ISO 14083:2023 is an internationally recognized standard focusing on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measurement and reporting in freight transport. This standard guides organizations in assessing and managing the environmental impact of their transportation activities.
Import duties, also known as tariffs, are taxes imposed by a country's government on goods brought into the country from abroad. These duties serve several purposes: they generate revenue for the government, protect domestic industries from foreign competition by making imported goods more expensive, and sometimes regulate the volume of imports and exports.
Cargo, which has been loaded into special equipment, but does not exceed the dimensions of a standard 20', 40', or high cube container.
Inbound logistics refers to the process of receiving, handling, and storing raw materials, components, and goods from suppliers to a business or manufacturing facility. This involves the management of various activities, such as transportation, warehousing, inventory control, and material handling.
Inbound supply chain visibility refers to the ability to track and monitor the movement of goods, materials, and shipments as they move from suppliers to a company's receiving or manufacturing facilities.
Internal work document/file facilitating the collection of necessary data prior to issuing the carrier haulage work order.
Intermodal transportation is a logistics strategy that involves using multiple modes of transport, such as trucks, trains, ships, and planes, to move goods from origin to destination. Unlike traditional transportation methods that rely on a single mode of transport, intermodal transportation combines different modes in a coordinated and seamless manner, allowing for greater flexibility, efficiency, and reliability in the supply chain.
Inventory turnover refers to the efficiency with which a company manages its inventory by measuring how often inventory is sold and replaced over a specific period. It is an indicator of efficiency and liquidity in inventory management.
Last mile delivery refers to the final leg of the logistics journey, where goods are transported from a distribution center or fulfillment center to the end destination, typically a residential address or retail store. It is considered the most critical and challenging part of the supply chain due to its complexity and impact on customer satisfaction.
When a shipper submits documentation after a defined deadline set by the carrier.
Laytime is the period of time granted to a vessel for loading and unloading cargo at a port. It represents the duration, typically in a number of days, for which the ship is allowed to remain at the port facility to complete these operations. Laytime is typically agreed upon in charter party contracts between the shipowner or operator and the charterer, who may be the cargo owner or a freight forwarder.
A Lead Logistics Provider (LLP), also known as a Lead Logistics Integrator (LLI), is a supply chain management term referring to a specialized third-party logistics (3PL) provider that takes on a central role in overseeing and coordinating an organization's entire supply chain activities.
A leg can be defined as two things: 1. A sea passage in the rotation of ports in a voyage. 2. A specific section of a complete transport of a shipment.
Less than truckload (LTL) freight refers to shipments that do not fill an entire truck trailer but instead occupy only a portion of the available space. LTL shipments are typically smaller in size and weight, making them more cost-effective for businesses that do not require full truckload capacity.
In shipping, a letter of indemnity is issued by a shipper or consignee to the carrier, indemnifying them against any potential losses or liabilities arising from the release of cargo without the presentation of required documents, such as bills of lading. This document acts as a legal instrument to facilitate the smooth movement of goods in situations where original documents are unavailable or impractical to obtain.
This is the confirmation sent to the customer, shipper or consignee, that the equipment has been loaded/discharged. This message is based on the "equipment discharge/load report".
The action of lifting any cargo or container on board of the vessel for transportation.
A load board serves as an online platform or marketplace where shippers and carriers can connect to facilitate the transportation of freight. Also known as freight boards or truck load boards, these platforms provide a centralized space for posting and searching available loads and trucks, enabling efficient matching of transportation needs.
List of containers sent by the carrier or its agent to the terminal to instruct which containers must be loaded on a specific vessel/voyage. Each vessel can have several load lists in case of vessel sharing agreements.
Load optimization in logistics refers to the process of efficiently arranging and maximizing the use of available space within transportation vehicles, containers, or storage areas.
In the realm of supply chain and logistics, a load tender refers to the formal request made by a shipper or a consignee to a carrier or transportation provider to transport goods or freight from one location to another. This request initiates the process of arranging transportation services for a specific shipment.
Logistics 4.0, also known as the fourth industrial revolution in logistics, refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies and data-driven solutions to revolutionize traditional supply chain and logistics operations. It builds upon the concepts of Industry 4.0, applying automation, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics to optimize efficiency, visibility, and agility across the supply chain.
Logistics document management refers to the process of handling, organizing, and storing various documents involved in supply chain and logistics operations. It encompasses the management of paperwork, electronic records, and other documentation essential for the efficient flow of goods from point of origin to final destination.
Logistics route optimization involves the strategic process of determining the most efficient and cost-effective routes for transporting goods and materials from origin to destination. It aims to minimize transportation costs, reduce fuel consumption, and enhance overall delivery efficiency within supply chain and logistics operations.
A Logistics Service Provider (LSP) is a company or organization that offers specialized logistics and supply chain management services to support the transportation, storage, and distribution of goods. LSPs play a crucial role in facilitating efficient movement of products from point of origin to point of consumption, serving as intermediaries between manufacturers, suppliers, and end-users.
Logistics visibility refers to the ability of supply chain professionals to track and monitor the movement of goods and assets throughout the supply chain in real-time. It involves gaining insights into the location, status, and condition of shipments, inventory, and transportation assets as they move through various stages of the supply chain.
The manifest corrector is used to make changes to a manifest after the manifest in question has been submitted to the relevant authorities.
Marine insurance offers protection for shipments and vessels involved in maritime trade. It covers various risks, including damage to cargo caused by accidents, theft, natural disasters, and even piracy. Additionally, marine insurance can provide coverage for liabilities arising from collisions, salvage operations, and pollution incidents during transportation by sea.
A Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned to ships, coastal stations, and other maritime communication equipment. This number is used in digital selective calling (DSC), automatic identification systems (AIS), and other marine radio communication systems to ensure accurate and efficient identification and communication.
A Master Bill of Lading (MBL) is a transportation document issued by the ocean carrier or its agent to acknowledge receipt of goods for shipment. It serves as a contract of carriage between the shipper and the ocean carrier, detailing the terms and conditions of transportation, including the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being shipped. The MBL also acts as a receipt for the cargo and serves as a title document, allowing the consignee to claim ownership of the goods upon arrival at the destination port.
Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is a systematic approach to managing the manufacturing and procurement of materials necessary for production. It involves calculating the quantities of raw materials, components, and assemblies needed to fulfill production orders or meet demand forecasts within a specified timeframe.
Merchant haulage refers to a scenario in transportation logistics where the party responsible for arranging and paying for the inland transportation of goods (e.g. port to warehouse) is the cargo owner or another party distinct from the ocean carrier.
The transfer of information from one stakeholder to another and/or between software systems. In the Industry Blueprint the focus is on information flow to parties outside of the carrier organization (e.g. carrier to customers).
A significant occurrence or change of status affecting the process flow of physical or immaterial equipment or documents.
MOQ, or Minimum Order Quantity, refers to the smallest quantity of goods or products that a supplier is willing to sell or a buyer is willing to purchase in a single order. It is a contractual agreement between the supplier and the buyer, setting a threshold below which the transaction may not be economically feasible for one or both parties.
Multimodal transport refers to the transportation of goods using two or more modes of transport under a single contract. It integrates different types of transportation modes, such as road, rail, sea, and air, to optimize the efficiency of cargo movement from origin to destination.
The operational capacity of a vessel on a specific voyage. This capacity takes into account all limiting factors such as the physical capacity on-board, but it also allows for constraints in the terminals to load / discharge the vessel for the specific voyage.
NVOCC stands for Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier and refers to a type of freight consolidator or intermediary that doesn't own any vessels but functions as a carrier by issuing bills of lading, booking space on vessels, and managing shipments. Essentially, NVOCCs act as intermediaries between shippers and ocean carriers, providing shipping services without operating their own vessels.
Off dock storage refers to the practice of storing cargo containers or goods at a location separate from the port terminal or container yard where they were initially unloaded from a vessel. This storage facility, often located nearby but off-terminal, provides additional space for holding containers temporarily before they are moved to their final destination.
OTIF stands for On-Time In-Full, a key performance indicator (KPI) used in supply chain management to measure the percentage of orders delivered to customers both on time and in full. It assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of logistics operations in meeting customer expectations regarding delivery timeliness and order completeness.
Order accuracy in logistics and warehousing refers to the precision with which customer orders are fulfilled.
Order lead time, often referred to simply as lead time, is a crucial concept in supply chain management that defines the duration between the initiation of an order and its fulfillment. It encompasses the entire process from when an order is placed until the goods or services are delivered to the customer or stocked in inventory.
Out of gauge cargo, often abbreviated as OOG cargo, refers to shipments that exceed the standard dimensions or weight limitations for transportation containers or transport vehicles. This type of cargo typically includes oversized, bulky, or irregularly shaped goods that cannot fit within the standard confines of a shipping container or vehicle.
A Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) number is a tracking number used in the United States for road shipments that require pre-arrival customs processing. PAPS is a border-crossing process designed to expedite the clearance of goods entering the U.S. by allowing customs to review shipment information before it reaches the border.
A Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) number is a unique identifier used in the Canadian border clearance process for road shipments entering Canada. The PARS number allows the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to review shipment information before the goods arrive at the border, facilitating faster and more efficient customs clearance.
POD (Port of Discharge) refers to the specific port where goods are unloaded from a vessel at the end of their sea voyage. This term is integral in the logistics and supply chain industry as it marks the point where cargo is transferred from the shipping carrier to the next mode of transportation, such as trucks or trains, or directly to the consignee.
POL (Port of Loading) refers to the specific port where goods are loaded onto a vessel for transportation. In international shipping, the POL is a critical point in the logistics process, marking the beginning of the goods' journey from the exporter to the importer.
A packing list is a document that itemizes the contents of a shipment. It provides detailed information about the goods being transported, including descriptions, quantities, and any special instructions for handling. This document serves as a crucial tool in supply chain and logistics operations, aiding in the verification of goods received, inventory management, and customs clearance processes.
Every entity delivering transportation services within an agreement, e.g. VSA, 3PL.
A facility with piers or docks. Ports are accessed by vessels and represent the destinations of a voyage. Ports can contain one or more terminals.
A port call is defined as a unique intermediate stop of a vessel in the rotation of ports on the voyage. A vessel may have several terminal calls during a single port call.
Port congestion occurs when there is a significant backlog of vessels waiting to enter or leave a port, or when there are delays in cargo loading and unloading processes within the port. It results in extended wait times for ships, increased dwell times for cargo, and overall disruptions to supply chain operations.
A port of entry refers to a designated location where goods and merchandise can legally enter a country for customs inspection and clearance. It serves as the gateway through which imported goods are received and undergo official procedures before being allowed into the domestic market.
Port pair is a term used in the shipping and logistics industry to describe a set of two ports that serve as the origin and destination in a shipping route. A port pair consists of a Port of Loading (POL) and a Port of Discharge (POD).
Re-export refers to the process of exporting goods that were previously imported into a country without undergoing significant alteration or manufacturing processes within that country. Essentially, re-exports involve sending imported goods back out of the country to a different destination.
Re-stowed container means that, at some point along the route, it will be moved from a previous stowage location on board the vessel to another stowage location on board the same vessel. This can be done in one crane move (ship to ship shifting), but more frequently done via shore/the pier (ship to pier shifting).
When an import customer wants to reuse the import container for a new export.
Real time transportation visibility refers to the ability of supply chain professionals to monitor and track the movement of goods and shipments in real time throughout the transportation process. It involves gaining insights into the location and status of shipments as they move through various modes of transportation, such as road, rail, air, or sea.
A reefer container, also known as a refrigerated shipping container, is a specialized shipping container used to transport temperature-sensitive cargo such as fruits, vegetables, pharmaceuticals, and other perishable goods. These containers are equipped with refrigeration units to maintain specific temperature conditions throughout the journey, ensuring the freshness and quality of the cargo.
Reference number contained in the Cargo Release. It is provided by the carrier to the terminal and to the cargo receiver, and it must be presented upon pick up at the terminal.
Reverse logistics refers to the process of managing the flow of products, materials, and information from the point of consumption back to the point of origin or other designated locations. It involves activities such as product returns, repairs, refurbishment, recycling, and disposal, aimed at optimizing the value recovery and sustainability of goods throughout their lifecycle.
When an ocean freight cargo is said to have been ‘rolled’, it means it has not been loaded onto the vessel it was meant to be shipped on but rolled to a subsequent vessel.
Roll-on/roll-off (RORO) shipping is a method of transporting vehicles and other wheeled cargo by allowing them to be driven onto and off of specialized vessels, eliminating the need for cranes or other loading equipment. RORO vessels are equipped with ramps or platforms that facilitate the easy movement of cargo.
Plan for the end-to-end shipment of a shipment. This includes specification of all transport legs, timings, schedules and interdependencies between transport legs.
SCAC stands for Standard Carrier Alpha Code. It's a unique two-to-four letter code assigned to transportation companies for easy identification in the supply chain. These codes are primarily used in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Safety stock, also known as buffer stock or reserve inventory, refers to the extra inventory held by a company above its average demand level. The purpose of safety stock is to provide a buffer against unexpected fluctuations in demand, supply disruptions, or lead time variability.
Sanctions screening is the process of verifying that individuals, companies, and entities involved in a business transaction are not subject to any trade or economic sanctions imposed by governments or international organizations. This process is essential to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and to avoid engaging in prohibited activities.
Scope 3 emissions refer to indirect greenhouse gas emissions generated by activities associated with an organization's value chain, including its upstream and downstream activities such as procurement, transportation, product use, and disposal. These emissions occur outside of an organization's direct control but are a result of its business activities.
A sea waybill, also known as a non-negotiable sea waybill or direct ocean carrier bill of lading, is a document issued by the carrier to acknowledge receipt of goods and confirm the contract of carriage. Unlike a traditional bill of lading, a sea waybill is not a negotiable instrument and does not require endorsement for the transfer of ownership. It serves as a receipt of shipment and a contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier.
A single-use instrument used for securing container or freight car or truck doors.Seals have unique numbers for record purposes.
A Shipment is the realisation of a customer booking for which all containers have a common routing and details of scheduling.
Shipment visibility refers to the ability of supply chain and logistics professionals to track and monitor the movement of goods throughout the entire logistics process, from the point of origin to the final destination. It involves real-time access to information about the status and location of goods as they travel through various stages of transportation and distribution.
The shipper is the entity or party who is responsible for the shipment. This can be dependent on the INCOTERMS under which the cargo moves. If there are any queries around this, please contact your Beacon Account Manager.
An enrichment to the original booking shared by the shipper to the carrier. The shipping instruction includes volume/weight, shipping dates, origin, destination and other special instructions. The information given by the shipper through the shipping instructions is the information, which is required to create the Bill of Lading.
Shipping lanes are predetermined routes used by ships and vessels for transporting goods and commodities across oceans and seas. These routes are established to ensure safe and efficient maritime navigation, taking into account factors such as water depth, currents, weather conditions, and proximity to ports.
A shipping manifest is an essential document in the logistics process, detailing all items being transported on a ship, airplane, or vehicle. It includes information such as the names and addresses of the shipper and consignee, descriptions of the cargo, the quantity and weight of each item, and any special handling instructions. The manifest helps ensure that all parties involved in the shipping process, including customs authorities and logistics providers, have a clear understanding of the cargo being transported.
A short shipment refers to a situation in logistics where the quantity of goods received by the consignee is less than what was originally shipped or expected. It can occur due to various reasons such as inventory discrepancies, packaging errors, transportation issues, or supplier mistakes. Short shipments can disrupt supply chain operations, delay production schedules, and impact customer satisfaction.
Slotting refers to the strategic placement of products within a warehouse to optimize the efficiency of picking, packing, and shipping processes. This involves organizing products based on factors such as their size, weight, demand frequency, and compatibility with other items.
Joint term for cargo, which is not transported in a regular dry container or is considered dangerous goods. This also includes, but is not limited to out of gauge cargo.
All container types other than regular Dry or Reefer containers. Examples of these can be flat racks (open containers for oversized, irregular and/or heavy cargo), Open tops (fitted with a solid removable roof), etc.
A stockout occurs when a business runs out of a particular item or product, leading to its temporary unavailability for sale or distribution. It denotes a situation where customer demand exceeds available inventory, resulting in potential lost sales and customer dissatisfaction.
The vessel operator's instructions to the terminal on the placement of containers on the vessel to prevent damage or loss, or to ensure safety and compliance.
The act of unloading cargo from containers or equipment.
The location where the process of unloading the cargo of a container takes place.
The process of loading the cargo in a container or in/onto another piece of equipment.
Supplier risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with a company's suppliers to ensure continuity and reliability in the supply chain.
Supply Chain 3.0 represents the evolution of traditional supply chain management practices into a more advanced and interconnected model, driven by digital technology and data analytics. This next-generation supply chain approach focuses on enhancing visibility, agility, and collaboration across the entire supply chain ecosystem.
Supply Chain 4.0, an integral part of the broader concept of Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0, represents a paradigm shift in supply chain management driven by digital technologies and advanced analytics. It encompasses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create smarter, more connected, and automated supply chain networks.
Supply chain automation involves the use of technology and software systems to streamline and optimize various processes within the supply chain, including inventory management, order fulfillment, transportation, and warehouse operations. It aims to reduce manual intervention, improve efficiency, and enhance overall supply chain performance.
Supply chain collaboration refers to the strategic partnership and cooperation among different entities within the supply chain, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, warehouses and retailers. It involves sharing information, resources, and responsibilities to optimize processes, improve efficiency, and achieve common goals.
A supply chain control tower is a centralized hub or platform that provides end-to-end visibility and orchestration of supply chain operations in real-time. It acts as a command center where supply chain professionals can monitor, analyze, and manage the flow of goods, information, and finances across the entire supply chain network.
Supply chain data refers to the information generated and collected throughout the entire supply chain process, from procurement of raw materials to delivery of finished products to customers. It encompasses various types of data, including inventory levels, transportation routes, freight tracking milestones, supplier performance, demand forecasts, and customer preferences. Supply chain professionals can analyze this data to gain insights, optimize processes, and make informed decisions to improve efficiency and planning.
Supply chain finance (SCF) refers to a set of financial solutions and practices aimed at optimizing cash flow and working capital management throughout the supply chain. It involves leveraging financial instruments and services to facilitate transactions between buyers, suppliers, and financial institutions, thereby improving liquidity, reducing risk, and enhancing collaboration within the supply chain.
Network design in supply chain management involves creating a strategic framework that outlines the structure and operations of the supply chain.
Supply chain resilience refers to the ability of a supply chain to withstand and recover from disruptions while maintaining continuous operations and delivering products or services to customers without significant impact. It involves the capacity to anticipate, adapt, and respond effectively to various challenges, including natural disasters, geopolitical events, market fluctuations, and supplier disruptions.
Supply chain risk management refers to the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks within a supply chain to ensure continuity and minimize disruptions. It involves analyzing all elements of the supply chain—from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products—to anticipate and address potential vulnerabilities that could impact operations, finances, or reputation.
Supply chain traceability refers to the ability to track and verify the journey of products through every stage of the supply chain, from raw materials to the final consumer.
Also referred to as end-to-end visibility, supply chain visibility refers to the ability of organizations to track, analyze, communicate and monitor the flow of goods as they move across the entire supply chain, from raw material suppliers to end customers. It encompasses real-time data and insights into inventory levels, order statuses, transportation movements, and other key metrics, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions and respond swiftly to changes and disruptions.
Supply planning is the process of aligning supply with demand to ensure that sufficient quantities of goods or materials are available to meet customer needs while minimizing costs and optimizing inventory levels. It involves forecasting demand, determining production or procurement requirements, scheduling production activities, and managing inventory levels to maintain a balance between supply and demand.
A facility for loading, moving or discharging containers. Terminals can be both inland terminals for trucks and rail or port terminals are accessed by vessels and these can contain multiple berths.
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Market Guide: Choosing the best supply chain visibility software for your business
No matter what your supply chain is moving and where it’s moving to, knowing what’s going on at every stage is critical.
Don’t believe us? Just look at the data. Supply chain disruption spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting 57% of businesses thanks to everything from trade disputes and commodity price fluctuations to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters and changes in consumer buying behavior.
While global supply chains have stabilized over the last couple of years, the experience of the pandemic has highlighted the importance of two key aspects of supply chain management.
- Real-time visibility - seeing all your supply chain data in one place and being able to understand what is happening, as it’s happening. This gives you the ability to react to issues as soon as they happen, and deal with them swiftly, minimizing the impact.
- Improved data-led planning - full supply chain visibility enables you to look at what’s gone wrong in the past, and make a plan to ensure the same issues don’t happen again in the future using data-led insights personal to you and your supply chain.
Research from The Economist shows those disruptions can incur heavy financial costs – between 6-10% of annual revenue on average. That’s a significant sum, and while supply chain management software isn’t a golden ticket to completely eliminate risk, investing in the right tools is one of the strongest ways to minimize the impact.
What is supply chain visibility and how does supply chain visibility software work?
Supply chain visibility is about understanding the real-time movement of goods within a supply chain, and being able to share that information with everybody who needs it.
Providing both ‘in the moment’ data about where goods are in the supply chain as well as the historic data - distinctive of your business’ supply chain - needed to proactively drive better, more informed decisions in the future.
With that information, businesses can take action to boost supply chain reliability through improved planning, limit the impact of issues, and hold carriers and forwarders accountable. Plus, better visibility helps to reduce freight costs, streamline collaboration, increase customer satisfaction, and improve supply chain sustainability.
At the core of all of these benefits sit new, technologically advanced supply chain visibility software platforms. These can pull together vast amounts of data from shipping companies, ports, and even the weather and temperature – all relating to your supply chain and making it possible to see where your inventory is in real time.
How to choose the best supply chain visibility software
All pretty simple so far. The challenge comes from knowing which supply chain software solutions are best suited to you and your business.
There are all sorts of different options. So finding the right fit is a matter of knowing what you need, and then making sure you pick something that ticks all those boxes.
A few of the most vital things to look for are:
- Multimodal support: There is great power in a single source of truth. If your supply chain depends on multiple transportation methods to move inventory by ocean, air, and road, then you’ll want multimodal tracking software rather than a single-mode solution (for example, ocean-only).
- User experience: Getting value from technology investments depends on user adoption and it’s important to remember we’re not all data scientists. If your supply chain software isn’t user-friendly enough for everyone in your teams to work with, then that will limit its adoption and effectiveness.
- Feature set: Some software specializes in tracking only. But when other platforms include planning, sustainability, and detailed reporting functionality, you may not be getting your money’s worth.
- Scalability and price: Supply chain visibility shouldn’t come at the expense of financial stability, so a pricing structure that makes sense now - and will keep making sense as you grow - is essential.
Looking for those points is all well and good in theory. But when you’re browsing through the options, it isn’t always easy to get a quick summary of what sets each tool apart. So we’ve broken down some key points about the most popular platforms.
2023 Market Guide: Supply chain visibility software
Beacon
PROS
☆ Automated multimodal ocean, air, and road tracking
☆ Reporting, analytics and planning tools
☆ Carbon reporting and carbon offsetting tools
☆ Advanced sharing and collaboration features
☆ Full carrier integration across pricing tiers
☆ Fast set-up
☆ Document storage and sharing
CONS
X Advanced features (historical reporting) only available at Pro tier
Let’s start with ourselves. Beacon’s supply chain visibility software offers comprehensive ocean, air, and road tracking, effective planning and reporting tools, and industry-leading carbon reporting and carbon offsetting tools. And best of all, collaboration and sharing is integrated into the entire platform, so you can share live information for all your shipments seamlessly across all your stakeholders in the supply chain.
That’s a lot of information, but not everyone’s a data scientist, so all of Beacon’s insights are wrapped up in simple, easy-to-understand dashboards that mean you and your stakeholders will always be able to see the most relevant information at a glance - and act on it faster than ever before.
In terms of cost, Beacon’s pricing model works on a tier system, so you can decide which plan makes the most sense for your business, and seamlessly upgrade as you continue to grow.
Set-up is one of the easiest in the market. While ERP integration is supported, it’s not a requirement, so with Beacon you can get up and running to start seeing all your shipments clearly within minutes.
GoComet
PROS
☆ Multimodal ocean, air, and road tracking
☆ Reporting, analytics and planning tools
☆ Free trials available
☆ Also offer complementary products for RFQ management, dispatch planning and freight invoice reconciliation
CONS
X Difficult to easily share data and collaborate
X Some carriers only supported at gated behind higher pricing tiers
X Advanced features gated behind price tiers
X Not focused solely on supply chain visibility
Like Beacon, GoComet has planning, multimodal tracking, and auditing features that give businesses a thorough overview of their global supply chains. You’ll also see GoComet offering free trials, which is a useful way to get a feel for the software.
Where GoComet doesn’t quite measure up to some of the other platforms on this list is in collaboration features and overall user experience. While it does offer a collaboration solution, it’s much more focused on project and task management, rather than the sharing of visibility and real time data with partners.
That’s because visibility isn’t the company’s sole focus. GoComet offers a variety of modular solutions like procurement management as part of a range of business tools – but that does come at the expense of a precise focus on supply chain visibility.
Another factor worth noting is that GoComet gates some of its carrier support behind pricing tiers. If you’re on a lower tier, you’re only getting partial visibility and may be left exposed if you’re using a carrier that your tier doesn’t support.
Shippeo
PROS
☆Multimodal ocean, air, and road tracking
☆ Reporting, analytics and planning tools
☆ Live dashboard to house all supply chain data
☆ White-labeled portals for collaboration
CONS
X Can be difficult to onboard smaller forwarders and carriers
X Customers report inconsistent road tracking reliability
Shippeo is similar to GoComet, offering planning and multi-modal tracking features that give businesses more visibility into their supply chains through integration with hundreds of different carrier systems.
Like Beacon, Shippeo brings that information together in a single portal, with a streamlined user experience. Along with white-labeled portals for collaboration and a cost structure that’s based on volume.
While Shippeo does offer a carrier integration and onboarding service, some customers report issues when working with smaller carriers with less developed technology infrastructures. The quality and reliability of road tracking has also been cited as a problem in a number of customer reviews.
Project44 and FourKites
PROS
☆ Multimodal ocean, air, and road tracking
☆ Reporting and analytics tools
☆ Powerful data capabilities
☆ Specific focus on high-volume businesses
CONS
X Not as well suited to smaller businesses
X Implementation can be expensive and time-consuming
X Not as accessible for inexperienced users
X Doesn’t support certain freight forwarders and unknown carriers
We’ve bundled these two platforms together, because both Project44 and FourKites have a strong emphasis on high-volume enterprise customers. That means the financial cost and implementation time can be significantly greater than other options like Beacon which are targeted to a wider range of businesses with faster setup and competitive pricing.
These two tools are also heavily focused on raw, technical data. That makes sense, as larger businesses will have dedicated teams with the skills to interpret complex information. But it does mean they lack the clean, streamlined user experiences that make other options easier for the average person. So that’s worth keeping in mind if a simpler, more intuitive experience is your priority.
The enterprise focus also means that some smaller businesses may find that not all of their needs are covered. For example, Project44 doesn’t support tracking for certain freight forwarders or for unknown carriers, which can be a challenge if you’re working with smaller partners.
Wakeo
PROS
☆ Multimodal ocean, air, and road tracking
☆ Reporting and analytics tools
☆ Carbon reporting and carbon offsetting tools
CONS
X Difficult to easily share data and collaborate
X Still in the earlier stages of development
Wakeo is another emerging supply chain visibility solution, with multimodal tracking that integrates with hundreds of carriers – along with analytics capabilities, and carbon footprint features.
It’s still in the earlier stages of its development though, recently receiving new funding to add more features. That process will take some time, which means there’s still a gap when it comes to high-quality collaboration and data-sharing functionality.
Ocean-only trackers 🌊
PROS
☆ Dedicated ocean tracking functionality
☆ Bespoke support for specific types of regulatory compliance
☆ Ocean-specific features like port congestion planning
CONS
X Not suitable for full supply chain visibility
X No support for road, air, or rail tracking
X Many platforms lack additional features such as carbon reporting or streamlined collaboration tools
Last but not least, there’s the wide range of supply chain visibility software focusing exclusively on transportation by sea.
This category includes the likes of Windward, Terminal49, MarineTraffic, SeaRates, and many more. While very good at what they do, they won’t help you solve your supply chain visibility problems if you transport anything by road, air or rail.
They’re great options for specific types of regulatory compliance, especially in the US. But there are other platforms that do much more.
Why choose Beacon as your supply chain visibility solution
That leads us back to Beacon. A single source of truth for all your supply chain data, combining real-time visibility with powerful collaboration tools – so that you can share insights across your supply chain network.
This accessibility and level of detail mean every partner can make accurate, informed decisions – planning more efficiently and reacting quickly to get ahead of supply chain issues before they become crises. All through intuitive, sleek dashboards and instant integration with existing systems for easy, streamlined set-up.
Trusted by global businesses large and small, we believe that Beacon is the most comprehensive supply chain visibility solution on the market. And we’re adding new features all the time to keep it that way.
So if you haven’t already given Beacon a try, talk to us today to start unleashing the power of supply chain visibility.