Freight Forwarding Software for Small Businesses
For small freight forwarders and logistics providers, technology is no longer optional. The right freight forwarding software can simplify complex operations, streamline communication, ensure compliance, and deliver visibility that today’s customers demand.
What to Look for in a Best-in-class Solution
Let’s break down what to look for and what to look for in technology that can help you succeed.
Rich Automation Capabilities
Freight forwarding involves managing rates, quotes, bookings, customs documentation, and customer communication across multiple modes of transport. Small businesses need software that unifies these processes in one place, eliminating repetitive manual work and reducing the chance of costly errors.
How Descartes Can Help:
Descartes offers an integrated freight forwarding platform that automates critical workflows, from quoting and booking to documentation and invoicing. With tools like Descartes Forwarder Transportation Management System (TMS), you can manage end-to-end operations efficiently, even with a small team.
Simplified Documentation and Compliance
Between customs filings, certificates, and bills of lading, forwarding can be paperwork-heavy and compliance-sensitive. Small businesses can’t afford manual mistakes that delay shipments or cause penalties.
How Descartes Can Help:
Descartes automates document generation and integrates compliance checks directly into the workflow. Our solutions help small forwarders meet international regulations with targeted alerting and exception management before submissions are filed with Customs authorities.
Descartes 2025 Forwarder & Broker Survey
The survey gives small freight-forwarding businesses a benchmark of how peers worldwide are coping with technology adoption, regulatory change and market shifts.
Seamless Integration with Other Systems
Your forwarding software shouldn’t exist in isolation. It should connect smoothly with accounting systems, carrier portals, and transportation management systems to ensure a seamless flow of error-free data.
How Descartes Can Help:
Descartes’ solutions are built to integrate with existing business systems and external partners. Our open architecture and global data network can connect systems via modern protocols such as APIs to make it make it easy to link with supply chain partners and current platforms.
Analytics and Business Insight
Small freight forwarders need visibility not just into shipments, but into business performance including what lanes are profitable, which customers bring the most value, and where time or money is being lost.
How Descartes Can Help:
Descartes’ reporting and analytics capabilities give you actionable insights into operations and financial performance. Dashboards help you track key performance indicators (KPIs) like cost per lane, on-time delivery, and margin by customer to empower smarter decision-making.
Scalability and Flexibility
Your software should grow with you. As your customer base expands and you take on new trade lanes or shipment volumes, your platform should scale without forcing a complete overhaul.
How Descartes Can Help:
Descartes’ solutions are modular and cloud-based, so you can start small and add capabilities as you grow. Whether you’re handling 100 or 10,000 shipments, our extensible technology foundation supports your evolution as you expand.
Ease of Use and Vendor Support
For small teams, technology must be simple to learn and backed by a responsive support team. You shouldn’t need a dedicated IT department to get value from your freight forwarding system.
How Descartes Can Help:
Descartes’ software is designed with usability in mind, supported by a team with deep domain expertise and technical knowledge. Our onboarding, training, and customer service resources help you get up and running quickly to maximize utility from the platform.
For small freight forwarders, the right technology is more than a productivity tool, it’s the foundation for growth, customer satisfaction, and long-term competitiveness. When evaluating software, prioritize solutions that can help simplify operations, ensure compliance, and scale with your business. With proven, industry-specific tools built for freight forwarders, Descartes empowers small logistics businesses to operate efficiently, compete confidently, and grow sustainably in a global market.
Customer Success Stories
GEODIS
Hellman Worldwide
