Dec Transportation Management System. An Alternative Traffic Solution for the Logistics Professionals

Transcription

1 Dec Transprtatin Management System An Alternative Traffic Slutin fr the Lgistics Prfessinals What is a TMS-Lite system? What are the features and capabilities f a TMS-Lite system? Why chse a TMS-Lite rather than a fully implemented TMS? Hw can a TMS-Lite save my cmpany mney? Glenn Lanier Way Cl Trucking 12/19/2012

2 Cntents Overview Intrductin... 3 Basic Capabilities 3 Expectatins f a TMS-Lite. 3 Cmparisn Capacity 4 Target Client. 4 Limitatins... 4 Cmmunicatin Efficiencies f TMS Cmmunicatin. 5 Savings Imprve Buying Behavir 6 Expected Cst Reductin. 6 Autmatin Dispatching 7 Reprting 7 Tracking 8 Optimizing Carrier Capacity Carrier Netwrk. 9 Implementatin Clud based sftware. 10 Getting yur Carriers invlved.. 10 Summary Want Mre Infrmatin? WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 2

3 Overview- A TMS-Lite slutin is ne that is geared twards gaining key benefits withut the cst and cmplicated implementatin f a full blwn TMS. It is ideal fr rganizatins that have 10-5,000 shipments per mnth. A TMS-Lite slutin empwers traffic/ lgistics managers by better enabling pprtunities in: Reducing csts and generating immediate ROI. Standardizing prcesses. Increasing lgistics savvy withut challenging implementatins. With a TMS-Lite slutin, basic implementatin csts are typically zer. The nly csts are the internal time that is taken t change yur internal prcesses and these shuld be minimal. IT resurce requirements are nn-existent unless there is a need t enable multiple systems t talk t ne anther. The typical platfrm is perated n a secured web (clud) based system with a SAAS (sftware as a service) agreement. Csts assciated are typically n a mnthly r per shipment basis. A standard TMS-Lite system is a perfect alternative t utsurcing. A TMS-Lite prvides all the essential functins while maintaining cntrl, and aviding unnecessary spend f alternatives. An rganizatin s savings are achieved by: imprving buying efficiencies, Enhancing spt bid perfrmance, Real time reprting metrics, Waste reducing freight billing. Lgistics prcesses becme mre standardized and efficient. Implementatin is typically very well received. The users experience immediate benefits ver current methdlgies. The web based envirnment als prvides flexibility t perfrm necessary tasks when ut f the ffice. The purpse f this white paper is t intrduce and utline the TMS- Lite s features, benefits, limitatins, and prcesses. It als cmpares the TMS-Lite t alternative full TMS slutins and utsurced third party (3PL) slutin WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 3

4 Cmparisn- A TMS-Lite slutin is mst apprpriate fr rganizatins that have mnthly shipments between 10 and 5,000. Belw are sme key advantages f a TMS-Lite system versus a full blwn TMS. TMS-Lite vs- full TMS: Primary emphasis is n cre high-value functins that prve immediately beneficial t better empwer the Traffic r Lgistics Manager. A much lwer mnthly r per unit cst mdel with limited if any upfrnt fees. Zer IT requirements r minimal IT requirements fr mre advanced features. Implementatin in days* nt mnths. Due t its simple yet effective cre functins, implementatin, training, and adaptatin are easy. TMS-Lite vs- 3 rd party utsurced slutin: Yur rganizatin remains in cntrl ver yur prcess and therefre is able t make better decisins fr the benefit f yur cmpany. Changing utsurced parties can be cstly and very time cnsuming. Price variances fr a TMS-Lite prvider tend t be very small versus an utsurced slutin. Limitatins- The fllwing are key limitatins f a typical TMS-Lite prduct versus a fully blwn TMS. Minimal integratin with respect t inventry management. Limited lad cnslidatin features. *Basic implementatin takes apprximately 2-5 days. Any additinal requested services may delay implementatin WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 4

5 Cmmunicatin- A TMS-Lite slutin will greatly reduce unnecessary cmmunicatins ver , phne, and fax. The primary advantages include: TMS-Lite vs- / Fax Ease and standardizatin f carrier infrmatin. is a bit mre cmplex especially when crdinating a shipment fr bid. Bids will be returned in a variety f frmats whereas a TMS-Lite slutin will streamline int a ne. Thrugh use f an integrated chat feature, all discussins n a shipment are kept and tied t that shipment thus eliminating the need t search fr histric crrespndence. A TMS-Lite ffers a clear and standardized methd t prvide infrmatin t carriers thus making it easier fr carriers t understand, reply, and cmmunicate quickly and effectively. Eliminates the need t create carrier grups and send grup messages. Als eliminates a carrier clicking reply-t-all n sensitive crrespndence. Carrier rate cnfirmatins are generated directly frm the system. Eliminating the need t manually fax/ the infrmatin. TMS-Lite -vs- Phne Allws Traffic/Lgistic Managers t fcus n yur wrk at hand withut fielding unnecessary phne calls. Integrated lad by lad IM features cntained within a TMS-Lite can be first leveraged befre escalating t a telephne cnversatin. Better visibility fr carriers. The carriers knw immediately what lads yu are wrking n and what pprtunities are available t them. The carriers als knw when a lad has been cvered aviding the dreaded call did yu cver that yet. Integrated features allw yu t cntinue wrking even when yu have t step int a meeting r ut fr an appintment, thus taking advantage f any and all gd pprtunities that may arise. The TMS-Lite is a simple, value added slutin that is a step up frm managing yur business with phne, , and spreadsheets WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 5

6 Savings- Histrically, ne f the main barriers t using a full blwn TMS system was the cst t implement. Althugh these csts have cme dwn cnsiderably with the implementatin f SAAS slutins, the csts are still present. The advantage t a TMS-Lite slutin is that many prviders ffer this at zer implementatin cst. The nly thing yu pay fr is yur internal time implementing the system. This allws fr a quick and immediate psitive ROI. Organizatins that implement a TMS-Lite can expect t achieve an apprximated 15% verall reductin in csts. These reductins are achieved thrugh: Imprved buying efficiencies Thrugh use f the standardized tls, carriers are able t lwer their cst in ding business and thus put yu n a mre level playing field with ther cmpanies that have higher purchasing spend. Spt bid perfrmance Better leverage and executin f the spt bid prcess aids in selecting the mst pprtunistic carrier. Reprting Real time metrics enable the ability t easily cllect, assimilate, and analyze data. Netwrk weak spts are clearly visible allwing yu t target and fcus resurces in areas needing imprvement. Freight billing Standardizatin f the prcess minimizes issues/ errrs and thus eliminating waste. Optins prvided fr tendering freight include: Cntract rates, Flat rates, and the bidding ptin. Thrugh a TMS-Lite spt bidding selectin yur selected carriers/brkers will cmpete and qute n yur lad t get yu the lwest price pssible WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 6

7 Autmatin- A TMS-Lite allws yu t maintain a quality standard database f yur lcatins, carriers, and cntracts. Sphisticated search tls allw yu t navigate and lcate this infrmatin efficiently. Specific advantages include: 1. Fluid cmmunicatin and infrmatinal tls with lcatins. 2. Ability t maintain carrier perfrmance levels, insurance dcuments, etc. 3. Carrier cntracts are fully integrated with the assignment mdule insuring agreed parameters are met and rates are minimized. 4. Instant reprting features t track prgress and efficiency. Dispatch: With a TMS-Lite yu have the ability t stre relevant and precise infrmatin in a shipping lcatin database. This makes it easy t prvide carriers with clear and precise dispatch instructins needed t execute flawlessly. Thrugh this standardizatin prcess yu benefit as fllws: Minimizatin f issues in which the prduct is left n the dck. Ensure carriers are picking up and delivering t the crrect lcatin. Minimizatin f unnecessary accessrial charges. Minimizatin f billing errrs. Ability t alert carriers f any special needs/requests at a custmer s receiving dck. Reprting -Perfrmance Matrix Leveraging a TMS-Lite als prvides yu with access t instant real time reprting that can be custmized t yur individual needs. By having this data clse at hand it enhances awareness and alerts yu t key areas f weakness thus allwing instant changes / adjustments. Sme f the mst cmmn reprting tls include: Carrier n time perfrmance. Financial perfrmance ver time. Lead time versus cst/ carrier perfrmance. Carrier utilizatin analysis WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 7

8 Track and Tracing: A TMS-Lite shuld cntain web based transprtatin track and trace features. The key benefits include the fllwing: 1. Cnfirmatin that yur shipments have arrived t the custmer n time. 2. Instant BOL and custmer signature reprting if desired. 3. ETA s t yur shipment dck. 4. Ntificatins f late trucks and issues assciated. 5. Histrical perfrmance reprting. Typically, the infrmatin is entered in the system by the carrier. Hwever, sme rganizatins have leveraged the web based nature f a TMS-Lite in rder t allw their guard shack t enter the data upn carrier arrival and departure f their facility (thus negating unnecessary discussins regarding detentin time). Other rganizatins have als encuraged their custmers t enter the times upn arrival as well at the receiving lcatin. After an rder is assigned, it is sent t the track and trace feature where the status f all trucks (pick up, delivery, and in-transit) can easily be viewed. The alert feature will als ntify fr any late r detained trucks, and send aut ntificatins f the truck status t the custmer if desired WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 8

9 Optimizing Carrier Capacity- Having the perfect carrier mix is essential t effective traffic management. A TMS-Lite can assist with this by prviding the fllwing: 1. A unique and cnfidential carrier database allwing yu t navigate between, primary, secndary, and ther carriers in yur netwrk. 2. Resurces t help expand yur carrier netwrk when desired. 3. Accurate and clear metrics t assist yu in understanding hw yur carriers are perfrming and the ability t target netwrk weak spts. 4. Fast executin n rders t take advantage f spt market pprtunities. Carrier Netwrk: A TMS-Lite slutin is geared twards the Custmers ability t leverage their independent carrier base. Hwever, sme TMS-Lite prviders allw the access t a netwrk f secndary r tertiary carriers if desired WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 9

10 Implementatin- Implementatin f yu TMS-Lite system is designed t be quick and easy. Users typically see immediate psitive results versus the ld methdlgy thus embracing this adaptatin. The nrmal transitin prcess includes: 1. Imprtatin f key items int the TMS-Lite database such as: a) Carriers and their cntracted rates. b) Shipping lcatins and cntact infrmatin. 2. Tggling general settings t cnfrm t yur unique envirnment. 3. Engaging with yu current carrier base t get them established n the new system. 4. If desired: Crdinating with yur IT department t allw varius systems t pass data t ne anther. Clud-based Sftware: A TMS-Lite can be accessed frm hme, wrk, and mbile devices. Typically, a TMS-Lite are web (clud) based systems perating n a SAAS (sftware as a service) platfrm. This platfrm allws traffic/ lgistics managers t make necessary decisins when they have t be away frm their desk. Thugh the use f the web based feature yu can receive necessary infrmatin (even n yur mbile device) and assign carriers t shipments with the tuch f a key. Getting Carriers Invlved: Getting yur current carrier/3pl base integrated int a system is as simple as pint and click. Once the shippers accunt is activated the Traffic Manager can cntact the carrier directly r utilize a TMS-Lite team member t srt that prcess WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 10

11 Summary- The gal f this White Paper was t intrduce a TMS-Lite; a new management system that empwers traffic and lgistics managers t better perfrm their rle by increasing efficiency and reducing transprtatin spend. Hpefully nw yu have a better understanding f what a TMS-lite slutin is, hw it s structured, and what sme f its benefits and limitatins are. Want Mre Infrmatin? If yu wuld like t discuss this tpic further, r wuld like t dem a TMS-Lite slutins please leave us an inquiry n ur website s cntact page r thrugh ur prvided . Way Cl Trucking LLC is a Lgistics technlgy slutins prvider that ffers clud slutins SAAS TMS-Lite slutin t Lgistic Prfessinals. Fr mre infrmatin regarding Way Cl Trucking LLC and their lgistical services please visit Glenn Lanier Way Cl Trucking T: E: [email protected] 2012 WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals 11

12 Cpyright 2012 WCT Transprtatin Management System Clud Slutins fr Lgistic Prfessinals. All Rights Reserved. Way Cl Trucking is nt respnsible fr the perfrmance r supprt f third party services and des nt make any representatin r warranties whatsever regarding quality, r reliability f these prvided carriers/3pl s. 12