Managing a transportation network can be a challenging and time-consuming task, but with the help of modern technology, it doesn’t have to be. Transportation management system (TMS) software can simplify the management process, creating a more efficient businesses. By optimizing various aspects of transportation operations, this software can save companies money while streamlining their processes in real-time.
With so many transportation management system software options available on the market, it’s crucial to select the right TMS providers for your business needs as a shipper, carrier, or broker. The overall success of your transportation operations may hinge on your choice.
Quicklook: Top transportation management system software (TMS) options
- Truckbase TMS
- Loadsmart
- Trimble
- Rose Rocket TMS
- Motive
- Oracle TMS
- Blue Yonder TMS
- Load Logix TMS
How does transportation management system software work?
Transportation management system (TMS) software manages the four key processes of transportation management: planning and decision-making, transportation execution, follow-up, and measurement.
TMS will find and create the most efficient transport plans according to the things that the user or business defines as being the most important. This means that TMS systems can prioritize transportation planning by cost, shipper lead-times, or number of stops en route.
8 best TMS software options
Currently, there are a number of great transportation management system software options on the market. While some easily stand out among the crowd, the best TMS for your supply chain may be one with a specific or specialized feature.
The following transportation management systems are the most highly reviewed and used. However, these TMS options also have specific features and tools that make them unique. Using them can make your company more competitive as a result.
Truckbase TMS
Truckbase lets small trucking companies grow their fleets without increasing complexity. This software is affordably priced and perfect for smaller trucking companies seeking a simple, easy TMS to automate their back-office.
Manage freight dispatching without any excess data entry. Automate load building and dispatch with a PDF importer, send to drivers via text, and let drivers upload BOLs directly with integrated mobile scanning. Use instant invoicing and financial reporting tools to improve cash flow. Build trust with drivers using simple driver settlements without extra hassle or data entry.
Loadsmart TMS
Loadsmart’s TMS automates and optimizes the process of booking and managing freight, which appeals to companies focused on simplifying their shipping operations. It provides tools for real-time pricing, capacity matching, and seamless load booking to help businesses secure cost-effective shipping solutions quickly.
Loadsmart’s commitment to data-driven decision-making, paired with its advanced analytics, enables users to gain valuable insights into shipping costs and carrier performance. Moreover, it integrates easily with other software in the supply chain, promoting greater efficiency and reducing the need for manual intervention. For companies looking to leverage automation and data to streamline logistics, Loadsmart offers a modern, scalable TMS solution.
Trimble
Trimble offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline and optimize logistics and supply chain operations. It offers robust real-time tracking, allowing businesses to monitor shipments and fleet movements with precision, which reduces delays and enhances customer satisfaction. The platform integrates seamlessly with various third-party systems, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and warehouse management systems (WMS), making it highly adaptable to different business environments and easy to scale.
Trimble’s advanced analytics and reporting tools empower users to make data-driven decisions, optimize routes, and cut operational costs. Additionally, the TMS provider places a strong emphasis on user-friendly interfaces, which simplify training and improve user adoption. With continuous updates and a reputation for reliability, Trimble is well-regarded among freight logistics service providers (LSPs) seeking efficiency and innovation in their TMS solutions.
Rose Rocket TMS
Rose Rocket’s platform is designed to work with any transportation business, no matter how unique and complex. The platform offers customization right from the beginning, from workflows to tools and widgets, all with the flexibility needed to support changing business needs. Customize this software with panels and templates.
Additionally, you can automate your order input to increase business efficiency. Other features that make this software a winner include ELD and live tracking, invoicing, and a comprehensive analytics suite to better track the performance of your business in real-time.
Motive TMS
Motive’s TMS platform is designed to streamline fleet management, safety, and compliance processes for logistics companies. It appeals to users looking for comprehensive vehicle tracking, driver safety monitoring, and real-time data analytics, making it particularly valuable for businesses aiming to improve operational efficiency.
Motive’s AI-driven insights help identify safety risks, optimize routes, and track driver performance, allowing companies to reduce costs and maintain high service standards. Additionally, its intuitive interface and seamless integration with other systems make it accessible for companies of various sizes, from small fleets to large-scale operations. This combination of safety, efficiency, and ease of use makes Motive a good choice for those prioritizing fleet safety and performance.
Oracle TMS
Oracle TMS is a powerful solution for transportation management, known for its scalability and flexibility, catering to businesses of all sizes. It offers strong integration capabilities within the Oracle ecosystem (including ERP and WMS modules) and with external applications, allowing seamless data flow across supply chain processes. With advanced optimization features for routing, cost control, and compliance, Oracle TMS empowers organizations to enhance efficiency and improve decision-making in logistics management.
Blue Yonder TMS
The TMS from Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Transportation & Logistics Management Solutions) is another great option. Blue Yonder’s TMS automates and streamlines business processes. It significantly reduces both administrative and operating costs. In doing so, Blue Yonder’s TMS and its automation reduces the need for manual user override.
The system is able to automatically detect and resolve most issues, only requiring intervention in a few situations.
Load Logix TMS
Load Logix’s transportation management system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze data and provide real-time advice on load planning and tendering, procurement, dispatching, and carrier management. By automating order management and optimizing processes, Load Logix’s platform can reduce costs and increase operational efficiency for its customers.
What makes for good transportation management system software?
A transportation management system needs to be a comprehensive solution that’s flexible enough to keep up with the times. Aside from managing transport activities, a TMS also comes with analytics tools and reports for companies to plan and optimize their routes, conduct audits on freight shipments, manage their yards, handle order management, make payments, and execute logistics transport operations.
Top TMS offerings should include the following:
Intuitive dashboards
To be useful, a transport management system must have an intuitive dashboard. This dashboard must be easy to understand and use. The dashboard should also have access to anything a user may need. It should enable users to view orders, freight shipments, and inventory, enabling updates as needed.
Fleet transportation management capabilities
Any good TMS should provide users with the end-to-end visibility needed to manage their fleet. This includes managing drivers, vehicles, carrier rates, on-time performance, and financial KPIs. Some transportation management systems can even automate fleet management, which lowers administrative costs.
Optimization features
Optimization of transportation networks is what transport management system software is designed for. A quality TMS should provide analytics-based insights that make logistics networks, shipments, orders, and routes more efficient.
Payment and billing tools
To improve operations, your TMS solution should include tools for payment and billing. It should help calculate transportation rates, track claims, report on costs, adjust costs when necessary, allocate expenses, match invoices, and make automated payments.
Mobile apps
TMS users cannot always be in front of a computer. Good TMS companies offer cloud-based mobile versions of their software so that users can cost-effectively manage their supply chain networks wherever they are.
Save, streamline, and track with TMS
Transportation management solutions can help businesses save money by optimizing various aspects of transport operations and providing real-time tracking. However, with so many options available, it’s crucial to invest in a TMS that offers features aligning with your supply chain needs as a shipper, carrier or brokerage. Some of the key features to consider include an easy-to-use dashboard, fleet management, optimization tools, payment and billing capabilities, and mobile capability.
Several top-rated transportation management systems on the market offer these features, including ones on this list. These systems have received high rankings from both users and supply chain logistics industry experts, making them a reliable choice for businesses seeking to streamline their transportation operations.
FAQ
Transportation management system (TMS) software is a tool that simplifies and makes transportation operations more efficient by optimizing various aspects of management. It provides tools for dispatching, invoicing, and more. TMS software also manages processes like load planning and carrier selection through machine learning and other technologies.
The best TMS software for your company depends on your specific business needs. Some of the top TMS software options include Trimble, Truckbase, and Rose Rocket.
TMS software typically costs between $100-$500 per user per month for an SaaS solution, with on-premise systems costing much more due to infrastructure and customization needs. Enterprise-grade TMS deployments including integrations and custom features can cost millions upfront for very large shippers.