Selecting the correct transportation management software is a difficult yet important part of supply chain visibility solutions. There are a number of vendors who tend to offer TMS software having various functionalities and use cases. Thus, selecting the correct vendor can get very difficult.
So, in such a scenario, businesses need to opt for procurement process while having a clear idea of the things that you they need. Hence, due to this, there is a chance that carrier or shipper goes away as their needs are not fulfilled.
Thus, in this article, we would discuss about how transportation visibility software can be optimized. Let us have a look:-
What are the challenges that you may have to face when it comes to finding the correct TMS?
There are majorly three challenges that companies need to face. These are:-
- Ownership cost, user experience and ease of implementation impact a lot when it comes to selecting the right TMS.
- Emerging technologies need to be adopted such that products can be innovated further.
- In order to focus on capacity and visibility, TMS vendors are expanding their capabilities regularly.
Further, a lot of businesses are going through digital transformations. Hence, right technology need to be selected among the number of options that are available. But, it can be difficult to execute for a number of reasons. The reason is that partner and technology integration are moving away from the target.
Secondly, there are a number of vendors who offer solutions for every market. But, it may not be helpful in environment that is less-digitized where the planning processes lack the visibility and transparency. Hence, it may not be useful in the case of freight documents.
Transportation Optimization – What is the meaning?
One of the most common solutions that a lot of businesses look out from transportation management software is vehicle routing solutions, multimodal domestic TMS as well as transportation execution systems.
So, these can be good options for mapping the network as well as having insights into various areas that logistics and transportation planning need to cover. Further, they can be enhanced through advanced analytics technology integration. Thus, it can help you with logistics operations as well.
Thus, this is the time when the transportation optimization solutions tend to come into play. The best part is that it can be used with the existing transportation management software. These are performed for a number of reasons:-
- Transportation Network can be modeled digitally such that visibility can be increased. The goal is real-time data flow integration into the planning processes. So, with the real-time flows, you would be able to make faster decisions in case of an emergency. Thus, potential disruptions can be avoided.
- Digital models need to be utilized such that proper optimization through the transport network can be done. Thus, prescriptive analytics can be used in order to cover up the inefficiency. Hence, network elements that cost you a lot can be avoided without improving the performance.
- Implementing the decision-making process based on the network data that is shared on the digital environment. Thus, alignment can be created as team looks out for hypothetical adjustments with regards to frequencies, capacities, modes etc.
Thus, in this way, you would get more value out of your transportation optimization software. Moreover, digital visibility can be created through which you can combine tactical, strategic and operational planning. All of these can be through one interconnected and cohesive process. For simple supply chains and networks, this process may not be recommended. But, if you are having complex transportation network, then it can turn out to be very important for you.
What are the factors to keep in mind before opting for transportation visibility software?
One of the most difficult decisions that a lot of supply chain professionals need to take is perhaps choosing the right transportation visibility software. In the market, you can easily find a number of options and hence it gets very difficult to select the right product.
So, it is important that a good solution is selected that is available at a cost effective price. Further, it should be backed with certain features and further it should fulfill the needs that you might be having. Thus, here are some of the things to keep in mind before opting for transportation visibility software. Let us have a look:-
Return of Investment
The first thing that you need to do is not rush in when it comes to transportation logistics management software. A realistic timeline should be established by the companies during the time when decision is being made.
The end objective is selecting a solution that can be scaled easily as per the requirement of the business. Moreover, the solution that you are thinking to select should give and ROI of 15 months and in the process save about 10% in the cost of transportation.
You should also keep in mind that there is no guarantee that existing system would offer integration in a straight forward manner. Also, you should avoid selecting the TMS Company based on the cost that it is available. If so, then you can make a wrong choice based on the information that is given.
Check in for scenarios
If opting for TMS options, then selecting it based on the features that it presents can be very tempting. However, the companies should avoid focusing on just technical specifications. If not, then you can get distracted when it comes to selecting the best system that can match with the requirement of your business.
So, alternatively what you can do is make use of the team that would be using TMS once the deployment is being done.
Thus, these particular individuals would be in charge when it comes to defining the problems as well as determining the priorities. Moreover, they can come up with business case that might be required for making the changes within your organizations. In this way, they would be able to take informed decisions regarding the same.
So, the best way a company can implement this is by coming up with scenarios that might be needed for future projects. Thus, the following testing ground can help organizations to show the set of features that they possess as well as reveal the capabilities of the system at the same time.
Thus, this is something that every organization needs to consider when it comes to purchasing software. Further, you can take ample time and involve as many people as you want such that the process can be implemented in the right way.
Case Studies
Organizations should kick start with the work and determine the timetable that is appropriate for them. So, with TMS, significant changes can be made during the process improvement initiatives as well as Organizational side. Hence, it is important that careful planning is done such that implementation can be done successfully.
Further, you should understand that you would get the information which is valuable only if the right sets of questions are being asked. So, have a clear idea about the potential vendor can present you on the table.
Thus, once of the great ways through which you can determine that they can match with your unique needs is by the help of case studies. Additionally, ask the vendors about the experience that they have in this field. In this way, you would have an idea about how the transportation visibility software would help you and perhaps match with the infrastructure of your organization.
You should understand that it is not for everyone
It is often seen that companies tend to buy TMS platforms that are quite complex as compare to what they need. After this, they find difficultly in terms of how they can use the system in perhaps the best possible manner. Hence, the process can turn out to be very expensive without leading to the increase of the efficiency or productivity of the organization.
Also, try to filter out only a few options and further select one among them. You should also understand that there are a number of companies that may not extensive or expensive TMS software. Rather, they need a customized and cost-effective solution through which the needs of the business can be easily fulfilled. Thus, it can be quite useful in transportation logistics.
Final Verdict
In general, people look out for automation solutions that can easily match with the business requirements and needs. So, in such a scenario, you should look out for a customizable, easy to use logistics solution. Moreover, it should scale easily once there is growth in the business.
So, if you are looking out for transportation visibility software, then look no further than Cargologik. They offer solution that can be deployed easily and you can easily use it without much of training. Thus, it is suitable for organizations of all sizes that are looking to optimize the supply chain in a cost effective manner. So, you can contact us to get more details about the software that we offer.