Software for a transport company is a system that covers the management from beginning to end. It helps you manage your activities, from purchasing vehicles to making deliveries, from transportation scheduling to vehicle inventory. The system must be designed according to your specific needs and keep in mind both your operations and your business objectives.
In this review, we look at the different types of transportation softwares which cuts across all areas of transportation.
3Gtms
Headquarters: Shelton, Connecticut
Website: https://www.3gtms.com/
Cloud-based provider of end-to-end TL, LTL, and parcel capabilities for omnichannel shippers, e-commerce companies, 3PLs, and freight brokers. The solution performs order management, freight planning, carrier rating, execution, and settlement from a single screen for easier management of complex shipping. The software is used in North America and internationally with a relatively low TCO.
BluJay
Headquarters: Manchester, UK
Website: https://www.blujaysolutions.com/
Summary: Offers a stand-alone TMS and managed TM services. Robust capabilities with both domestic and international capabilities. Other BluJay supply chain execution packages available to plug-in-play into the TMS. Customer base leans toward mid-sized shippers and 3PL’s, although has the capabilities support larger shippers.
Cloud Logistics
Headquarters: West Palm Beach, Florida
Website: https://www.gocloudlogistics.com/
Another up and comer in the industry. Primarily domestic truckload focused. Rail, international ocean and air are not available at this time, although they continue to add to their functionality. Total cost of ownership (TCO) is relatively low.
Descartes
Headquarters: Waterloo, Canada
Website: https://www.descartes.com/
Summary: Offers a stand-alone TMS and managed TM services. Robust capabilities with both domestic and international capabilities for shippers and 3PL’s supporting all freight modes. TCO is relatively competitive.
JDA
Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona
Website: https://jda.com/
Summary: Largest independent SCM suite vendor. Robust platform for large complex shippers and third party logistics companies. Handles global supply chain requirements. Total cost of ownership (TCO) is high in comparison to other TMS platforms.
Kuebix
Headquarters: Maynard, Massachusetts
Website: https://www.kuebix.com/
Summary: TMS was built on Salesforce platform. Large customer base, with many smaller shippers because of its freemium TMS offering. Primarily a TMS software company, but does offers managed TM services off their TMS platform. Mainly US focused with domestic and international capabilities. Continue to build on its capabilities. TCO is competitive.
Manhattan
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Website: https://www.manh.com/
Strong history going back almost three decades. TMS comes out of the box with integrations into the Manhattan supply chain applications. Sold more as an add-on to their WMS. TCO is relatively high.
MercuryGate
Headquarters: Cary, North Carolina
Website: https://mercurygate.com/
Summary: Customer base primarily North American oriented. A robust platform that supports domestic and international modes of freight for companies of all sizes. Continues to add to its capabilities. Cost of ownership is competitive. Buyers need to be aware of the flexibility and maximize it versus custom coding. TMS supports 3PL, broker, shipper and private fleet companies.
Oracle
Headquarters: Redwood Shores, California
Website: https://www.oracle.com
Summary: Robust platform for large complex shippers and third party logistics companies, although working its way into medium sized shippers and 3PL’s. Handles global supply chain requirements very well. TCO is high in comparison to other TMS platforms.
SAP
Headquarters: Walldorf, Germany
Website: https://www.sap.com
Summary: Robust platform that has integration with its ERP and SCM product software. Robust platform for medium and large complex shippers and 3PL’s. Handles global supply chain requirements well. Partners with Descartes for some of its functionality with carrier communication. TCO is high versus the various TMS platforms.
TMC. Division of CH Robinson
Headquarters: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Website: https://www.mytmc.com/
Summary: TMS and TMC came about through building the software to support its brokerage division. Robust TMS with plenty of capabilities to support all modes of domestic and international freight. Both a standalone TMS and managed TM solution, although more known for its strong managed TM service. Pricing can be confusing for standalone TMS users, so ask the questions and vet thoroughly. Focused on medium to large shippers. TCO is relatively mid to high range.
TMW
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio
Website: https://www.tmwsystems.com/
Summary: Robust TMS with an ability to support non-asset and internal fleet for shippers and 3PL’s, although tend to find the solution more in carriers and brokers. Primarily North American domestic focused.
Transplace
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Website: https://www.transplace.com/
More known for their managed TM option, but moving quickly sell their TMS as a standalone platform. North American focused with domestic and international capabilities, although international is through a partnership. TCO is reported to be relatively competitive. Medium to large shipper customer base.
What Is Transportation Management Software?
Transportation management software (TMS) is a suite of specialized tools for planning, executing, and optimizing goods’ shipment, both inbound and outbound. Typically, TMS is part of a larger supply chain management (SCM) system, and its main aim is to improve shipping efficiency, manage costs, provide real-time visibility into the supply chain and ensure customer satisfaction.
The three main tasks performed by TMS users include:
- Searching and comparing rates and services of carriers available to ship an order
- Booking the shipment with the most appropriate carrier
- Tracking the order to delivery
A TMS allows shippers and carriers to automate their most repetitive processes and gain valuable insights to save time and reduce future shipment costs. The tool also makes it easy for businesses to manage, streamline and optimize their transportation operations, whether by air, sea or land.
The software is mainly used by shippers and carriers, but many other parties leverage its powers, including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, e-commerce businesses and third-party logistics providers.
Some transportation management software programs focus on a single transportation mode, while others support multimodal and intermodal transportation. In multimodal, one carrier uses at least two modes of transportation (truck, air, rail or ocean) through a single contract, while in intermodal, there are several carriers and contracts.
Benefits of Transportation Management Software
Transportation management software provides many benefits to businesses, as efficient deliveries depend on smart route planning, enhanced visibility and freight consolidation. Some of the software’s key benefits include:
- Process simplification: A TMS helps users easily choose a carrier by evaluating the shipment they’re sending out and matching it to the most suitable carrier. They can then revisit this information in the future and quickly match similar shipments with the same carrier.
- Shipment tracking:Users can track the goods in transit and receive real-time alerts if unforeseen delays occur. They can then communicate this information to customers to keep them in the know.
- Route planning: The software can allow users to plan routes for each vehicle to maximize efficiency and minimize delivery times. With GPS tracking features, traffic can be avoided, reducing fuel and time wastage.
- Deep insights:Robust transportation management software offers users excellent visibility into their business, as well as comprehensive reporting capabilities. With all information stored in a centralized location, users can easily analyze and generate custom reports to identify errors and areas that need improvement.
- Improved inventory management:This is achieved when a TMS provides better visibility and accountability in the supply chain network.
- Cost savings:Insights from a TMS help users to make strategic changes that help reduce labor, management and shipment costs.
- Increased customer satisfaction: Streamlining your shipment delivery will ensure orders arrive on time and there’s timely communication with clients in case of challenges during delivery.
Must-Have Features of Transportation Management Software
TMS programs have distinctive features that differentiate them from their competitors. However, there are some crucial features that each TMS should have, including:
- Carrier selection: Thesoftware should help you find and choose the most efficient carrier and mode of transport for each unique shipment, improving the procurement and shipment process.
- Route optimization:Ideal software has tools such as GPS and fuel tracking that enable you to determine the most efficient route depending on factors such as traffic, distance, fuel usage and road speeds.
- Automatic order processing:This enables users to cut down the time spent on manual data entry and also reduce the chances of human error.
- Multimodal shipping: Ensure the software you purchase or subscribe to can handle all your shipping modes, including cross-border freight.
- Reporting and analytics: The software should deliver optimized shipment historical data for greater referencing and detailed reports to forecast and inform decision making.
- Integrations: Ideal TMS software should integrate with other critical transportation management solutions, such as ERP and WMS or OMS.
- Shipment tracking:This feature allows real-time sharing of information between the shipper, carrier and customer, which increases visibility into the whole process.
- Carrier contract management: This feature is essential as it provides users with an excellent platform to track all the individual terms with different carriers in real time.
- Dispute management:The software should provide tools to help resolve disputes related to shipments, including lost or damaged goods.
- Integrated warehouse management: This feature gives users real-time information about their warehouses, such as shipment dispatching and inventory status.
Conclusion
If you’re running a transport business, we might have just found the solution to your problem. There are various kinds of transportation management software suited for all kinds of freight and vehicle businesses. However, one software that we can easily recommend is Advanced PCS Vehicle mgmt and Dispatch system. This is a very handy system especially if you’re running a transportation company or having big dreams of doing so. Other than the fact that it is user friendly, another thing which makes it popular among users is its simplicity in design and use.