Terminal49 attended WESCCON 2024 in San Diego, where we spent several days talking directly with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics professionals. Our conversations centered on the challenges they face every day—from compliance and data integration to keeping customers informed. Here’s a look at the top insights we gathered from attendees, plus some answers to the most common questions they had about the Terminal49 platform.
What We Heard from Attendees
1. The Demand for Tailored Shipment Visibility for Clients
A recurring theme in our discussions was the need for customizable container tracking views that align with each client’s unique needs. Attendees emphasized that while many tools provide basic visibility, they’re looking for a solution that goes further. As one attendee put it, “Everything we use provides visibility to some extent. We’re looking for something more. I want to be able to share it with our customers without having to rely on emails and spreadsheets.” Many logistics providers expressed that branded, client-specific views into shipment data would enhance client satisfaction and set them apart in a competitive market.
2. The Need for Real-Time Milestone Enrichment and Tracking Across Modes
Attendees frequently mentioned that keeping up with critical shipment milestones—like customs clearance, rail crossings, and trucking updates (to name a few)—is essential, but it can be hard to track everything in real-time. They emphasized how having accurate, low-latency milestone updates would give them a better handle on shipment status, allowing them to address delays before they escalate.
How Terminal49 Delivers on This:
- Real-Time Multimodal Milestones: Terminal49’s platform tracks key events across ocean, rail, and trucking, giving logistics teams real-time updates every step of the way. Providers can set alerts for important events, helping them stay on top of exceptions and keep clients in the loop.
3. Balancing Integration Needs with Reliable Data
Another frequent concern we heard was how hard it can be to integrate new visibility tools with existing workflows and tools like their TMS. Attendees stressed the importance of having up-to-the-minute data but were wary of overly complex integrations, especially if it meant taking on new technical resources.
How Terminal49 Addresses This:
- Simple, Reliable Data Access: Terminal49 provides comprehensive data coverage with direct integrations to over 150 carriers and terminals. For integration flexibility, we offer a modern API for robust data needs, out-of-the-box solutions like Google Sheets for simple setups, and enterprise options that seamlessly connect with TMS platforms, data warehouses, and more—complete with implementation support and Data Sync capabilities for streamlined visibility.
4. User-Friendly Tracking That Fits into Existing Systems
Many people shared how their teams would benefit from having tracking views that could be embedded directly into their own systems—like their TMS or CRM—so they could access the data where they already work. A simplified interface was also a popular request, as many noted that they just need to find the data they need quickly and get back to work.
5. How AI and Automation Can Help Simplify Workflows in Logistics
In logistics, customers are clear: they want AI and automation to solve real, everyday problems, not just add flashy features. Many are cautious about AI’s promises, questioning its practical benefits. However, we see AI as a valuable tool for both logistics teams and their customers, driving efficiency and accuracy where it matters most.
- Proactive ETA Updates and Delay Alerts: AI can enhance ETA accuracy by factoring in real-time conditions like weather or port congestion. When delays arise, automated alerts keep logistics teams and customers informed, enabling quick adjustments and proactive client communication.
- Automated Scheduling and Fee Alerts: Automation can simplify terminal scheduling and alert teams when containers are at risk of demurrage fees. This minimizes costly delays and keeps shipments on track, reducing manual oversight.
- Automated Compliance Checks: AI-powered document verification can help avoid customs delays by flagging compliance issues early. This streamlines clearance and reduces manual paperwork, ensuring shipments move smoothly across borders.
With these targeted applications, AI and automation in logistics aren’t just buzzwords—they provide practical solutions that address real workflow needs, benefitting both logistics providers and their clients.
How Terminal49 Supports Automation for Logistics Workflows:
- Smart Alerts and Actionable Workflows: Terminal49’s solution make it easier to manage exceptions by providing real-time alerts for key updates—like customs delays or changes in ETA—allowing teams to respond quickly. This means less manual work and more time for logistics teams to focus on delivering a great customer experience.
FAQs from WESCCON: Terminal49 Platform and Capabilities
1 . "Can Terminal49 integrate with our TMS?"
- Yes! Terminal49 offers a modern, robust API and data sync solution for linking to various systems, allowing easy access to real-time tracking data within your TMS.
2. "How does Terminal49 ensure data accuracy?"
- Terminal49 connects directly with over 150 carriers and terminals to provide reliable, low-latency data. This real-time visibility keeps teams up to date with the latest milestones, enabling confident, informed decisions and proactive issue management.
3. "Do we have to track every milestone, or can we just focus on exceptions?"
- It’s flexible! Terminal49’s “Manage by Exception” feature lets you prioritize critical events, reducing notification overload and ensuring that only high-priority updates require your attention.
4. "How does Terminal49 stand out from other tracking platforms?"
- Terminal49 stands out from other tracking platforms by connecting directly with over 150 carriers and terminals to deliver real-time, low-latency data that keeps teams up to date with every critical milestone. Unlike platforms that simply relay raw data, we aggregate and standardize incoming information to validate its accuracy, ensuring that you see only the most relevant, up-to-date details. This streamlined and verified view enables confident, proactive decision-making, helping you quickly avoid potential issues and manage container logistics.
5. "What do I need to do to integrate this into our ____ system?"
- Terminal49 offers flexible integration options to fit seamlessly into your existing systems. For platforms we connect with directly, integration is quick and straightforward. If a direct connection isn’t available, our API and Data Sync options ensure you still gain complete visibility across ocean, port, and rail milestones, providing a unified view of each container’s journey. Learn more about our integration capabilities and how they can adapt to your unique requirements.
6. "An API is too complicated for us to deal with."
- No problem! Our Data Sync solution is as straightforward as delivering the data directly into your system, so your team gains real-time visibility from Terminal49 without requiring complex API setup. This way, you can focus on tracking and managing shipments, not on technical integration.
Conclusion: Moving Forward with Insights from WESCCON 2024
Our conversations at WESCCON 2024 underscored that the future of logistics is all about real-time visibility, seamless integration, and practical automation. As the industry continues to evolve, Terminal49 is committed to providing the tools logistics teams need to have a full, accurate, and actionable view of their shipments. We’re excited to keep building on these insights and continue helping logistics providers streamline their workflows and enhance customer experiences.
