Transportation Software Systems -
Can You Afford Not To?

by Mike Starling

Where to start? What are the options? What makes sense for you?

Okay, you don't need any of that expensive, complicated, pain-in-the-ass software to manage your fleet. Right? You've been doing that fleet-routing thing in your head for so long that you know all the roads better than Google Maps®. Right? And you never have to worry about that inbound transportation because your friendly vendor takes care of that with convenient delivered freight terms! Right?

Come on man, you've got it made!

A well-thought-out transportation strategy will take into account ways to improve the performance of both resources and assets, while optimizing service and operating expense. Use of a transportation software system tool is one alternative to be considered to achieve this.

A needs-benefit cost assessment should be part of any strategic transportation-planning analysis. The task of understanding the various options available in today's marketplace can be daunting. While service is primary, cost should be justifiable. What is the threshold that justifies selection and application of this tactical tool? Do we just do inbound? Or outbound? Or both? What is the payback period to justify the expense? Which system do we need? Transportation management? Fleet routing? Other? Choosing which option is right for you can be made easier with outside expert, supply-chain coaching. Choosing the right tool will help ensure the optimization of both service and operating expense.

Finally, don't just brush off a serious look at how a transportation software system can help you significantly reduce operating expenses. All too often it is easy for management to use excuses like too expensive, or we just can't afford it right now!

Utilizing any one of a variety of software as a service (SAAS) subscription-based applications, even the smallest of companies can operate on a par with the big boys in managing their private fleet and/or their purchased transportation.

So whether it is a transportation management system (TMS) that can help you manage your end-to-end supply chain, or a fleet-routing system designed to optimize asset productivity and minimize operating expense, (and eliminate your dependence on tribal knowledge workers) do yourself a favor and see if you can find a transportation software system that fits your needs.

• Flatbed Demand Outstrips Capacity
• Basic Cost Reduction Strategy: Using Walmart's Inbound Freight Control Initiative to Illustrate Strategy
• Sustainability Is a Strategy: Walmart's Pledge to Reduce Fuel Consumption
• Terms Conversion Is Not Special to Walmart
• Basic Logic of Freight Terms: Understanding the Emotion Behind Resistance to Change
• Continuous Moves: Another Two-Bag Tactic
• Don't Be Confused!
• As Rates Go Up, What Are Shippers Doing?
• The Seven Factors Behind Rising Truck Freight Rates
• Tactic: Mode Change and Consolidation Network
• Reliability Breeds Inventory Reduction: BIG Tactic Delivers BIG Strategy
• Size Does and Doesn't Matter: More Freight Does Not Translate to Lower Rates
• The Best Performers Focus on Inventory Reduction to Improve Cash Creation
• Thinking About Trackable Pallets
• Fleet Efficiency Is a "Double Bagger" Tactic, Lower Cost AND Sustainability
• The CFO Needs to Understand Transportation Operations Volatility and Anticipate Impact on Financial Performance
• Can Transportation Contribute to Operating Cash Flow Generation?
• Where Does It Start?
• Focus on Transportation Operations: Defining What We Are Doing Well
• OPERATIONS – How Much Can We Improve?
• WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
• HOW SHOULD IT WORK?
• Ever Consider an Assessment?
• OUTSOURCE? A Strategic Decision!
• Designing the Plan (You Do Have a Plan, Don't You, Sweetcheeks?)
• Tune Up? Alignment? Or, Both?
• Cutting Transportation Cost – Today’s Greatest Challenge?
• Freight Invoice Audit and Payment – Old-School or New-School?
• Freight Invoice Audit and Payment – What Are the Alternatives?
• CENTRALIZE FOR CONTROL – DECENTRALIZE FOR EXECUTION
• WHAT FREIGHT TERMS? AND WHY?
• WHICH MODE SHOULD WE USE?
• For-Hire Carrier or Private Fleet?
• TRANSPORTATION SPEND MANAGEMENT – STRATEGY or TACTIC?
• Transportation Software Systems - Can You Afford Not To?
• CARRIER SELECTION - Who You Gonna Call?
• MODE
• Re-Bidding Truckload Contracts for Service and Savings
• Freight Cost Reduction? Consider Standardization of Assessorials
• Transportation Strategy and Tactics - The Value of Aligning With an EX: Shipper
• Focusing on Industry Trends for Freight Expense Reduction Opportunities
• Freight Expense as a Percentage of Cost of Goods Sold
• Domestic vs. International?
• A Simple Tactic for Controlling Budgeted Freight Expense
• Freight Cost Reduction – Regional Cross-Dock Consolidation
• NEARSHORING TREND
• Thoughts on Selecting 3PL Transportation Spend Management Service Providers
• Transportation Spend Management – It’s MORE than LOW HANGING FRUIT!
• INBOUND TRANSPORTATION – HIDDEN CASH
• TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY and TACTICS: Wholesale Distributor Supply Chain Assessments