Managed Agents at Previously $0.06 $0.03/minManaged Agents are Previously $0.06 $0.03/min.

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Logistics answering service that answers load and driver calls.

Answer load status calls, reschedule dock appointments, and take driver check calls.

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Ranked #1

on EVA-Bench and Speech Agent Arena

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Fewer status calls on your dispatchers' phones

Each call ends with a defined outcome, like an ETA given, a dock appointment moved, a check call logged, or a proof of delivery sent.

The agent finds the load by reference, reads the last check call and the ETA from your TMS, and tells the caller the ETA is an estimate.

Inside a logistics answering service for freight desks

What is a logistics answering service?

A logistics answering service answers a freight broker's or carrier's line for load and driver calls. This voice agent reads check calls and ETAs, moves dock appointments, logs driver updates and emails proof of delivery.

  • Find the load
  • Get the last check call
  • Find open dock slots
  • Move the dock appointment
  • Log a driver check call

What happens when a dock can't take a load at 3?

The agent finds the load by reference and the caller's company, offers the open slots your dock schedule returns and moves the appointment after a yes. Any ETA it reads from your TMS comes with a note that it's an estimate.

Our dock can't take AF-55120 at 3. Can we push it later?

find_dock_timesToday 5:00, 6:30

The dock has 5:00 or 6:30 today. Which works?

Can a logistics answering service settle detention?

No, and it shouldn't. Rate, detention and damage questions go to a dispatcher with the load already found. The agent won't quote a rate or decide who pays for a two-hour wait.

  • Load AF-55120 status, Greg Halloran1:38
  • Dock appointment moved to 5:002:20
  • Driver check call, Wendover0:58

Off the dispatcher's phone

Check calls and status calls break up a dispatcher's day. These three cards cover what moves to the agent and what doesn't.

ETAs come with their source

Callers hear the last check call, the place and the time, plus an estimate labeled as one, so nobody plans a dock around a promise.

Dock moves finish on the call

A receiver running behind picks an open slot from your schedule, and the appointment moves before they hang up.

Detention stays with your people

The agent won't quote rates, settle detention or take a side on damage. It rings a dispatcher instead.

Works with drivers calling from the cab

Drivers call with road noise behind them and little time. Receivers read load numbers off a screen. Cartesia's speech models handle short, clipped calls.

  • $0.03per minute
  • #1on Speech Agent Arena and EVA-Bench
  • 24/7answers every call, at any hour

Keeps up with a short check call

A driver gives a town and a time and wants to be done. The agent takes it, confirms it and doesn't drag the call out.

The TMS has the answer

Any LLM you choose gets the same tools, which find the load, get the last check call, find dock slots, log check calls and email the POD.

Sounds like a freight desk

Freight callers want speed. Take a library voice that's quick and clear on load numbers and appointment times.

Load calls at the desk, after hours and with an agent

Freight desks shopping for a transportation answering service usually compare an agent with their own dispatchers and an outside service for nights and weekends.

Cartesia agentDispatcher on the phoneOutside after-hours service
Reads the last check callFrom your TMSYes, between other workUsually no TMS access
Moves a dock appointmentFrom open slots on your scheduleYesUsually takes a message
Logs a driver check callOn the load, during the callYes, if they pick upOften relayed by email
Sends a PODBy email to the address on the loadYes, when they get to itNo
Rates, detention and damageTransfers to a dispatcherYes, with the full storyTakes a message

See which calls resolved the caller's request

Every call is recorded and transcribed. See which calls gave an ETA, moved a dock appointment, logged a check call, or sent a proof of delivery.

Launch a logistics voice agent in three steps

Start building

  1. Clone the load line

    Set this agent up with your company name, your load reference format and the questions your dispatchers want to keep.

  2. Connect your TMS and dock schedule

    Link your TMS, dock schedule and document storage through tools you configure, then forward your load line to the agent.

  3. Run a load through it

    Ask for an ETA on a test load, move its dock slot and request the POD. Read the transcripts, then go live.

Enterprise-grade security

  • HIPAA compliant badge

    HIPAA compliant

  • SOC 2 Type 2 badge

    SOC 2 Type 2

  • GDPR badge

    GDPR

Logistics and freight FAQs

What is a logistics answering service?

A logistics answering service answers a freight broker's or carrier's phone for load and driver calls. This one is a voice agent. It reads the last check call and ETA, moves dock appointments, logs driver check calls and emails proof of delivery.

How much does a logistics answering service cost?

A logistics answering service costs $0.03 per minute of call time for the agent, so a three-minute call is $0.09 in agent time. LLM usage is billed separately, and a Cartesia phone number adds $0.014 per minute, or nothing if you bring your own Twilio account or SIP trunk. The free plan includes $1 of agent calls a month, so you can test the agent before you pay. See pricing.

Can it take calls for a logistics call center?

It takes the routine ones: load status, dock appointment changes, driver check calls and proof of delivery requests. Rate, detention and damage questions still go to your dispatchers.

Can the agent give an ETA?

Yes. The agent reads the last check call and the ETA from your TMS and tells the caller the ETA is an estimate.

Can drivers call in their check calls?

Yes. The agent logs the driver's location and expected arrival on the load, so dispatchers see it right away.

Can the agent send a proof of delivery?

Yes. The agent finds the delivered load and emails the signed proof of delivery to the address on the load.

Can the agent quote rates or settle detention?

No. The agent transfers rate, detention, and damage questions to a dispatcher with the load already found.

Can Cartesia work with our TMS?

Yes. The agent connects to your TMS, dock schedule, and document storage through tools you configure.

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