Freight tech has come a long way, but many shippers still rely on outdated methods. Spreadsheets, endless email chains, and manual RFP processes might feel familiar, but they come with hidden costs that chip away at your bottom line.
The reality? Sticking to the status quo isn’t just inefficient — it’s expensive.
The Real Price of Outdated Procurement
Let’s break down some of the overlooked costs:
- Wasted Time
Managing RFPs manually means hours spent gathering rates, chasing down carrier responses, and updating spreadsheets. It’s not just a slow process — it pulls teams away from strategic tasks like analyzing lane performance or building stronger carrier relationships. When your transportation management system (TMS) lacks integration with modern procurement tools, these inefficiencies only multiply.
- Missed Savings
Without real-time data, how do you know you’re getting the best rates? Traditional procurement often relies on historical data or limited carrier pools, making it easy to overpay without realizing it.
If you’re not benchmarking rates against the current market, you could be leaving significant savings on the table. We've found that users who don't leverage benchmarking pay around 8.5% more on 85% of the quote they make.
Sticking to static, outdated pricing methods doesn’t just risk inefficiency — it chips away at your bottom line with every load.
- Expanded Carrier Network
Relying on a limited set of carriers may feel safe, but it restricts your ability to adapt when your network falls short. Expanding your carrier pool gives you access to more options, so you can always find the best coverage and avoid disruptions.
More vendor options means you have flexibility in your sourcing and more negotiating power when needed — a critical advantage when securing dedicated freight coverage.
- Inflexibility
The freight market moves fast. If your procurement process can’t keep pace, you risk overpaying during rate spikes or scrambling for carriers when market conditions shift. Waiting for an annual RFP cycle leaves no room for real-time adjustments.
How Emerge Tackles These Hidden Costs
Outdated procurement systems don’t just slow you down — they prevent you from optimizing your freight spend. That’s where Emerge completely changes the game.
- Streamlined RFPs and Mini Bids
With Emerge, RFPs go from weeks to just a few clicks. The platform automates bid collection, consolidates responses, and helps you build & analyze custom spending scenarios — all without the spreadsheet shuffle. Need fast coverage outside your RFP cycle? Run a Mini Bid in minutes.
- Real-Time Contract Benchmarking
Stop guessing if your rates are competitive. Emerge has contract benchmarking, giving you instant visibility into how your rates compare to the market. This means you can identify overpriced lanes and make adjustments — without waiting for next year’s RFP.
- Expanded Carrier Network
Access a dynamic marketplace of vetted carriers, allowing you to expand beyond your usual network. More options, stronger coverage, and less reliance on a small pool of partners.
- Data-Driven Flexibility
The market doesn’t wait — and neither should you. Emerge’s Scenario Builder lets you model multiple procurement strategies, helping you adapt quickly to business changes or shifting demand.
The Bottom Line
The hidden costs of outdated freight procurement add up fast — wasted time, missed savings, and limited flexibility. With Emerge, you’re not just moving away from clunky processes — you’re unlocking data-driven freight management.
If your procurement process is still stuck in the past, the real question is: how much is it actually costing you?
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