I have been using apps for business unknowingly for the last 15 years and they have provided myself with so much valuable information. I never knew they would one day become an app I just presumed others were using something similar because being data driven does make life far simpler. The reality is people back then were not using these thigs and this is only recent.
The need to know back in 2010 was very real especially if you had 20 or more containers arriving on the same day. Our record was somewhere between 40 or 50 as I lost count through the stress having seen the queue of trucks go around the block and our building was 1km in length. The consequences of that night made me look for a website that gave me the information required so I could plan ahead.
I used to get the shipping documents when orders had been placed and processed by the factories giving me the name of the vessels as there was always two involved for import duty purposes. Being a bicycle assembly plant frames and wheels had to be on separate ships otherwise they constituted a bike and full duty had to be paid. Crazy really as they were all in parts, but that is how red tape and regulation works.
Marine Traffic was the site I used for many years that helped me track the shipments giving me fair warning being able to create space for the containers arriving. Once the vessel hit the port the containers would be on my doorstep within 72 hours. Shipping agents only tell you when the truck is on the way and with the volumes I was dealing with was too late to just create space so the reason why I had to be proactive.
This was back in 2010 so you can imagine how the technology has changed within 14 years. The apps are proper apps now and not a website with just the basics.
Most of the shipping apps are all in one a one stop shop for everything involved with shipping. These apps are slowly replacing the shipping agents offering a from booking till invoice service. The only part I don't see is customs and duties, but expect that will be added in the future.
This is what is offered on the gocomet.com app and this is quite impressive.
All the information is AI driven because this is definitely information over load, but you can ever have too much data.
Some big customers using this app and highlights logistic planning is not easy and any help you can find you grab with both hands. This would not have been essential back in 2010 because it was not something companies were using and shows how technology is driving businesses today. A planner is the vital role every major buyer has by their side because planning when the shipments land in time is crucial making sure the product hits a specific window like Christmas. It does make you wonder how may of these people or companies were looking at shipping apps 10 or 15 years ago and I bet you not very many were and it would never have crossed their minds either.