We hear a lot about the economic stimulus package and rightfully so, it is the moment of change that we pin our hopes for an improved economy to. What is it going to do for the fundamental problem of freight volume has not been addressed. This is an important question. In the past, one of the first predictors of depressed economy’s new health has been the growth in freight. But today that is simply not the case and the stimulus package is aimed entirely differently. It’s not going to deliver a radical change to freight volume and the trucking industry.

What it might do is help to stabilize and slowly grow industries that will create freight volume. The stimulus package has only begun to work upon the economy and as a result,
we simply cannot expect to see much change before the onset of 2010. The major areas of growth targeted by the package are energy, automotive, and infrastructure. Of these three, infrastructure has the most potential to impact freight volumes, both directly and indirectly, as long as automotive continues to struggle. Directly, because infrastructure projects will demand materials that need to be shipped. Indirectly, because successful infrastructure will increase jobs and consumer confidence, which may then increase spending and retail sales. Freight volumes will remain constant for the foreseeable futures and then, as an indirect effect of the stimulus package they may increase.

At the moment, it’s enough to know where we stand and plan for the future.

It has been said that if the trucks stop, America stops. The truckload industry is one of over sixty five billion dollars spread over more than fifty thousand carriers. It’s a large and vital part of American society where almost everything around you has been shipped from one location to another, often multiple times before it reaches its destination. There is a constant and enduring need for its services, and though it is suffering at the moment as the result of the depression, over time it is poised to become even stronger and more lucrative.

The challenges the trucking industry currently faces date back to 2006. They are due to falling automobile sales, problems in the housing sector, sluggish growth in retail markets, and the overall economic issues plaguing the country. These issues have resulted in low freight volumes and a difficult pricing environment. In spite of all of this however, the truckload industry is highly competitive. This is due to its rates, service, and equipment availability. The economy has finally bottomed out, and with it, the trucking industry. Although it is not expected to see significant growth for 2009, the expected rise in the economy means that a corresponding rise in demand and freight volume may occur as early as 2010. Once that happens the truckload industry is expected to see slow, but steady growth.

A freight broker is the middleman of the freight shipping industry. He connects the shipper to the carrier, negotiating a percentage-based fee for his services. The key to his usefulness, for both parties, is his knowledge base. A good broker must know his area of the shipping industry, the technologies available to him to move freight, as well as the carriers best equipped to do it. Frequently this knowledge comes from having been a carrier himself at one time or another. By maintaining a large number and variety of contacts, the broker is able to connect a shipper and his specific needs with the right kind of carrier. The shipper moves his freight and the carrier fills his vehicle. Everyone saves time, aggravation, and money. Everyone wins.

Or do they? Because the broker represents his shipping clients in the transaction between shipper and carrier, the interests of carrier and broker can sometimes compete. A broker must protect the customer base that represents its income, but a carrier needs to know that it will be adequately compensated. He needs to know that his interests will be looked after if the is a dispute about payment.

So how to keep from getting burned? The key is communication. A properly structured agreement between broker and carrier will keep all three parties protected and their business relationship flourishing.

Carriers/truckers connect with shippers/brokers to match loads with trucks. Find available freight in ‘real time’ and get the contact info you need to strike a deal and fill your truck or get your shipment on the road.  Truckers can find loads, post empty trucks and get calls directly from brokers and shippers.

Whether you’re searching for truck loads and equipment or posting truck loads and equipment, a load board can help you keep your business running smoothly by allowing you to contact just the right person at just the right time.

Using Masslogics web-based trucking software means there is nothing to download, nothing to install, and no wasted time on configuring your computer system. Because Masslogics is web based software you can access your vital company data from anywhere with a connection to the web. Fleet managers can check up on their company fleets from home or even while on vacation.

Choosing a web based solution also means you won’t have to hire an IT professional or use valuable existing employ time to manage your data backup and server administration. Masslogics does it all for you.

Masslogics trucking software includes; a Dispatch board for managing jobs, Built-in mileage calculator for pricing, Customizable rates for each customer, Customizable fuel surcharge calculator, Automated e-mails to customers when jobs are completed, Create customer invoices and driver settlements in minutes, Easy report generator that produces up to the minute data on operations, as well as archived operations, Track invoices, receivables, and set customer credit limits, Set alerts for items such as drug testing or equipment inspections, Quick and easy search for jobs completed months or years ago.

Some of the best features of Masslogics software are the guarantees of:

*FREE Lifetime updates

*US BASED Customer Support

*FREE Phone Consultation to New Customers

If you’ve ever been stuck on the phone with customer service located half-way around the world, you’ll really appreciate that Masslogics guarantees your calls will be answered in the U.S. Give it a try, there is a free trial: www.masslogics.com