Managed TMS (Transportation Management System) Services
Our Managed TMS service provides you with a powerful transportation management system – and the experts to run it – as a fully managed solution. Essentially, we take on the planning, execution, and optimization of your freight movements using advanced TMS software, so you get all the benefits of a sophisticated logistics IT system without having to invest in one or dedicate your own staff.
We begin by configuring the TMS to your operation: integrating with your order and warehouse systems, setting up your carrier base and contracts, inputting your business rules (e.g., preferred carriers, transit time requirements, consolidation rules), and defining key performance indicators. The system then becomes the central platform for rating, booking, and tracking all your shipments.
Day to day, our team uses the TMS to optimize your transportation. For each order or load, the system can automatically suggest the best mode and carrier based on cost, service, and capacity. We tender shipments to carriers electronically, obtain confirmations, and manage the dispatch and pickup appointments. Through the TMS, we also consolidate compatible shipments or pool distribution where possible to reduce costs.
The Managed TMS covers freight audit and payment as well. We upload carrier tariffs and contracts into the system, so when carriers invoice, the TMS automatically audits charges against agreed rates (catching any discrepancies). We handle paying the carriers on your behalf and provide you with a single, consolidated invoice or billing report.
Throughout, you have access to the TMS dashboards to gain visibility into all shipments. We provide regular performance reports and business reviews, highlighting trends in costs and service. Our logistics analysts continuously look for improvement opportunities (e.g., new consolidation lanes, better routing guides, carrier mix changes) using the data and optimization tools in the TMS to drive ongoing savings and service enhancements.
Benefits to Your Business:
- Expert-Driven Optimization: You get a team of transportation planners leveraging a top-tier TMS to find efficiency gains – whether it’s mode shifting, consolidating loads, or securing better rates. This often yields significant freight savings and more reliable capacity without you having to hire in-house experts or build a system from scratch.
- Technology Without the Headache: Implementing a TMS on your own can be costly and complex. With our managed service, you skip the lengthy setup, IT overhead, and maintenance. You quickly gain a state-of-the-art system configured to your needs, managed by specialists, delivering results from day one.
- Improved Visibility & Control: The TMS becomes a single source of truth for your transportation operations. You can see all shipments in the pipeline, monitor carrier performance, and ensure compliance with routing guides. Our team ensures this visibility is paired with proactive management – if something’s off track, we address it, often before you even notice.
- Scalability & Flexibility: As your shipping volumes change or you enter new markets, the Managed TMS scales accordingly. Need to onboard a new carrier or adjust for a surge in orders? We handle that in the system swiftly. The service adapts to you, providing consistent support through seasonal peaks or expansion into new regions.
- Data-Driven Decisions: With comprehensive data captured on every shipment (costs, transit times, exceptions), you gain valuable insights. We analyze trends and provide recommendations – such as renegotiating certain lanes, adjusting order lead times, or consolidating distribution points – all aimed at continuously improving your supply chain efficiency and reducing cost.