Optimizing Capacity with Integrated Lane Scoring
Customer Company Size
Mid-size Company
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Descartes MacroPoint Capacity Network
- FreightWaves SONAR Lane Score
Tech Stack
- Real-time freight visibility
- Automated capacity matching
- Market pricing intelligence
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Customer Satisfaction
- Productivity Improvements
- Cost Savings
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Networks & Connectivity - Network Management & Analysis Software
Applicable Industries
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Business Operation
Use Cases
- Fleet Management
- Predictive Maintenance
- Supply Chain Visibility
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
About The Customer
Sunset Transportation is a certified women-owned third party logistics (3PL) company with 2nd generation, family-style Midwest roots. Driven by the right-size fit for each customer, Sunset uses domestic and global supply chain resources to be the ultimate service provider for shippers looking to streamline their logistics programs. As a 3PL provider, Sunset Transportation has been a Descartes MacroPoint™ customer since 2019, utilizing the combined Descartes MacroPoint Capacity Network and FreightWaves SONAR Lane Score solution to view carrier density and market conditions across more than 1 million truckload transportation lanes. This integrated solution enables the 3PL to prioritize lanes with tight capacity to protect load margins, minimize risk, and enhance customer service.
The Challenge
To keep pace with business growth, Sunset Transportation implemented the Descartes MacroPoint real-time freight visibility and automated capacity matching solution in late 2019. By leveraging the Descartes MacroPoint Capacity Network to view available carrier density across North America, the 3PL has been able to better select carriers for upcoming loads from an expanded pool—in a fraction of the time compared to traditional manual methods. While the solution has helped Sunset to boost productivity and increase load volumes, low freight availability over the past two years has called attention to the impact of tight capacity on rates and margins. To further simplify capacity sourcing decision-making, Sunset wanted a more automated means of evaluating available capacity and market pricing intelligence by transportation lane.
The Solution
Sunset Transportation uses FreightWaves SONAR Lane Score, as part of the Descartes MacroPoint Capacity Network, to view current market conditions across the North American over-the-road network. SONAR’s scoring system represents how attractive (or not) it will be to cover open loads in each lane. This critical indicator of lane attractiveness, combined with the calculated inbound capacity score from the Descartes solution, enables Sunset to prioritize lanes where capacity is tight to proactively adapt to market rate movements and minimize risk. The combined solution also enables Sunset to automate load coverage decision-making processes, using lane scores as automation triggers to send offers to the most appropriate carriers servicing the network. With critical data points at its fingertips, the 3PL can prioritize and execute load decisions in a faster, reliable, and more cost-effective way. “Seeing the score at a glance reduces the need for manual entry and review of lane data using external program sources (e.g., DAT lane scorecard),” said Morgan. “It’s been a huge time-saver for us.”
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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