| Managing the supply chain for a business is a daunting | | | | delays with planned shipments. |
| but necessary task. There are many transportation | | | | Another great tool that makes a blended TMS a |
| management systems available today. Transportation | | | | good investment is that they can also measure how |
| management systems are computer based software | | | | well a business' supply chain functions. It has real time |
| companies intended to manage transport operations | | | | vehicle tracking, true transport cost and customer |
| and deals. They assist a company in controlling the | | | | service control. |
| day to day processes involved in transportation of | | | | A company can truly profit from the Key |
| their goods. These critical systems have made real | | | | Performance Indicators which involves tracking and |
| time execution and information retrieval more | | | | reporting statistics. Transportation managers can |
| mainstream. | | | | determine how much a load cost down to the pound |
| With many various transport companies and services | | | | to transport. Being aware of the true cost to ship |
| available, it is important to consider what particular | | | | something can help a business better budget for such |
| services are most vital to the success of one's | | | | needs and also measure how well a company is doing |
| business. | | | | comparatively to previous quarters or years. Along |
| There are three options available. First, the traditional | | | | with this feature they can also track the percentage |
| version in which they purchase traditional on-premises | | | | of on-time deliveries and pickups. Because this can |
| licenses; Second, the remote version in which it is | | | | affect the cost of shipment, it is important to |
| web hosted; and Third, on premises hosted licensing | | | | monitor. |
| which blends the first two together. | | | | When a company makes the decision to use blended |
| A blended system has quickly grown in popularity | | | | transportation management software, they do so to |
| because of the additional flexibility that it provides a | | | | increase the overall effectiveness of the business. A |
| business. When a company chooses a blended | | | | blended TMS also encourages the company to be |
| transportation management system, it receives not | | | | financially frugal without giving up the ability to |
| only real-time usage and but also freight capacity. | | | | customize the software to best fit their needs. |
| Often the software is provided for little to no cost | | | | Because a company is always striving to be more |
| and then a company pays for the freight capacity | | | | customer-service orientated, having an excellent way |
| service. | | | | to track shipments, problems, and deliveries is a very |
| The various transport management companies will | | | | valuable quality of the software. Another positive |
| help companies determine the best truck routes and | | | | aspect of blended software is being able to know |
| shipping options. They will review the company's | | | | the total cost that a company spends on shipping so |
| needs and then implement systems based on | | | | that the company can become more fiscally |
| whatever is most important to the shipping customer. | | | | responsible. |
| They may focus on cost to transport, better | | | | Finally, while every business would benefit from a |
| lead-times, or the least amount of stops. | | | | transportation specialist, those who utilize a blended |
| A Transport Management System (TMS) also helps | | | | system can enjoy overall cost savings, positive |
| with important follow up responsibilities. The system | | | | training and support for a traditional Transport |
| can do the billing and invoicing for shipment, track | | | | Management System. |
| shipment details, and monitor warning regarding | | | | |