Solutions
RateLinx uses creativity, scientific knowledge, and technology to solve complex transportation problems, so if your requirements do not break the laws of physics, we can deliver what you need. More often than not, our clients come to us as a result of false promises and failed expectations with their current “solution.” RateLinx understands that if our clients struggle, or are unable to ship product, it ultimately impairs their ability to make money. It is this core belief that determines the culture of our company - to deliver and support our solutions within the expectations, requirements, and budget constraints of our clients. It’s not merely the economics of the software, but the overall “cost of ownership” that defines the client experience at RateLinx.
Parcel
A software vendor becomes “certified” with a Parcel carrier when it meets the minimum requirements of the carrier testing process. This term is often misused and is somewhat misleading, causing companies to invest in transportation solutions that fail to meet the expectations of their business and their customers. RateLinx, when participating in the certification process for Parcel carriers, submits to testing on every option available for a carrier. As a result, our clients are prepared and ready to meet the ever-changing landscape of their business. For Parcel carriers, RateLinx is fully certified with UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS, and Purolator. While Hazardous and International Shipments are a problem for most companies, it is not for RateLinx because of our technology, personnel, and experience.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
Parcel and LTL carriers are like “night and day” when it comes to shipment execution and technology. Shipping LTL is inherently different, following no specific rules or requiring strict compliance. Nevertheless, most LTL shipping solutions on the market today are built on top of Parcel technology - thus, rating is limited. The ability to be able to merely print a bill of lading can hardly be considered cutting-edge technology… RateLinx LTL solutions are developed with an LTL rating algorithm, taking into account the various rating factors, such as class, FAK, tiered FAK, weight breaks, multiple tariffs, discounts, fuel, and assessorial charges. Therefore, our solution is configured exactly to our clients’ carrier specific pricing agreements, providing accurate rating, routing, shipment execution, and invoice audit.
Routing
Incorrect routing decisions are often the result of a solution being incapable of factoring in all of the characteristics of a shipment. RateLinx software includes an “anywhere to anywhere” rating engine that generates results by rate and transit time - whether you ship from multiple facilities, inbound shipments, or 3rd party/drop ships. Our software automatically maintains and updates fuel surcharges, rate changes, and transit information via automated methodology, as well as incorporating this information as a part of our rating algorithm.
Execution
Bottlenecks created at the point of shipping, and extremely slow processing speeds are a byproduct of bad or outdated technology. RateLinx software utilizes a true relational database, and incorporates compiled integration code providing processing speeds between 8 to 40 shipping transactions per second for unattended shipping (“black box”).
Tracking
The majority of Parcel tracking today is accomplished by “deep linking” to carrier website URL addresses, and for obvious security reasons, carriers often move these sites around to discourage this activity. This creates additional and unnecessary maintenance for the end user. RateLinx connects directly to Parcel and LTL carrier servers through secured and approved gateways - to return the exact tracking information available on their web sites.
Tariff Optimization
Parcel and LTL pricing agreements are negotiated based on promises made with carriers - and if your transportation solution cannot back up those promises, it can result in financial loss. Whether you have contractual base rates, rolling discounts, zip-based discounts, and/or waved or discounted assessorial fees, RateLinx is configured to mirror your pricing agreement exactly, to ensure that you meet your promises and protect your savings.
LTL Audit
Today’s LTL industry is still 95% paper-based (unlike parcel), therefore most companies lack proper technology to execute a shipment, capture the rate, and match it against the LTL carrier invoice. In order to reconcile LTL carrier invoices, businesses incur unnecessary costs outsourcing to third-party audit firms, or manually auditing the bills internally. RateLinx solutions allow our clients to execute shipments, accurately capture the shipment rate, and verify it against the carrier invoice. Our software provides an exception report that documents discrepancies between the shipment data recorded in RateLinx, versus that on the carrier bill.
BREAKING NEWS
Free Multi-Carrier Shipping Software - Really!
RateLinx provides several opportunities for clients to acquire Parcel and LTL shipping solutions at no cost through internal programs and strategic partnerships. For companies that qualify, these programs compensate up to 100% of all costs associated with a RateLinx Shipping System from parcel and LTL freight negotiation programs. This means that Carriers are no longer the only option for free shipping technology, allowing companies to remove the inherent bias associated with carrier technology programs linked to contract milestones.
Our "free shipping technology" programs are delivered as a complete bundled solution, providing software, support, rate updates, installation, and systems integration (ERP, WMS, etc.). As a result of these programs, our Clients have benefited from rate savings and a shipping system with absolutely no out of pocket expense. RateLinx software products are carrier-certified with Parcel (UPS, FedEx, etc.) and LTL carriers with processing speeds up to 40 transactions per second and brings a "zero" cost of ownership by providing automated fuel pricing updates, time-in-transit data, and rate changes. No other technology program, carrier or third party, comes close to this complete value proposition. So, if you feel you need better shipping system performance, please contact us at sales@ratelinx.com to learn more about these programs.
LTL Technology Goes Parcel
All-Inclusive LTL Software to Accurately Rate, Ship, and Audit
RateLinx introduces a technology breakthrough for LTL. Twenty years ago, Parcel manifest systems were introduced to facilitate processing shipments with contract rates while providing a shipment record to reconcile against carrier freight bills. Today, every Shipper has one and cannot live without it.
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