Crossbow
Food Logistics & TMS Solutions

Food logistics platforms offer a range of services to optimize supply chain operations for foodservice distributors. While the category is broad and can include outbound delivery, inventory management, and order fulfillment, ArrowStream’s Crossbow represents a specialized platform focused specifically on inbound logistics optimization.

Crossbow’s inbound-focused services include:

• Centralized Visibility & Real-Time Monitoring: Provides a unified view of the entire inbound distribution network, consolidating data from disparate systems (purchasing, inventory, transportation) for improved coordination between departments.
• Guided Analytics & Decision Support: Delivers actionable intelligence to optimize purchasing decisions, freight consolidation, and carrier selection, helping identify cost-saving opportunities and mitigate supply chain volatility.
• Freight Revenue Management: Enables distributors to increase the amount of freight under management, improve freight margins (with reported 30% margin growth), and recover margin opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
• Carrier Performance Measurement: Facilitates better assessment and management of carrier performance through integrated data and monitoring.
  Cost Reduction & Operational Efficiency: Streamlines inbound processes to reduce operational costs, with customers reporting average annual savings of $156K per location and a 5.5% increase in managed freight volume.
• Support for Multiple Distributor Types: Optimizes operations for broadline, specialty, and redistribution businesses by tailoring freight and order consolidation strategies.

By focusing specifically on inbound logistics, Crossbow addresses a critical but often under optimized area of the supply chain that directly impacts distributor profitability.

Food logistics software like ArrowStream’s Crossbow can significantly improve distributor efficiency and profit by optimizing inbound freight, reducing transportation costs, and increasing freight under management. The platform provides advanced algorithms that recommend improvements to order size, frequency, and impact on inventory, thereby increasing logistics earned income. By identifying and fixing shipment issues and monitoring load compliance, costs are reduced. Furthermore, Crossbow helps distributors locate vendor-managed freight that can be handled internally for less money, thereby increasing freight under management. The software also facilitates alignment between purchasing and transportation teams, measures carrier performance, and helps mitigate price risks. Ultimately, these capabilities lead to greater profitability and a more efficient supply chain.

Yes, ArrowStream’s Crossbow platform provides real-time inbound shipment visibility. The software offers robust actionable intelligence tools for real-time monitoring of logistics plans. It consolidates sales, purchasing, inventory, and transportation data into a centralized view, which helps distributors stay ahead of operational disruptions. This comprehensive visibility allows logistics managers to swiftly adapt to industry changes.

Yes. ArrowStream’s Crossbow, focused on inbound logistics, can and does integrate with integrate with ERP/OMS, WMS, and inventory systems, acting as a central bridge that exchanges master data and transactional flows to give complete inbound network visibility.

Yes, predictive analytics can be used to prevent delays and cost inefficiencies. Users of ArrowStream’s Crossbow software gain access to predictive analytics that flag priorities such as trending cost issues, network changes, or new opportunities to reduce future costs. The platform utilizes a proactive and predictive model for freight management, allowing teams to focus on exceptions and apply continuous improvement practices. This approach helps in anticipating disruptions and proactively addressing potential cost issues before they impact results.