the least. In fact, this idea was supported in Echo's shipper survey, in which respondents ranked competitive pricing the most important factor they consider when selecting a carrier. However, the cheapest rates do not necessarily equate to the most optimal routing or best service, and shippers may end up spending more on fines or chargebacks from consignees if service issues arise. 3PLs are experts at balancing cost, service, and efficiency within freight transportation. At Echo, we know that each shipper's industry has its own complexities and each client's supply chain total cost of ownership (TCO) can vary greatly, so we work closely with each of our clients to evaluate their unique transportation needs, discover efficiencies, and deliver the best value. With a 3PL partner, you'll receive the right mix of cost, service, and efficiency to meet your business needs. There are some shippers who know the value of exploring different shipping modes and work directly with multiple carriers to access a variety of shipping solutions. However, when shippers work directly with many different carriers, they will likely find it difficult to quickly and easily access all their key shipment information (e.g., load status, tracking updates, etc.), since these details come from multiple sources. Typically, this would require shippers to manually search or reach out to individual carriers for shipment information, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive for businesses. But by partnering with a 3PL that is responsible for managing all Increased Visibility and Streamlined Communication The Power of Scale