How to choose the right TMS software for your needs

Looking for a simple definition of what a transport TMS is? For those who need a refresher, here's everything you need to know about the Transport Management System.

Definition of Transport TMS

A Transport TMS, or Transport Management System, is a software package for managing transport operations. As the final link in the supply chain, it is responsible for managing transport planning, and offers real control over the transport chain, enabling road hauliers to increase efficiency and profitability.

Why use a Transport TMS?

A TMS gives you total control over the transport of goods, whether in terms of route selection, management of drivers' driving hours, mileage, consumption of each vehicle, etc.

Thanks to a TMS, you have real-time visibility of your fleet and transport operations. This means you can react immediately in the event of an incident, and take corrective action quickly if necessary.

But it's also a long-term vision that this tool offers, by storing data on each transport for precise reporting. This makes it possible to analyze the profitability of your business and compare it with previous years.

The TMS is really the control tower on which all your day-to-day tools are grafted: ERP, invoicing software, social management software, fleet management software, EDM software...

Who is the TMS Transport for?

The TMS is designed for all companies wishing to optimize their freight transport operations and make them profitable. There are TMS for Carriers (for transport professionals, also known as TMS Transport) and TMS for Shippers (for logistics professionals). Each is tailored to the needs of its particular business.

Transport management is of vital importance in ensuring the delivery of goods, and guaranteeing profitability and the best possible lead times, which is why the TMS is truly the essential tool that every road haulier needs to use and, above all, master.

Transport TMS functionalities

The TMS is a control center with a wide range of functions, and is constantly evolving. Here are just a few of the features usually found in a TMS:

• Decision support (AI suggestions for determining routes)
• Schedule management (defining driver schedules, maximizing truck fill rates, etc.)
• Route definition (optimizing routes and vehicle consumption, with the help of mapping, for example)
• Vehicle tracking (you know in real time where your trucks are, thanks to geolocation)
• Reporting (summary of transport data to optimize costs and improve margins)
• Calculation of GHG emissions for "GHG information" on transport services (formerly "CO² information")...

But with new technologies and the digitalization of road transport, new functionalities have become essential (and will have an impact on the choice of a TMS):

• eCMR management (essential with the development of electronic consignment notes)
• Mobile application (the basis for your drivers to be able to work properly and stay in touch with operations)
• Traceability (i.e. being able to tell your customers in real time where the goods are and when they will be delivered, without re-entering data, thanks to a dedicated common platform)
• Temperature monitoring (for temperature-controlled transport)

Don't forget to check out the APIs and partnerships available or the complementary tools associated with the TMS, which can also be decisive differentiating indicators between two editors. EDI, for example. In an environment where the transport flow chain is becoming increasingly complex due to the multiplication of load breaks and players, EDI facilitates and simplifies exchanges to ensure total traceability of information in real time between players (shippers and carriers, carriers and colleagues),

What are the most important points to check before choosing a TMS Transport software package?

The TMS software offering has been expanding rapidly for several years now. To sort out all the solutions available on the market, we recommend that you pay attention to a number of factors before investing in a TMS, such as :

• The publisher's financial soundness;
• The timescales put forward by the vendor for implementing the TMS, and the vendor's ability to mobilize a team;
• TMS ergonomics;
• The editor's business and human resources skills;
• After-sales services and resources;
• Future developments planned for the TMS;
• The publisher's ability and willingness to commit R&D resources;
• TMS coverage of your needs;
• ROI of TMS integration...

At Sinari, we've been through all the TMS evolutions. We are constantly improving our management software suite to adapt to carriers' new needs. We also offer a range of tailored services: installation, configuration, training, support, organizational consulting, auditing and coaching.

Please browse our website to find out more about our TMS Transport software, or contact us for further information.