Broker automation

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by AsphaltFarmer, Jan 3, 2023.

Amount of Tears for automated broker job losses a decade before driver job losses?

  1. Zero

    3 vote(s)
    75.0%
  2. None

    1 vote(s)
    25.0%
  1. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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  3. AsphaltFarmer

    AsphaltFarmer Medium Load Member

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    New Mexico
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    So my tone is not logically consistent, interesting...

    Maybe I'll switch from a C Major to an A minor and see if that helps...

    Last time I ran my mouth about free markets as the framework that best suits individual liberties while preserving property rights as far as I remember but I like your description better. It's more elegant, I'll probably put it on a Hallmark Card and give it to my lady, so thanks in advance...

    But the Jury says... shedding zero tears or no tears for automation replacing redundant brokerage positions falls in line with the cold hearted capitalist premise from before so our Hero, me, God's Favorite Asphalt Farmer, remains undefeated in our skirmishes Señor Alto Joe...

    The record is now 12-0 and I wish you better luck next time...
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2023
    TallJoe Thanks this.
  4. TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

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    You are such a score usurper.

    As far as I am concerned, you lost the game from the very get go. I checkmated you with my Queen after your 2nd move...

    upload_2023-1-7_22-26-0.png

    So you should admit defeat, instead of pushing those pawns. The game is over.
     
    AsphaltFarmer Thanks this.
  5. AsphaltFarmer

    AsphaltFarmer Medium Load Member

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    Haha you just lost again... What happened the metaphor of music was above your pay grade? Also if your going to choose a board game metaphor, the correct answer was Monopoly for this topic, not the fool's mate... Two birds one stone, 14-0 let's go Joe!
     
  6. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    How automated are the current apps? At what point does a human get involved? There’s going to be issues with pickup or delivery that can be easily resolved with little human interaction, but what happens when the market swings the other way?

    Will the brokerages have it programmed that within a certain time limit of the load having to move that it’s ok to lose money on the load just to move it?

    An app makes a sale and books X number of loads every week for 2 years at a set rate plus FSC. Will the app then be able to enter into an agreement with a carrier to cover a certain number of their loads every week at a set rate plus FSC for 2 years?

    I can see humans being removed from certain aspects of brokering freight. I can also see how computers would be able to process real time information and submit and accept rates on any given load better and faster than a person. Would the computer reach out to carriers on a lane to get an average rate and then reach out to whatever shipper they want to contract with?

    I can see benefits from both sides, and no doubt brokerages will move away from humans to save money. I guess I still see a need for people at certain levels for the foreseeable future. It will be interesting to watch it all play out.
     
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  7. TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

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    The automation is not meant to replace decision making at the highest level but wherever the clerical and procedural activities can be algorithmitized.
    The activities that are repetitive in character and do not require an intervention of someone with authority.
    You can't automate a long term contract but you can automate the execution of the individual trips that the contract consists of.
     
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  8. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    There was talk earlier in thread of AI based customer acquisition that’s why I asked.

    I would also be curious what was going on behind the scenes during the peak of Covid when loads were moving for a loss. Were there humans behind the apps accepting the higher bids than the rate on their load from the shipper?

    Automation would definitely be easier in “normal” times. Programming for the not normal times would be interesting.
     
    AsphaltFarmer Thanks this.
  9. Psyched

    Psyched Light Load Member

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    none of them are automated from the shippers point of view. TQL makes appointments for picking up costco by phone calling as they even refuse to use email (“to be sure”)
     
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  10. AsphaltFarmer

    AsphaltFarmer Medium Load Member

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    This is where the argument lies. The size of the enterprise and degree of automation for those customers. Saying that none of them are automated doesn't address that.

    Fully automated? No.

    Have implementend a significant amount of automation? Yes.

    Due to that fact you can rank the degree of automation. If you don't think there is any automation from the shippers perspective a quick view is, I think it's FreightQuote.com by CH.
     
  11. AsphaltFarmer

    AsphaltFarmer Medium Load Member

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    I'm super interested in seeing how what has, and will be, programmed reacts under a stress test. That's where oversights get exposed.

    And going down that road it will be a possible game of cat and mouse especially between capacity providers and brokers at times as those kinks get worked out. I don't think it will be the same as uber drivers manipulating the system at certain airports to influence rates, but that's a rough framework of a potential problem.

    I'm fairly aligned with your view and I'm still grappling with how to measure the transition.
     
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