Many freight forwarders operate large companies that deal with shippers and truckers day in and day out. The ones with hundreds of employees spread out over different offices in various cities and countries are especially in need of a streamlined communication solution that is always available so people can post and search for available loads, as well as contact the people in charge of the loads to negotiate rates and other aspects of the job.

Basic online freight exchange companies usually just charge a membership fee to access the site. However, users that need more out of a freight exchange can look into a company that provides technical support whenever problems arise, that way issues can be resolved as soon as possible and they do not miss out on a deal because they were unable to communicate.

A few advanced online freight exchange solutions include the following:

• Payment: instead of keeping subscriptions, invoices, and payments exclusive to each branch of a company, larger companies with multiple branches should find an exchange that can merge all of their payment and subscription arrangements so that this aspect can be overseen properly. Also when looking for a premium freight exchange solution, it is important to find one that will automatically renew a subscription so that you have constant access to the database.

• Account Management: A premium freight exchange account should allow as much access to the IT administrator as possible so that each branch does not have to take the time to register users on their own.

• Security: To avoid accounts being accessed by unauthorized users, a freight exchange account should be controlled by an IT administrator that can monitor usage.

If you operate a larger freight forwarding company and need more than just the basics in a freight exchange, you might consider switching to a premium account. These top-tier solutions can offer several different advantages over basic online freight exchange sites, including superior payment options, account management, and security.

European transport has vastly improved with the ability for people in different countries to communicate more easily via the Internet. An online freight exchange system can allow your company to check out available offers and loads in real time so that your business is always moving. Before committing to a freight exchange system, it is a good idea to take advantage of a free trial period if it is offered. One company that offers an international transport exchange platform for freight haulage is logintrans.ie where transport companies can benefit in huge cost savings by using this online sharing scheme.

Many freight exchange systems will allow you to view available offers that have been posted to their website. Most of the time, these loads and offers will be displayed with limited information, including the following:

• Origin and destination of the load

• Vehicle type (sometimes also size)

• Freight Cost

• Loading and unloading dates

While these are viewable to everyone, the ability to contact the company in charge of the listing will be restricted to users. When you sign up for a trial, you will be asked to submit company and payment information. Before agreeing to the trial, check the payment policy; some exchange sites will automatically charge the payment account you list upon registration. Once you have registered, you will have access to the extended services, which means that you can communicate with other companies in the system, and you can post your own loads and offers as well.

Overall, a trial period can be a valuable step in determining which freight exchange system you decide to go with. From here you can make a decision based on the amount of support each site provides, navigability of the site, and ease of communication with other parties. If you prefer, you can even do like some other freight companies and work with multiple sites so that you have even more postings to choose from. Whatever you decide to do, it is best to wait before spending your money on any single system.