The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) has been a lobbyist for shippers since its inception in 1907. As an educational resource, the NITL is helping its members navigate the changes e-commerce has brought to the shipping industry.

Also known as “The Shippers’ Voice,” The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), founded in 1907, has been a major educational source and lobbyist for shippers, carriers and third party providers. Nationally, the NITL is comprised of over 1,600 members, most of whom are shippers, and the association prides itself on being an accessible, open resource for its members’ needs.

E-commerce has had an enormous impact on how industrial businesses operate and the transportation industry is no exception. In response to this, the NITL has formed an Information Technology Advancement Committee (ITAC) to educate their members about new technology. ITAC is open to members and non-members alike because the NITL realizes the importance of collective input. Ellie Gilanshah, director of finance, administration and membership, says that representatives from non-member companies and other associations are welcome to share ideas and success stories. “We are always looking to involve other associations,” Gilanshah is quick to point out.

Since the NITL has high motivation for member education, it holds meetings twice a year, including the large Transcomp convention in November. However, depending upon members’ needs and board approval, additional educational seminars may be provided. This November, convention topics range from “E-commerce: The Hot New Way To Do Business” to “Role Reversal Between Shippers and Transportation Providers.” These topics reflect how the transportation business is changing with the advent of e-commerce.

Since e-commerce has become a business reality, shippers need to find the software that is applicable to their businesses’ logistics. To Tom Heiser, the ITAC committee chairman, there are two problems facing shippers who are “e-software shopping.” First, he feels that owners need to concentrate on the basis of their business to find software that matches accordingly and works correctly. There are many logistics providers who offer huge packages that cost a lot of money and incorporate more information than most business owners actually need. However, it can be just as costly for owners to buy software programs tailored specifically for their businesses. As with all new innovations, there must be a revamping of prior, cemented thinking. “The biggest problem is getting away from old methods,” Heiser observes.

Besides educating and alerting members about e-purchasing software to incorporate into their businesses, I-TAC is also involved in promoting business-to-business EDI. Since EDI is a standardized way of transferring crucial information between interested parties, a quicker, more efficient workflow can be created.

Heiser predicts the mergers of many shipping companies with the introduction of e-commerce. This will provide fewer portals, he concedes, but just as many opportunities for shippers to promote their businesses and suit their customers’ needs. It is Heiser’s hope that with a standardized EDI, most of the fear and uncertainty of e-commerce trade will dissipate.

In general, NITL members have been very successful in combining e-commerce strategies in their workplaces and respond positively to the education they have received from the association. Of concern however, is the fear of losing personal one-to-one contact with customers. Heiser takes an optimistic viewpoint. He believes that since e-commerce is a tool that enables business, it should make interpersonal contact even easier. For instance, there are web sites where consumers can shop while having a representative electronically walk them through the process. To Heiser, the consumer dictates how businesses are run. He believes that if the majority of consumers demand more interpersonal attention, the owners will provide it.

The NITL has made its goal to follow every step in e-commerce’s development and pass this knowledge on not only to its members, but also to anyone affected by changes in the transportation/shipping industry. In this way, the NITL hopes to consistently realize its stated mission of being a significant source of “timely information, action, representation and education”.

For membership information, please visit the NITL’s website at:http://www.nitl.org