Freight brokers run on thin margins, tight schedules, and mission-critical technology. Your TMS uptime, EDI integrations, and data security aren’t “nice to haves”; they’re lifelines. Choosing the right Managed IT Services Provider (MSP) can mean the difference between smooth operations and costly disruptions.
Here’s how to evaluate MSPs through the lens of your brokerage business.
1. Start With Why IT Matters in Freight Brokerage
- Uptime = Revenue. Every minute your TMS or EDI is down, you’re losing load opportunities.
- Data Security = Trust. Shippers won’t risk their freight with a broker who leaks data.
- Scalability = Growth. As your team grows, your IT backbone must grow with you.
First question to ask a provider: “What specific experience do you have supporting freight brokers or logistics companies?”
2. Core Services Every MSP Should Offer
- 24/7 Monitoring & Support: issues resolved before they shut you down.
- Data Backup & Disaster Recovery: offsite backups and fast recovery times.
- Cybersecurity Services: firewalls, MFA, endpoint protection, phishing prevention.
- Cloud Management: support for cloud-based TMS, CRMs, and productivity tools.
- Vendor Management: dealing with your TMS, EDI, phone, and SaaS vendors so you don’t have to.
Next question to ask a provider: “How do you guarantee uptime and security for mission-critical apps like a TMS or time-critical applications?”
3. Key Freight-Specific IT Needs
- Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Integrations, legacy upgrades, browser-based access.
- EDI Stability: Preventing “data blackouts” that kill load bidding.
- Remote Work Support: Secure access for sales, carriers sales, ops and tracking reps across geographies.
- Compliance: Familiarity with FMCSA, carrier onboarding and shipper data requirements.
Next question to ask a provider: “Would you share a case study where you solved an IT issue for a freight brokerage or logistics firm?”
4. How to Evaluate MSPs (Decision Checklist)
| Criteria | Why It Matters | What to Look For |
| Industry Knowledge | Faster onboarding, fewer mistakes | Freight brokerage clients, TMS/EDI fluency |
| Responsiveness | Downtime is money lost | SLA with <15 min response time |
| Proactive Approach | Prevent issues before they cost you | Monitoring, patching, health checks |
| Scalability | Support as you add users/offices | Pricing that scales by users, not flat fees only |
| Security Posture | Protect data & contracts | MFA, endpoint security, compliance audits |
| Customer Experience | IT shouldn’t be painful | References where clients call them ‘a partner’ |
5. Red Flags to Avoid
- “One Size Fits All” Packages. Freight has unique IT needs.
- Slow or Overseas-Only Support. If your TMS crashes at 3 AM, will they answer?
- No Transportation References. IT generalists may not understand freight urgency.
- Reactive Only. If they only fix problems when you call, you’ll bleed revenue.
Next question to ask a provider: “What’s your average response and resolution time, and how do you measure it?”
6. The ROI Question
A great MSP isn’t just a cost center. They should:
- Reduce downtime and lost loads.
- Prevent fines and compliance failures.
- Free up your staff from IT headaches.
- Offer “fractional CIO” guidance (helping you choose the right tech stack).
Next question to ask a provider: “How will you help us make more money or save more money?”
7. Next Steps for Freight Brokers
- Audit your current IT environment. What’s breaking, what’s risky, what’s costing you money?
- Shortlist 3 MSPs. Preferably ones with logistics experience.
- Interview using this guide. Push them with freight-specific scenarios.
- Check references. Call another broker they’ve worked with.
- Start with a pilot project. Before signing a long-term contract, test them with a migration or security audit.
Bottom line:
For freight brokers, IT isn’t background noise. It’s the backbone of revenue and trust. The right MSP should feel less like a vendor and more like an extension of your operations team, one that knows what happens when EDI goes down at 4 PM on a Friday and why uptime isn’t negotiable.
Need help evaluating your IT needs? Schedule a free consultation with Jake and the Insperia team.
