Convoy Now launch provides shippers access to real-time price data

Dive Brief:

Convoy Now, an offering from the digital freight brokerage company, will allow shippers access to automated real-time pricing and capacity data, the company announced this week.
"Historically, shippers have had to rely on time-consuming back-and-forth processes when requesting rates from carriers," Rene Miller, a product manager at Convoy, explained in a blog post. "With Convoy Now, we've automated the rate procurement process, streamlining the shipper experience and making it easier to find more affordable coverage with our real-time pricing and guaranteed capacity."
The information will be made available by some Transportation Management Solution (TMS) providers and Managed Transportation Providers (MTPs). But it can also be integrated into internal tools using Convoy's API for shippers that manage their own TMS system, Convoy said.

Dive Insight:

This price visibility will extend to Convoy Go, the company's drop-and-hook solution launched this year.

Convoy also announced plans to begin working with DHL, according to a press release emailed to Supply Chain Dive. Convoy's network will integrate with DHL's MySupplyChain, the logistics provider's visibility solution. DHL also said it is working with Turvo, a collaborative logistics platform, link its platform with MySupplyChain to help increase visibility and collaboration.

"Now DHL can easily access Convoy’s automated real-time pricing and secure capacity that can flex with their customers’ needs," Brooks McMahon, Convoy's VP of Partnerships said in the release.

The access to more data has been one way Convoy has been competing with Uber Freight. Uber Freight launched a tool last year allowing shippers to book real-time rates up to two weeks in advance. And Convoy has provided lane-level data and market trends since last year.

By making pricing and capacity available in real-time, Convoy makes booking more convenient for shippers, but also claims its rates are competitive enough to attract users. The rates found on these platforms are also used to build a user base. Earlier this year, Morgan Stanley said Uber Freight was offering rates below the market rate to draw shippers to its platform.