Loadsmart, a digital freight technology company, launched its Simple Quote add-on for Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. The integrations provide shippers the ability to price and book truckload shipments in seconds directly from within a spreadsheet—without the need for emails, calls, or a transportation management system integration.

Loadsmart already provides instant truckload rates inside most major TMSs, enabling Fortune 500 companies to book a truckload in seconds. With the new integrations, Loadsmart said it is leveling the playing field for smaller shippers. 

"We believe small and medium-sized businesses should have access to the same instant pricing as larger shippers," said Hunter Yaw, vice president of product at Loadsmart, "Despite the availability of newer SaaS TMSs, we find that a large percentage of the SMB market still heavily rely on spreadsheets to manage their shipping. With the Simple Quote add-on, these shippers will now have access to instant market-based pricing for all their shipments—all without having to leave their spreadsheets."

Using the functionality is as easy as adding the plug-in from the Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets store, according to Loadsmart. Users can then specify an origin, destination, pickup date, and equipment type to receive an instantly bookable truckload rate for hundreds of loads right in their spreadsheet automatically. In addition to seeing rates, users can book the load with a single click.