Identifying the best transportation management systems: Top TMS features and benefits

 The ultimate guide to choosing the right Transportation Management System for your business.

The global supply chain — an intricate web of interconnected businesses — faces unprecedented pressure today. From fluctuating fuel prices to unpredictable customer demands, logisticians and their teams are constantly juggling multiple balls. This complexity may often lead to inefficiencies, increased costs, and subpar customer service. 

A Transportation Management System (TMS) is the compass needed to navigate this complex web of supply chains. It's a software solution designed to streamline and optimize transportation operations by automating manual tasks, providing real-time visibility, and offering data-driven insights. A TMS can be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes.

What is a TMS and why do you need one?

Simply put, TMS software is a tool that helps you manage and optimize the movement of goods from origin to destination. It covers everything from freight planning and execution to carrier management and shipment tracking.

Why do you need a TMS?

Managing transportation using conventional methods can be a cumbersome, error-prone process, often involving manual tasks. However, a Transportation Management System (TMS) can revolutionize your approach. By automating tasks like routing, carrier selection, and documentation, TMS solutions save time and reduce errors, boosting efficiency. 

Moreover, a TMS can help you cut costs by optimizing routes, improving load utilization, and negotiating better carrier rates. With real-time shipment tracking, you'll have greater visibility into your operations, leading to better control and enhanced customer satisfaction. And by proactively addressing issues and ensuring compliance, a TMS helps mitigate risks and protect your business. 

By way of illustration, Pando has been pivotal in helping Accuride address critical challenges, including improving visibility across its supply chain. When Accuride was facing disruptions—like the Suez Canal blockage and container shortages—the company struggled to track their containers, manage manual rate systems, and deal with excessive accessorial fees. Before Pando, Accuride had 100 containers they couldn’t locate, leading to $2 million in unnecessary accessorial fees annually. 

By integrating Pando’s platform, they achieved real-time visibility and end-to-end tracking of their containers. This resulted in significant cost savings, specifically around accessorial fees, with a return of $3.69 for every $1 invested in Pando's system. It also reduced the complexity of handling 74 different charge categories by narrowing them down to just 7, streamlining their processes and ensuring that they only paid carriers for expected costs. 

Additionally, the platform enabled it to reroute shipments and react quickly to unforeseen disruptions, like the Baltimore Bridge collapse. Pando’s integration allowed Accuride to avoid delays, rerouting containers within hours of the incident, showcasing how the system ensures seamless logistics operations even in the face of unexpected challenges.

Transforming transportation: Select the right TMS solution

Selecting the right Transportation Management System (TMS) is crucial for optimizing your logistics operations and meeting your business objectives. To ensure you choose a TMS that aligns with your needs, focus on the following key steps:

1) Identify your core needs

• Assess operational challenges: Begin by identifying the specific issues you face in your transportation processes. Are you dealing with high costs, inconsistent delivery times, or visibility gaps? Understanding your pain points will help you determine what TMS features are most important.
• Define business objectives: Clearly outline your goals for implementing a TMS. Whether you aim to reduce costs, improve delivery accuracy, or enhance customer satisfaction, your objectives will guide your selection process and maximize the TMS benefits.

2) Outline essential TMS features

• Core Functionalities: Make a list of the must-have TMS features that will directly address your operational challenges. Key features may include route optimization, real-time tracking, load planning, and carrier management.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Ensure the TMS can grow with your business and adapt to changing transportation needs. A scalable solution will accommodate your expansion without requiring significant changes to your system.
• Integration Capabilities: Check how well the TMS integrates with your existing systems, such as ERP or WMS, to ensure seamless data flow and avoid disruptions during TMS implementation.

3) Evaluate potential vendors

• Vendor alignment: Shortlist TMS providers that cater to your industry and business size. Look for vendors who understand your specific challenges and offer tailored solutions.
• Feature comparison: Compare the features of each TMS against your list of core needs. Ensure that the system you choose offers the functionalities you require without unnecessary extras.
• Pricing models: Review the pricing structures offered by different vendors, such as licensing fees or subscription models, to find a solution that fits your budget.
• Vendor reputation: Investigate the reputation of each vendor by reading reviews, case studies, and customer testimonials. Reliable vendors should have a proven track record of successful implementations.

4) Make an informed decision

• Match TMS to objectives: Ensure that the TMS you choose aligns with your operational goals and can effectively address the challenges you’ve identified.
• Consider long-term value: Think beyond the initial implementation and evaluate how the TMS will support your business growth and evolving transportation needs over time. 
  Transform your transportation game with the right TMS. By following these guidelines, you'll unlock the potential to streamline operations, cut costs, boost efficiency, and delight your customers.

The future of TMS: Trends and innovations

The transportation industry is experiencing a seismic shift, with emerging trends like autonomous vehicles, electric fleets, and supply chain digitization transforming the way goods are moved. These changes are driven by a need for greater efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

1. Emerging technologies

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: AI-powered TMS solutions are revolutionizing transportation planning and execution. From cost-effective freight procurement to automated freight invoice audit, AI is enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Machine learning algorithms continuously learn and adapt, improving decision-making over time. 
   
  Pando's AI-powered platform streamlines the entire freight procure-to-pay process, from carrier selection and route optimization to automated audit and payment. By leveraging AI for tasks like predictive analytics, real-time visibility, and exception management, businesses can significantly reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance their supply chain operations.
• Internet of Things (IoT): Real-time visibility into the supply chain is becoming a reality through IoT-enabled devices. Tracking assets, monitoring environmental conditions, and optimizing fleet management are key benefits of IoT integration in TMS.
• Blockchain: This decentralized technology offers transparency, security, and efficiency in supply chain operations. Blockchain can be used to track the movement of goods, verify product authenticity, and streamline payment processes.

2. Sustainability and Green logistics

• Carbon footprint reduction: TMS solutions are increasingly incorporating features to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions. This includes optimizing routes to minimize fuel consumption, selecting eco-friendly carriers, and tracking carbon footprints.
• Electric Vehicle Integration: As the adoption of electric vehicles grows, TMS will need to adapt to accommodate the specific requirements of electric fleets, such as charging infrastructure planning and battery management.
• Sustainable: TMS benefits for logistics can even play a role in sustainability Pando empowers businesses to tackle Scope 3 carbon emissions, a significant contributor to your overall environmental footprint. By analyzing transportation data and optimizing routes, it helps reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions. This not only saves costs but also demonstrates your commitment to a sustainable supply chain.

3. A connected and resilient supply chain

• Digital transformation: TMS advantages are a cornerstone of supply chain digitalization, enabling seamless integration with other systems and providing a holistic view of operations.
• Risk management: Advanced TMS solutions can help identify potential disruptions and develop contingency plans to mitigate risks, such as natural disasters, geopolitical events, or supply chain bottlenecks. 
  Pando's advanced TMS solution empowers businesses to proactively mitigate risks through scenario planning. By simulating potential disruptions like natural disasters, geopolitical events, and supply chain bottlenecks, you can develop contingency plans to minimize their impact. This proactive approach helps reduce costs, enhance visibility, and improve your supply chain's resilience.
• Collaboration: TMS platforms are facilitating collaboration between different stakeholders, including shippers, carriers, and customers, to improve communication and efficiency.

Wrapping up

As the importance of TMS continues to lead the charge in transportation management, the future looks promising for innovation and sustainability within the supply chain industry. Companies embracing these shifts can cultivate a competitive advantage and develop a more robust, eco-conscious supply chain. 

A TMS is more than just a software tool; it's a strategic asset that can drive significant improvements in your transportation operations. By understanding your business needs and selecting the right TMS, you can unlock its full potential. 

Ready to transform your transportation? Contact us today for a demo!