How to Choose a Transportation Management System

Getting the right transportation management system (TMS) can make a huge positive difference for your company. But with so many options on the market today, finding the best TMS can be complex. Whether you are looking for a system upgrade or you’re choosing a TMS for the first time, here are some guidelines to help you make the most informed decision.

Platform Types

There are three major types of platforms for transportation management systems: homegrown, on-premise, and cloud-based. The platform that’s best will vary based on a business’s unique specifications.

With a homegrown platform, you have your own IT team create a custom-built system that fits your company’s needs. While having a customized platform may give you a bit of a competitive edge, it definitely won’t be an option for companies of all sizes. You may not have your own in-house IT team to complete such a project.

If you don’t have your own IT team, you may be able to use an on-premise system that is purchased from a TMS provider and hosted on site. Sometimes you may be able to customize the system to your needs after it’s been purchased. While there are advantages to purchasing something that’s tried and true for many companies, keep in mind there are also limits to exactly how much you can customize.

Lastly, there are cloud-based transportation management systems. You’ll have access to this type of TMS through a subscription and the platform is hosted off site. Cloud-based systems are the way of the future. They are increasingly becoming the standard, especially because this type of system can easily be updated and enhanced. A cloud-based TMS gives everyone on your team access to the most up-to-date information at all times, no matter where they are. It’s ideal for scalability.

Goals for Your System

While every TMS has three essential functions (planning, executing, and optimizing), some are better at certain functions than others. So, it’s important to think about what functions are the most crucial to accomplish your goals. For example, if integrating your TMS with your existing systems for maximum efficiency is your number one goal, your best choice will be very different than a company that is focused on saving as much money as possible. Make sure the system you’re looking at aligns with what you value the most!

Current Technology

Lastly, it’s important to make sure that any new technology you implement will seamlessly integrate with your existing technology landscape. You may think you know exactly what TMS you want, but if it’s not going to work in conjunction with the other tech you use, you’ll need to keep looking. Think of what needs are being met with your current technology and what needs remain. For example, if you already have some form of CRM sales tool, your TMS won’t need to help you in this area.

Discover the Advantages of FlexTMS

With these guidelines, you will be able to find the TMS that adds value to your organization and makes your operations flow more seamlessly. If you’re looking for the best TMS that can make managing your fleet so much simpler, you’ll definitely want to look into FlexTMS! This cloud-based solution will help you manage your fleet smarter, not harder.

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