Top 5 Cargoo Alternatives and Competitors

What is Cargoo?

Cargoo is an ocean freight management and international shipping software that gives you control over end-to-end processes and full transparency. The Cargoo platform can be used for order management, booking, container tracking, rate management, document management and data analytics. Through all the different features offered, Cargoo makes it easier for shippers and logistics service providers to work together and streamline ocean freight shipments.

The Cargoo Solution:

Cargoo Booking

The Cargoo booking window gives you control and visibility over order bookings to comply with delivery timelines based on multimodal transport timings, order details, etc. It leverages existing TMS, ERP or FMS systems to automate processes to gather order details, dispatching vendor bookings and so on. This integration also allows supply chain players to create and enforce bespoke rules.  

Cargoo Shipping Instructions

Cargoo makes it easier for shippers to create and share shipping instructions. The centralized document management system stores and organizes all shipping documents and provides controlled access to keep all players on the same page.

Cargoo Visibility

Cargoo connects seamlessly to the global carrier network across different modes of transportation to give you up to date information on shipment status. In case of exceptions, Cargo alerts give you the ability to act quickly and keep other supply chain players informed of the change in timelines.

Cargoo Features

Some of the most important Cargoo features are:

Order lifecycle management

Cargoo connects the different players of a supply chain on a central platform to create a single record of POs, shipment, inventory status and more.  

Integrated booking systems

Cargoo integrates itself with other systems to automate booking processes.

Multimodal tracking

Cargoo provides real-time data on container progress sourced from IoT, APIs and other technologies.

Rate management

Cargoo centralizes free time agreements, freight rate and contract management. It allows you to access spot rates and analyzes allocations to help you see how shipping lines compare in terms of performance.

Document management

Cargoo digitizes document exchanges and workflow to improve efficiency and make collaboration easier.

Business intelligence

Cargoo helps improve day-to-day operations with actionable reporting on various KPIs

Top 5 Alternatives
to Cargoo

Though Cargoo is a popular ocean freight management platform, it is not the only one. IT does streamline processes to an extent but limits the control you have over the shipping operations once they are underway. If you’re looking for better solutions, here are 5 alternatives you should consider.

Alternative #1

BuyCo

BuyCo is the ideal collaborative platform that helps importers and exporters manage their shipping requirements. BuyCo keeps you connected to 95% of all ocean carriers to centralize your route and schedule searches. It also automates slow repetitive tasks such as placing booking requests and generating shipping instructions.

BuyCo allows you to track containers in real-time when they are in warehouses as well as when they are moving across oceans. By sourcing tracking information from multiple sources, BuyCo provides reliable ETDs/ETAs and early alerts to potential disruptions. In this way it gives you end-to-end visibility and control over the planning, processing and tracking aspects of the entire process.

Further, BuyCo allows you to manage the smooth flow of information and share documents centrally. You can control access to these documents to comply with data regulations while also creating document workflows.

What’s more, BuyCo assesses the available data to identify opportunities for improvement. It presents the results of this assessment in a graphic form that’s easy to understand so you can measure performance and optimize it.

Alternative #2

Fourkites

FourKites is a supply chain visibility platform where small and large shippers, carriers and all other stakeholders can communicate, collaborate and keep track of the movement of a container across different stages of the supply chain process. With FourKites you can know where your container is at all times irrespective of whether it is in the yard or in transit over road, rail, air and the oceans.

The platform uses EDI, APIs and RPA technologies to source data required for decision making. This information combined with real-time visibility data gives you dynamic ETA information for every consignment. Further, it can be easily integrated with your existing TMS systems to proactively manage your shipping requirements.

Alternative #3

CargoSmart

CargoSmart is a global shipment management software solution that brings shippers, ocean carriers and logistics service providers together on a single platform. With CargoSmart you can be connected to 40 global ocean carriers for easy access to sailing schedules, comparative costs in local currencies, the submission of digital booking requests, etc.

Shippers can also use CargoSmart as a secure channel to exchange documents and to automate supply chain steps. The availability of template-based shipping instructions also simplifies processes. This aids with visibility, documentation and compliance.

Alternative #4

Infor Nexus

Infor Nexus is a supply chain platform that connects manufacturers, brokers, suppliers and 3PLs as well as financial supply chain partners for end-to-end supply chain visibility and control. In addition to connections, it aggregates data from multiple sources for data-driven decision making.

It gives you access to real-time demand and supply signals based on historic and current information for better planning and timely notifications for new opportunities as well as potential disruptions. In case of the latter, it also makes prescriptive recommendations to keep your supply chain running smoothly.

Alternative #5

Inttra

Inttra is an e-marketplace platform where shippers, carriers and logistics service providers can connect and network. The platform centralizes access to various types of information such as sailing schedules, vessel details, etc. and streamlines the process of planning and booking shipments. It can also be used to track the movement of containers from origin to destination. In case of disruptions, you can get alerts and real-time status updates.

Inttra can also be used to request and share documents required for compliance and customs clearance.

Things to Consider when Selecting Your Ocean TMS

Every shipper needs an Ocean TMS to manage shipping operations. Having to individually check carrier websites for schedules or to depend solely on them for tracking information is inefficient. An Ocean TMS can help overcome this. That said, you need to choose the right Ocean TMS. This selection must keep in mind the needs of your industry segment, KPIs, your business goals and it should be capable of scaling up easily to meet your current and future needs. While this would vary from industry to industry, there are certain must-haves.

Visibility alone is not enough, you need control

For today’s supply chain to work efficiently, you need to be able to track containers and have visibility over the different stages of the supply chain. This gives you the ability to spot exceptions early and gives you enough time to react. You can choose alternative routes and if the delay is unavoidable, inform customers about the change in timelines.

Along with visibility, you also need control over operations and the ability to make changes. You need an Ocean TMS where you can access all the required information and make swift changes to your operations. It should also give you reliable Carrier ETA. this helps you choose routes and carriers with the minimal risk of delay.

For example, BuyCo tells you the average number of days the carrier you’re considering has been late along a certain route. This helps you assess reliable arrival dates and give customers a good experience.

Automation

Processing ocean container operations manually is slow and prone to error. You need to search through shipment schedules by different carriers, place booking requests, plan shipments and so on. According to a study by IBM, businesses lose $180 billion annually because of inefficient supply chain processes. Thus, automating these steps helps save time and money and makes your team more productive. An Ocean TMS like BuyCo is just what you need to centralize and automate schedule searches, request booking, etc.

Collaboration

There are multiple players in a supply chain. Keeping track of conversations between them and the exchange of documents is critical to running a smooth supply chain operation. This becomes hard when you’re using multiple channels. A single lost email can result in a lot of confusion and delay your customs clearance. Hence, you need an Ocean TMS like BuyCo that acts as a central platform where all players involved can share documents, collaborate and make sure you have access to the most updated information.

Decarbonization

There’s a growing consciousness about caring for the planet and minimizing an organization’s carbon footprint. There’s also the financial impact to consider given that EU regulations will be taxing CO2 emissions at a higher rate. Given how maritime shipping is considered one of the biggest contributors to global CO2 emissions, you need to be able to choose energy efficient carriers and routes. A platform like BuyCo gives you access to this information and helps you take it into consideration when planning your shipment.