Brokering freight is difficult, and Uber Freight is out to make it easier and more productive by helping brokers go digital.

The logistics technology and managed services provider this week launched Broker Access, a “capacity-as-a-service” program that lets brokers of all sizes book and execute loads digitally on Uber Freight’s carrier network.

“This is an especially challenging time for brokers,” Brooks McMahon, vice president, emerging products and business development, said in a blog post yesterday. “As of September, the number of freight brokerages dropped by 16.7% compared to 2022.”

He added, “The average broker is on the hook for an average $1.2 million in gross revenue per employee — all while navigating complex market conditions, managing tight margins, and keeping up with the rising demands of customers.”

Uber Freight’s Broker Access digitizes operations

Broker Access “helps digitize and automate broker operations by making it easy to book, execute, track, and pay for loads with a user-friendly self-serve portal or via turnkey API, EDI or transportation management system (TMS) integrations,” Uber Freight says. It adds that it designed Broker Access to “supercharge productivity, service levels and business growth for brokers of all sizes.”

Lior Ron, CEO, Uber Freight

Lior Ron, Uber Freight’s founder and CEO, says Broker Access gives freight brokers “the tools to not only optimize their freight operations but also to focus on growing their business and strengthening relationships across the supply chain,” adding, “We’re continuing to move the industry closer to a more efficient and connected freight ecosystem that is smarter, more efficient and delivers value for all.”

In addition, Uber Freight says Broker Access “unlocks access to Uber Freight’s vast, private network of tens of thousands of tech-enabled carriers, ensuring brokers can service their customers reliably and efficiently, as well as mitigate fraud risks, in all market conditions.”

While using the digital network, however, the broker booking and executing a load remains “the sole broker on the load,” Uber Freight says. A spokesman notes that Uber Freight’s Broker Access program “charges broker customers a per-load transaction fee for booked loads. There are no setup or subscription fees.”

Uber Freight Broker Access features

Broker Access features include:

⦁ A freight load booking system that lets brokers book, manage and tender loads through a self-serve digital platform or through digital integrations with Uber Freight’s carrier marketplace.

⦁ Broker control of load pricing, bid interactions and carrier selection, either directly or through an automated system based on each broker’s direction.

⦁ End-to-end visibility through real-time tracking, automated updates, and centralized portal for transparency across every shipment.

⦁ Fraud mitigation and automated carrier monitoring to help reduce risks and ensure reliability in a competitive marketplace.

Logistics firms comment on Uber Freight Broker Access

Ken Apple, vice president of engineering at Mariner Logistics, the first brokerage to use Uber Freight, said in a recent Uber press release that Broker Access will “benefit the industry with greater flexibility, coverage, and cost-effectiveness.”

Libby Whited, truckload manager at Seamless Logistics, an early Broker Access user, added that the Broker Access “technology capabilities throughout the booking process saves a tremendous amount of time for our team. The dashboard is also a valuable tool for tracking loads and managing documents and more.

“While we’re still a relatively new Broker Access user, we’re very excited about the growth potential it will bring to our truckload business by enabling us to sell into more areas of strength in the carrier network.”

Patrick MacKenzie, chief revenue officer at TMS technology provider Alvys, said Alvys helps its carrier and freight broker clients access Broker Access because it enables them to “expand beyond their own network” for direct access to “vetted, high-quality capacity.”

Uber Freight, which manages over $19.8 billion of freight, provides freight services to such companies as Del Monte Foods, Nestle and Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Paul Demery is a Digital Commerce 360 contributing editor covering B2B digital commerce technology and strategy. [email protected].

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