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Maximizing Load Bookings with Freight Transport Automation

Governments are keen on introducing high capacity vehicles (HCV) to limit traffic congestion and reduce carbon footprints through freight transportation. But, truckers struggle with finding their next load on the backhaul and, of course, want to clear payments as fast as possible.

E-commerce has brought about a 5% increase in urban shipment demand. But, the situation is- retailers complain of goods not reaching the customer in time because of trucker shortage. And transporters claim- they suffer significant losses due to deadhead miles. Ironically, the load trucks are rolling, but without loads or lesser goads than their capacity, which leads to the transporter’s loss.

This article highlights how freight automation can maximize load bookings to bring a favourable impact on the transportation and logistics industry.

Logistics & Transport Service Challenges

The traditional shipping process involves contacting third party brokers and vetting the shipper manually. Despite being at the core of the supply chain, transportation services lack innovations to improve operational efficiency. The following are some crucial challenges that the logistics industry faces, even today!

Deadhead Miles

The trucks operating without load contribute to dead miles. Dead miles can occur when a carrier travels from location A to location B to pick items or it returns empty from location C to location A after dispatching the load.

According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) survey report 2017, it costs $66.65 per hour to operate a truck

Traditionally, small trucking companies call freight brokers, who in turn call up warehouses to find if there’s freight ready for hauling. Unfortunately, about 15%-25% of the time, truckers end up carrying zero freight.

Therefore, deadhead miles certainly bring a huge loss, especially because freight services generally operate interstate. 

Lack of Price Transparency

The transportation sector has been struggling with inflexible prices and backhaul charges. Fleet operators often demand deadhead miles charges for the shipment. Thus, irrespective of cargo capacity (or the volume to it’s full), the operator can charge sellers any amount.

Trucker Shortage

Trucking companies have reported truck driver shortage as their top industry issue in 2017-18. The American Trucking Associations state- the industry needs to recruit and train 898,000 new truckers by 2026. 

Manual Booking

On average, a logistics company may waste 4000 to 6000+ hours to manually create bookings via phone calls, emails, and coordinating with drivers and manufacturers. 

Benefits of Freight Automation

Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) can bring manufacturers/sellers, shippers, and carriers on a common platform. Automation solutions can bring the following benefits-

Route Matching and Optimization

Traditional backhauls include unused available capacity, causing deadhead mileage. 

With route matching feature of a freight automation system, instead of travelling back and forth from location A to location B, and then starting a new haul from location A to location C; trucker can find the best route to reach location C enroute.

Efficiently Managing Fleet Operations

Traditionally, equipment tracking was dependent on manual data entry from drivers, shippers, and consignees. The process was not only cumbersome but also error-prone. Transportation supply chain automation helps in managing fleet operations in the following ways-

  • Lodging truckers’ start and end time automatically add to the accuracy of HOS (Hours of Service) records.
  • Vehicle tracking can identify bottlenecks and provide instant support in case of accidents, fuel shortage, roadblocks, or other unanticipated highway incidents.
  • Route guidance enables efficient haul plans.
  • It can reduce idling time and thus improve fleet productivity.

Transparent Pricing

Transparency in pricing can make freight transport robust and reliable. 

For instance, Uber Freight has introduced Lane Explorer, which shows real-time market-based rates, up to two weeks in advance.

Online Processes

In any logistics and transport organization, the manual payment cycle requires 40%-60% more time and effort than its automation counterpart. Freight bill automation can solve the heavy-haul truckers’ problem of receiving payments faster. Eliminating manual processes can improve overall supply chain efficiency.

Collaboration Between Fleet Brokers

OECD states– Truck platooning can save over 10% in operational costs. Platooning is driving a group of vehicles together to increase road capacity via an automated highway system. 

At the same time, HCVs (High Capacity Vehicles) that carry 50% more load than traditional trucks can save up to 20% cost/km.

However, truck platooning and utilizing complete HCVs capacity requires collaboration between shippers, carriers, and freight brokers. Automation can bring different stakeholders from the freight and logistics industry on a common platform to work together.

Product Spotlight

HwyHaul, a leading California-based freight brokerage startup uses transportation automation to connect enterprises with truckers. It simplifies the ‘load booking’ process for shippers and seamlessly empowers them with a state of the art Transportation as a Service (TaaS) solution.

Currently serving Reefer, Dry Van, and Flatbed loads, HwyHaul connects shippers and carriers on a common platform. The distinct features that freight-logistics management platform brings are-

  • Shipping enterprises can create and track their freight from booking to end-of-delivery.
  • Trucking companies (carriers) can manage their fleet and drivers.
  • Internal operations team can oversee and govern backend processes.
  • Truckers can use HwyHaul app to book and deliver loads without having to wait for telephonic communication.

We specialize in developing industry-specific and logistics & freight automation products. Contact us at hello@mantralabsglobal.com to learn more.

Bottom Line

Load bookings and freight brokerage automation solutions can contribute to reducing carbon footprint and improve fleet productivity to a great extent. 

PwC 2019 report says by 2030, automation will shorten delivery lead times by 40% and reduce logistics costs for standardized transport by 47%. With newer disruptions like driverless trucks, relay-as-a-service model and automatic freight scheduling on the horizon, the transportation and logistics industry is on the cusp of unlocking new revenues across the value chain.


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Sales Applications Are Disrupting More Than Just Sales

Sales success today isn’t about luck or lofty goals—it’s about having the right tools in your team’s hands, wherever they go. Following our earlier in-depth exploration of sales technology, we will now examine how cutting-edge sales apps are becoming the backbone of modern industries, transforming complex workflows into seamless, growth-driving machines.

From retail to healthcare, logistics to real estate, businesses are deploying sales applications to enhance operational transparency, cut redundant tasks, and build intelligent sales ecosystems. These tools are not only digitizing workflows—they’re driving growth, improving engagement, and redefining how field teams operate.

Lead Ecosystems: Unified visibility across channels

One app. Five workflows. Zero friction.

A leading insurance brand relaunched their app—a sleek, powerful sales companion that’s turning everyday agents into top performers.

No more paperwork. More time to sell.

Here’s what changed:

  • Every visit is tagged, tracked, and followed through. Renewals? Never missed. Leads? Fully visible.
  • Attendance and reimbursements went on autopilot. No more manual logs. No more chasing approvals.
  • New business and renewals are tracked in real time, with accurate forecasting that sales leaders can finally trust.
  • Dashboards are clean, configurable, and useful—insights that move the business, not just report on it.
  • Seamless Integrations. API connectivity with Darwin Box, IMD Master Data, and SSO authentication for a unified experience.

The result? A field team that moves faster, sells better, and works smarter.

Retail: Taking Orders from the Frontline—Smartly

Field sales agents in retail, especially FMCG, used to rely on gut instinct. Now, with intelligent sales applications:

  • AI recommends what to upsell or cross-sell based on previous order patterns
  • Real-time stock availability and credit status are visible in the app
  • Geo-fencing ensures optimized route planning
  • Built-in payment collection modules streamline transaction closure

Healthcare: Structuring Sales with Compliance and Precision

Healthcare leaders don’t need more reports—they need better visibility from the field.  Whether it’s engaging hospital networks, onboarding clinics, or enabling diagnostics at the last mile, everything needs precision, compliance, and clarity. 

Mantra Labs helped a leading healthcare enterprise design a sales app that integrates knowledge, compliance, performance, and recognition, turning frontline agents into informed, aligned, and empowered brand advocates. 

Here’s what it delivers:

  • Role-based onboarding that keeps every level of the field force aligned and accountable
  • Escalation mechanisms are built into the system, driving transparency across commissions and performance reviews
  • A centralized Knowledge Hub featuring healthcare news, service updates, and training modules to keep reps well-informed
  • Recognition modules that celebrate milestones, boost morale, and reinforce a culture of excellence

Now, the field agents aren’t just connected—they’re aligned, upskilled, and accountable.

Real Estate: From Cold Calls to Smart Conversions

For real estate agents, timing and personalization are everything. Sales applications are evolving to include:

  • Virtual site tour integration for remote buyers
  • Mortgage and EMI calculators to increase buyer confidence
  • WhatsApp-based lead capture and nurture sequences
  • CRM integration for inventory updates and automatic scheduling

Logistics: From Chaos to Control in Field Coordination

Field agents in logistics are switching from clipboards to real-time command centers on mobile. Modern sales applications offer:

  • Live delivery status and route deviation alerts
  • Automated dispute reporting and issue resolution tracking
  • Fleet coordination through integrated GPS modules
  • Customer feedback capture and SLA dashboards

What’s new & what’s next in Sales Applications?

Here’s what’s pushing the next wave of innovation:

  • Voice-to-Text Logging: Agents dictate notes while on the move.
  • AI-Powered Nudges: Apps that suggest next-best actions based on behavior.
  • Omnichannel Communication: In-app chat, WhatsApp, email—unified.
  • Role-Based Dashboards: Different data views for admins, managers, and field reps.

What does this mean for Business Leaders?

Sales Applications are not just tactical tools. They’re platforms for transformation. With the right design, integrations, and analytics, they:

  • Replace guesswork with intelligence
  • Reduce the cost of delay and manual labor
  • Improve agent accountability and transparency
  • Speed up decision-making across hierarchies

The future of field sales lies in intuitive, AI-driven applications that adapt to every industry’s nuances. At Mantra Labs, we work closely with enterprises to custom-build sales applications that align with business objectives and ground-level realities.

Conclusion: 

If your agents still rely on Excel trackers and daily call reports, it’s time to reimagine your sales operations. Let us help you bring your field operations into the future—with tools that are fast, field-tested, and built for scale.

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