DHL launches new online freight forwarding platform

DHL Global Forwarding (GF) has launched a pilot of myDHLi, a fully-integrated online platform for its freight forwarding customers, as part of Deutsche Post DHL’s  Strategy 2025 — Delivering excellence in a digital world.

The forwarder said it believed the coronavirus outbreak would push companies to develop digital solutions.

The new myDHLi platform, which is based on the CargoWise transport management system, enables DHL GF customers to manage shipment transport modes (air and ocean), freight rates, carbon emissions and shipment data, as well as analyses and reports.

MyDHLi merges DHL GF’s existing online services, such as myDHLi Quote & Book and myDHLi Analytics, with new services and features, and incorporates them into a single platform.

Users can configure the myDHLi platform to only include the specific services that they need.

DHL GF says a key USP of its myDHLi platform is the new social media style ‘follow and share’ function, which allows users to connect with trading partners, share information with them about shipments in progress, and jointly view shipment statuses.

The new tracking function provides users with end-to-end information and full visibility of shipments sent by air and ocean, in near real-time, as well as automated status updates and push notifications.

Additionally, myDHLi Documents — also a new feature — offers allows users to access download or store shipment documents such as quotes, commercial invoice, packing list, house bill, invoice and proof of delivery.

MyDHLi Analytics, an older online DHL GF service, enables platform users to easily view, analyse and export shipment data in Excel-compatible formats.

At the webinar launch of myDHLi, which took place today (May 19), DHL GF chief executive Tim Scharwath, explained: “We have created a one-stop customer portal that is tailored to the needs of our customers. By combining services like online quotation and booking with shipment tracking, document accessibility, and data analyses we are creating not only 360-degrees visibility, but also have laid the foundation for customers to manage their logistics – anytime and anywhere.

“We strongly believe that digitalization bears the potential to ease and improve the daily business of shippers and freight forwarders simultaneously.

“This is even truer during unpredictable and challenging times such as those we are currently facing with Covid-19, and which might now act as an accelerator for digitizing the industry. That is what digitalization means to us and why we made it a cornerstone of our Strategy 2025.”

DHL GF revealed that it began developing the myDHLi platform in-house in March last year.

The pilot phase of myDHLi involves selected DHL GF customers, based in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, using the platform and sharing feedback about it.

DHL GF said it is rolling myDHLi for wider use out in waves “to ensure a smooth region-by-region transition”. 

DHL GF said its older customer portal, DHLi, will be available until the rollout of myDHLi is complete.