August 16, 2023

Transport Management Systems: Which Do You Choose?

• CoreTeka TMS
• Oracle TMS
• SAP TMS
• Kuebix TMS
• Princeton TMX
• CargoWise TMS
• 3GTMS
• MercuryGate TMS
• Alpega TMS
• Shipwell TMS
• E2open TMS
• Best transport management software: summary
• Final thoughts

The modern world is all about digitalization. Naturally, one of the biggest and fastest-growing industries in the world – transportation – couldn’t be left aside.

A Transport Management System (or TMS) is a significant part of supply chain management. It’s a logistic platform designed to optimize the process of moving goods.

Transport Management Systems usually include planning (selecting the best type of transportation, route, number of vehicles, etc.) and execution (monitoring the whole way of transportation). TMS helps to reduce costs, gives you business insights based on your data, and overall simplifies and improves your transportation.

Here is the list of the best Transport Management Systems:

• CoreTeka TMS;
• Oracle Transportation Management;
• SAP TMS;
• Kubeix;
• Princeton TMX;
• CargoWise;
• 3GTMS;
• MercuryGate TMS;
• Alpega TMS;
• Shipwell TMS;
• E2open TMS.

Out of listing: CoreTeka TMS

The mentioned below systems are off-the-shelf solutions, meaning that can’t be customizable. But with Coreteka TMS, it’s possible to do this with ease. That’s why we included our solution in this list.

CoreTeka TMS is a platform for customers, carriers, and recipients, that gives them all the necessary information related to the cargo. The platform allows you to control and reduce the risk of untimely goods delivery and also automates the processes of creating applications for transportation and choosing a carrier.

You can use a pre-saved application or create a new one with unique parameters. CoreTeka TMS has all of the basic TMS features, such as control over document flow, route optimization, cargo tracking, and many more, including some tools for warehouse management.

It also is a good fit for railway transportation, as it has wagon management. The database of all active objects allows you to speed up and simplify work with the system. In addition, CoreTeka can help to solve the empty mileage problem and reduce CO2 emissions.

The fundamental feature of the CoreTeka TMS that makes it stand out from the other best transport management systems is that it’s a custom solution tailored to match specific clients’ needs. Out-of-the-box platforms are perfect if their functionality complies with your demands. However, some clients need a personalized approach. For instance, if you need to integrate any particular module into your system, it may be tricky and costly. Therefore, a custom TMS that considers all specific requirements can be preferable.

Oracle Transportation Management System

Oracle is the second-largest independent software vendor in the world and one of the biggest enterprise software manufacturers. Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) is only one part of the whole company`s assortment.

OTM has the widest range of functions in the market and manages all transportation activities, fitting both shippers and logistic providers.

But with the size comes the price. OTM has the highest price in the market, so it mostly fits medium and enterprise companies.

Key benefits of Oracle TMS:

• Efficient transportation planning to optimize the allocation of shipments to carriers, modes of transport, and routes, reduce transportation costs, and improve delivery times.
• Real-time visibility into the transportation operations for better monitoring of shipments.
• Streamlined carrier collaboration to improve relationships between parties and enhance carrier performance management.
• Automation of various transportation processes, such as order consolidation, load planning, and freight payment to boost overall operational efficiency.
• Freight contract management to help negotiate better contract terms, ensure compliance, and provide cost savings through optimized contract utilization.
• The availability of tools to manage global trade compliance and reduce the risk of associated penalties.
• Scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing business requirements and scale as the company grows.

Do you know what is an ERP platform? Find out more about it in the article.

SAP TMS

SAP is a well-known multinational corporation, being the largest European software vendor, specializing in enterprise solutions and best known for its ERP.

SAP TM is a stand-alone system, although it would be more efficient to integrate it with other SAP products (ERP, Warehouse Management, etc.).

One of its interesting features is automatic load planning, which optimizes the creation of a load plan taking into account capacity restrictions in terms of the height, width, and length of the loading space as well as the weight. Most of the other features are typical for Transport Management Systems. SAP TM also comes at a high price.

Key benefits of SAP TMS:

• Comprehensive transportation planning and optimization capabilities allow businesses to efficiently handle their transportation operations.
• Integrated freight collaboration facilitates seamless interactions with carriers, suppliers, and customers through integrated communication channels.
• Automated execution and order consolidation for reduced manual effort and minimized transportation costs.
• Centralized carrier contract management for easier handling of carrier agreements and smoother carrier selection.
• Freight cost visibility and control for more accurate freight cost allocation and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Robust reporting and analytics features enable businesses to gain insights from transportation data.
• The support of multi-modal transportation allows businesses to efficiently manage different transportation modes, including trucking, rail, ocean, and air freight.

Kuebix TMS

Opposite to Oracle and SAP, Kuebix primarily focuses on TMS.

Kuebix TMS is a fully cloud-based modular platform that suits companies of all sizes. As the main advantage, Kuebix’s developers name its broad carrier network containing national and international carriers and every kind of transportation.

The team has developed integrations with all of the major carriers. One more thing that can be a major benefit – you can get a version of Kuebix TMS for free (without some of the features available in other versions). Although Kuebix seems like a good choice, its usage outside of the US is limited.

Key benefits of Kuebix TMS:

• A cloud-based platform, which implies access from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Easy implementation and integration with existing enterprise systems, such as ERP and WMS, for data synchronization.
• Freight rate management tools enable users to analyze freight rates from various carriers and select the most cost-effective options for their shipments.
• Load consolidation and optimization capacity help minimize empty miles and select the best carrier and mode of transport for each shipment.
• Automation of the freight payment and auditing process reduces the chances of billing errors and ensures accurate and timely payments to carriers.

Princeton TMX

Princeton TMX provides transportation companies with a cloud-based TMS aiming to automate, expedite, and optimize logistics processes. This transportation management system allows users to raise efficiency, simplify workflow, and decrease costs. The flexible modular TMS system already benefits more than 10,000 organizations in North America managing above $5 billion of freight.

Launched in 2016, the platform positions itself as a next-generation solution that brings simplicity and convenience to contemporary transportation management. It has gained high scores from a range of large industry players who praise the system’s flexibility, innovative approach, and ease of use.

The continual evolution and staying on the edge of modern technology are the core characteristics that, according to Princeton TMX management, help the product remain competitive.

Key benefits of Princeton TMX:

• The system automates most communications eliminating the bulk of unnecessary phone calls, emails, and more.
• Superior visibility of shipments and immediate notification about exceptions streamline the user experience.
• An intuitive interface makes user onboarding effortless.
• Modular construction and configurable features enable greater efficiency, flexibility, and superior match to the user’s needs.
• An abundance of services and features allows the system to meet the requirements of various companies across sectors.

CargoWise TMS

CargoWise One is a flagship product by WiseTech Global, one of the leading developers and providers of logistics software solutions globally. With over 44 billion data transactions per year, the service has become an integral part of the global supply chain. The company is keen on innovations: Throughout the five recent years, its team has implemented more than 3,000 product enhancements in the CargoWise global platform, which has positively impacted the supply chains worldwide.

The platform gains appreciation for its global reach, capability, and the opportunity to match the demands of large logistics organizations.

Key benefits of CargoWise TMS:

• The system provides a mighty network of transporters and enables advanced visibility and control even if a user cooperates with multiple transportation partners;
• Access to real-time data, including the actual situation on the roads and location of cargo, for route optimization and enhanced operational efficiency;
• Automated workflows for eliminating manual tasks, increasing accuracy, and streamlining shipment management.

3GTMS

3G is among the leading companies offering cloud-based, comprehensive transportation management software to shippers, e-commerce organizations, 3PLs, and freight brokers. 3G provides two fundamental solutions: 3Gtms, a versatile system for multi-modal shipment planning, optimization, execution, and settlement, and Pacejet, a multi-carrier transportation software. The company’s services help customers effectively address their transportation and multi-carrier shipping needs and adapt to business growth and external changes. Ultimately, the platform empowers clients to remain in control of their supply chain.

Key benefits of choosing 3GTMS:

• Internal and external fact-based performance metrics that aid in devising plans for performance improvement and continuous development.
• Freight settlement features facilitate the swift recovery of fees from incorrect bills and invoices, reducing payment processing costs.
• Flexible pricing options enable carrier providers to display their preferred prices on the buy side and maintain competitive pricing on the sell side to spur business development.
• Comprehensive functionality, from order creation in the ERP system to order delivery and financial settlement.
• Dynamic planning tool that empowers users to make changes to plans, even during the execution phase.

MercuryGate TMS

One of the best TMS software for carriers, MercuryGate provides a robust system tailored for businesses seeking rapid expansion. The platform allows clients to delegate specific processes to reliable agents, simplifying the growth of their logistics network and the incorporation of new carriers.

Furthermore, MercuryGate enhances the efficiency of the existing network’s backend through its dynamic workflows. Utilizing optimization algorithms, it ensures that the user optimizes rates, routes, and delivery speeds for each transportation.

MercuryGate comprehensively supports all shipping types, encompassing freight, rail, air, ocean, and drayage delivery. Furthermore, it facilitates the setup of less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation and streamlines the coordination of last-mile shipping.

While some clients find the system’s user interface and analytics tools challenging to customize, it garners praise for its convenient features, including:

• Delegation of processes to trusted agents,
• Dynamic workflows,
• Omni-modal transportation support,
• Inherent transportation contract management,
• Global transportation opportunities,
• A capability to optimize rates and routes.

Alpega TMS

Alpega stands out as one of the best TMS software that provides mobile shipment tracking through iOS and Android devices. With the mobile app, users can instantly message carriers and receive timely notifications upon shipment delivery.

The mobile platform ensures complete visibility into shipments, allowing users not only to track the load’s location but also to receive real-time updates on unpredictable events such as traffic jams.

Additionally, Alpega equips users with the necessary tools for planning and tendering shipments. What sets this platform apart is its capability to establish both long-term strategic plans spanning a year or more and shorter plans with the optimization of rates and routes. Furthermore, Alpega leverages algorithms to swiftly adapt shipments based on day-to-day operational realities.

While some reviews mention a potential lack of flexibility for LTL and multi-modal shipments, the platform boasts various valuable features and opportunities for its users, including:

• Mobile app availability for iOS and Android devices,
• Seamless communication with carriers,
• Support for long-term strategic planning,
• Automated load tendering,
• Integration with multiple carriers,
• Versatile analytics tools to aid in decision-making.

Shipwell TMS

Shipwell presents a cutting-edge transportation management system that minimizes the manual tasks associated with supply chain management. By harnessing algorithms, the platform automatically arranges incoming orders into shipments optimized for loads, thereby helping to make the right choice of shipment type.

One of Shipwell’s standout features is its ability to simplify the financial aspects of shipping. The platform seamlessly integrates with a set of payment systems, automating invoice audits to prevent overcharging and ensure accurate billing.

Furthermore, Shipwell boasts a powerful analytics dashboard that enables users to monitor their logistics network’s performance. The dashboard allows the ranking of individual carriers, identifying the causes of escalating costs, and tracking customer satisfaction.

As for the platform’s downsides, we can mark the lack of global shipping support and somewhat complex shipment tracking tools. However, Shipwell is still one of the best TMS solutions, offering acknowledged benefits, including:

• Clearly structured load management,
• Algorithms for the optimization of routes and rates,
• Integration with popular accounting software for streamlined financial management,
• Analytics dashboard with customizable reports for informed insights,
• An abundance of automation features for enhanced productivity,
• Mobile app providing real-time shipment tracking capabilities.

E2open TMS

One of the world’s largest logistics service companies, E2open recently acquired BluJay, a TMS software provider. While E2open’s transportation management system is just a part of its offerings, the company provides a comprehensive logistics-as-a-service (LaaS) solution to manage the entire supply chain. The service facilitates global imports and exports and assists with demand forecasting across various industries.

E2open’s transportation management system capitalizes on its extensive global network, empowering users to promptly locate and book carriers for all transportation types. The platform offers exceptional ease in handling multi-modal shipments and employs optimization algorithms to guarantee the best possible rates.

In 2022, E2open acquired BluJay Solutions, a well-known cloud-based logistics execution platform. The strategic purpose of this acquisition was to accelerate future growth by offering the broadest SaaS supply chain solution. Ultimately, E2open gained new opportunities to expand its global reach, enhance the existing logistics networks, increase data analytics offerings, and reinforce supply chain planning and execution capabilities.

Rightfully considered one of the best TMS services, the E2open product enables seamless cooperation with suppliers and customers in managing orders. Moreover, it facilitates real-time tracking for every shipment, empowering users to share respective data with their clients.

While the service comes at a cost and may initially seem complex, its benefits are significant and well worth the investment:

• Ability to book and manage multimodal shipments,
• Route and rate optimization for cost-effective decisions,
• A unified platform for streamlined interaction with suppliers and customers,
• Real-time tracking for enhanced visibility and communication,
• Convenient automation to boost efficiency,
• Utilization of AI for accurate rate and delivery time forecasting.

Best transport management software: summary

To further ease your choice of the best TMS systems, we’ve created an illustrative summary containing the outlined solutions and their key characteristics.

TMS	Developer	Rate	Link
Coreteka TMS	Coreteka	n/a*	https://coreteka.com/case-studies/pm-tracker/
Princeton TMX	Princeton TMX	4.8	https://www.princetontmx.com/features
Shipwell TMS	Shipwell	4.7	https://shipwell.com/transportation-management-system/
Kuebix TMS	Trimble (Kuebix)	4.6	https://www.kuebix.com/kuebix-tms/
3GTMS	3Gtms	4.6	https://www.3gtms.com/
E2open TMS	e2open	4.6	https://www.e2open.com/intelligent-applications/transportation-and-logistics/transportation-management/
Oracle Transportation Management System	Oracle	4.4	https://www.oracle.com/scm/logistics/transportation-management/
SAP TMS	SAP	4.3	https://www.sap.com/products/transportation-logistics.html
MercuryGate TMS	MercuryGate	4.1	https://mercurygate.com
Alpega TMS	Alpega Group	4.1	https://www.alpegagroup.com/us/tms/solutions/alpega-tms/
CargoWise	WiseTech	3.2	https://www.cargowise.com/

*Coreteka TMS is a custom solution, which makes its rating incomparable with out-of-the-box systems. This TMS rating is based on Gather’s research.

Final thoughts

While the logistics sector is confidently entering the digital landscape, transport management systems become an indispensable part of modern supply chain management. TMS helps to optimize planning, reduce expenses, streamline communication, automate jobs, and much more.

The market is full of TMS offerings varying by functionality, price, and other parameters, making the choice of an appropriate one a challenging task. Consider a number of criteria to keep in mind when choosing between different transport management systems:

• The size of your company;
• Budget;
• Modes of transport you use;
• Location.

Our selection of the best transport management systems aims to help companies pave their way through the abundance of options.

As an alternative to out-of-the-box systems, users may seek custom solutions tailored to their specific needs. A competent software development partner can analyze your business goals and recommend an optimal approach.

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If you decide to go with professional developers tailoring TMS to all your needs, contact us and we will gladly help you!