Best CRM For Logistics Industry
Regarding managing logistics, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Services can be a game-changer, offering tailored solutions for tracking shipments, managing inventory, and optimizing routes.
Free CRMs: Easy-on-the-pocket options for Small-scale Ventures
If your business is on the smaller side or just starting, looking into free CRMs might sound pretty good.
They’re budget-friendly and offer ways to manage customer interactions without the heavy price tag.
But it’s also smart to consider what these free versions might not have compared to paid ones before choosing.
Leveraging Microsoft Dynamics CRM Services allows logistics companies to centralize customer data, automate workflows, and gain valuable insights to make informed business decisions.
HubSpot CRM
Pros:
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- Free for unlimited users
- A simple and intuitive user interface
- Strong lead tracking and contact management features
- Integration (paid plans) with other HubSpot tools
- Paid plans)
Cons:
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- Few possibilities for modification
- Limited support for users of the free plan
- Fewer advanced features than those of paid CRMs
Zoho CRM
The free customer interaction tracking tool Zoho CRM has become popular recently.
Pros:
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- Free for a maximum of three users
- Adaptable reports and dashboards
- Mobile app for access while on the road
- Paid plans that integrate with other Zoho apps
Cons:
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- The free plan has a few features
- Limited customer assistance for users of the free plan
- A steep learning curve for new users
Bitrix24
Bitrix24 not only gives free CRM, but it also has teamwork, chat, project management, and collaboration features all in one location.
This combo is perfect for logistics companies trying to optimize their processes.
Pros:
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- Free for a maximum of 12 users
- Full suite of tools (Communication, Project management, and CRM)
- Mobile app for improved accessibility – Workspaces and dashboards that can be customized
Cons:
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- There isn’t much storage available with the free plan
- Limited customer assistance for users of the free plan
- A steep learning curve for new users
Freshworks CRM
Pros:
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- Unlimited users can use the free, lifetime plan
- A cutting-edge, intuitive UI
- Rudimentary transaction tracking and contact management
- Combination with additional Freshworks items
Cons:
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- Limited features available with the free plan
- Not any sophisticated reporting or automation
- Insufficient client assistance
- limitations on storage
How it can benefit your logistics company
Your entire team can access and edit a consolidated database of all your vendor relationships, shipping accounts, and customer contacts with the free Freshworks CRM.
You may track shipments’ status or open possibilities, record customer interactions, and create deal records.
Really Simple Systems CRM
As the name implies, Really Simple Systems provides small logistics providers with an easy-to-use, free CRM system.
Pros:
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- Free for a maximum of two accounts
- Basic contact administration
- Simple opportunity monitoring
- Field access via mobile apps
Cons:
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- Very little features
- Absence of opportunities for customizing
- Inadequate capacity for reporting
- Insufficient client service
How it can help your operations related to logistics
With Really Simple Systems CRM, you can keep track of customer contact information and account details in one central location that is available to your staff.
As transactions move forward, you can log new sales leads, generate opportunity records, and update their status.
Salesmate CRM
Pros:
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- Adaptable sales processes and pipelines
- Connectivity with widely used office suites, such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- iOS and Android mobile applications
Cons:
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- The free plan has limited storage and user capacity
- Limited customer assistance for free plan users
- Basic analytics and reporting capabilities
- Paid plans are needed for greater features and integrations
Melon CRM
Melon CRM is a free solution designed for small businesses, particularly those engaged in handling and shipping.
It has many useful capabilities, such as monitoring customer relationships, tracking possible transactions, and improving sales efforts.
With the help of this program, you can maintain tabs on your target market by building profiles for them, recalling previous discussions, and organizing important documents.
It also offers straightforward methods for managing your sales processes and aids in attracting and nurturing fresh prospects from various sources.
Pros:
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- Easy-to-use interface
- Mobile applications for Android and iOS gadgets
- Compatibility with widely used productivity programs, such as Google Workspace Personalized sales workflows and pipelines
Cons:
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- The free plan’s limited features
- Simple analytics and reporting tools
- Limited customer service for
- Advanced features and integrations require paid plans
Streak CRM
Streak is a free CRM option that works right inside your Gmail inbox, making it convenient for logistics companies that do most of their communication over email.
Pros:
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- Free for unlimited users
- Easy to use since it’s integrated with Gmail
- Basic pipeline management and email tracking
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Cons:
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- Very limited functionality
- No customization options
- Lack of integration with other business tools
- Limited reporting capabilities
How it can help your logistics business:
With Streak CRM, your team can manage customers, deals, and shipments without leaving their Gmail inboxes.
Customer emails and communication get automatically tracked against the relevant records.
You can create pipeline views to see the status of all your ongoing shipments or sales opportunities.
Simple kanban board views provide a visual overview of your workload. It’s a basic but convenient free CRM for Gmail-centric logistics teams.
Paid CRMs: Strong Tools for Big Companies
While small businesses might start with free CRMs, big companies with complicated needs find more value in paid ones.
These paid systems come with more features, ways to make them fit exactly what the company needs, and special support just for them.
This makes these CRMs a smart choice for companies doing a lot of different things.
Salesforce
Pros:
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- Highly customizable and scalable
- Robust feature set for various business functions
- Extensive integration options with third-party apps
- Committed customer service and educational materials
Cons:
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- High initial and ongoing costs
- Potential data security concerns (addressed with robust security measures)
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Pros:
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- Seamless compatibility with Microsoft goods
- Sturdy analytics and reporting features – Workflows and dashboards that are customizable
- Committed to customer service and educational materials
Cons:
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- High initial and ongoing costs
- The steep learning curve at the beginning
- Potential compatibility issues with non-Microsoft products
Oracle NetSuite CRM
Pros:
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- A comprehensive suite of tools for logistics businesses
- Strong connectivity with additional NetSuite products
- Expandable and adaptable system
- Committed customer service and educational materials
Cons:
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- High initial and ongoing costs
- Potential data security concerns (addressed with robust security measures)
Nutshell CRM
Pros:
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- Easily navigable and user-friendly design
- Customizable sales pipelines and workflows
- Integration with well-known productivity applications like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Mobile applications for Android and iOS gadgets
Cons:
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- Smaller analytics and reporting capabilities than other rival
- Fewer possibilities for third-party logistics software integration
- A higher learning curve for new users
- Larger logistics firms may find pricing to be less favorable
Infor CloudSuite CRM
Pros:
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- Specifically designed for logistics operations
- Tools for managing shipping orders
- Fleet upkeep and routing optimization
- Custom integration API
Cons:
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- High costs, particularly for smaller companies
- A higher learning curve for brand-new users
- Limited multicurrency and multilingual capabilities
How it benefits logistics companies
With CloudSuite CRM, logistics providers get tools to manage the full order-to-cash cycle from taking orders to invoicing and payment collection.
Shipping manifests can be created easily with all order details. Dispatch and routing modules optimize fleet operations.
Maintenance schedules and vehicle service histories are tracked. Sales teams can oversee opportunities and accounts across international offices.
Dashboards that can be customized offer insight into important indicators. It is a complete solution for logistics operations ranging from medium-sized to huge.
Mothernode CRM
Pros:
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- Developed procedures and operations in logistics
- Documentation and shipment tracking features
- Management of carriers and vendors – Integration with ERP, WMS, and TMS systems
Cons:
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- A few possibilities for modification
- Lack of mobile apps
- Rather costly for small enterprises
- Complicated setup
How it helps manage logistics operations
Mothernode CRM equips logistics companies with tools to manage all shipments, customers, vendors, carriers, and third parties in one centralized system.
Ship manifests and documentation can be generated and tracked easily. Automated alerts notify customers of shipment status updates.
Accounting can be linked to the CRM for seamless invoicing and payments.
Performance metrics track key logistics KPIs like on-time deliveries. It aims to drive efficiency across transportation operations.
Netsuite CRM+
Netsuite CRM+ is a top-notch CRM service that helps you get all the information in one place such as the complete details of every conversation, and all the important papers or notes linked to them.
It also offers awesome features that help you take care of future customers, watch over your sales flow, and even guess upcoming sales.
Plus, it works well with other Netsuite stuff like keeping track of inventory and managing your money.
Pros:
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- All-inclusive feature set for overseeing different company processes
- Strong analytics and reporting features
- Workflows and dashboards that are customizable
- Integration with third-party logistics software and additional Netsuite products
Cons:
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- Steep learning curve and difficult implementation procedure
- Comparatively costly in comparison to some rivals
- Limited functionality for mobile apps
- Additional consultancy services might be needed for customization and integration
SugarCRM
Pros:
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- Highly customizable and scalable solution
- Integration with a range of other programs and logistical software
- Strong analytics and reporting features
- Excellent training and customer service resources
Cons:
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- High learning curve for first-time users
- Somewhat high in price in comparison to certain rivals
- Intricate pricing structure depending on features and user volume
- Potential need for additional consulting services for customization and integration
FreightFriend CRM
Pros:
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- Designed with freight brokerage procedures in mind
- Features for load management and shipment visibility
- Tools for hiring and onboarding carriers
- A mobile app for drivers and tracking
Cons:
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- Limited non-transportation-focused CRM capabilities
- For small freight brokers, it can be costly. There are few customization choices
- Implementation can require third-party consultants
How it helps freight companies:
With FreightFriend’s CRM, freight brokerages and trucking companies can store all customer details, lane histories, rate confirmations, and documentation in a centralized database.
The load management module handles the assignment of shipments to drivers and trucks based on routes and availability.
Drivers get a mobile app to see load details, submit paperwork, and scan documents.
Automated alerts notify customers and staff of delays or issues.
Built-in reporting shows key freight metrics like on-time deliveries, driver performance, profit margins by lane, and more.
Pipeliner CRM
Pipeliner CRM has great features for handling potential sales and tracking them in a way that you can adjust to fit your needs.
It lets you predict future sales, manage different selling areas, and use visuals to understand how well your sales are doing.
This helps businesses that deal with transporting goods see clearly how their sales efforts are paying off.
Pros:
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- Intuitive visual interface for managing sales pipelines
- Strong analytics and reporting features
- Compatibility with well-known productivity suites such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Mobile apps compatible with iOS and Android devices
Cons:
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- Restricted customer service and contact management features in comparison to rivals
- Restricted possibilities for integrating with third-party logistics software
- A steeper learning curve for novice users; and potentially less favorable pricing for larger logistics companies
- Consider your company’s requirements and preferences after reading about the many free and paid-for CRM choices
Which CRM program would your shipping firm benefit from the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments area.
FAQs
1) What’s a CRM and why do logistic companies need it?
Customer Relationship Management is what a CRM is.
This software assists companies in monitoring every piece of customer data, including what customers purchase and how they interact with the firm.
This keeps customers happy, simplifies operations, and boosts overall business performance, making it essential for organizations that relocate.
2) How do you decide which CRM to use – one that’s free or requires payment?
The size of your company, your financial constraints, and the functions you require from the CRM will all play a major role in this.
A free CRM can work just fine for small businesses with modest needs.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Services provide logistic companies with powerful tools to streamline operations, improve customer service, and enhance overall efficiency.
3) Can CRMs get along with other tools my business uses?
Yes, many CRMs can connect with other tools your business uses, like keeping track of money or helping with marketing. But some CRMs are better at this than others.
4) Can I change free CRMs to fit what my business does?
Free CRMs usually don’t let you change them as much as the ones you pay for.
But, some might let you make some basic changes like adding your types of information or making special reports.
