Digitizing the Supply Chain: The Digital Quotation Process
One of the simplest rules in the business world is: no deal without a quote – especially in the shipping industry. Customers need shipping quotes to be able to decide whether to hire a carrier, to know what to expect from a service, what to provide and to compare different service providers. For providers, on the other hand, quotes are important because they define exactly what needs to be delivered when. In short, quotations are essential and a relevant part of the supply chain.
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The digital transformation of global supply chains
Supply chains are currently undergoing a significant transformation process. In recent years, a complex, coordinated analog process, in which every little cogwheel had to mesh perfectly like an old-fashioned clock, has been transformed into a digital process. This new process is much faster, more secure, more effective and, above all, easier and more customer oriented. The quotation process is a good example of this - especially in container shipping.
To understand how much the quotation process for freight quotes has changed as a result of digitalization, it is worth looking back at what it was like in the analog world just a few years ago. That's why we at Hapag-Lloyd introduced Quick Quotes in 2018 as one of the first carriers to offer a tool for digital freight quotes. Want to find out more now? Then click here.
Hapag-Lloyd is the pioneer in the digitalization of quotation creation. As the first global player in container shipping, the first corresponding tool, Quick Quotes, went online in August 2018. This was followed by Quick Quotes Spot, which calculates a binding freight rate, including a loading and equipment guarantee. The latter is a real added value in times of difficult delivery routes and delays.
The analog shipping quotation process
In the past, the process of obtaining and preparing quotations in container shipping was quite complicated and, above all, lengthy. It almost always took a couple of hours and could even take up to three to four days for more complicated cases.
Communication between customers and a shipping company took place via telephone, email or fax and was always limited by the business hours of both sides which were heavily reliant on time zones as well, since shipping is an international business.
In detail, the process was as follows: the customers provided details of what kind of freight they wanted to ship when and where. The shipping company would then begin with its research. Which routes, times and prices were available and what would be offered to the customer and under which conditions. This process would continue until both parties were satisfied with the offer.
The digital quotation process in container shipping
However, the analog times are over for many customers. Of course, there are still good reasons to fall back on the old, more personal method. Many providers now offer digital tools. The digital process offered by Hapag-Lloyd, for example, is characterized by three main benefits: It is fast, flexible and automated. We at Hapag-Lloyd offer our customers two options to get freight quotes: Quick Quotes and Quick Quotes Spot.
In case you are not 100 % familiar with our quotation options, here are the main facts you need to know:
- Quick Quotes provides you with a quote in just 30 seconds. The rate is valid for up to 30 days, and you have a flexible choice of departures and can place multiple bookings from one quote.
- Quick Quotes Spot provides you with a fixed spot rate and a booking confirmation. The offer is valid for three hours for a selected voyage and includes equipment and loading guarantee at load ports and transshipment
Despite their different use cases, both of the tools offer you several benefits:
- Near real-time communication: Instead of email, fax or telephone, customers can now conveniently use an online form to enter their requirements quickly and immediately receive their quotation within seconds
- Always on: The online quotation tools are always available. Nobody must take business hours or different time zones into account anymore.
- Quotes within 30 seconds: Thanks to the high level of automation offered by Quick Quotes, customers receive a quote within 30 seconds. There is no more waiting time needed and our customers can make a qualified decision quickly.
- Constant further development: Digital supply chains are constantly evolving. So are our online quoting tools. We continue to add new improvements to the existing tools to meet our customers’ demands and continue to make their business lives even easier.
Hapag-Lloyd is a pioneer in digital shipping quotes
Today, it is hard to imagine container shipping without digital quotations. It is an important component of digital supply chains, without which global logistics would lose much of its effectiveness. If you want to get fast, reliable and transparent online quotes for container transport, you should try Quick Quotes or Quick Quotes Spot.
As you can see, a lot has changed in recent years and the quotation is being transformed steadily. Even if there are still usage situations where the old process still has a right to exist, the booking process is now much faster, simpler and more transparent. Both sides benefit from this: The customers and the carriers.
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