Did you know that freight management used to be completely different from how it is today?
1. Freight Management Before the Internet – A “Paper-Based World”
Anyone who worked in logistics before the 1990s knows just how differently everything operated. Transport jobs were arranged over the phone, often based on handwritten address lists, notebooks, and cardboard files. There were no CRM systems, no online databases—just pen, paper, a reliable phone line, and a lot of patience.
Confirmations were sent via fax or delivered in person: if you were lucky, the paper came out of the machine quickly—if not, you had to resend it or drive a physical copy over. Most administrative tasks were done manually: consignment notes, trip logs, and delivery confirmations were filled out on pre-printed forms. The potential for mistakes was higher, but human attention to detail and precision made up for the lack of technology.
Route planning meant spreading out a map on the desk—dispatchers flipped through road atlases and spiral-bound maps. If a driver got lost, you couldn’t just call and ask “Where are you?”—you had to wait for a callback or find a gas station where they could make a phone call. Drivers often kept in touch via CB radios at truck stops.
Communication between warehouses and partners was also slower and more formal. Documents were often sent by courier or carried by the driver, who needed to get them signed and returned. Preparing for an international shipment could take days or even weeks, and everything depended on routine, experience, and personal connections.
Real-time tracking and fast information exchange were unimaginable back then. Logistics relied on the patience of clients and partners, the resourcefulness of dispatchers, and the perseverance of administrators. And yet, even in this “paper-based world,” logistics worked—just with more manpower, more patience, and far less automation.
2. Technological Breakthroughs – Fax Machines, Mobile Phones, and Early Software
The widespread adoption of fax machines was already a major leap forward, as it sped up written communication. The appearance of mobile phones revolutionized dispatching: from that point on, drivers were no longer only reachable at warehouses or gas stations. The first transport management software also emerged, though initially only to simplify administrative tasks.
3. The Age of the Internet – Real-Time Logistics
From the 2000s onward, the spread of the internet and email marked the beginning of a whole new era. Online databases, web-based client portals, and GPS vehicle tracking transformed daily operations. Suddenly, it was possible to see where a shipment was, when it was expected to arrive, and to send contracts and documents worldwide within minutes.
From then on, freight management became not just faster but also more transparent and predictable. Digitalization led to greater customer satisfaction, reduced the likelihood of errors—and increased the intensity of competition.
4. How Do We Work Today? Automation and Real-Time Data
Today, logistics is powered by digital technology—and at INCON, we take full advantage of its benefits. Thanks to our digital tracking systems, cloud-based platforms, and automated processes, every step of the delivery journey is transparent and precisely managed. From order to delivery, everything is traceable, searchable, and optimizable.
Our dispatchers see real-time data on vehicle locations, temperature control results, and the exact status of cargo. Clients can request quotes, initiate shipments, or download documents through their own online interface—quickly and easily, with just a few clicks.
What used to take days can now be done in minutes. That’s the level of progress we bring to our clients every single day.
Would you like a logistics partner who confidently uses digital solutions? Get in touch with us and see how we work—INCON-style.
5. But What Could the Future Bring?
AI, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are already shaping the future of logistics. Tomorrow’s transport management systems won’t just respond—they’ll predict: traffic jams, weather disruptions, and capacity usage. Artificial intelligence will help make shipments even more optimized, sustainable, and cost-effective.
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