Don't Get Stuck in Traffic: Insights for Selecting the Right TMS
- Freight Think
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
It’s important for us to say from the beginning that there are many great Transportation Management Systems (TMS) out there. (Let us know if you’d like a copy of our list). We are not partial to any one tool. But, not all tools are suitable for your business.
When we engage with a client to help decide which technology tool is best for them, we start with the facts of their current state and then incorporate where they want to go. There are many factors that contribute to which TMS will be right for an organization. Depending on size of the shipper, complexity of the Supply Chain, type of ERP and WMS integrations, number of nodes, domestic/international components, centralized vs. decentralized management structure...and let’s not forget budget! You may need a car, but do you want an SUV, sedan, or sports car? Do you really need a car? Maybe you’d be better off taking a bus or train. The same kind of “reality check” goes with the right transportation tech.
Implementing a TMS is never just about technology. It's also about organizational transformation. Oftentimes, the comfortable habits of transportation execution for an organization are the most difficult to break. Companies focus on the lofty goals of unlocking transportation costs, improving visibility and planning, generating efficiencies, and enabling growth. But, they also have to address the behaviors and challenge established processes to ask, "Why are we doing this? Is it necessary?"
Over the past several months, we have been deeply engaged with two clients in guiding them in the discovery, ROI criteria, technology options, and the alignment process to evaluate which tool will be best and ultimately, making a decision. The TMS field of service providers and options is deep, and the range of their tech and service capabilities spans the spectrum of shipper needs. How do you narrow the list down to the right group to evaluate?
We start with a capabilities and requirements list. Once we know exactly what decision factors are most important, we can narrow the candidates to evaluate. Here's a list of common considerations for any business.
Web native application with intuitive GUI
Designed for business transaction
All carrier modes supported
Saas-based model
Up front effort and implementation costs
Shipping analytics, load consolidation and optimization capabilities
Automation of carrier selection and tender capabilities
Invoice audit, claims filing, and financial reporting
Dock scheduling
Tech support included in the base package
Current customer base aligned with your business
Both clients were looking for full-function systems that offer great service support to assist them in administration and function. In both cases, we started with seven companies that fit most of the requirements list, but after a detailed review, we quickly came down to two finalists that fit all the requirements.
In our experience, when you have a clear understanding of what the requirements are, the sea of options quickly narrows.
If you’d like to learn more about our experience and insights, we’d love to schedule time with you to answer questions and share our learnings.