Like most forwarders a few years ago, Sealink International performed most business operations manually. The company was successful, but it became apparent that the old way of doing things put limitations on its prospects for future growth and ability to manage increasing costs.
Knowing there was potential for Sealink to achieve even more, Sealink CEO Shaizad Shroff set out to find the right technology to change the company's path.
"We needed a reset within our operations to continue the growth we knew we were capable of and to meet the obvious market trend that shippers were starting to expect a better customer experience from their forwarders. That meant finding ways to align better and manage the different transportation functions we perform for clients, including air, ocean, domestic trucking, parcel, and warehousing, and providing an online portal for clients to manage their freight," said Shroff.
Sealink found the solution it needed with the Gama platform.
1-Moving Beyond Spreadsheets and Phone Calls
Sealink’s journey with Gama was not merely about ditching spreadsheets and reducing phone-related manual processes. The company sought to improve how its employees performed their daily responsibilities fundamentally. Manual inputs and fragmented communication had made operations cumbersome, error-prone, and slow.
Gama provided the tools and platform to change this paradigm. By moving away from traditional workflows and automating many routine processes, Sealink empowered its employees to focus on more strategic, higher-value activities. The digital solutions condensed workflows and minimized repetitive manual data entry, which had been a common source of mistakes and misunderstandings. This shift also reduced the need for constant phone calls and email follow-ups, freeing time for staff and streamlining communications within teams and with clients.
2-Centralizing and Streamlining Operations
One of the standout features of the Gama platform was its ability to centralize and streamline Sealink’s diverse operational functions. Its comprehensive dashboards allowed managers to visualize ongoing activities across air, ocean, trucking, parcel, and warehousing in a unified interface.
Reporting tools within Gama helped Sealink identify common workflows, standardize processes, and develop systems to measure savings, important elements for continuous improvement and scale management.
Moreover, Gama’s platform integrated multiple technology and data sources, allowing Sealink to create seamless connections between existing systems and the new digital environment. This integration improved data accuracy and operational transparency, essential for efficient supply chain management.
3-Eliminating Manual Errors and Miscommunication
Before Gama, manual data input and communication gaps created frequent errors and misalignment across the company’s operations. Such challenges can cause shipping delays, costly mistakes, and strained customer relations. Gama’s digital platform helped Sealink drastically cut down these problems by automating data collection and consolidation. Employees now rely on a singular system of record, greatly reducing discrepancies and the potential for human error.
This automation also enhanced internal and external communications, as status updates and operational alerts became automated and more reliable. The improved accuracy fostered greater trust among Sealink’s customers and partners.
4-Measuring Operational Efficiency Gains
The tangible impact of adopting Gama’s platform on Sealink’s operations has been significant. The company now spends an average of 21% less employee time on everyday tasks such as shipment tracking, quote provision, and customer service. This reduction in manual workload has multiple benefits. It increases employee productivity and morale by removing tedious tasks, while also allowing faster response times to customer inquiries and market changes.
These efficiency gains are a critical enabler of scaling operations without proportionally increasing headcount. Despite these improvements, Sealink recognizes that reduced task time is just one part of the overall operational upgrade that Gama has facilitated.
5-Enhancing Customer Experience Through Technology
Sealink’s customers, like many contemporary shippers, expect a modern digital interaction capable of managing quotes, booking shipments, and tracking freight live. Gama’s customer portal answered this demand by enabling such capabilities online. According to Shroff, “Being able to manage quotes, book shipments, and do live track-trace online is something most shippers expect today. It became immediately apparent that Gama was a competitive advantage for us over other forwarders.”
The platform has not only improved service levels for existing customers but it has also been a key driver for consistently attracting new clients, fueling revenue growth.
6-Flexible Customer Interaction Models
Despite the digital transformation, Sealink understands that not all customers prefer technology for freight management. Some clients remain comfortable with phone and email communication, especially for complex or specialized logistics interactions. Gama provides Sealink the flexibility to accommodate varying customer preferences. While many now enjoy the convenience of managing shipments through Sealink’s branded online portal, others still benefit from traditional methods.
This hybrid approach supports gradual customer adoption of technology without forcing abrupt changes, which can undermine service satisfaction.
7-Managing Change with Care
Shroff highlighted the importance of managing the transition smoothly. From the outset, Sealink prioritized maintaining high-quality service during the implementation of Gama’s platform.
“Transitions can be stressful, and we did not want to put undue risk on the business’s ability to operate,” said Shroff.
Younus Moosani, CEO of Gama, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how crucial communication was throughout the process. Understanding Sealink’s existing processes and anticipating customer concerns were vital to the program’s success. Through close collaboration, the teams at Sealink and Gama overcame challenges and ensured a stable migration to the new digital environment.
8-The Results
i-Customer Growth: 210% increase in customers onboarded per month
ii-Operating Efficiency: 21% reduction in employee time spent on daily tasks
iii-Revenue Growth: 42% increase in revenue year-over-year in the first year of use
Conclusion
Sealink International’s partnership with Gama demonstrates how embracing technology can unlock significant growth, operational efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction in freight forwarding. Forwarders looking to future-proof their business and exceed customer expectations should consider solution like Gama that centralize operations and empower both employees and clients.
Ready to transform your freight forwarding operations and accelerate growth? Contact Gama today for a personalized demo and see how their platform can help your business scale and succeed.
