B2B SaaS applications are designed for customers to save time and work more productively. In order to work seamlessly with their existing platform, such as WordPress, a CRM, or in the case of logistics - inside a TMS, the SaaS application should be fully integrated into the primary system. Therefore, the adjunct SaaS services can be used effectively without having to manually move data or continuously toggle between systems. Integrations in general serve the purpose of creating a connected experience for users. True native integrations allow clients to move data back and forth between systems in the same user interface.
Native Integrations
Native integrations are integrations built directly between two or more SaaS systems. The applications typically use each system’s APIs to create a comprehensive connection. This is the adage, one plus one equals three. The two systems connected are more powerful than the sum of the parts.
Native integrations enable SaaS companies to control the entire integration lifecycle, including development, design, implementation, support, and modification. Because native integrations are built directly to each system’s API, they are able to achieve greater functionality, including leveraging all the potential actions of the API. These integrations can be more customized and address a greater number of use cases to meet the customer’s objectives. In addition, the UI of the software can be tailored within either application to provide easier user installation and experience.
Benefits of Native Integrations
1. Flexibility and higher functionality
Native integrations give SaaS companies and their customers more control over a) when data is exchanged, b) how it flows, and c) under what conditions. These connections allow clients to set up workflows in the exact way its employees use their system.
2. Data accuracy, visibility and availability
A B2B SaaS company and its customer will have complete visibility into user activity and data accuracy.
3. Increased customer retention and satisfaction
When integrations represent use cases that B2B customers want, are easy to use, and are reliable, then customer retention and satisfaction increases. Embedding the SaaS UI directly into the customers’ primary platform ensures the software’s functionality becomes critical to their users’ business processes, reduces inefficiency, and adds significant capabilities to the underlying system.
4. Better partnerships
When SaaS companies integrate directly with customer APIs, they acquire a greater understanding of the product and the synergies between their products. This connection builds stronger partner relationships between the primary platform, the SaaS product, and the users of each.
Logistics TMS and Integrated Tools
Like Salesforce in B2B sales and WordPress in online website development, a freight broker’s TMS is the center of a cohesive network. Both Salesforce and WordPress have an ecosystem of B2B Saas partners and apps that seamlessly plug into the platform and provide an integrated experience for their users.
Likewise, in the truckload life cycle, a 3PL should expect all of its SaaS partners to provide an API that allows for an easy integration into the existing UI of the TMS. Load boards like DAT, Truckstop.com and KeepTruckin all integrate into the TMS to provide opportunities for digital freight matching. Marketplaces such as Greenscreen.ai and SONAR integrate with a TMS to provide rate benchmarking. Data providers such as RMIS and Carrier411 integrate into TMS to provide carrier onboarding and compliance. Most recently, P44 and FourKites have made their APIs available to every TMS to provide real time tracking and visibility.
Every company in your freight broker tech stack should offer a native integration to allow users to work effortlessly inside your existing TMS. Toggling back and forth across multiple screens, browsers or software platforms is inefficient and unproductive. Similar to the examples above, a 3PL should expect the same level of service from its capacity management solution. Truckload procurement is possibly the most critical element in the load cycle during times of tight capacity. Expecting carrier sales reps to navigate multiple systems increases the risk of disruption.
FreightFriend’s Capacity Procurement Solution Integrates into your TMS
FreightFriend allows clients to work in their existing TMS to reduce friction and risk. Other capacity management providers require brokers to operate inside their proprietary UI to collect broker data to fuel their marketplace. This method of operations lends itself to data risk for the 3PL and its customers.
At FreightFriend, our microservice API’s provide state of the art integrations with all of our TMS partners.
Our capacity management platform keeps broker, shipper, and carrier data private. We never aggregate your data into a marketplace that can be seen by your competitors. Instead, we create intuitive carrier relationship management which allows customers to book more loads with their existing carrier sales team. Your carrier sales reps are empowered to leverage relationships with every transaction. Carrier sales teams can easily manage and gather proprietary information on carriers to book loads better, faster, and smarter. Our data powered truckload procurement solution is a trusted ecosystem, where brokers match the right capacity to the right freight.
Freight Brokers Expect Integrated TMS Applications
In today's SaaS climate, business processes need continuous improvement. Logistics brokers today expect interoperability between the TMS they use and the B2B SaaS solutions surrounding it. Carrier sales reps expect to work seamlessly within the TMS and the truckload capacity procurement software.
Productivity suffers and the value of your TMS is limited if the truckload life cycle software considered necessary for you to book loads isn’t properly integrated into a seamless solution.
Integrations are a product differentiator and a catalyst for growth. While there are many B2B software options available to supply chain participants, brokers and shippers should be choosing the vendors with native integrations that reduce friction, maximize productivity, and protect data privacy.