A container ship seen from above, mid-ocean.

A rate management system stores and maintains rates. Nexcade uses those rates as one input to a wider quote workflow. It connects the customer request, other rate sources, review and TMS record.

Rate management systems organise rates

A rate management system handles rate procurement, storage, cleaning and distribution.

Current products often include quoting tools:

  • Freightify combines spot and contract rate management with quoting and TMS integrations
  • Freightos for Forwarders combines static and live rates with quoting, booking and TMS integrations
  • CargoSphere turns ocean carrier contracts into structured rate data
  • cargo.one combines rate management and carrier connectivity with quoting, booking and agentic workflows

These products have different coverage. Check the modes, carriers, contracts and local charges used by your team.

Nexcade runs the workflow across sources

Nexcade reads the request and attachments, gathers rates and applies the forwarder’s pricing policy. Sources can include a rate management system, CargoWise, carrier portals, tariff files, spreadsheets and agent replies.

When a rate is missing, Nexcade can prepare a request and track the reply. The proposed quote waits for review before Nexcade writes it into the TMS. Nexcade holds no rate database.

The TMS keeps the official record

CargoWise Tariffs and Rates includes Quotations and One Off Quotes. These keep contract and spot quotes in the operational record.

Nexcade writes approved quotes and bookings into CargoWise or another TMS. This keeps audit, conversion and booking work in the system of record.

Use each layer for one job

A typical setup has three parts:

  1. The rate platform or rate management system stores and supplies rates.
  2. Nexcade runs the request, rate gathering, review and writeback workflow.
  3. The TMS keeps the quote and booking record.

Some rate platforms cover more of this workflow. Test whether one product can handle your real requests, missing rates, review rules and TMS fields.

See the freight quoting software guide for the wider category map. See Nexcade and cargo.one for a product comparison.

Common questions

Does Nexcade replace a rate management system?

No. A rate management system stores and maintains rates. Nexcade uses it as one source when preparing quotes across the forwarder's existing systems.

Does a forwarder need a rate management system before using Nexcade?

No. Nexcade can use rate cards, tariff sheets, portals, TMS data and email replies. Structured rates reduce manual rate searches. Nexcade can start without them.

How does rate-platform quoting differ from Nexcade?

Rate-platform quoting starts from rates held or connected in that platform. Nexcade is useful when a quote must span several sources, handle missing rates, wait for review and reach the TMS.

Sources

These public sources support the factual claims and product descriptions above. Evidence last reviewed 5 August 2026.