TMS Selection

Purpose: Elevate warehousing capabilities and performance and reduce costs with the right TMS.

A capable TMS can streamline, optimize, and automate the transportation process, leading to significant cost reductions, enhanced operational efficiency, improved delivery reliability, and better supply chain visibility. Recent enhancements, incorporating robotic process automation, machine learning, and AI are making TMS a powerful decision support and productivity tool.

By selecting the right TMS, businesses can centralize management of planning, execution, and tracking of freight movement, allowing for more efficient route and carrier selection, real-time shipment monitoring, and improved financial management of freight costs.

Purpose of TMS Selection:

Strategic Alignment
Feature Assessment
Cost and Efficiency
Process Streamlining
Operational Optimization
Enhanced Visibility
Improved Customer Service

Approach: Combine distribution requirements with leading practices and a robust selection methodology

The approach to Transportation Management System (TMS) selection involves defining requirements, applying leading industry practices, selecting a suitable vendor with robust features, like route optimization and carrier management. Key steps include understanding business goals, evaluating system capabilities and integration needs, involving stakeholders and end-users, conducting demos, and planning the transition phase with adequate training and support.

Preparation & Planning

Set Clear Goals
Define Requirements
Assemble a Dedicated Team
Map Processes
Evaluate Capabilities
Incorporate Leading Practices
Check Integration
Conduct Demos
Develop an Implementation Roadmap

Deliverable: Select a TMS with the right capabilities for transportation efficiency and value

The TMS selection project delivers a finalized software selection and a roadmap to implement a TMS capable of optimizing routes and loads, automating carrier selection, and providing real-time shipment tracking, and a data-driven approach to transportation that leads to improved efficiency, cost reduction, enhanced customer satisfaction, and better compliance through robust reporting and analytics.

TMS Selection Deliverables:

Feasibility & Improvement Report
Software Functionality Matrix
Recommended TMS Provider
Vendor Contracts
Implementation Roadmap

Ready to optimize your strategy?

Contact 3PLR or schedule a call to discuss your company’s needs and find the right solution to optimize your operations.

Case Studies

3PL Growth Strategy | Case Study 1

Business Case for 3PL Start-Up with Financial Projections – An $8.8B global contract electronics manufacturer imagined an opportunity to grow revenue and expand customer “share of wallet” by establishing 3PL services. The core business had a remarkable stable of marquee names in the Technological vertical to also sell 3PL services. However, the intended 3PL business must achieve a level of profitability and ROIC commensurate or better than the core business to gain leadership approval.

3PL Growth Strategy | Case Study 2

3PL Start-Up Growth Strategy – A small $10M VAWD 3PL with 2 warehouses in SoCal had an ambitious revenue goal to grow by 3X in 3 years. It sought help to figure out how to achieve it. The 3PL originally operated as the logistics department of the parent company but started to offer 3PL VAWD services to a handful of small apparel companies. Very small but highly profitable, it had developed solid and marketable VAWD capabilities and made smart choices in IT systems selection.