The phrase “supply chain cost transparency” gets tossed around quite a bit in the freight management industry. But what does it mean, really? And why is it so important to have?
We recently wrote about the importance of carrier neutrality—allowing customers to choose the carriers that work best for them.
Today, we want to emphasize just how important it is to work with a freight management provider that has eliminated hidden margins and fees so that you can see exactly what you’re paying for inbound, outbound, and intra-network shipping.
The pitfalls of hidden margin models
Many freight management providers operate using a hidden margin model, leaving you unaware of the carrier’s exact charges and the extent of your provider’s markup. Additionally, since these providers often exclusively partner with a single carrier, they likely secure undisclosed discounts, benefiting from the extra cost savings without your knowledge.
A more effective approach involves seeking a genuine freight management partner who not only provides carrier options but also gives you complete visibility into all their rates and charges you a flat fee for their service.
Why supply chain cost transparency is so important
You can’t control what you can’t see, so it’s important to have real-time access to supply chain performance data, including shipping costs and fees. VPL is the only freight management solution on the market that provides 100% data transparency for shipping spend. Plus, our program trending helps ensure your performance is improving while benchmarking shows where you stack up against industry peers.
Through a series of data visualization dashboards (pictured below), we highlight cost-savings and performance-improvement opportunities across:
- Inbound freight management
- Outbound shipping
- Supplier compliance and fees
- Medication distribution compliance
Start seeing savings right now
VPL offers a versatile healthcare freight management solution that guarantees transparency in your supply chain costs.
Discover how we can enhance your health system’s visibility, allowing you to exercise better control, reduce costs, and ultimately improve patient care. Schedule a demo today.
About VPL
We modernize clinical supply chains to support healthier patients. Our technology-driven solutions and consultative customer experience empower health systems and outpatient pharmacies to build smarter, more resilient supply chains. With over 700 hospitals and a 97% customer retention rate, we’re trusted to deliver transparency, cost savings, and peace of mind.
