AUSTIN, Texas – June 25, 2013 – Online freight exchange uShip today announced it is integrating the SaferWatch™ carrier compliance and risk management software across its shipping marketplace, including uShip PRO, its commercial freight platform. When combined with uShip’s proprietary scoring and performance system, the partnership gives freight brokers, 3PLs and business shippers the industry’s most comprehensive and publicly available view of carrier authority, compliance monitoring and real-time service history.
Carrier Authority
Each carrier profile on uShip links to federal government sites such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System, so brokers and shippers can verify credentials of potential carriers.
Carrier Compliance and Monitoring
Through its extensive database of carriers, SaferWatch enables broker and shipper’s due diligence and carrier qualification decisions to be based on current FMCSA safety, insurance, authority and trending records, helping effectively better manage and reduce risk.
Carrier Scoring and Performance
Through uShip’s existing rating and reviews system, where nearly 450,000 pieces of feedback have been logged, brokers and shippers can quickly assess a carrier’s track record through a single feedback score, positive/neutral/negative ratings, cancellation history, as well as ratings for communication, care of goods, punctuality and services-as-described.
“Transparency is crucial in any exchange or marketplace, which is why the SaferWatch-uShip combination is so powerful for brokers and shippers,” said Jason Reneau, GM, uShip PRO. “It’s this comprehensive view that can give peace of mind and reduce risk around the crucial decisions that logistics professionals face every day.”
“SaferWatch continually strives to give customers state-of-the-art tools to help them make confident decisions,” said Mark Draeb, President of Grizella, the maker of SaferWatch. “We also share uShip’s vision of a more automated, efficient commercial freight industry – and integrated carrier monitoring is a critical piece of that equation.”
Broker/Shipper Benefits
Brokers and shippers evaluating potential transporters will now see the “SaferWatch Monitored” badge on uShip profiles for those service providers that have registered their MC number and are being actively monitored. Behind the badge, the interface allows for the easy access to carriers’ Authority, and Bodily Injury and Property Damage (BIPD) insurance information from the FMCSA.
Second, this summer, uShip will begin enabling the use of CertData, SaferWatch’s new premier Certificate of Insurance Module. CertData shows detailed policy summaries for cargo, auto, general and worker’s compensation insurance policies from a carrier’s Certificate of Insurance issued directly by the carrier’s insurance agent. uShip PRO customers will be able to request, review and print certificates on demand, among other features.
Carrier Benefits
Owner-operators and carriers benefit from the uShip-SaferWatch partnership as well. The SaferWatch badge on a transporter’s free uShip profile gives access to instantly-bookable uShip freight and helps strengthen trust levels for potential customers. Carriers also use the profile as a public-facing marketing channel that displays their performance score, experience, capabilities, and service history.
Worldwide, uShip has over 350,000 registered carriers, including interstate, intrastate, local delivery, hotshot drivers and courier services, and since 2004, has facilitated more than $365M in transactions through its online freight exchange. In December, uShip secured $18M in Series C Financing through Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers, bringing its total raised to $28M. Institutional investors Benchmark Capital and DAG Ventures each participated in earlier rounds.
About uShip
uShip.com is the world’s largest and most trusted online freight exchange serving the freight, household goods and vehicle shipping markets among other verticals. Consumers and businesses can compare and book upfront quotes, name their own price or receive auction-style bids from thousands of customer-reviewed Transportation Service Providers, ranging from independent owner-operators to the largest freight carriers and brokers. Launched in 2004, Austin, Texas-based uShip operates globally with localized sites in 19 countries and regions on six continents, including North America, Europe, South America, India, Africa and Australia. http://www.uship.com
About Grizella
Established in 2000, Grizella is a technology company dedicated to building affordable, easy-to-use software for the freight transportation industry. Grizella’s SaferWatch provides world-class carrier compliance monitoring and research, while PostEverywhere is the largest load distribution network for brokers and shippers. Based in Hebron, N.D., the Company also provides a variety of consulting services to the industry. http://grizella.com
Media contacts:
Dean Jutilla, uShip, [email protected], 650-814-3854
Kathy Sardelli, SaferWatch™, Grizella, [email protected], (701) 878-9700 x614
