This is Part 1 of the DSDC “Connected Freight Blog Series.”
If you’ve downloaded one of the Digital Standards Development Council’s (DSDC)™ application programming interface (API) Standards but haven’t implemented it yet, you’re not alone.
Across the freight industry, dozens of carriers, shippers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) have downloaded API Standards like the Electronic Bill of Lading (eBOL), Pickup Request and Visibility, or Preliminary Freight Charges (PFC) API. Yet only a handful have taken the next step toward implementation.
So what’s holding the industry back? Often, it’s simply confusion about what implementation actually means.
In this post, we’ll break down what it really looks like to “implement an API standard” in plain English—what it requires, who’s involved, and how companies are seeing measurable results once they take that step.
Download ≠ Implementation
Downloading an API Standard gives you the blueprint. Implementing it puts that blueprint into action.
When you download a DSDC API, you’re getting documentation that outlines how systems can communicate using standardized data formats. Think of it as learning the shared language everyone in logistics can speak.
Implementation happens when your systems—like your TMS, billing, or customer portal—actually start speaking that language.
To use a simple analogy: downloading the API is like installing an app; implementing it is like signing in, connecting your data, and putting it to work.
Why Implementation Matters
The difference between downloading and implementing isn’t just technical—it’s financial.
APIs like the Preliminary Freight Charges (PFC) API give your company real-time visibility into freight bill changes—such as reweighs, reclassifications, and added accessorials—as they happen, not weeks later when the invoice arrives.
That means:
- Fewer billing disputes;
- Faster payments;
- More accurate accruals; and
- Happier shipper-carrier relationships.
When implemented, DSDC APIs don’t just modernize your processes—they reduce friction across the entire shipment lifecycle.
What “Implementation” Actually Looks Like
Despite the technical buzz, implementing a DSDC API Standard is a straightforward process, especially when you understand the steps.
1. Review and Map
Identify where the API fits in your business.
For example:
- The PFC API helps carriers and shippers track freight bill changes in real time.
- The eBOL API digitizes and standardizes the bill of lading exchange.
Your operations or finance teams define what data they want to receive, while your IT team maps those fields to your existing systems.
2. Develop and Test
Your IT team (or a technology partner) connects your systems using the API’s documentation and test (sandbox) environment.
This phase validates the data flow between systems, ensuring accuracy before it affects live shipments.
3. Pilot
Start small. Choose a few customers or shipments to validate that the data exchange works and that the business benefit is clear (for example, catching reweighs before invoicing).
4. Go Live and Monitor
Once testing is complete, deploy the API more broadly. Continue monitoring results—especially improvements in dispute resolution times and billing accuracy.
Implementation doesn’t take months. Many DSDC members have completed initial integrations quicker than legacy technology integrations—especially when working with a TMS or integration partner already familiar with the DSDC’s standards.
The Business Impact: Turning Data into Dollars
When implemented, APIs drive measurable improvements across every segment of the ecosystem.
For Carriers:
- Reduce time spent resolving invoice disputes;
- Get paid faster with fewer customer delays; and
- Improve customer satisfaction through transparent billing.
For Shippers and 3PLs:
- Catch reweighs, reclassifications, or accessorials before invoicing;
- Accrue charges more accurately; and
- Eliminate surprise costs that disrupt budgets.
For Technology Providers:
- Deliver real-time updates to users; and
- Strengthen integrations across customers and carriers.
Implementation brings the “digital freight” vision to life—where all parties share accurate, real-time data, and everyone saves time and money.
Common Myths About API Implementation
Myth 1: We need a large IT team to implement an API.
Reality: Most DSDC members use existing resources or third-party partners. Implementation is about connecting endpoints, not building new systems from scratch.
Myth 2: We already use EDI, so APIs are redundant.
Reality: APIs complement EDI by enabling real-time updates instead of batch file exchanges. Both can coexist.
Myth 3: Only big carriers can use APIs.
Reality: Small and mid-size fleets see the biggest gains. Fewer billing errors and faster payments free up cash flow that makes a real difference.
How to Get Started
You don’t need to reinvent your tech stack. Here’s how to begin:
- Pick your first API—start with one that solves an immediate pain point (like the PFC API for billing visibility or the eBOL API for document automation).
- Plan a pilot project with a few shipments or a key customer.
- Download the API Standard from dsdc.nmfta.org and share it with your IT or integration team.
- Join the DSDC to connect with other companies who’ve implemented APIs successfully.
The DSDC provides the tools, documentation, and community support to help you move from download to impact.
The Bottom Line
Implementing an API Standard isn’t just an IT milestone—it’s an operational leap forward.
When your systems start communicating in the same digital language as your partners’, you eliminate manual rework, reduce billing friction, and deliver faster, more transparent freight experiences.
Ready to go from download to implementation?
Explore the DSDC API Standards and start connecting your systems today.
Visit dsdc.nmfta.org to get started.
About the Connected Freight Series
This blog is part of the Connected Freight Series, a three-part educational guide developed by the Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC) of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA).
The series is designed for shippers, 3PLs, carriers, and technology providers who want to modernize their operations through API connectivity and digital freight standards.
- Part 1: What Does “Implementing an API Standard” Actually Mean?
Explains how APIs connect systems, standardize data, and unlock efficiency across the supply chain.
- Part 2: Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Your First DSDC API Integration
Helps you prepare by identifying key business, technical, and partnership questions to answer before coding begins.
- Part 3: API Implementation Checklist for Shippers and 3PLs
Provides the actionable roadmap to put it all into motion.
Together, these three blogs empower industry stakeholders to move from awareness to adoption—building a smarter, more connected freight ecosystem for all.
