The Client
Sims Global Solutions (SGS) is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider specializing in complex freight—particularly open-deck and oversized shipments. Seeking to improve operational efficiency, enhance security, and reduce fraud and risk across its carrier onboarding processes, SGS deployed Descartes MyCarrierPortal™ (MCP). Seamlessly integrated with its transportation management system (TMS), the Descartes solution enabled SGS to streamline and automate carrier vetting, onboarding, and ongoing monitoring, while ensuring compliance and preventing fraud.
The Challenge: Manual Processes and Inadequate Carrier Vetting
Prior to adopting Descartes MCP, SGS relied on a time-consuming manual carrier onboarding process that was susceptible to human error. In addition, inconsistencies in the company’s vetting practices left the company vulnerable to bad actors. SGS specializes in high-risk freight types like open-deck and oversized loads and, without capabilities such as VIN validation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) company record (Form MCS-150) change alerts, and insurance policy monitoring, SGS was exposed to a range of fraud tactics and compliance issues.
“Before using MyCarrierPortal, we weren’t as focused on due diligence. We were missing steps in vetting our carriers. We needed to ensure that our carriers were not the fraudulent bad actors we’ve come to know in the industry these days.”
The Solution: A Seamless and Secure Onboarding Experience
SGS deployed Descartes MCP to automate and fortify its carrier onboarding process; today, the solution has become a foundational component of the company’s tech stack, seamlessly integrating with its TMS. “MCP really helped us streamline vetting and onboarding carriers,” Woods affirms.
For example, SGS relies on MCP’s VIN validation feature, allowing the team to confirm the equipment belongs to the correct carrier and is located where it should be. “It’s a key capability for us right now because when we’re bringing on a new carrier, we can actually validate the VIN to the specific truck and make sure they are who they say they are,” he explains. “It’s all about security and making sure that our client’s freight is hauled on a trusted carrier.”
Woods cites a specific case where red flags popped up when negotiating rates with a carrier: “We pulled up the carrier in MCP and quickly noticed the MCS-150 had changed. We also saw that Incident Reports were filed against the carrier and that their rating had dropped by a few stars. With MCP, we were able to avoid what could have been a catastrophe.”
In addition to using MCP’s geolocation and IP detection to identify location-based anomalies during onboarding, SGS also leverages certificate of insurance (COI) monitoring to ensure each carrier’s coverage is current and the company is not exposed to unnecessary liability. The solution provides a competitive advantage as well. “One capability that definitely stands out is the ability to customize carrier questionnaires and understand the different trailer types we want to capture during onboarding,” Woods says. “Being able to now target those types of carriers with MCP is key for our success.”
“Proprietary information is what keeps us alive in this industry, and one of the most valuable advantages of Descartes is that our data is kept private. Many other pricing and tendering models share your data but, with MCP and Descartes, our data is secure and safe.”
The Results
- Automated Carrier Onboarding: MCP automates carrier vetting and onboarding, leveraging the industry’s largest network of active, vetted carriers. By eliminating manual processes, SGS can quickly identify the best carrier for each load.
- Increased Team Productivity: MCP integrates seamlessly with SGS’s TMS, empowering its carrier sales reps to work faster and smarter. With the current SGS tech stack—featuring MCP—two reps now handle the workload of 4–5 reps.
- Stronger Fraud Prevention: MCP’s VIN validation is mission-critical to help SGS verify carrier identity and prevent fraud, and red flags (e.g., overseas IP addresses, recent FMCSA changes) are identified automatically by the solution.
- Real-Time Risk Monitoring: MCP monitors carriers in real-time and proactively alerts SGS with status, risk and compliance updates (e.g., changes to insurance coverage, ratings, FMCSA safety records, inspections, DOT numbers).
