Shipping analytics

Shipping analytics provide valuable insights into your business

Seamless, contactless, anytime-anywhere commerce is on the rise. Businesses want to compete with the best in this post-pandemic era. Consumers are loyal to brands with frictionless checkouts. So, shippers need to have faster delivery systems, thus giving excellent customer satisfaction.

With this in mind, analysis of shipping data is necessary for businesses. The assessment of shipping costs with shipping reports was a part of our earlier blogs. However, this blog will cover the importance of shipping analytics and reporting.

Shipping analytics and reporting-why is it essential?

Shipping data is analysed based on the demand for shipping products, shipping costs, unshipped orders, and on-time performance by carriers, fulfillment centres, etc. Hence, understanding a company’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is critical in controlling costs. Shipping analysis of information increases savings with intelligent reporting across all regions. It helps in improving shipping performance and service.

Shipping analysis augmented by shipping reports

Analysis of shipping data gives companies a 360- degree view of their shipping profiles. Shippers stay updated on any shipping errors that occur during shipments. They get instant information about the on-time delivery of goods and any last-mile shipping costs. Shipping analysis involves a review of past shipping history data and its evaluation. Further, shippers can look for financial opportunities with the shipping analysis. So, companies receive all the above information through shipping reports.

What is a shipping report?

A shipping report gives an overview of a business’ shipping profile. It includes parameters such as the order number, order date, customer name and address, shipping items, quantity, etc. Shippers get regular updates about service changes made by shipping carriers like changes in tariff rates, discounts, and levy of surcharges. Analysts prepare various shipping reports that are simple to understand for businesses.

Kinds of shipping reports

There are various types of shipping reports that improve customer satisfaction. These reports are customized to make it easy for shippers to understand their shipping expenditures. Some of these shipping reports are

Shipping services report

This report provides shipping details about the shipping carriers and their services. Shipping services such as 1-day, 2-day, and overnight delivery by different carriers are evaluated and shared with the customer.

Shipping information report

Shipping information of parcel and freight shipping of each company is analysed based on the recent shipping activity. This report consists of the order number, order date, customer’s name and address, quantity shipped, weight description, delivery date, etc.

Freight shipment report

This report monitors and tracks freight shipment globally in real-time. It allows experts to analyse the shipping routes, locations, volumes, network of freight carriers, and more. In addition, shippers can make data-based, vital decisions on their freight shipments.

Logistics and supply chain reporting

Shipping analysis also includes logistics and supply chain reporting. The report monitors and optimizes KPIs and supply chain metrics. Further, supply chain metrics define and quantify supply chain performance. Examples of supply chain metrics include:

  • Freight invoice accuracy

Freight invoices issued by the shipping carriers contain a description of the freight, port origin, shipper’s name, shipment weight, etc.  However, most freight invoices do not match the final, original quotation. It leads to duplicate payments, errors in discounts, incorrect delivery addresses, and overpayments. Thus, checking the accuracy of freight invoices is vital for businesses to save money.

  • Delivery time

Mentioning the precise delivery time improves the supply chain performance of goods. In addition, companies offer special delivery services to decrease delivery time. It improves customer satisfaction and attracts more orders from such companies.

  • Pick and Pack Cycle time

The time to pick an item from the shelf and pack it helps in learning the efficiency of the supply chain. Hence, tracking any delays and rectifying them will help bring down any inefficiencies in the system.

Container shipping analysis

According to some reports, the global shipping container market will grow by 12% from 2020 to 2028. Hence, analysis of shipping containers on intuitive shipping software platforms benefits companies. The analysis reports provide a comprehensive overview of revenue forecast, company ranking, volumes shipped, growth opportunities, and more. In addition, the analysis offers companies competitive strategies to stay ahead. Further, it provides the means to sustain in fast-evolving markets.

Advantages of using shipping analytics and reporting

Audintel is your audit partner in the shipping industry. We analyse shipping billing errors and instantly notify our clients. It allows our clients to take the appropriate action where possible. We assess the delivery performance of the various shipping carriers daily. Audintel has customised many shipping reports that provide our clients with information at their fingertips. Our intuitive dashboards help our clients have visibility to their shipments. In addition, we customise our shipping reports according to our client’s preferences.

Final thoughts

Shippers require transparency about their shipping profile to save money and reduce costs. For this reason, shipping analysis is essential for uncovering shipping errors. Further, the analysed data is represented in shipping reports so shippers can make informed decisions. Audintel is the best auditing partner for your shipping needs. Our intuitive dashboards and easy-to-use shipping reports help shippers make profits in their businesses. We are there for you. Contact us for further information on +1 (619) 354 8539 or visit our Audintel website.

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How to track shipping expenditure with shipping reports?

Are surcharges hurting your bottom line? Do you wonder which areas of your shipment cost more? Shipping reports give greater visibility to your shipping data.

You can get an idea about your total spending with the help of shipping reports. It will help you get a grip on any wayward shipping expenses. Here, we will focus on essential reports that track shipping expenditure.

Importance of Shipping reports

Shipping dashboards give a glimpse into the shipping profile of shippers. Similarly, shipping reports track the shipping expenses of companies. Businesses have a real-time overview of packages and charges from these reports. In addition, shippers monitor parcel deliveries made by multiple carriers and the charges incurred during the shipment. Thus, companies effectively manage freight and parcel costs with these reports.

Four essential shipping reports

Parcel carriers and audit companies offer different kinds of reports. These reports consist of complex information that is not easy to understand for companies. Shippers need easy-to-use information that points to the areas that are increasing shipping costs. We, at Audintel, believe four essential shipping reports track the shipping expenses of companies. These four key reports comprise:

Analysis details report

This report analyzes the details of each parcel. A shipped package is assigned a unique tracking number. With the help of this tracking number, our customers can see all the charges associated with their packages. These charges include fuel surcharges, freight charges, accessorial charges, and more. Further, it gives the discounts applied on the parcels. In addition, the report provides details of the scheduled date of delivery, actual delivery date, zone, and dimensions of the package.

Charge Summary by Service report

This report gives an account of the charges associated with the carrier services. It provides an overview of the number of packages shipped and invoice amount by a particular service. Further, it gives all the accessorial charges in third-party shipments. For instance, for a 2nd Day Air A.M. Commercial service shipment, charges in a week can be fuel surcharge, freight charges, additional handling charges, etc. This report gives a breakup of the charges by services.

Invoice Summary by Account Numbers Report

This report explores the total spend for each account number.  It provides all the charges for each account number. The net amount, total discount, and the number of packages for each service and account number are a part of the report.  It summarizes the breakdown of charges by account number. Shippers can see all the expenses according to the account number in this report.

Weight distribution by Service and Zone Report

This report details the weight of packages by zone and service. It evaluates the net amount of each parcel by weight and zones. For example, if shipping a package through UPS standard service, the weight is between 50 and 150 lbs in zone 2, the total spend is 21 USD. The report shows the data and status of shipments to our clients.

In this way, we track shipping expenditure with these shipping reports.

Additional Shipping reports that lower shipping costs

Other than these essential reports, Audintel has other shipping reports that track shipping costs. Our earlier blog mentioned some of these reports. The reports were Annual Summary Report(summary of all the charges per package for each service annually); Net Spend Summary Report(highlights a business’ total spends and refund for each service “at a glance”  every week); Service Level Summary Report(provides all the shipping charges by service level); and service Summary Report(gives an overview of all the services the client uses per zone).

In sum, shipping reports give shippers an account of the expenses made during shipment. As well as the amount the carrier charges shippers for each shipment.

Save money by using Audintel’s shipping reports

The next-generation analytics and automation platform of Audintel provides cost-saving solutions to our customers. We help our clients receive refunds if carriers charge them inappropriately. Audintel has the most comprehensive Billing Error Identification Platform in the industry. These reports as discussed above help our clients. Clients have greater visibility of their data and benefit immensely from the various shipping reports provided by us. Audintel offers unique solutions to our clients regarding shipping parcels.

Conclusion

Businesses need real-time information to manage their expenses. Partnering with parcel audit teams helps shippers curb their shipping costs. Shipping reports are the right tools for shippers to monitor their shipments. With the help of these reports, it is easy to identify invalid charges. To learn more about the various shipping reports that cater to your needs, contact us at [email protected] know more about us and our services, visit the Audintel website or call us at +1 (619) 354 8539.