Freight OS for Forwarders
The freight operating system for freight forwarders
A freight operating system is the automation layer around your forwarding TMS. FRAI creates one shipment, one live reference and automates quoting, email and documents around systems like CargoWise, with no rip and replace.
- 45 → 2 min
- Quote turnaround
- 50%
- Faster responses
- One
- Live reference
Ops console
3 actions readyA freight operating system for forwarders is the automation layer that sits around your forwarding TMS and inbox. FRAI builds one live reference per shipment and automates quoting, email-to-ops, documents and compliance around systems such as CargoWise, rather than replacing them. Forwarders use it to quote faster, respond faster and stop re-keying, with no rip and replace.
The problem
Why a freight operating system, not another TMS?
Forwarders already have a TMS to record shipments. The pain is the manual work around it: reading email, pricing quotes and producing documents. A freight operating system automates that work rather than replacing the system of record.
The inbox runs the operation
Quote requests, bookings and updates arrive as free-text email, so the inbox becomes the de facto operating system between you and the TMS.
Manual quoting loses work
Pricing a lane by hand takes 30 to 45 minutes, so customers move on while rates shift underneath you.
The TMS does not do the work around it
A TMS such as CargoWise records shipments well, but it does not read email, build a quote from scratch or reconcile documents.
How FRAI fixes it
How the freight operating system helps forwarders
FRAI creates one live operational reference for each movement and automates quoting, email-to-ops and documents across the systems you already run. It connects to your TMS, email, rate sources and legacy data, so your team works from one source of truth with no rip and replace.
- Automate quoting from inbound requests and live rates with quote automation.
- Turn inbox traffic into structured operational actions with email-to-ops automation.
- Extract and generate paperwork with document automation tied to the shipment.
- Connect to your TMS such as CargoWise, Outlook, carrier APIs and legacy databases.
Quote #Q-4821
Quote sentRFQ: 2×40ft Felixstowe → Rotterdam
from ops@northwind.com
Hi, please quote 2×40ft HC, gross 24t, ready 14 Jun, delivery to RTM port. Need rates asap.
FRAI is reading this email…
Workflow before and after
What changes day to day
Before FRAI
- TMS records shipments, but quoting and email are manual
- Quotes priced by hand, 30 to 45 minutes each
- Same detail re-keyed across TMS, rate sheets and documents
- No single live reference for a shipment across the team
With FRAI
- A freight operating system automates the work around the TMS
- Quotes drafted automatically against fresher rates
- Email and documents turned into structured, aligned data
- One shipment, one live reference across the operation
Relevant FRAI modules
The modules behind this solution
FRAI works with your existing systems, with no rip and replace. These modules combine to deliver this solution.
Quote Automation
Turn inbound quote requests, emails and rate data into structured, fast quotes.
Email-to-Ops Automation
Convert inbound and outbound email into structured operational actions automatically.
Documents
Extract, generate and reconcile freight documents against one live reference.
Compliance
Keep checks, data and documentation aligned with regulatory requirements.
Case study proof
Global forwarder cut quote turnaround to 2 minutes
A global freight forwarder used FRAI as the operating system around its TMS, automating quoting and email-to-ops to price work faster and protect margin with fresher rates.
- 45 min → 2 min quote turnaround
- 93% faster quote process
- Margin protection from fresher rates
Operational outcomes
VerifiedPrimary result
45 min → 2 min quote turnaround
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about freight os for forwarders with FRAI.
Is a freight operating system a replacement for my forwarding TMS?
No. A freight operating system works around your TMS, such as CargoWise, rather than replacing it. The TMS stays the system of record, and FRAI automates the quoting, email and document work around it on one live reference, with no rip and replace.
What does a freight operating system connect to for forwarders?
FRAI connects to your TMS such as CargoWise, email including Outlook, carrier APIs for live rates and legacy databases, tying what it finds to one live reference per shipment.
What results can forwarders expect?
Forwarders using FRAI have cut quote turnaround from around 45 minutes to 2 minutes and responded to customers and suppliers faster, while reducing re-keying errors.
Related solutions, integrations and guides
- FRAI for Freight ForwardersThe forwarder solution in detail
- Freight OS for hauliersA freight OS framed for hauliers
- Freight OS for heavy haulageA freight OS framed for heavy haulage
- Guide: What is a freight operating system?
- Guide: TMS vs freight operating system
- CargoWise integrationWorks alongside your forwarding TMS
- Case study: Freight Quote Automation
See how FRAI fits into your freight operation
Book a personalised demo and explore how FRAI can automate your workflows across your existing systems, with no rip and replace.