Top 5 CargoSmart Alternatives and Competitors

What is CargoSmart?

CargoSmart is a cloud-based platform that provides visibility, automation, collaboration and compliance solutions. It connects shippers to logistics service providers, consignees and NVOCCs. In addition to visibility, it provides information about shipment status, sailing schedules and analytical reports to optimize the supply chain. Further, it centralizes document handling for better communication and information accuracy. CargoSmart also automates procedures to help shippers comply with international container trade regulations.

CargoSmart Features

Some of the key features of CargoSmart are Online Status Updates; Versatile search; Consolidated shipment reports; Templates; Rates of Exchange; Milestone Assignments; Relationship Manager; Online filing for trade compliance, and most importantly:

CargoSmart Visibility

From the time an empty container is picked up to when it is returned, CargoSmart provides real-time visibility over its movement, timely alerts to shipment activities and changes in sailing schedules. Shippers can look up detailed information by their own reference numbers or shipment numbers generated by the carrier.

CargoSmart Execution

CargoSmart offers all the required information about sailing schedules to help shippers plan shipments. When it comes to booking carriers, CargoSmart offers customizable templates to submit booking requests and prepare shipping instructions. It helps shippers manage their B/L processes online and customize document distribution. In addition, CargoSmart provides centralized visibility of all invoices and streamlines communication regarding payment instructions.

CargoSmart Collaboration

CargoSmart equips shippers, logistics service providers and customers with the tools required to delegate responsibility for specific tasks. Once tasks are assigned to an individual, he/ she is automatically notified of it and can update task status to the central dashboard. It also allows all stakeholders to request, share and store documents electronically for easy access. Third-party associates may also be given conditional access to CargoSmart for shipment details, notifications, reports, etc.

CargoSmart Trade Compliance

CargoSmart manages the flow of shipment information to comply with international container trade regulations in the USA, Canada, Japan and the EU. It also helps shippers submit VGM information to comply with the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.

Top 5 Alternatives to CargoSmart

Every organization has unique needs and if you find that CargoSmart does not have the features you look for in an Ocean TMS, here are a few alternatives you could consider.

Alternative #1

BuyCo

BuyCo is a Container Shipping Platform designed to provide visibility, automation and collaboration.

It connects shippers to all members of the supply chain including partners, forwarders and 95% of all carriers. BuyCo then centralizes information from them so you can assess and easily compare rates, routes, etc. By digitizing the requests and receipts of information, it eliminates email clutter, reduces your margin for error, and increases productivity.

Once the vessel and route are selected, BuyCo automates operations to streamline processes. Automating daily tasks like vessel scheduling, shipment planning, etc. ensures that your operations are executed accurately, in-full and on-time, every time.

BuyCo provides real-time visibility and control over every aspect of your maritime supply chain. It gathers data from multiple sources to provide you with the fastest, most reliable tracking information, ETA and ETDs and gives you control to avoid exceptions and delays altogether. Further, BuyCo’s KPIs and reporting give you instant visibility into your operations to make processes more efficient, reduce costs, and improve negotiation power with your partners.

Alternative #2

Infor Nexus

Infor Nexus offers end-to-end visibility over container movement. It not only connects shippers to carriers and 3PLs but also connects them to the financial supply chain parties.

It offers information for global multi-leg, multimodal transportation planning and synchronizes systems for handoffs and executions. InforNexus also centralizes contract and rate management. By analyzing historic and real-time information, it predicts demand and supply signals and identifies opportunities and potential disruptions. InforNexus also utilizes in-app collaboration for faster, coordinated responses.

Alternative #3

Inttra

Inttra is an e-marketplace platform where shippers can connect to carriers and logistics service providers. It offers real-time demand and supply data for forecasting and allocations as well as shipment planning and routing. Inttra also provides an electronic container booking service and centralizes document transmission. The Inttra eVGM compliance solution eases global compliance processes.

Once a container is on the move, it tracks movement across the oceans with real-time status updates. Inttra analyzes historic and current data and presents its findings in the form of pre-built dashboards for easy assessment.

Alternative #4

Tradelens

Tradelens is a secure data and document-sharing platform that gathers real-time intel from carriers, terminals, ports, etc. to optimize logistics workflow. It calculates predictive ETAs to plan shipment movement and digitizes the exchange of documents required for vessel booking, etc. Once the container is loaded, it tracks movement in real-time and notifies shippers in case the containers are held up at any point.

Alternative #5

Fourkites

Fourkites is a global supply chain visibility platform that gives shippers real-time information on shipment status. It covers the time spent in the yard as well as while it is being transported through ocean, air, rail or roadways. In the case of a disruption in schedule, it gives shippers email alerts so they may share the update with other stakeholders and take necessary action. It also uses APIs, RPA and EDI technology to predict ETAs. FourKites can be easily integrated with existing systems, is flexible and can be scaled up or down to cater to the needs of small and large organizations.

Things to Consider when selecting your Ocean TMS

Ocean Transportation Management System (TMS) solutions have been around for a while and have proven effective at smoothening supply chains. There are many TMS options available today. They differ in terms of costs, features, visibility, scope, etc. As with any other purchase, before you select an Ocean TMS, you must have clear goals and be able to differentiate between the must-have features, the nice-to-have features and the ornamental features. Let’s take a look at 4 features your TMS must-have:

Visibility Alone Is Not Enough, You Need Control

In today’s world, you can’t afford to not know where your containers are at all times. From the moment they leave your loading docks to the moment they reach your customer; you must be able to track and trace them. Along with this information, you also need an Ocean TMS that gives you control over the operations. Let’s say there is a storm along your intended route. You should be able to quickly change the route or carrier to avoid such disruptions.

In addition to real-time visibility, you also need predictive visibility. This refers to reliable ETAs. Your Ocean TMS should be able to tell you when your container is likely to reach its destination so that you can stand by the delivery date you give your customers. For example, BuyCo tracks containers as they move across the ocean and gives you an ETA based on the route and distance as well as the carrier’s performance along the selected route in terms of how often it is delayed and by how many days.

Automation

Finding the right carrier and route is critical to running a smooth operation. Shippers spend a large amount of their time and energy on monotonous tasks such as searching for shipping schedules, booking requests, etc. To improve efficiency, look for an Ocean TMS that can automate these tasks. A study found that along with saving time, automation also reduces costs by up to 50%. What you need is an Ocean TMS like BuyCo that automates rate comparison between carriers, vessel booking, document generation, etc.

Collaboration

Your Ocean TMS also needs to act as a digital hub for documents. Throughout the shipping operations, many documents will need to be exchanged between shippers, carriers,3PLs, customs, etc. Manually handing over documents or communicating via phone calls and emails makes it difficult to keep track of everything. Having an outdated version of a document could lead to unnecessary delays. What’s worse, it affects analytics and reduces the value of data-driven decisions. Hence, you need an Ocean TMS that allows all stakeholders to request and share documents centrally.

Decarbonization

Today’s shippers do not only compare rates and ETAs when they are selecting a carrier or route. In light of the growing awareness of the effect carbon emissions have on global warming, organizations are making an effort to lower their carbon footprint across manufacturing, transportation, etc. There is also concern about EU regulations that may increase taxes based on CO2 emissions. Hence, you need an Ocean TMS that helps you measure and lower your CO2 emissions. For example, at the time of vessel selection, BuyCo highlights the carriers that emit the least CO2 and the most direct routes.