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The world has changed in the past 10 years. 10 years ago, you’d see lots of freight forwarders more or less happy with their manual container tracking processes. Now, everyone has seen how technology has improved. No one realistically believes they can outperform the competition by pulling together their visibility data by hand. They know they need some kind of automated solution.
But that leads forwarders to a critical choice: should they buy or build their container visibility solution? This choice can significantly impact operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and bottom-line results.
Let's explore why investing in a proven visibility solution pretty much always makes more business sense than building one internally.
The Hidden Costs of Building In-House
When evaluating the build option, many organizations focus solely on direct development costs. However, the true expense goes far beyond initial development:
- Continuous maintenance and updates to handle ever-changing data sources
- Dedicated IT resources required to keep the system running smoothly
- Opportunity costs of delayed market entry while developing the solution
Consider the experience of major players in the industry: Expeditors, for instance, attempted to build their own visibility solution but ultimately abandoned the project, recognizing the complexity and ongoing resource demands.
The hidden costs of container tracking: Why cheap solutions cost more than you think
The Value of Proven Solutions
Purpose-built visibility platforms offer several key advantages:
- Fully reliable, standardized, and accurate container-level reporting, vastly reducing the risk of incorrect data
- Seamless integrations across multiple data sources (SSLs, terminals, rail carriers etc.)
- Continuous improvements and updates without straining internal resources
- Rapid deployment and immediate value realization: Start getting value with just a master bill or booking
- Instantly benefit from insights and improvements built over years by a team of dedicated experts instead of starting from scratch
Real Impact on Client Relationships
The right visibility solution can transform how you serve your clients. Companies using professional visibility platforms report:
- Enhanced ability to provide accurate, real-time updates to clients
- Improved client trust through consistent, reliable reporting
- Better positioning against competitors who struggle with visibility issues
- Fewer delays resulting in less customer frustration
- Less firefighting and reacting to incidents, leading to more confident and less stressed employees that can spend more time serving customers better
Making the Smart Investment
When comparing costs, consider the total value equation:
- Compare the actual cost of a visibility platform against the full expense of internal development and maintenance
- Factor in the opportunity cost of delayed implementation
- Consider the long-term scalability and reliability benefits
The Bottom Line
While building in-house might seem attractive initially, the complexity of modern supply chains demands a sophisticated, reliable solution. Professional visibility platforms offer a faster, more reliable path to achieving your visibility goals while allowing your team to focus on core business activities.
In today's fast-moving logistics landscape, the question isn't whether you need container visibility – it's how to implement it most effectively. Choose a solution that grows with you, maintains accuracy, and delivers immediate value to your organization.
