One particular software application that helps with shipping activities is the TMS software or Transportation Management System. It is usually web-based and is normally used in logistics management, for shipping activities like intra-company and outbound shipments, shipping units, bills of lading generation, inbound shipment scheduling, transportation or carrier mode selection, processing of damage or loss claims and freight bill payment and auditing. This type of system typically features a graphic user interface portal or a dashboard.
Businesses, particularly ones that have complex supply chains, use Transportation Management Systems to track and manage shipments that can be carried by land, air or sea. Many options for shipment are readily available to clients which include parcel, truck and private fleet, inter modal, domestic carriers, or rail. Clients are able to track shipping online with some systems. Other Transportation Management Systems integrate technology like Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation that allows fleet managers to dispatch and monitor vehicles based on shipping schedules. Goods are easily transported in basically any mode because of this advancement in technology.
How TMS Software Simplifies Business Shipping Needs:
Decision Making and planning
Decision making and planning are an important aspect for staying organized and should not be overlooked. If you are not up to the mark with the decision making and planning process, your business could suffer. In fact, a lack of proper decision making and planning has led many companies to vanish.
The TMS system helps to organize and plan your logistics business efficiently while categorizing all your transport needs depending on importance. Important things in the proper decision making and planning process are shorter lead-time, fewer stops, transport cost, and fewer stops.
Cost Effective
Each time something has to be shipped out, logistics software will enable your employees to obtain good shipping prices. The rates are shown in real time and can be accessed from a centralized location. Because this software offers reporting features, pricing agreements should be met all the time and you will not overpay. Having to utilize different sources to find the best price is no longer an issue. You do not need to go to every carrier website, use various mapping guides or paper routing, or use multiple software solutions. The TMS system helps to decrease errors in shipping decisions. When you use management software like this, many costs are taken away altogether and you are left with only shipping costs.
Identify Errors & Meet Deadlines
Having the knowledge of where, when and what is moving will help you to manage your supply chain better. Also, transportation issues can be identified easily and steps can be taken to correct them. Most if not all companies rely on timely and accurate transportation of goods to keep operations functioning smoothly. This is why transportation management software is so beneficial to companies with high volume shipping and receiving.
Deadlines are essential for any working enterprise to maintain. By logging your transports and keeping centralized control, you ensure you meet all deadlines. Not knowing where your goods are is harmful for your business since time is money.