Transport Management Systems (TMS)

Leverage BoxLogic’s vast logistics systems experience to review, select and implement Transport Management Systems in your operations

Logistics Consultancy » Transport Management Systems

What is a Transport Management System

A Transport Management System (TMS) is software to enable planning, execution, and optimisation of transport movements across the supply chain. TMS takes order data from the WMS to plan and track it into transport movements. They are deployed to drive efficiencies in inbound and outbound logistics movements across all modes of freight.

Plan shipments based on cost, efficiency, distance and service

Execute deliveries by communicating with carriers, providing documentation and tracking progress

Optimise operations by tracking carrier performance via analytics and reporting

Advantages of a Transport Management System

A TMS streamlines transport operations with improved planning and execution, providing a better service to its customers. The main advantages are:

Improved shipment traceability in real-time tracking
Enhanced accuracy of delivery
Improved customer service with real-time customer access
Cost savings by using analytics and route optimisation
Efficiency improvements resulting from better data
Increased control of vehicle flows with scheduling functionality
Carbon footprint reductions through reduced paperwork and better routing

Transport Management software provides the most benefit to operations with complex transport networks. It’s ability to provide increased visibility. The ability to provide increased visibility across the supply chain, irrespective of mode of transport and beyond typical geographic barriers helps navigate the complexities of modern supply chains.

How BoxLogic Can Help

BoxLogic supports our clients throughout their transport management system journeys from a review of existing systems all the way to the selection and implementation of a new TMS solution.

Project Stage	How Can BoxLogic Help
Review Current TMS	Assess capability of the incumbent TMS to meet current and future operational requirements.
Gaps Analysis	Identify the functionality gaps between current TMS and business requirements or latest market developments.
Requirements Gathering	Documentation and categorisation of business requirements across transport and warehouse processes for TMS.
Process Mapping	Mapping of the ‘as-is’ and ‘to-be’ processes of the transport operation.
Functional Design Specification	Full documentation of the operational requirements for issue to TMS development and configuration.
Business Case Support	Provision of expert support to build an achievable and robust business case for new or upgraded TMS software.
Vendor Selection	Full management of, or provision of expertise through the tender process for a new TMS using extensive market knowledge.
Systems Testing	Creation of, leading or management of testing programme to capture issues prior to a go-live, including load testing, integration testing, smoke testing, user acceptance testing and business readiness testing.
Training & Go-Live Support	Project management or operational support to deliver a smooth implementation and cut over to a new solution.

Our Process

BoxLogic can deliver the end-to-end deployment of a TMS. We are flexible in our approach and can contribute throughout or only in specific parts of the project where external expertise is needed. An end-to-end project approach might be:

Familiarisation

We develop a strong working understanding of your transport and warehouse operations with a site visit. A kick-off workshop and interviews with key stakeholders, including IT, help to further our knowledge of the project requirements, TMS landscape and IT infrastructure.

A high-level process review with a TMS super-user completes our familiarisation. If no TMS is in place, then we will familiarise ourselves with the current tools and ways of working.

Process Flow

We conduct a detailed walk through of the end-to-end transport processes with super users and members of the transport team to understand of the ‘as-is’ flows. At this stage, we take the opportunity to also document the requirements as we go through this process along with all the interfaces with other systems. This also includes understanding the flow of information through the broader IT architecture.

Gap Analysis

The current processes and operational requirements are compared to the functionality available across the Warehouse Management System marketplace to understand where the existing process and system functionality does not meet the operational requirements.

We then document the gaps or non-standard processes and needs, which inform the To-Be flows.

Define To-Be Processes

Current processes are updated to include the new steps to meet the operational requirements.

We start with standardised processes as far as possible while considering requirements and trying to bridge the identified gaps to optimise flows. The agreed ‘to-be’ processes might be able to be deployed within the current system, and if not, they form the basis of a selection process for new TMS software.

Partner Selection

A tender process is initiated for a new or upgraded TMS software. The agreed requirements and process flows can be documented in the form of a Functional Design Specification as part of a tender process.

A shortlist of appropriate solution providers is provided with a comprehensive RFQ pack. Vendor solution proposals are submitted and reviewed to select a preferred vendor based on a blend of financial and non-financial criteria.

Project Management & Go-Live

Delivering a successful project with experienced support in the project management, testing, training and go-live processes. We offer a flexible approach; either leading the project delivery or playing a more supporting steering role. A more active role is usually advised during the design, testing, training and go-live process with much less activity during the ‘Build’ process, which is executed by the TMS provider.

The testing process captures defects for resolution before go-live and is used structured to support the overall change management process, particularly with User Acceptance Testing and Training. Our extensive data validation and cleansing skills are utilised during the Data Upload process pre-go-live. Post go-live support can also be provided but is usually led by the TMS provider.

Why Work With BoxLogic

Our team of dedicated logistics professionals are well placed to help you on your next TMS project for several reasons.

The BoxLogic consulting team has a strong track record of delivering systems projects across the logistics sector
Our independence is of the utmost importance to us, so we only recommend solutions or partner that work for our clients
All BoxLogic recommendations are underpinned with rigorous analysis and modelling to give confidence in our work
Capability to support our clients on the end-to-end process of driving transport improvements