Logistics firms are cutting costs and streamlining procurement by adopting automated transportation bidding systems, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

David Knuth of IEWC said SMC3's Bid$sense tool transformed his work, replacing months of manual spreadsheet preparation with a fully online process. The system automates distribution of bid data to carriers and alerts them to deadlines, reducing delays.

Mr Knuth noted that data-cleansing features eliminate errors that once clouded negotiations. Uniform responses now allow shippers to rank bids quickly and run multiple scenarios to optimise procurement decisions.

Jesse Burnett of Central Garden & Pet said his company centralised transportation procurement in 2015 using Bid$sense. Previously, each business unit negotiated separately, leading to inconsistent pricing and no national agreements.

Mr Burnett reported immediate benefits, including savings of more than nine per cent on a US$19.6 million LTL bid in 2019. He said centralisation and automation sharpened carrier competitiveness and ensured more accurate pricing.

Executives found Bid$sense widely recognised among carriers, easing adoption. Burnett highlighted the importance of clean data, which allows carriers to plan accurately and return optimal bids, strengthening long-term partnerships.

Automated bidding tools are becoming integral to modern supply chains, enabling shippers to save time and money while building stronger relationships with carriers.