In Case You Missed It: November, December Sessions Unveil the Coming ClassIT+

Joe Ohr - January 13, 2025

Something big is coming on July 15, 2025. It’s the launch of ClassIT+, the next generation tool designed to help you navigate the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®) changes in Docket 2025-1 and beyond.

Designing ClassIT+ was a complex undertaking that involved far more than just a few individuals at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™. We actively engaged numerous stakeholders to gather their insights, ensuring the final design would meet user needs and make the freight classification process smoother and more intuitive.

To conclude the development process, we recently hosted three listening sessions. The first two, held in early November, highlighted the key features of ClassIT+ and addressed questions from participating industry members. The third session, in early December, focused solely on the new ClassIT+ application programming interface (API).

Those who attended one or both sessions received a thorough rundown on what to expect when ClassIT+ launches. For those who missed it, recordings can be found here, but we’re glad to share some highlights below.

ClassIT+ is a web-based platform designed to be simple and accessible for carriers, shippers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs). These stakeholders provided valuable insights to help us achieve this goal, focusing on reducing clicks and optimizing the use of icons and colors for a more intuitive experience.

Beyond the usability of ClassIT+ is its performance, which is key to its unmatched precision and insight. Powered by the latest technology, ClassIT+ offers:

  • Scalability and elevated performance across any device;
  • Geographically redundant infrastructure for reliability;
  • Enhanced load balancing and responsiveness;
  • Automated scaling for peak efficiency; and
  • Business continuity and a strategically located content delivery network.

The platform is highly efficient and customizable. The main dashboard can be tailored to individual needs, making it easy to find exactly what you need. Users can quickly locate NMFC data changes, such as what’s been created, amended, or cancelled, and can effortlessly expand their search results without leaving the page.

Designed specifically for you and your team, ClassIT+ users can leverage a Company Common so team members can share information across their organization. Information such as favorites, synonyms, comments, as well as search history can be quickly shared across your company, making ClassIT+ a truly collaborative workspace for you and your team.  

Users will have access to comprehensive packaging details, including item numbers and descriptions. Additionally, the new ClassIT+ features both a density calculator and three Item 680 calculators, one for Note 2(A), Note 2(B), and Note 2(C) respectively.

ClassIT+ is not a premium version, although it’s likely we will roll out a premium version at some point. In fact, the upcoming release of ClassIT+ is the foundation of what’s to come and is available to every subscriber. You’ll get all its intuitive and powerful features so you can supercharge your efficiency.

During the session, a participant asked about accessing interpretation help through ClassIT+. Initially, users will be directed to the existing web-based request process. In the future, a dedicated portal will be integrated into ClassIT+ for submitting requests and uploading necessary information directly.

Concerning the new ClassIT+ API, documentation will be available on February 25, 2025, in preparation for its official release on July 15.

The new ClassIT+ API is built for exceptional security and performance, featuring advanced protections like denial-of-service safeguards and adherence to the highest industry standards. Security is embedded in the design phase, ensuring alignment with specific business processes and never exposes more data than necessary.

In the past, in customer-hosted or in-house environments, APIs would have single points of failure. Going to the cloud eliminates that problem, ensuring there is no single point of failure while providing the built-in API management that comes with Microsoft Azure.

The new ClassIT+ API is RESTful, providing simplified and intuitive management with support for multiple data formats and decoupled client-server functionality. It is also cacheable, ensuring that server responses contain all the necessary information for processing while minimizing redundant server workload.

The API enables critical functionalities, including:

⦁    Electronic bill of lading (eBOL);

⦁    Pickup and In-Transit Visibility; and

⦁    Telematics integration.

These are just a few examples among many. The goal is to enable the API to integrate seamlessly with other systems, connecting, and streamlining them.

Access to the new ClassIT+ API will require an additional cost, as it is a separate product and is not included as a standard feature of ClassIT+. The pricing structure is based on your company’s revenue and transaction limitations are noted in its license agreement. This approach ensures you get the best value for what you pay.

Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to learn more, including webinars and product demos we will announce. The place to watch for it all is www.classitplus.com. And get ready for an entirely new digital experience with freight classification.

Joe Ohr
Joe Ohr

Joe is the chief operating officer at the NMFTA. He brings to the organization over 20 years of experience in engineering product software, gained from roles at Omnitracs, Qualcomm, and Eaton. Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers.