TMC Blog

Less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation is generally perceived as complex compared to its truckload cousin. But the mode is not overly complicated provided users have all the relevant data at their fingertips. Moreover, when shippers master LTL they often discover untapped potential for substantial cost savings. In this first post in a series on LTL, we set the scene with a look at how these shipments are priced.Read More...

If your business is highly cyclical, how do you derive value from a transportation management system (TMS) in an environment where there is a flood of orders or the flow of shipments has slowed to a trickle?

It’s an important question for anyone who has to justify an investment in the technology – and that surely includes freight managers who have bought into a TMS solution. Read More...

How would you react to a transportation service provider’s scorecard of your performance as a customer?

Some providers are turning the tables on shippers in this way. It is even possible that the scorecarding of shippers by carriers will become a new industry best practice.

Whether you are indignant, inspired, or intrigued by the idea, examining your network from the carrier’s vantage point can reveal issues that previously went unrecognized. The revelations may be uncomfortable, but addressing them can benefit both buyer and seller in a number of ways. Read More...

There are many ways to check the pulse of a transportation network. One of these vital signs is depth of tender, which, with the right analytics, can reveal much about the wellbeing of your network.

Some leading transportation management systems (TMS) support the routing guide on several levels. Take, for example a situation where for some reason your primary providers are unable to accept a load. A TMS-based spot bid tool will send out a notification to a preset carrier base that the business is available, and that you are requesting rates for the load. Another example is the need to locate capacity for a short-lead shipment. The usual approach to finding a provider by cascading the tender through the carriers in your routing guide is often too limiting in these situations. The TMS helps you to secure capacity quickly by alerting all carriers that an urgent shipment is up for grabs.  Read More...

During tough economic times, long established practices tend to come under scrutiny as companies search for ways to gain a competitive edge. This is one reason why freight managers in Europe are reviewing a practice that has been part of their industry for many years: allocating all the cargo in a lane or other operational areas to a single carrier.

Another approach is to employ multiple carriers in each lane to mitigate risks such as an unexpected capacity shortfall. This alternative strategy appears to be gradually gaining ground in Europe. Read More...