When it comes to how a shipper defines the value of a logistics provider or 3PL to the bottom line, there are often several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Logistics Metrics taken into consideration. Every company knows customer service is important; but it is seldom well-defined, and even more rarely measured in logistics operations.

Hiring a Logistics Provider is NOT Transactional, but Relational

Unfortunately, there has been such turmoil in the world of freight brokering and third party logistics, that as of October this year freight brokers and transportation intermediates will have to have at minimum a $75,000 freight broker surety bond in place. This was established to help weed out those who look at providing logistics services as merely transactional and not one of sustainability or continuous improvement over the long haul. If your logistics provider has not dedicated a customer service representative to your account or a go to department when any issues arise, how are you confident they are putting your best interests at heart?

Customer Service is Now the Standard, Not the Exception

Many logistics providers cite standard KPIs such as on-time delivery and order fill rate as proof of their customer service prowess. Others, however, insist customer service falls into its own category, and deserves its own standards of measurement.

Service providers stand out by adding value, and customer service is a substantial part of the equation. Its growing importance means customer service must be made more measurable—as the adage goes, you can’t manage what you can’t measure.

Your logistics provider should provide the following:

  • Proactive customer service: If the company is experienced and is good, they should always be on the lookout for common shipper issues, such as freight invoice auditing and claims. Regular checks should be done to make sure your needs as a shipper are met.
  • Easily work with you and YOUR customers: How does your logistics provider handle when your vendors inbound to you? Freight routing should be a standard experience and you should know exactly what is going on through automatic tracking notifications and emailed bills of lading.
  • Provide powerful logistics technology with deep reporting and analytics: You should have access to 24/7 visibility of all your freight shipment activities with the ability to access invoicing online. Are your shipments on time? Do you know the reasons why what you were quoted and what you were billed are different? Is it easy to use the technology? Technology is no longer a “wish to have”, but a “need to have”. This technology should also continuously improve over time, offering you, as the customer value over time, not diminishing returns.

It’s all well and good for a logistics provider to address customer service and other requirements at the outset of a relationship but shippers should judge on their ability to monitor the business and offer ideas to optimize the network as the business changes. This will allow you as a shipper to better control your freight spend to the best of your ability and be a leader in the industry.