With the rapid expansion of global shipping, modern terminals’ customers now demand service beyond mere reliability. They also require real-time, actionable information that takes customer self-service to the next level.
Whether it’s a shipping line, trucking companies, brokers, or some other stakeholder, terminal customers need to check container availability, manage bookings, or generate reports and do so without having to interact with intermediaries. This is where Tideworks’ Forecast comes into play.
This innovative platform provides a one-stop solution for all crucial cargo information, allowing you to place the power of real-time data into the hands of your customers to provide them with high-quality self-service that sets you apart from the competition. With Forecast, improving gate turn times and reducing customer service costs isn’t just a possibility — it’s a reality.
What Is Tideworks’ Forecast?
Forecast is a web portal designed to enhance terminal customer service. But don’t think of it as simply an online tool. It’s a digital concierge capable of revolutionizing the way customers interact with the terminal and how a terminal can cater to their specific needs.
Equipped with this system, terminals can:
- Improve customer satisfaction and inspire loyalty: Terminals can provide customers with the information they need the moment they need it. That can include checking container availability, submitting and updating bookings, and running reports.
- Get paid faster: Forecast isn’t just about information; it’s about transactional ease too. Forecast provides an online payment portal that customers can use to pay online for demurrage and other terminal fees.
- Create more efficient gate operations: Truckers can use Forecast to review their booking, pre-lodge container arrival, or view demurrage status. The result? A frictionless process that speeds up gate turn times, getting trucks in and out as swiftly as possible.
Put simply, Forecast establishes a seamless communication channel between a terminal and its various stakeholders. Designed to work hand-in-hand with Mainsail — Tideworks’ flagship marine terminal operating system — Forecast is a testament to integration and seamless functionality.
Forecast Features
What else can you expect to gain from Forecast? Let’s break down the platform’s most notable features: real-time data, streamlined processes, and enhanced security.
Real-Time Data
Customers can harness the power of real-time data with Forecast. Shipping lines, trucking companies, brokers, and other crucial links in your supply chain can access a wealth of information and accomplish a wide array of tasks without relying on your customer service team.
Customers can also:
- Pay fees
- Review payment history
- View import container availability
- Manage bookings
- Submit service requests
- Receive automatic notifications by email or text message for bookings and container availability
- View gate transactions, gate errors, trucking company information, and gate restrictions
- Maintain interchange agreements and set reminders when they’re due to expire
- Run reports for import, export, equipment, and gate activity; export reports to Excel or PDF
- View the vessel schedule, terminal news, terminal contact information, and gate cameras
And the best part? You retain absolute control over who can view and edit your data.
Streamlined Processes
Forecast creates several operational efficiencies that help streamline various processes. For instance, Forecast enables customers to inquire about multiple containers simultaneously, significantly reducing calls to your terminal. This saves them time, reduces frustration, and frees your customer service team to focus on more complex issues.
Similarly, automation is another crucial piece of the customer self-service puzzle. Truckers, shipping lines, brokers, or any other stakeholder can sign up for automated email notifications, which can proactively answer customer questions, ensuring that they’re well-informed and up-to-date.
Finally, when it comes to streamlining payments, Forecast also has you covered. PayPal integrations make it possible to accept payments for demurrage and ancillary terminal fees via credit card. Plus, trusted accounts, as designated by the terminal, can guarantee charges online.
Enhanced Security
With Forecast, data protection is paramount. To ensure customer data security, Forecast employs a secure socket layer encryption, one of the most reliable security protocols available today.
And the terminal operator gets to choose who can access and edit your data. This means you don’t just own your data; you control it.
The Future of Customer Self-Service is Tideworks’ Forecast
If your terminal seeks to improve communication with its partners, Forecast is an easy-to-use customer service portal that works in partnership with Mainsail. With Forecast, you can easily empower your customers by providing real-time data access, streamlining processes, and ensuring robust data security.
The end result? Happier customers, reduced customer service costs, and improved gate turn times.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out Forecast for yourself by scheduling your free demo today.