Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/696201
FEATURE STORY 28 // OWNER OPERATOR // JULY 2016 some volume requirements, and show consis- tency of on-time performance and excellence in other measures, will "get unbridled [and earlier] access to freight," Biesterfeld says. "Those that don't provide the same level of service — they get access to the freight next." The various tiers, some based on perfor- mance against peer groups of similarly sized carriers, are spelled out on this page at the company's website. It also opens up a new "avenue to be more automated," Biesterfeld says, encouraging carriers to "provide status updates via the web or mobile apps." While automation in the company's in- teractions with its customers isn't moving toward the kind of "uber for trucking" situa- tion so many have envisioned — Biesterfeld calls that a process of "disintermediation," or replacing middlemen with tech — he does note that "technology continues to get more relevant" to the freight transaction and move- ment process. "How can we use technology to benefit all parties?" he asks, a question some of the recent changes at the company are in- tended to answer. The new Navisphere Carrier web portal is live and available, "primarily utilized by dispatchers [and multi-role owners] from the back office," he says. Those utilizing the CHRWTrucks mobile app will see launch of a new mobile app with the Navisphere branding "later in the year." Varying levels of automation are coming in that area, but Biesterfeld emphasizes the company's "not trying to replace the relation- ship between our people and the carrier." De- scribing a new aspect of the web portal, for instance, he notes the case of an owner-oper- ator or dispatcher in advanced load planning mode; can't do that 24/7, as physical offices close or are reduced to skeleton staffs. Built-in new functionality allows for online offers to be delivered and followed up on later. Otherwise, the new portal "has a completely new look and feel and smarter searching," he says. "If a carrier just went from L.A. to Chicago and they are based in Dallas, smart search will show them loads back to L.A., to Dallas and others that just get them out of Chi- cago." Beta testing among a variety of owner- operators is ongoing for the new mobile app. Keep an eye out for it through the next several months. OO