Third Party Logistics - Is It Worth It? | Lojistic [ ](https://www.lojistic.com)- Why Lojistic - [ All Inclusive. Zero Cost. Every Lojistic solution. No limits. No fees. ](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing) - [ All Modes. All Carriers. All Currencies. Parcel, LTL, truckload, ocean, rail, air freight. ](https://www.lojistic.com/carrier-connectors) - [ Industries Served Retail, eCommerce, 3PL, manufacturing, and more. ](https://www.lojistic.com/industries-served) - [ Roles Most Impacted & How Supply chain & logistics, procurement, finance leaders. ](https://www.lojistic.com/roles-most-impacted) - [ Use Cases How Lojistic helps manage and reduce shipping costs. ](https://www.lojistic.com/use-cases) - Platform Features - [ Global Analytics & Reporting Predictive analytics and scenario modeling for all carriers globally. ](https://www.lojistic.com/shipping-analytics-software) - [ Rate Optimization & RFPs Tech-powered data prep, strategy, and rate impact analyses. ](https://www.lojistic.com/rate-optimization-rfps) - [ Parcel and Freight Audit & Payment *+PAY* Carrier refunds and payments automated and made simple. ](https://www.lojistic.com/freight-audit-and-payment) - [ GL Coding & ERP Sync Automatically code shipping costs down to the order level ](https://www.lojistic.com/gl-coding-erp-sync) - [ Lojistic API & App Integrations Easily integrate normalized shipping data to your business systems. ](https://www.lojistic.com/api-app-integrations) - [Pricing](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing) - [About](https://www.lojistic.com/about) - [Company](https://www.lojistic.com/company) - [Culture](https://www.lojistic.com/culture) - [Careers](https://www.lojistic.com/careers) - [Partner Programs](https://www.lojistic.com/partner-programs) - [Security](https://www.lojistic.com/security) - [Media](https://www.lojistic.com/media) - [Ratings & Review](https://www.lojistic.com/reviews) - [Videos](https://www.lojistic.com/videos) - [Blog](https://www.lojistic.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.lojistic.com/contact) - [ Login](https://app.lojistic.com/demo/account/login?trackDemo=false) - [View Demo](https://app.lojistic.com/demo) - [Create Free Account](https://app.lojistic.com/demo/connect-carrier?activeStep=create-account&trackDemo=false) [ ](https://www.lojistic.com) [Create Free Account](https://app.lojistic.com/demo/connect-carrier?activeStep=create-account&trackDemo=false) mobile navigation toggle - Why Lojistic - [ All Inclusive. Zero Cost. Every Lojistic solution. No limits. No fees. ](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing) - [ All Modes. All Carriers. All Currencies. Parcel, LTL, truckload, ocean, rail, air freight. ](https://www.lojistic.com/carrier-connectors) - [ Industries Served Retail, eCommerce, 3PL, manufacturing, and more. ](https://www.lojistic.com/industries-served) - [ Roles Most Impacted & How Supply chain & logistics, procurement, finance leaders. ](https://www.lojistic.com/roles-most-impacted) - [ Use Cases How Lojistic helps manage and reduce shipping costs. ](https://www.lojistic.com/use-cases) - Platform Features - [ Global Analytics & Reporting Predictive analytics and scenario modeling for all carriers globally. ](https://www.lojistic.com/shipping-analytics-software) - [ Rate Optimization & RFPs Tech-powered data prep, strategy, and rate impact analyses. ](https://www.lojistic.com/rate-optimization-rfps) - [ Parcel and Freight Audit & Payment *+PAY* Carrier refunds and payments automated and made simple. ](https://www.lojistic.com/freight-audit-and-payment) - [ GL Coding & ERP Sync Automatically code shipping costs down to the order level ](https://www.lojistic.com/gl-coding-erp-sync) - [ Lojistic API & App Integrations Easily integrate normalized shipping data to your business systems. ](https://www.lojistic.com/api-app-integrations) - [Pricing](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing) - [About](https://www.lojistic.com/about) - [Company](https://www.lojistic.com/company) - [Culture](https://www.lojistic.com/culture) - [Careers](https://www.lojistic.com/careers) - [Partner Programs](https://www.lojistic.com/partner-programs) - [Security](https://www.lojistic.com/security) - [Media](https://www.lojistic.com/media) - [Ratings & Review](https://www.lojistic.com/reviews) - [Videos](https://www.lojistic.com/videos) - [Blog](https://www.lojistic.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.lojistic.com/contact) [Create Free Account](https://app.lojistic.com/demo/connect-carrier?activeStep=create-account&trackDemo=false) [View Demo](https://app.lojistic.com/demo) [ Log In](https://app.lojistic.com/demo/account/login?trackDemo=false) Third Party Logistics - Is It Worth It? ======================================= ![Icon denoting blog author information in Lojistic’s content layout](/images/pages/blog/icon-author.svg)Rich Harkey ![Calendar icon used to display blog post dates on Lojistic’s website](/images/pages/blog/icon-calendar.svg)February 15, 2013 It’s reasonable to wonder if third party logistics services are truly worth it for your business. After all, you might have concerns that it will take some time to start up third party logistics for your organization. Third party logistics companies vary in quality and in terms of what they have to offer your bottom line. Plus, trusting third party logistics providers means giving a consultant access to a sensitive and critical part of your business. However, Source Consulting has discovered that virtually any business can benefit from using a quality third party logistics management. When you select third party logistics companies with a proven record of success, you stand to gain annualized savings and benefits that will give you a true competitive advantage. The time that you invest in comparing third party logistics providers will pay off in terms of optimized processes and higher levels of efficiency. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether third party logistics management is worth it: **Is Your Logistics Operation Growing?** Are you engaging in more logistics transactions this year than you did last year? What’s the outlook for the coming year? Have you been able to forecast your operations needs three to five years in the future? If your business is healthy and robust, then odds are you will have to continue growing the scale and complexity of your logistics. If you expect that your logistics will be growing steadily over time, then it is wise to consider optimizing your operations in this area. **Do You Have Carrier-Level Expertise?** It is possible for some organizations that already leverage great logistics expertise to capture some of the benefits that outsourced logistics can provide. However, at the very least, you will need help from former carrier executives who can help you to optimize your supply chain at every level. Frequently, understanding the kind of erroneous charges that carriers ascribe to your account requires insider knowledge, as does negotiating the best contract possible. **Do You Plan to Go Global?** While nationwide logistics can be very complex, international and global services are even more challenging. Building a global brand may start at home, but it requires the same level of excellent customer service wherever your brand may find itself. In order to continue building your brand with every international move you make, you will have to create a savvy network of local and regional carriers who can meet your needs. Outsourced logistics can provide the best options. If your business is successful, you will inevitably run into bigger and bigger logistics challenges. Meeting these challenges successfully is far more likely when you have the appropriate industry know-how from the beginning. It is critical that your enterprise begins optimizing logistics early because every cost saving initiative you implement successfully will reverberate across your organization as it continues to grow. Missed opportunities will also have huge implications! **More About Logistics From Source Consulting and Around the Web** [New Collaborative Research Center to Tackle Logistics](http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/news/article/new-collaborative-research-center-to-tackle-logistics/322974/) [World Bank to Provide Assistance on Jamaica Logistics](http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/32965) [Brookshire Company CEO on Importance of Logistics](http://supermarketnews.com/technology/brookshire-ceo-stresses-role-it-logistics) ![Rich Harkey Headshot](https://www.lojistic.com/assets/public/users/rich.png) Author Rich Harkey Rich Harkey Senior Strategy Manager Rich Harkey is a results-driven professional with extensive experience in the logistics and supply chain industry. As the Senior Strategy Manager at Lojistic, Rich leverages over three decades of expertise to help businesses improve their shipping strategies and reduce costs. With a deep understanding of the requirements of shippers and the operational intricacies of carriers, he excels in everything from optimizing business rules and managing carrier invoices to negotiating carrier contracts. Rich's comprehensive knowledge of the logistics industry, combined with his strategic insights and passion for data analysis, has enabled thousands of companies to gain visibility into their shipping expenses, driving impactful results. [« Previous Post](/blog/top-5-hidden-costs-of-logistics) [Next Post »](/blog/business-to-business-logistics) **Lojistic Blog** [Recent Posts](https://www.lojistic.com/blog) | [Categories](https://www.lojistic.com/blog/categories) Why Lojistic ---------------- - [All-Inclusive. Zero Cost. ](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing) - [All Modes. All Carriers. All Currencies ](https://www.lojistic.com/carrier-connectors) - [Industries Served ](https://www.lojistic.com/industries-served) - [Roles Most Impacted & How ](https://www.lojistic.com/roles-most-impacted) - [Use Cases ](https://www.lojistic.com/use-cases) Platform Features --------------------- - [Global Analytics & Reporting ](https://www.lojistic.com/shipping-analytics-software) - [Rate Optimization & RFPs ](https://www.lojistic.com/rate-optimization-rfps) - [Parcel and Freight Audit & Payment +PAY ](https://www.lojistic.com/freight-audit-and-payment) - [GL Coding & ERP Sync ](https://www.lojistic.com/gl-coding-erp-sync) - [Lojistic API & App Integrations ](https://www.lojistic.com/api-app-integrations) Pricing ----------- - [Everything Included – Free Recommended](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing) - [À La Carte Plan ](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing#a-la-carte) Resources ------------- - [White Paper ](https://www.lojistic.com/white-papers) - [FAQ ](https://www.lojistic.com/shipping-faqs) - [Security ](https://www.lojistic.com/security) About --------- - [Culture ](https://www.lojistic.com/culture) - [Careers ](https://www.lojistic.com/careers) - [Partner Programs ](https://www.lojistic.com/partner-programs) - [Ratings & Reviews ](https://www.lojistic.com/reviews) - [Videos ](https://www.lojistic.com/videos) - [Blog ](https://www.lojistic.com/blog) - [Contact Us ](https://www.lojistic.com/contact) Why Lojistic- [All-Inclusive. Zero Cost. ](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing) - [All Modes. All Carriers. All Currencies ](https://www.lojistic.com/carrier-connectors) - [Industries Served ](https://www.lojistic.com/industries-served) - [Roles Most Impacted & How ](https://www.lojistic.com/roles-most-impacted) - [Use Cases ](https://www.lojistic.com/use-cases) Platform Features- [Global Analytics & Reporting ](https://www.lojistic.com/shipping-analytics-software) - [Rate Optimization & RFPs ](https://www.lojistic.com/rate-optimization-rfps) - [Parcel and Freight Audit & Payment +PAY ](https://www.lojistic.com/freight-audit-and-payment) - [GL Coding & ERP Sync ](https://www.lojistic.com/gl-coding-erp-sync) - [Lojistic API & App Integrations ](https://www.lojistic.com/api-app-integrations) Pricing- [Everything Included – Free Recommended ](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing) - [À La Carte Plan ](https://www.lojistic.com/pricing#a-la-carte) Resources- [White Paper ](https://www.lojistic.com/white-papers) - [FAQ ](https://www.lojistic.com/shipping-faqs) - [Security ](https://www.lojistic.com/security) [About](https://www.lojistic.com/about)- [Culture ](https://www.lojistic.com/culture) - [Careers ](https://www.lojistic.com/careers) - [Partner Programs ](https://www.lojistic.com/partner-programs) - [Ratings & Reviews ](https://www.lojistic.com/reviews) - [Videos ](https://www.lojistic.com/videos) - [Blog ](https://www.lojistic.com/blog) - [Contact Us ](https://www.lojistic.com/contact) [CHAT WITH US ](#) [Call Us (800) 783-5753 ](tel:8007835753) [Call Us (800) 783-5753 ](tel:8007835753) - [ ](https://www.facebook.com/LojisticUSA) - [ ](https://twitter.com/LojisticUSA) - [ ](https://www.youtube.com/lojistic) - [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lojistic) [ ](https://www.lojistic.com) Send Costs Packing TM - [Privacy & Terms](https://www.lojistic.com/security) © 2026 Lojistic, LLC. All rights reserved. Various trademarks held by their respective owners. © 2026 Lojistic, LLC. All rights reserved. Various trademarks held by their respective owners. #### Lojistic and Cookies #### Manage Privacy Preferences *x* This site uses cookies to personalize your experience and analyze site traffic. By clicking ACCEPT or continuing to browse the site, you agree to our use of cookies. [See our Privacy Policy here](https://www.lojistic.com/data-privacy-and-security) [Customize my settings.](#) ACCEPT By checking the box, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device for the specified purposes. Strictly Necessary CookiesThese cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Analytics Cookies [See our Privacy Policy](https://www.lojistic.com/data-privacy-and-security) CONFIRM Lojistic Lojistic Lojistic Facebook Icon Twitter Icon Youtube Icon Linkedin Icon Lock Icon Arrow Symbol Arrow Symbol