[FR] Top 7 TMS software for your logistics

If you ask any logistics manager, whether they work in e-commerce or retail, which is the most complex phase of the supply chain to manage, the chances are they’ll say this: the transport phase.

Transporting goods often involves juggling with several service providers, keeping track of the parcels dispatched, and ensuring that costs don’t soar. Quite a programme!

To simplify the task, many companies decide to equip themselves with TMS software: a real must-have for anyone wanting to ensure optimum transport tracking.

In this article, you’ll discover the key criteria for choosing your TMS software, as well as our selection of the seven best solutions on the market today.

What is TMS software?

TMS software, an acronym for Transportation Management System, is transport management software designed for logistics professionals.

This type of logistics software enables you to :

• Plan your goods transport in advance, and manage your deliveries in fine detail.
• Manage orders with your external carriers, from the order form to final invoicing.
• Optimise delivery rounds to reduce journeys and your carbon footprint.
• Accurately track deliveries at all times, to improve your customer experience.
• Control and reduce delivery costs, by comparing the rates of the different transport companies available to you, and analysing the performance indicators for your shipments.

Be careful not to confuse a TMS with WMS software. A TMS only handles transport operations, not the other stages of your supply chain. If you want to organise and monitor your stock management, order preparation or warehouse picking, make sure you choose a Warehouse Management System.

How do you choose your Transportation Management System?

There is a wide range of TMS software available on the market. To choose the right one for your logistics objectives, you need to ask yourself the right questions.

In particular, check that the TMS you are considering :

• Includes real-time geolocation of your parcels. This is essential to ensure effective traceability of your orders, and to be able to distribute this information to your customers.
• Adapts to your mode of goods transport. TMS software can be useful for companies that have their own fleet of vehicles, that engage in shared transport, or that use an external transport service provider. What’s more, some TMSs support means of transport other than road haulage: international export, freight transport, air transport or even sea transport… So make sure your TMS software fits in with your usual transport processes.
• Is easy to use. Its ease of use means you can optimise your supply chain management on a day-to-day basis without any specific technical skills.
• Includes software training. Training your transport and logistics teams to use the tool is essential, so that they can use it to its full potential.
• May or may not be available in SaaS mode, depending on your requirements. In SaaS mode (i.e. hosted in the Cloud), TMS software can be available anywhere, whereas a software solution based on local installation can only be accessed on the computer on which it is installed. If you choose a SaaS solution, be sure to check how your service provider manages the security of your data.
• Offers integration with your other logistics tools. In particular, your TMS must be able to be synchronised with your other logistics software: your WMS(Warehouse Management System) or your ERP(Enterprise Resource Planning).
• Includes a maintenance package. In SaaS mode, TMS software automatically performs remote updates. In the case of software installed on a local computer, you may have to arrange regular maintenance appointments for your service provider to update your tool.

Keep these quality criteria in mind before considering choosing your TMS software from among those we have selected for you here.

Top 7 TMS software packages to consider for your logistics business

Looking for the best TMS software for your logistics departments? Discover our Top 7 and the specific features of each of these tools.

1. Shiptify

Shiptify is a TMS software package in SaaS mode that brings all your carriers together on a single platform for multi-carrier management. More than 2,000 partner service providers are available via the platform.

Shiptify enables you to track your shipments in real time, and supports all modes of transport, from road haulage to urban delivery. The software’s dashboards enable you to monitor the performance of your transport and control your expenditure in fine detail.

2. Acteos TMS

Acteos transport management software is both comprehensive and modular. It helps you monitor the entire transport chain for your goods. From load management to reporting, Acteos optimises your management. What sets it apart? Acteos TMS allows you to pool your transport with other players if necessary.

3. Transporeon

Transporeon is an online supply and transport management platform. The tool provides you with a large network of shippers, suppliers, retailers and transporters. Their main aim is to help you reduce the number of empty vehicles while reducing the time your customers have to wait for delivery.

4. Alpega TMS

Alpega is a TMS system in SaaS mode dedicated to the most complex logistics chains. Easy to learn, the software gives you real-time visibility of all your shipments, and enables you to track precise transport orders, from pick-up to delivery.

5. Akanea TMS

Akanea offers three different TMS software packages, depending on your needs: TMS Start for VSEs, Digital Edition for SMEs, and Mroad for large groups. Each of these solutions has modules tailored to the issues faced by these different types of company, helping them to route their orders efficiently and optimise their transport costs.

6. DDS Supply Chain

The DDS Supply Chain TMS is a complete software package for managing transport, procurement and your imported orders. Its dashboards allow you to monitor both your performance metrics and your CO2 emissions. Another point: the solution also has a module dedicated to freight forwarders, for easy commercial monitoring.

7. Dashdoc TMS

Dashdoc offers a user-friendly Transport Management System that automates your transport tasks, from planning to invoicing. The solution is also collaborative: it allows you to share documents, information, invoices and traceability with your subcontractors or customers.

All that’s left is for you to take a closer look at each of these Transport Management System solutions, and find the one that will enable you to optimise your company’s transport management!