The modern supply chain is a data-rich, continuously evolving entity. However, the advancements of supply chain systems have led to a unique problem, information, and data overload. Supply chain leaders have so much information at their disposal that they lose sight of what meaningful decisions can be made and why. According to Reuters, 51% of retailers are experiencing this problem, resulting in delays in freight management. Why? The days of choosing a single carrier based solely on its lowest-cost are over. The modern supply-chain is much more complex. Regardless of freight management parties’ interactions, recognizing the actual impact of origin and destination data can be difficult. Fortunately, SONAR Lane Score provides this snapshot view into how to apply scores to make meaningful decisions across all segments when managing shipping lanes.
SONAR assesses a Lane Score for shipping lanes based on three categories of hi, med, and lo demand for both inbound and outbound freight. Lane Score 2 is based on the headhaul value for the lane.
Lane Score 2 is a measure of up to -1000.000 to +1000.000 where negative represents the outbound freight and a positive number represents the inbound moves. With that being said, each of the 36 Lane Score 1 values immediately shows what the Lane Score 2 is going to be too.
Then, those six values can be combined to create 36 unique combinations that allude to both the demand for the inbound and outbound side at each location. In turn, that creates value by giving all SONAR users instant views of the next best action, as shown tables below per freight market participant for both inbound and outbound to take.
Carriers deploy SONAR Lane Score for managing shipping lanes to maximize asset utilization and ensure they offer the most competitive freight rates, while also increasing profitability by accepting the most lucrative freight tenders.
As an example, a carrier would consider refusing most loads in shipping lanes scored with a 21, but that is only for outbound. Instead, they would want to also refuse some outbound loads and leave assets in place for outbound moves. That ensures the best mix of asset allocation and the ability to choose the most lucrative loads from applicable load boards or other inbound means.
| LEGEND | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actions to Take | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | YES | |||
| Move assets to destination | Refuse average loads | NO | ||||
| Leave assets alone | Refuse some loads | Offer higher rates | ||||
| Accept most loads | Book 7+ days early | Offer average rates | ||||
| Accept average loads | Book ~3 days early | Offer lowest rates | ||||
| Accept some loads | Book with < 24 hrs | |||||
| Haul Lane Score1 | Haul Lane Score2 | Outbound & Inbound Actions to Take | Bid on the Lane? | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 thru 36 | -3 to 3 | Outbound Initial Action | Outbound Next Best Action | Inbound Action to Take | Yes/No |
| 1 | -3 | Move assets to destination | Accept most loads | Refuse some loads | NO |
| 2 | -3 | Move assets to destination | Accept most loads | Refuse average loads | NO |
| 3 | -3 | Move assets to destination | Accept average loads | Refuse some loads | NO |
| 4 | -3 | Move assets to destination | Accept average loads | Refuse average loads | NO |
| 5 | -3 | Leave assets alone | Accept most loads | Refuse most loads | NO |
| 6 | -3 | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | Refuse most loads | NO |
| 7 | -2 | Leave assets alone | Accept most loads | Accept some loads | NO |
| 8 | -2 | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | Accept average loads | NO |
| 9 | -2 | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | Accept most loads | NO |
| 10 | -2 | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | Refuse some loads | NO |
| 11 | -2 | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | Refuse average loads | NO |
| 12 | -2 | Leave assets alone | Accept some loads | Refuse most loads | YES |
| 13 | -1 | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | Accept some loads | NO |
| 14 | -1 | Move assets to origin | Accept average loads | Accept average loads | NO |
| 15 | -1 | Move assets to origin | Accept average loads | Accept most loads | NO |
| 16 | -1 | Leave assets alone | Accept some loads | Accept some loads | NO |
| 17 | -1 | Move assets to origin | Accept some loads | Accept average loads | NO |
| 18 | -1 | Move assets to origin | Accept some loads | Accept most loads | NO |
| 19 | 1 | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | Refuse some loads | NO |
| 20 | 1 | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | Refuse average loads | NO |
| 21 | 1 | Leave assets alone | Refuse some loads | Refuse most loads | YES |
| 22 | 1 | Move assets to destination | Refuse average loads | Refuse some loads | YES |
| 23 | 1 | Move assets to destination | Refuse average loads | Refuse average loads | YES |
| 24 | 1 | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | Refuse most loads | YES |
| 25 | 2 | Leave assets alone | Refuse some loads | Accept some loads | |
| 26 | 2 | Move assets to origin | Refuse some loads | Accept average loads | |
| 27 | 2 | Move assets to origin | Refuse some loads | Accept most loads | |
| 28 | 2 | Move assets to destination | Refuse most loads | Refuse some loads | YES |
| 29 | 2 | Move assets to destination | Refuse most loads | Refuse average loads | YES |
| 30 | 2 | Move assets to destination | Refuse most loads | Refuse most loads | YES |
| 31 | 3 | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | Accept some loads | YES |
| 32 | 3 | Leave assets alone | Refuse most loads | Accept some loads | YES |
| 33 | 3 | Move assets to origin | Refuse average loads | Accept average loads | YES |
| 34 | 3 | Move assets to origin | Refuse average loads | Accept most loads | YES |
| 35 | 3 | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | Accept average loads | YES |
| 36 | 3 | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | Accept most loads | YES |
Both freight brokers and 3PLs can apply Lane Score 1 and Lane Score 2 data when making decisions that affect bookings across shipping lanes. That includes reaching out to more carriers, recognizing when it is time to possibly scaled-back expansion of the network, and continuously reevaluating freight bidding processes in favor of more lucrative opportunities.
And since the SOANR Lane score includes two unique scores, the implications are unique for both inbound and outbound operations. For instance, brokers and carriers will want to accept most loads for inbound and outbound when Lane score 1 is “1.” However, it may also be necessary to move assets to account for the increased ability to cover loads at the same time.
| Haul Lane Score1 | Haul Lane Score2 | Actions to Take | Bid on the Lane? | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 thru 36 | -3 to 3 | Outbound Action to Take | Next Outbound Action to take | Inbound Action to Take | Inbound Next Best Action' | Yes/No |
| 1 | -3 | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | NO |
| 2 | -3 | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | NO |
| 3 | -3 | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | NO |
| 4 | -3 | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | NO |
| 5 | -3 | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | YES |
| 6 | -3 | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | YES |
| 7 | -2 | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | Move assets to origin | Refuse some loads | YES |
| 8 | -2 | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | Move assets to origin | Refuse average loads | NO |
| 9 | -2 | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | NO |
| 10 | -2 | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | Move assets to destination | Accept most loads | YES |
| 11 | -2 | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | Move assets to origin | Accept average loads | YES |
| 12 | -2 | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | YES |
| 13 | -1 | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | Move assets to origin | Refuse some loads | YES |
| 14 | -1 | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | NO |
| 15 | -1 | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | Move assets to destination | Refuse most loads | NO |
| 16 | -1 | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | Leave assets alone | Refuse some loads | YES |
| 17 | -1 | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | Move assets to origin | Refuse average loads | YES |
| 18 | -1 | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | Move assets to destination | Refuse most loads | YES |
| 19 | 1 | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | NO |
| 20 | 1 | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | Move assets to origin | Accept average loads | NO |
| 21 | 1 | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | YES |
| 22 | 1 | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | NO |
| 23 | 1 | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | Leave assets alone | Accept average loads | NO |
| 24 | 1 | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | YES |
| 25 | 2 | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | Leave assets alone | Refuse some loads | YES |
| 26 | 2 | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | Move assets to origin | Refuse average loads | YES |
| 27 | 2 | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | YES |
| 28 | 2 | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | Move assets to origin | Accept most loads | NO |
| 29 | 2 | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | Move assets to destination | Accept average loads | NO |
| 30 | 2 | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | Move assets to destination | Accept some loads | YES |
| 31 | 3 | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | YES |
| 32 | 3 | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | Move assets to destination | Refuse some loads | YES |
| 33 | 3 | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | YES |
| 34 | 3 | Leave assets alone | Refuse average loads | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | YES |
| 35 | 3 | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | Move assets to destination | Refuse average loads | YES |
| 36 | 3 | Move assets to origin | Refuse most loads | Leave assets alone | Refuse most loads | YES |
Shippers apply SONAR Lane Score data in a fashion like brokers. However, their considerations strongly trail back to considering the average lead time when tendering loads and offering appropriate rates.
As an example, shippers with a Lane Score of 36 would be in the most difficult market for carriers and brokers to cover. As a result, they would want to tender loads early enough to secure confirmation at least one week in advance. Meanwhile, they would want to offer better rates to entice carriers or brokers to accept their tenders across both inbound and outbound shipping lanes.
Although that sounds counterproductive, it is the ability to book sooner and offer higher rates that make all the difference and ensure shippers actually see a lower tender rejection rate.
However, as a Lane Score changes to 35 for shipping lanes would result in a need to offer average rates for inbound freight and offer higher rates still for outbound freight.
| Haul Lane Score1 | Haul Lane Score2 | Shippers | Bid on the Lane? | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 thru 36 | -3 to 3 | Outbound Rate Action to Take | Inbound Rate Action to Take | Advanced Booking Inbound Action to Take | Advanced Booking Outbound Action to Take | Yes/No |
| 1 | -3 | Offer higher rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 2 | -3 | Offer higher rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 3 | -3 | Offer average rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 4 | -3 | Offer average rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 5 | -3 | Offer higher rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 6 | -3 | Offer average rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 7 | -2 | Offer higher rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 8 | -2 | Offer higher rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 9 | -2 | Offer higher rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 10 | -2 | Offer lowest rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 11 | -2 | Offer lowest rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 12 | -2 | Offer lowest rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 13 | -1 | Offer average rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 14 | -1 | Offer average rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 15 | -1 | Offer average rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 16 | -1 | Offer lowest rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 17 | -1 | Offer lowest rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 18 | -1 | Offer lowest rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 19 | 1 | Offer higher rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book with < 24 hrs | YES |
| 20 | 1 | Offer average rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 21 | 1 | Offer lowest rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 22 | 1 | Offer average rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 23 | 1 | Offer average rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 24 | 1 | Offer average rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 25 | 2 | Offer lowest rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 26 | 2 | Offer lowest rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 27 | 2 | Offer lowest rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book with < 24 hrs | NO |
| 28 | 2 | Offer higher rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 29 | 2 | Offer higher rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 30 | 2 | Offer higher rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 31 | 3 | Offer average rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book ~3 days early | YES |
| 32 | 3 | Offer higher rates | Offer lowest rates | Book with < 24 hrs | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 33 | 3 | Offer average rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 34 | 3 | Offer average rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book ~3 days early | NO |
| 35 | 3 | Offer higher rates | Offer average rates | Book ~3 days early | Book 7+ days early | YES |
| 36 | 3 | Offer higher rates | Offer higher rates | Book 7+ days early | Book 7+ days early | YES |
SONAR Lane Score provides those split-second decisions needed to maximize frontline worker productivity. Request a SONAR demo online today to learn more about how to apply SONAR Lane Score to improve shipping lanes management and tendering or booking processes in your company.
