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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your frequently asked questions.

Carrier Management FAQs

YES! When FSL is brought in to help with carrier management, we encourage including past carriers with who you already have a relationship with.

In addition to your existing carriers, FSL will source and negotiate contracts with other approved providers who meet your service needs and can help lower costs.

While that will depend on your current rates, agreements, and shipping patterns, our clients have found that the savings can be considerable, and certainly worthwhile enough to justify a change.

Find out how much we could help you save with a FREE FREIGHT ANALYSIS HERE

FSL has years of experience navigating the ins-and-outs of carrier contracts, negotiating them on behalf of our clients, and managing carrier relationships. We have the buying leverage, and long-running carrier relationships that enable us to help you realize savings and service you might not be able to get on your own.

Negotiating your carrier agreements is only the start of what we do to ensure your transportation needs are met! After we get started we hold carriers accountable to the service standards agreed upon and help resolve any day to day carrier issue that might arise.

Freight Logistics FAQs
A 3PL or logistics broker is a company that serves as a link between companies needing transportation services, and transportation service providers.

Outsourcing some of all of your carrier selection and vetting process enables you and your team to focus on your business. FSL is a transportation specialist, this is what we do – and we’re able to help clients have easier, more cost effective access to larger capacity than they can usually get on their own.

When you use FSL – your worry is over – you know your freight is handled professionally every step of the way.

NO! Typically we are able to help clients save money on their shipments.

Our size, leverage, market expertise, and relationships help ensure you’re getting the highest quality service at a fair price.

Our Truckload Team handles truckload (TL) and less than truckload (LTL) shipments in all states, Canada, and Mexico.

However our team is able to handle your container shipments all over the globe.

We help companies understand, take control, and be as efficient as possible with their supply chain. We serve as a partner for you in your business. Think of us as an extension of your transportation department. Contact us or Request a quote and let’s talk about how we can help you.

TMS FAQs
No, it is a cloud base program that you will access via your internet browser.
Yes, your credentials to login will allow you access to rating, track & tracing and a host of other functionality within the TMS.

Your employees will be trained on specific functionality being utilized.

Example: If the FSL Group performs your carrier rate management, FSL will train your employees on our Rate Shopping functionality. This will be done via video conference or onsite one on one training.

The Integration time with the FSL is determined by how many interfaces that will need to be implemented (imports & extracts), the number of rating contracts to be input into the TMS and how many carriers will be integrated with EDI.

Normal implementations can be accomplished within 30 days. More complicated integrations can be implemented within a 90 day time frame.

Your active data will be available for 15 months. After 15 months your load data will be archived and can still be made available.
Yes, the FSL technical solutions department will be available during normal business hours and on call outside of normal business hours, weekends and holidays.

First thing is cost, purchasing services does not contain a large upfront purchase. Second, only purchasing services means they are individualized, so you only purchase the services you need and not an entire TMS.

Purchasing services via the FSL Group also contains transportation management consulting.

Yes, customers can create and automate reports to be emailed to themselves via the TMS.

Also, The FSL Group produces standard KPI reports weekly or monthly on each customers transportation data. Data from the TMS is also extracted by The FSL Group and utilized within the Tableau BI tools.

These reports are not only standardized but are also customized by customer. Each customer’s data points are presented to them in a format in which they are accustomed to if they prefer.

Freight Audit and Pay FAQs
Freight audit is the process of examining, adjusting and verifying freight invoices for accuracy.

Freight payment is a collection of processes that can be thought of in general terms as an accounts payable service for transportation invoices.

Freight payment service providers, such as a 3PL, act as the intermediary between the shipper and the carrier to receive, process, and pay invoices.

While we can make no guarantees, our customers typically see a savings of 2 to 6 percent of spend.

Additional revenue is saved by freeing up AP Personnel for more value-added activities.

LTL pricing is very complex. It is so complex that computer programs are required to determine the correct charges.

Mistakes made in the initial pricing setup result in recurring overcharges.

You could make the investment in manual rating engines and have your people audit, but it would consume a lot of man-hours, and you would still struggle with the complexities that arise in everyday auditing.

FSL’s automated processes and industry knowledge will yield the best results.

Freight Payment Terms are listed on the Bill of Lading. They determine who is responsible for the payment.

Prepaid terms mean the shipper is responsible and Collect means the recipient is responsible.

When a carrier charges a deficit weight it is not added cost, but rather it represents a savings to you.

In some circumstances, carriers add additional weight that brings your shipment to the next weight tier that is less expensive.

The linehaul is the basic cost for moving the shipment. This charge, along with discounts, minimum charge, fuel surcharge and accessorial charges make up the total invoice charge.

An accessorial charge represents a charge for an additional service over and above the standard shipping. These services can be requested by the shipper or required to complete the delivery.

Some examples of accessorials are: Notify Before Delivery, “Inside Delivery”, “Construction Site Delivery”, and “Liftgate Required”.

Most of our customers are implemented in less than 3 months. You give is a Letter of Authorization to act on your behalf with the carriers and we take care of that side.

You change the BOL’s billing address and in no time, we will be running.

FSL uses a paperless system. Most of our invoices are received electronically. Those that come in the mail are scanned into our system.

If you like, we can send you a file each week that contains the invoices or you can download them on demand from our website.

You can send us a weekly quote file, or you can use FSL’s Resolution site. FSL uses this site to allow customers to have the final say on invoices where we do not have pricing.

In addition to the cost and man-hour savings, the biggest value lies in collecting your shipping data.

Having the shipping details behind the total invoice cost is the most important thing an Audit & Pay Program will do for you. Having this data opens the door to additional savings.

If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact us. Home Office: 800-758-4290   |  Logistics Hotline: 866-795-9872

Request a Demo

To learn more about the FSL Group services and TMS or request a demo, please contact the FSL Group’s Strategic Technical
Services department by filling out this form.