Best Ways to Track Your LTL Shipment
For businesses, tracking plays an integral role in supply chain management. It is a critical part of maintaining inventory levels, production pace, and purchasing patterns. Accurate freight tracking can help locate lost or stolen goods and settle insurance claims. It also provides valuable data that can be used to optimize shipping routes and improve the efficiency of shipping operations. Tracking is an essential part of the freight shipping process. It helps shippers, businesses, and consumers stay informed about the status of their shipments so they can modify expectations and react effectively to any unforeseen delays that may arise.
Tracking Your LTL Freight
While LTL shipping is a flexible and cost-effective way to move goods, it is also logistically complex. Shipments are consolidated together, change hands often, and are reorganized at various carrier hubs along their route, which means there are plenty of opportunities for delays due to weather, traffic, human error, or accidents along the way. However, it also means that LTL shipments have many checkpoints throughout their journey where their location is identified and logged. For shippers, it is important to check up on the location and status of your shipment along its journey to remain aware of any potential delays in order to adjust expectations and adapt your supply chain accordingly. There are several different methods carriers use to keep track of your shipment while it is on the way to its destination.
Bill of Lading Number. The first and most universal way to track your shipment through your LTL carrier is by using the bill of lading (BOL) number. Every BOL issued has a unique number assigned to it, and entering the BOL number into most LTL carriers’ websites will provide the shipment’s most recent logged location.
PRO Number. Another number that can be used to track your LTL shipment through your carrier is the progressive rotating order (PRO) number. A PRO number is a 7-10 digit number assigned to a shipment by the carrier, typically attached to LTL loads in the form of a scannable barcode sticker. Because the PRO number is assigned by the carrier and subsequently scanned into their system at each hub and checkpoint, entering it into the carrier’s website is a reliable way of tracking the latest logged status of your shipment.
PO Number. Purchase order (PO) numbers, usually assigned by the purchaser, can also be used to track your LTL shipment status. PO numbers are used in many business transactions and are typically included on all documents pertaining to a specific order.
If, for some reason, none of these numbers is available, searching an LTL shipment by its pickup request confirmation number, customer reference number, or even the pickup date and time window can also help a shipper locate their shipment in a carrier’s system.
Using an Online Shipping Platform to Track Your LTL Shipment
As stated in the previous section, there are a variety of ways to track your shipment through an LTL carrier’s system. However, rather than searching through documents for BOL numbers or PRO labels, the most efficient way to track a shipment is through Koho’s online shipping platform. When you obtain a quote and book an LTL shipment through Koho, all your LTL freight information is automatically stored in one place on the online platform. Shippers have instant access to all shipping documents, including the bill of lading, proof of delivery, and past shipping invoices, as well as all tracking data. Koho is digitally integrated with carrier tracking systems, and real-time information is updated directly to the platform, so you know where your LTL freight is at all times.
In addition, Koho’s messaging feature allows you to gain shared visibility on the status of a shipment and communicate directly with all parties involved in transporting the freight. Instead of searching through a carrier’s website, sending emails, or making phone calls, shippers can receive any updates regarding a shipment’s status directly on the platform. They can also contact carriers and other team members in the event that a delay or other issue occurs, allowing for more efficient communication, greater transparency, and faster supply chain adaptation. A tech-enabled 3PL like Koho gives shippers more detailed insight into their shipment’s status and direct access to the LTL experts at Koho to help fix any problems that may arise. To simplify your shipping experience and increase visibility on all your future shipments, contact Koho for your next LTL shipment to ensure you stay on top of your freight every step of the way.
Best Ways to Track Your LTL Shipment
For businesses, tracking plays an integral role in supply chain management. It is a critical part of maintaining inventory levels, production pace, and purchasing patterns. Accurate freight tracking can help locate lost or stolen goods and settle insurance claims. It also provides valuable data that can be used to optimize shipping routes and improve the efficiency of shipping operations. Tracking is an essential part of the freight shipping process. It helps shippers, businesses, and consumers stay informed about the status of their shipments so they can modify expectations and react effectively to any unforeseen delays that may arise.
Tracking Your LTL Freight
While LTL shipping is a flexible and cost-effective way to move goods, it is also logistically complex. Shipments are consolidated together, change hands often, and are reorganized at various carrier hubs along their route, which means there are plenty of opportunities for delays due to weather, traffic, human error, or accidents along the way. However, it also means that LTL shipments have many checkpoints throughout their journey where their location is identified and logged. For shippers, it is important to check up on the location and status of your shipment along its journey to remain aware of any potential delays in order to adjust expectations and adapt your supply chain accordingly. There are several different methods carriers use to keep track of your shipment while it is on the way to its destination.
Bill of Lading Number. The first and most universal way to track your shipment through your LTL carrier is by using the bill of lading (BOL) number. Every BOL issued has a unique number assigned to it, and entering the BOL number into most LTL carriers’ websites will provide the shipment’s most recent logged location.
PRO Number. Another number that can be used to track your LTL shipment through your carrier is the progressive rotating order (PRO) number. A PRO number is a 7-10 digit number assigned to a shipment by the carrier, typically attached to LTL loads in the form of a scannable barcode sticker. Because the PRO number is assigned by the carrier and subsequently scanned into their system at each hub and checkpoint, entering it into the carrier’s website is a reliable way of tracking the latest logged status of your shipment.
PO Number. Purchase order (PO) numbers, usually assigned by the purchaser, can also be used to track your LTL shipment status. PO numbers are used in many business transactions and are typically included on all documents pertaining to a specific order.
If, for some reason, none of these numbers is available, searching an LTL shipment by its pickup request confirmation number, customer reference number, or even the pickup date and time window can also help a shipper locate their shipment in a carrier’s system.
Using an Online Shipping Platform to Track Your LTL Shipment
As stated in the previous section, there are a variety of ways to track your shipment through an LTL carrier’s system. However, rather than searching through documents for BOL numbers or PRO labels, the most efficient way to track a shipment is through Koho’s online shipping platform. When you obtain a quote and book an LTL shipment through Koho, all your LTL freight information is automatically stored in one place on the online platform. Shippers have instant access to all shipping documents, including the bill of lading, proof of delivery, and past shipping invoices, as well as all tracking data. Koho is digitally integrated with carrier tracking systems, and real-time information is updated directly to the platform, so you know where your LTL freight is at all times.
In addition, Koho’s messaging feature allows you to gain shared visibility on the status of a shipment and communicate directly with all parties involved in transporting the freight. Instead of searching through a carrier’s website, sending emails, or making phone calls, shippers can receive any updates regarding a shipment’s status directly on the platform. They can also contact carriers and other team members in the event that a delay or other issue occurs, allowing for more efficient communication, greater transparency, and faster supply chain adaptation. A tech-enabled 3PL like Koho gives shippers more detailed insight into their shipment’s status and direct access to the LTL experts at Koho to help fix any problems that may arise. To simplify your shipping experience and increase visibility on all your future shipments, contact Koho for your next LTL shipment to ensure you stay on top of your freight every step of the way.
