7 IT Mistakes Freight Brokers Make (And How to Fix Them)
In freight brokerage, time is money—and downtime is deadly. If you’re dealing with recurring tech issues, slow support, or outdated systems, you’re not alone. Here are the seven most common IT mistakes freight brokers make—and how to avoid them.
1. Relying on ‘Break-Fix’ IT Support
Many brokers wait until something breaks before calling for help. This reactive approach leads to more downtime, higher costs, and lost revenue.
✅ Fix: Work with a proactive IT partner who monitors your systems 24/7, prevents issues, and acts before problems escalate.
2. Ignoring Uptime and System Redundancy
When your TMS or communication tools go down, the entire business stalls. Many brokers overlook redundancy or lack the infrastructure to maintain uptime.
✅ Fix: Ensure your systems are monitored, backed up, and built for high availability—especially for your TMS and EDI connections.
3. Treating IT as a Cost Center, Not a Strategic Partner
Viewing IT as just another expense leads to short-term decisions and long-term headaches.
✅ Fix: Partner with an IT provider who helps you innovate, cut waste, and even drive revenue through better tools and strategy.
4. Using Outdated or Legacy Systems Without Proper Support
Many freight brokers stick with old TMS platforms or software because they’re familiar—but that doesn’t mean they’re optimized.
✅ Fix: Get help modernizing access to your legacy systems (like web access to desktop TMS platforms) without disrupting your workflows.
5. Underestimating Cybersecurity Risks
With increasing attacks on logistics companies, poor cybersecurity is a ticking time bomb.
✅ Fix: Lock down endpoints, implement multi-factor authentication, train staff on phishing awareness, and monitor for threats continuously.
6. Not Having a Disaster Recovery Plan
Whether it’s ransomware, server failure, or a natural disaster—if you don’t have a backup plan, you’re gambling your business.
✅ Fix: Work with your IT partner to create and test a disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
7. Working With Techs Who Don’t Understand Freight
Tech support that doesn’t know a load board from a bill of lading wastes your time and delays resolution.
✅ Fix: Choose an IT team that understands the freight brokerage world, speaks your language, and knows the tools you rely on.
Ready to solve these problems for good?
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