The Evolution of Load Boards: How Modern Tech Is Changing the Game

In the intricate world of freight transportation, the matching of shipping carriers with freight brokers is the lifeblood that drives the business.

But the complexities of this are often more complicated than most people will ever realize.

From endless emails going back and forth, to hours spent negotiating over the phone, the process of connecting a freight broker with the right carrier has historically been a daunting and often frustrating task.

But today, there is a more efficient and effective way.

No matter the product or the industry, every load of freight has to get from Point A to Point B.

And as a freight broker or carrier, you are on the front lines of making that happen.

One such tool that is revolutionizing the freight moving industry is a new approach to the load board —a crucial component in the logistics chain.

Want to know more? Let’s do a deeper dive into the load board of the past and what today’s technology is doing to change it for the future.

The Origins of Load Boards

Load boards have come a long way from the days of truck stop postings and free load board pin ups.

Before the internet and the advent of more advanced technology, load boards were physical spaces where you could pin notes about available loads that needed to be hauled, as well as available carriers who were looking for truckloads to move.

But this resulted in headaches for everyone involved.

The Waiting Game

For carriers and brokers alike, one of the biggest frustrations comes from the waiting.

As a broker, you may have to send hundreds of emails out for one load that needs to be moved and then have to spend hours — maybe longer — waiting for responses to roll in. And once they do, you then need to spend more time comparing pricing and categorizing all the responses.

As a carrier, your challenge often lies in waiting for that one email that’s going to match the route and weight you are willing and able to take. On top of that, a carrier then has to spend time calculating miles, distance, and fuel costs for a specific route.

As the freight moving and transportation management system has continued to grow and the demands have only become greater, it’s become obvious that new solutions need to be invented and implemented in order for everyone to be compensated fairly and the whole system to keep moving as it should.

The Reinvention of the Load Board:
How Tech is Changing the Freight Moving Industry

Finding someone to move your freight is rarely a problem. And finding freight to move usually isn’t either.

After the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the shipping and freight-moving industry, the need for more efficient, reliable, and flexible solutions became glaringly apparent.

And now that solution is here.

Draymatics is an online platform that has been designed to bridge the gap between brokers and carriers in the freight moving industry.

By providing a digital marketplace where both sides can meet, a company like Draymatics can now offer a seamless and efficient solution for the ongoing frustration and time-wasting experience that so many brokers and carriers are dealing with every day.

Let’s look at how.

The Complications of Being a Broker

Freight brokers have to spend an enormous amount of their time hustling the marketplace.

This is where a company like Draymatics can make a difference.

When a broker decides to partner with a freight moving digital site, they’ll immediately get relief and resources in a number of areas:

• Near Instant Pricing: Draymatics provides near-instant pricing, allowing brokers to quickly get accurate quotes for their shipping needs.

• Hassle-Free Matching: The platform allows carriers to post loads based on their specific requirements, ensuring you find the best fit without delay.
• Variety of Carrier Options: A digital platform like Draymatics matches a broker’s order to a range of carriers, enabling them to compare and choose the option that best suits their needs.
• Seamless Communication: In the freight moving industry, communication is key! A digital load board platform will help a broker adjust prices or terms and communicate with their carriers directly about loads posted through an integrated chat feature that Draymatics has available.

This will ensure that every shipment — big or small — is handled with precision and ease.

The Complications of Being a Carrier

For a carrier, the issues of dealing with load board work is often even more cumbersome than it is for a broker.

Carriers know that every minute spent trying to find loads or trying to book loads means revenue lost and less flexibility over their upcoming schedule.

Many carriers today are owner operators, meaning they not only drive their own trucks, but also manage every aspect of their business. This includes finding and booking loads, negotiating rates, and ensuring compliance with a myriad of different regulations.

Even with the best load boards, an administrative burden like this can be overwhelming, especially when it detracts from time that could be spent out on the road, earning a living.

When a broker decides to partner with a freight moving digital site, they’ll immediately get relief and resources in a number of areas:

• AI-Powered Matching: Draymatics uses artificial intelligence to match brokers with the most suitable carriers based on specific needs and requirements.
• Near Instant Pricing: The platform provides near-instant pricing quotes, enabling carriers to make quick decisions and know where and when their next load is happening.

• Real-Time Data: When a carrier chooses to use a digital platform like Draymatics, they can get real-time updates on load availability and lane information all over the country, meaning they’ll have the most current data at their fingertips. Carriers can also easily update their information to the platform, making it easy for a broker to see their current rates, availability, outbound load volume, and what types of permits they currently have.
• Better Communication: Integrated communication tools, such as instant messaging and automated notifications, make for much better interactions between brokers and carriers.
• Easy Accessibility: Unlike the days of physical load boards being the only way to get a job, an online digital platform like Draymatics makes it easy to see what’s available — whether a carrier is on the road or spending time at home.

The One-Stop-Shop Approach: Why Draymatics Makes Moving Freight Easier for Everyone Involved

Whether you’re a broker or a carrier, one thing is for sure.

While you may have heard talk about the advantages of enlisting a third-party, “We Do It All” website, you most likely still have some reservations. As you should.

#1: Simplified Onboarding

• Carriers and brokers join the platform and create a profile based on their chosen plan.
• Companies can set up both a company profile and individual profiles for each terminal or team, allowing them to target specific markets or regions.

#2: Transparent Profiles

• All profiles are accessible to users within your contact list or those provided with an offer or quote. At Draymatics, transparency is a high priority.

#3: Efficient Contact Management

• Your uploaded contact list will allow you to start receiving rates or tendering rate requests as soon as it’s available.
• Contacts will be notified via email to join the platform and accept your invite, streamlining the setup process.

#4: Flexible Subscription Plans

• At Draymatics, we offer a variety of subscription plans, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs.
• Total Access Plan members can exchange quotes with other members platform-wide, enhancing collaboration and opportunities from a larger audience.

#5: Customized Rate Profiles

• Carriers can set up their equipment and rate profiles to reflect their business accurately.
• Regularly updating their profiles helps carriers to stay competitive and ensure accurate rate calculations.

#6: Automated Matching and Booking

• Brokers can log in, enter load requirements, and let Draymatics find the best carriers based on pickup area and rate calculations.
• Our platform quickly eliminates unsuitable options, presenting an easy-to-filter list of potential carrier partners.

#7: Seamless Integration and Communication

• Our built-in chat feature allows for direct communication between carriers and brokers, making it easy to adjust terms or clarify details without leaving the platform.