Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are a dime a dozen these days, so what qualifies one to stand out above the rest?
With the array of options on the market, you have the power to be selective. If you keep a few key elements in mind, you will soon realize that not all systems are created equal.
The Four Most Important Elements of a TMS System
1. Independence:
Gone are the days of obligatory usage of a TMS provided by one of your transportation vendors.
While many vendors will offer their systems for free, don’t feel pressured to take the bait! Because you are likely not your vendor’s sole client, all of your shipping data resides with a company that also houses competitor data.
What if you decide not to move freight with that vendor any longer? It’s best to consider an independent TMS provider to remove any potential conflicts of interest. Then, you control your data regardless of who handles your freight.
2. Qualified Customer Service:
An average TMS provider employs a 24/7 customer service team. An exceptional provider operates with a team of seasoned professionals who know about the business, not just the software.
An experienced customer service team knows what it’s like to be in the shipping chair from first-hand experience. There is no question that these experts will make the best routing decisions to support your thriving business.
3. Synchronization:
An exceptional TMS can utilize other modules such as order management and inventory management to connect your entire supply chain. An exceptional TMS can also synchronize with your existing platforms to enable you to keep your current software.
4. System Features:
An average TMS handles basic shipping, booking, invoicing, and reporting. However, an exceptional TMS should be robust. Consider four key subtasks that should be expected in this area.
The Four Qualities of a Robust TMS Solution
– Shipping: A robust TMS can handle anything from small parcel to LTL, Truckload, Rail, and International shipments. It’s also important to understand what kind of pre-population features and other custom settings are available to save order entry time, such as custom shipment templates.
– Booking: An exceptional TMS can integrate with your pool of carriers for booking ease. Finding one that is fully integrated with FedEx and UPS is a must. You should be able to rate shop, track, and obtain appropriate shipping documents and labels for each carrier of your choosing.
– Invoicing: Many systems will say they can handle invoices, but how? An average TMS will import carrier invoices via various methods. An exceptional one will be able to audit those invoices by matching them to the original shipment quote that was generated in the system. An additional feature is allowing customization of necessary audit rules.
– Reporting: An average TMS will have a standard dashboard with decent-looking visuals and stock reporting data. An exceptional TMS provider understands that your analytical needs are ever-changing and will offer custom reporting complete with the ability to pull master data from the system to slice and dice how you choose.
CloudLogix Offers an Exceptional TMS System
Guess what? You do not have to settle for an average TMS. CloudLogix certainly did not settle when we built the robust LoadStar TMS to manage your entire supply chain.
Look no further! The answer to your TMS needs is LoadStar. Contact CloudLogix today to schedule a demo of our robust software solution.
