Transport
Management System
We guarantee that the lowest-cost transporter with capacity is always allocated the load where possible to achieve sustainable, system-driven transport savings.
A Leading Global TMS Platform
At Transnova, we integrate, implement, configure and support the e2open TMS platform for our customers to ensure an automated, auditable systematic allocation of loads to transporters as per the client’s logistics strategy and contracted rates with its transport service providers.
TMS and TMSplus
We have shaped our offering to provide clients with the solution that meets your organization’s needs. Our standard TMS solve stands alone or integrates with your systems for a seamless end-to-end transportation management process, including planning, execution management, settlement and reporting.
For a more automated experience, we implement supplementary tools that leverage built-for-purpose features to further elevate your efficiency with TMSplus.
Key Features
/ 01
Order management
- Receive orders for planning from multiple channels
- Visualize, split and combine orders to enable downstream transport savings
- TMSplus: Manage demand, stock and customer expectations on our integrated CargoWorkbench to present transport planning with an optimized order
/ 02
Transport Planning
- Optimally build loads and tours
- Efficiently secure capacity with carriers on a single platform using carrier shopping, waterfall tendering and SpotMarket. Track actual versus budget or benchmark transport spend
- Automate and monitor execution of your transport strategy with configurable routing guides and consoles
/ 03
Execution Management
- Receive real-time visibility of carrier-appointed vehicles, drivers, trailers and loading slots
- Take control of your site with dock-level slot booking and loading visibility
- Receive direct feedback from carriers on the execution of deliveries
- Automatically highlight issues and at-risk stops with configurable milestone rules and consoles
- TMSplus: Automate feedback via telematics integrations and leverage geofence detection and systematic predictive ETA calculations
/ 04
POD Management
- Receive digital copies of PODs directly from carriers
- Enforce document packet quality control and integrate POD requirements into the payment process
- Raise variances on the platform to transparently resolve claims
- TMSplus: Empower drivers to capture PODs at the customer and start the documentation management process immediately
/ 05
Settlement
- Implement a transparent reverse-billing process, including rate change requests, discrepancy detection and payable rate workflow
- Leverage TMS cost data to automatically synchronize financial document processes on your ERP
- Empower carriers to run their own remittance advise on the platform to invoice according to the single version of the truth and your preferred financial process
- TMSplus: Directly access interactive costing reports that provide actionable transport insights
/ 06
SaaS or LaaS Options
- Our standalone software-only (SaaS) solution includes limited support.
- Whilst our fully outsourced managed service (Laas) includes a team of transport planners, execution agents and dedicated support staff to run the platform for you or until your team is ready to take it over.
Ready to take the next step on your TMS journey?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Transport Management System?
A Transport Management System, or TMS, is a system used to plan freight movements, perform freight rating and shopping across all modes, select the appropriate route and carrier and manage all associated transport costs, documentation, communication and payments.
The TMS facilitates interactions between a company’s order management or warehouse management system and the logistics activities thereafter to ensure on time delivery to the correct destination at the lowest achievable cost.
What are the key features of a TMS?
- Managing orders
- Optimising loads & planning
- Selection of best carriers
- Management of rates
- Automation of shipping for all modes of transport
- Tracking delivery progress (track and trace)
- Sending notifications of transport status
- Settling payments automatically
- Managing claims
- Providing management reporting for key business decisions.
What are the benefits of a TMS?
A TMS is the focal point that pulls together the different moving parts of a value chain and its role players into a highly functioning logistics ecosystem while generating valuable actionable data.
- Provide system-driven decision making at an operational and tactical level
- Add predictability within a value chain through controlled coordination
- Increase and allow access to critical information through analytics, and
- Unsurpassed connectivity and increased efficiency to leverage excess capacity.
Why invest in a TMS platform?
A TMS can unlock typical savings of between 5-15% per annum on a company’s transport costs. A TMS delivers business value in the form of reduced costs, but it also gives companies improved accountability, better supply chain visibility, and greater flexibility to match service levels to requirements.
Investing in a TMS platform for your organisation gives senior management and shareholders peace of mind that the lowest cost plan is always deployed each day based on the resources available, whilst the Logistics team has access to more information and data than ever before possible.
Equipped with this intelligence, the Logistics team can focus on continuous improvement and look for further opportunities to optimise the logistics network and drive costs out of the business.
Can a logistics strategy deliver value without a TMS?
Yes. However, there is almost certainly an erosion in the value identified by a logistics strategy without the implementation of new processes underpinned by technology. Transnova has a track record of delivering on and often exceeding on the opportunity identified by the strategy by using a TMS.
Can a TMS manage multi-modal transport?
Yes, a good quality TMS is able to optimally plan and manage the execution of Road, Rail, Ocean, Air and multi-modal transport. Transnova has a track record of enabling multi-modal transport in Africa.
I only manage full-truckload transport. Why would I need a TMS?
Full-truckload transport requires a strong focus on order management, carrier rates and selection, third-party asset utilization, site efficiency, coordination across multiple parties and efficient reporting and administration. Transnova is experienced at understanding opportunities and challenges in this area and has the TMS to deliver solutions for your operation.
I have a single logistics service provider. Why would I need a TMS?
A TMS assists companies in understanding their transport spend and available levers for cutting costs and improving service levels, even when only one service provider or 3PL is used. It also streamlines processes involving your provider and cross-functional internal teams to provide efficient and auditable logistics management. Furthermore, a TMS can scale and enable your organization for any future changes in your strategy.
We are a transport company. Why would we need a TMS?
Carrier designed TMS systems assist with the management of demand, allocation and maintenance of vehicles and drivers, PODs, invoicing and settlement with sub-contractors. Visit www.blupath.com to find out more about this type of solution for carriers.