Transportation Management Software: Are These Top 5 Myths Holding You Back?

In 2009, Trinity Logistics began offering freight management with transportation management software (TMS) for our customers. The technology we offer isn’t new, but for many small- to medium-sized businesses, it can be a foreign concept. As freight consultants, we’ve always listened closely to what our day-to-day contacts are saying and taken steps to help overcome challenges on their behalf. Over time, we’ve seen some rather surprising patterns in our conversations. It’s good to be cautious, but commonly held myths seem to be holding many shippers back from incredible improvements to their supply chain! It’s myth-busting time, and we’re here to give you the real scoop on transportation management system facts.

Myth #1: Implementing transportation management software will cost too much

Fact: While there are several incredibly robust intense TMS programs out there that will indeed cost a small fortune to purchase licenses for, there are web-based SaaS products like ours that are designed to allow every business the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the system. You don’t have to be a Fortune 500 company to streamline freight spend, enhance reporting, and create efficiencies. We even offer a tiered pricing system with varying levels of features to make it easy for you to select a TMS option that fits your budget.

Myth #2: A TMS will replace my job

Fact: This one always makes us shake our heads in wonder.  You’re going to look like a hero for taking the initiative to present an opportunity for your company to grow and improve! The savings you will be able to demonstrate from your newly-created efficiencies alone will be enough to “wow” your supervisors. Even better? You can be the one at the helm, managing implementation, training your teams, and monitoring and supervising the entire supply chain, making you a more valuable piece of the puzzle – not less.

Myth #3: A TMS is too difficult and time consuming to use

Fact: If the TMS you’re considering appears difficult to use, you’re looking at the wrong TMS. The system you select should be user-friendly and intuitive, easy to navigate, and simple to explain. When we demonstrate our software, we can create a sandbox in which your team can “play” in with real data in order to show you how a customized portal can not only link your entire team together, but put to rest concerns about the system being too difficult – for even the least technologically-savvy users. If you really want to talk about things that are time-consuming,  how much fun is it to juggle a bunch of different spreadsheets and keep track of carrier rates “the old-fashioned way”?

Myth #4: I won’t be able to get all our locations in sync

Fact: Trinity can work with your team every step of the way to help implement the transportation management software across all locations, training every team member and explaining your business operating procedures. Not only will you have support in getting everyone into the system, we can also provide accountability measures to show you when a location isn’t playing by your established rules. This will help provide you with hard facts about sunk costs due to improper carrier selection and rogue routing.

Myth #5: We will lose control/ownership of our pricing

Fact: If you aren’t using our blanket pricing, and come into the freight management relationship with your own carriers and your own pricing, those stay in your name. Trinity works under your authorization to keep those carrier networks and to demonstrate the volume you provide each carrier. Our TMS easily creates reports to show the freight breakdown per provider, and you can leverage that with our logistics consulting services, in which we’re able to help you with a managed RFP process each year. You will always own your pricing.

Hopefully, with those five myths busted, the idea of transportation management software sounds a lot more appealing! We offer free consultations if you’re still on the fence. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll answer any lingering questions you may have about the implementation of a TMS.