nShift vs. Cargoson: Comparing Carrier Integration Solutions for Shippers
nShift for E-commerce vs. Cargoson for Broader Industry Needs
Cargoson|Updated 16 days ago|5 min read
Multi-carrier integration software is playing an increasingly important role in businesses managing logistics, helping them handle various shipments, carrier coordination, and documentation. While nShift and Cargoson both offer carrier integration software, they cater to different industries and logistics needs. Here is the overview of both solutions, aimed at helping cargo owners select the right smart-tool for their specific requirements.
nShift: A Focus on E-commerce and Courier Shipments
nShift primarily serves e-commerce businesses and companies managing smaller packages. It offers services like booking, label generation, and tracking for various regional and global courier carriers. This makes it a suitable choice for businesses handling frequent shipments of small parcels through different couriers.
One of nShift's main strengths is its ability to support the shipping needs of e-commerce businesses by providing tools for printing labels and tracking shipments across multiple courier services. For companies dealing with smaller shipments that require fast and reliable delivery, nShift provides the necessary automation to simplify this process.
Cargoson: Tailored for Manufacturing, Retail, and 3PL Warehousing
Cargoson, on the other hand, is designed with a broader range of industries in mind, particularly manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and third-party logistics (3PL) warehouses. While it supports smaller parcel shipments, Cargoson is also equipped to handle larger goods such as pallets, Less Than Trailer loads (LTL), Full Trailer and sea containers. It supports multiple freight types, including air, sea, road, rail and courier, making it a versatile solution for businesses that require more complex transport management.
Cargoson offers transport order management for all types of shipments, from small parcels to larger freight. Beyond booking, label generation, and tracking, it provides additional services like automated milestone tracking and delayed shipment reporting. For companies handling larger and more diverse shipments, these features can help maintain better control over logistics processes.
Comparison Tools and Price Management
One of the key differentiators between Cargoson and nShift is the range of comparison tools offered by Cargoson. The platform allows users to compare prices, transit times, and CO2 emissions across different carriers, helping companies make informed decisions based on cost, speed, and environmental impact. The software also provides the option to send ad-hoc price requests directly to carriers and manage personal pricelists within the platform.
In contrast, nShift focuses primarily on providing basic shipping functionalities without the extensive comparison tools that Cargoson offers. This makes Cargoson more suited for businesses that need to manage logistics more comprehensively and compare carrier offerings in greater detail.
Documentation and Integration
When it comes to documentation, Cargoson again has a wider scope. In addition to standard shipping labels, it generates various documents such as CMR (international waybills), e-Waybills, Dangerous Goods Declarations (DGD), and the possibility to create customs declarations. For businesses handling international freight or specific types of goods, these additional documents are crucial for smooth logistics operations.
Both platforms offer integration with carriers, but Cargoson provides more flexibility in how carriers are connected. Cargoson integrates with carriers via API or EDI, as well as with those who operate through email - a tailormade approach. This makes it easier for cargo owners to automate processes without requiring carriers to change their existing workflows. In contrast, nShift’s focus is primarily on connecting with regional and global courier carriers, mainly through API integrations.
Additional Features in Cargoson
Cargoson also includes a few unique features that may appeal to certain businesses. For example, it has integrated dock scheduling functionality, allowing users to manage warehouse loading and unloading schedules. This is particularly useful for companies with larger volumes of goods moving in and out of warehouses. Additionally, Cargoson offers third-party supplier account management, making it easier for businesses to automate and coordinate logistics with external partners.
Category
nShift
Cargoson
Target Market
✅ Focus on e-commerce, handling smaller packages and frequent shipments.
✅ Tailored for manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and 3PL, covering all freight types and sizes. ❌ Less suited for businesses handling only small parcels and pure e-commerce needs.
Booking & Labeling
✅ Provides booking and labeling services for various couriers.
✅ Supports booking, labeling, and tracking for all freight types (courier, air, sea, road).
Carrier Integration
❌ Limited to courier integrations via online platforms.
✅ Supports all carriers, integrates via API, EDI, or email without requiring carriers to change their process. ❌ Fewer courier carrier connections compared to nShift.
Price & Transit Time Comparison
❌ No price, transit time, or emissions comparison tools.
✅ Allows price, transit time, and CO2 emissions comparison across carriers.
Shipment Tracking
✅ Tracking provided for smaller parcel shipments across multiple couriers.
✅ Full tracking, milestone tracking, and automated delayed shipment reporting.
Document Generation
❌ Limited to basic shipping labels.
✅ Generates various documents (CMR, e-Waybill, DGD, declarations).
Contract Flexibility
❌ Reports of rigid, unfair contracts and hidden fees.
✅ Transparent pricing and contract terms, no major issues reported with fees or cancellations.
Customer Support
❌ Negative feedback on slow, unhelpful support, difficult to reach.
✅ Fast, responsive support, praised for effective problem-solving, integration help, and quick resolutions.
Automation
❌ Limited automation for more complex logistics processes.
✅ Automates shipment booking, carrier communication, and delayed shipment reporting.
Additional Features
❌ Lacks additional tools like dock scheduling, 3PL supplier management, or price requests to carriers.
✅ Includes dock scheduling, 3PL supplier account functionality, and personal pricelist management.
Compare customer feedback reviews of nShift and Cargoson
nShift and Cargoson are both valuable software but serve different purposes.
nShift is ideal for businesses focused on small parcel shipments, particularly in the e-commerce sector, offering straightforward booking, label generation, and tracking services for courier carriers. Cargoson, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive solution for businesses with diverse logistics needs, including larger shipments, multiple transport modes, and extensive carrier comparison tools.
