Published 8 Jun 2023

Top 7 Transportation Management Software of 2023

transportation management

What is Transportation Management Software?

Transportation management software (TMS) is a digital tool that helps companies manage the physical movement of goods, ensuring these arrive safely and on time. The platform encompasses storage planning, personnel scheduling, optimal routing, and shipment tracking, among others. Most importantly, this gives fleet managers and operators real-time visibility to make data-driven decisions, particularly with unforeseen disruptions. 

This could be a stand-alone application or a module of the more comprehensive fleet management system or supply chain management platform. 

Importance

Managing logistics and transportation is challenging because there are numerous factors to consider: coordination with third-party suppliers, travel distance, mode of transport, and delivery times, just to name a few. Transportation management software streamlines all these workflows, allowing your company to reap numerous benefits.

  • Enhances visibility – Driver telematics, geo-tagging on vehicles, warehouse sensors, and merchandise barcodes allow managers to organize and track products, monitor their drivers’ activities, and proactively address any issues that emerge.
  • Ensures safety – The different features of the software can assure fleet and driver safety. For instance, shipment tracking ascertains that products won’t get lost, stolen, or damaged. Carrier management, on the other hand, safeguards drivers from accidents as it checks licenses, insurance documents, and safety ratings before they begin their trip. 
  • Validates compliance – Transportation and logistics are governed by a set of policies set by government offices and non-governmental organizations. Fleet operators must abide by the regulations that apply to them or risk getting fined or penalized. With data digitization, companies can efficiently collate permits, inspection documents, and audit reports so they can lawfully operate.
  • Saves resources – Any type of disruption in the operations, however minor that may seem (e.g., traffic, bad weather conditions, packaging errors), can cause costly delays. The software reduces the possibility of those happening, ensuring that operations run smoothly. Cost savings on fuel and maintenance also fosters sustainable logistics that greatly benefit the company’s current reputation and future in the industry.
  • Better customer service – The end goal of any transport and logistical service is to deliver goods to the end consumers safely and on time. Integrating the software into the company’s operations facilitates many tasks, like answering customer inquiries and requests, considerably reducing delivery times, and making reverse logistics less stressful.  

Key Features

Fleet operators and managers can use the software to good advantage when it has all the essential features. Here are some examples:

Selecting the Right Transportation Management Software

All aforementioned platforms will be an advantageous addition to your current system. Before you make your final pick, take a quick look at the summary below:

Transportation Management Software 

Free Version

Paid Plan

Mobile App

SafetyCulture

Yes

$24/user/month*

Yes

Trimble TMS

No

Contact for pricing

Yes

Luminate Platform

No

Contact for pricing

Yes

Cetaris

No

$1,000/month + add-ons

Yes

Transplace TMS

No

Contact for pricing

No

AscendTMS 

Yes

$99/user/month

Yes

MercuryGate

No

Contact for pricing

Yes

* billed annually

Eunice

SafetyCulture staff writer

Eunice Arcilla Caburao

Eunice is a content contributor for SafetyCulture. A registered nurse, theater stage manager, Ultimate Frisbee athlete, and mother, Eunice has written a multitude of topics for over a decade now.

Eunice is a content contributor for SafetyCulture. A registered nurse, theater stage manager, Ultimate Frisbee athlete, and mother, Eunice has written a multitude of topics for over a decade now.