Do you have a transportation management plan? You should. Shippers today need to take advantage of the tools available to them to prepare for whatever comes their way in uncertain times.
The deadly 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has reminded us how important it is as humans to have a plan — a plan before an emergency situation, a plan for dealing with the crisis as it happens, and a plan for recovery after the storm passes. It’s a wise practice to plan for all types of scenarios in business as well. In shipping, for instance, a well-thought-out transportation management plan (TMP) supported by a smart transportation management system (TMS) makes sense to help navigate today’s supply chain challenges and stay ahead of the competition.
In supply chain operations, a TMP should be crafted and perfected before a major disruption occurs, such as a devastating hurricane or a dockworker strike.
Wise shippers with a TMP — and a TMS — likely avoided severe supply chain disruptions during the thankfully brief International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike at East and Gulf Coast ports because they planned ahead, bringing in imports before the Sept. 30 contract expiration or routing cargo to West Coast ports unaffected by the work stoppages.
Without a TMP, you could encounter literal roadblocks, risk service disruptions, and lose control of costs. An effective TMP improves coordination among all stakeholders in the supply chain, ensuring everyone is on the same page. A well-crafted plan can give you a strategic advantage over the competition and help you reduce operational costs, improve delivery times, and improve customer satisfaction.
There’s a familiar phrase about best-laid plans going astray, but the saying dates to a poem from the 18th century — a couple of hundred years before technology could help with the planning and then make sure those plans stay on track. An effective TMP should take advantage of all technology affords and take into account route optimization as well as carrier, inventory, and freight management.
The benefits of efficient route optimization include cost reduction, time savings, improved customer service, increased productivity, and decreased environmental impact.
“In the logistics transport game, tech’s got a massive part to play in smoothing out route optimization — think heaps of tools and systems working together. Route planning software, equipped with advanced algorithms, analyzes traffic patterns, road conditions, and delivery schedules to calculate the most efficient routes in real time,” a KODIS blog said. “Leveraging the power of these advanced algorithms, the software deftly navigates through intricate traffic webs and timetables, ensuring we shave off unnecessary travel hours while simultaneously economizing on fuel.”
The benefits of carrier management tools powered by advanced technology include:
“Technology continues to provide us with ways to improve,” FreightWaves Ratings said. “This is good news because what may have worked well in the past might not cut it anymore. Carrier management systems are an incredible advancement for both carriers and shippers, and they can help keep the transportation industry flourishing with productive businesses.
“The right data collection provides you with the exact information you need to make the changes you need in order to ensure an effective trip is always taking place. While the old ways may work, allow innovation to improve revenue and overall business operations.”
“Freight management is more than a logistics necessity — it’s a strategic asset,” Inbound Logistics said. “It’s pivotal in curating tailored, efficient transport solutions that meet specific shipping needs. By optimizing shipping costs and enhancing customer satisfaction, it transforms logistical challenges into competitive advantages.”
Inbound Logistics said visibility and transparency are two of the biggest benefits of effective inventory and freight management. But those benefits cannot be achieved without a TMP and TMS.
“Cultivating visibility and transparency isn’t incidental — it’s orchestrated. It begins with leveraging technology like freight management software that offers real-time data on cargo status. Incorporating technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain enhances data accuracy and security.”
Inbound Logistics said a TMS is “a cornerstone in freight management, offering an automated and streamlined platform to plan, execute, and optimize the movement of goods. It acts as a lynchpin, connecting shippers, carriers, and receivers. With TMS, businesses can plan routes efficiently, monitor freight in real time, and analyze performance data, driving cost savings and efficiency.”
Wise shippers are turning to Owlery to provide that strong cornerstone. We make it easy to instantly connect the many parts of shippers’ supply chains, build stronger relationships, and have all of their data at their fingertips to transform logistics operations.
Owlery’s TMS software provides real-time visibility into all shipments, ensuring up-to-date tracking and immediate response to any supply chain disruptions. Users also can monitor real-time market rates on specific lanes.
In addition, within our platform, tracking links can be sent to customers so they are kept informed on the status of their shipments. Real-time visibility results in improved coordination, fewer misunderstandings, and rapid response to unexpected occurrences.
Owlery's TMS automates routine tasks such as invoicing, dispatching, and auditing, reducing manual intervention and human errors. It can also run RFPs, set up contract rates and routing guides, ensure accurate accessorial calculations, and audit freight bills for duplicate charges.
There are dozens of configurations. For instance, with Owlery, loads can be automatically built, bills of lading (BOLs) can be automatically generated, and all notifications can be set up and sent automatically.
Owlery’s TMS facilitates data-driven decision-making throughout every process in the supply chain, including route planning, carrier performance, and cost control. It can also conduct pricing analyses for both contract and spot freight. Bringing together all the data increases supply chain visibility, lays out measurable key performance indicators (KPIs), and enables improved forecasting.
In addition, utilizing our broad array of integrations in the Instant Connections, users can automatically pull all of their data into Owlery’s platform. Because everyone in a company can access the Owlery portal, teams can achieve unparalleled collaboration — and drive decisions that can push you ahead of the competition.
Owlery’s TMS utilizes predictive analytics to prevent potential disruptions and proactively manage exceptions, which can range from single cases of vehicle breakdown to widespread port congestion. When an exception does occur, automated alerts are triggered, allowing teams to respond immediately. This proactive approach helps minimize downtime and prevents minor issues from escalating into major disruptions.
By leveraging predictive analytics, Owlery helps shippers identify patterns and forecast potential issues before they arise. This forward-looking capability helps companies avoid disruptions and build a more resilient supply chain.
Owlery also enables users to create and customize reports and dashboards that reflect key metrics and insights relevant to their businesses. Users can choose which data points to track, how to visualize them, and how often to receive updates.
To take care of your business (TCB), implement a TMP that can be supported by your TMS. Or, leave it to the smartest TMS available. Owlery will fit your business to a tee. We tailor integration solutions to meet specific business needs and requirements, and we provide users with a dedicated onboarding team and ongoing customer success reps.
Owlery’s TMS seamlessly integrates with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as Oracle NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft D365, Sage, Katana, Wherefour, Fishbowl, and Cin7; warehousing providers including Flexe, Radial, Lineage, and Americold; and freight brokerages such as C.H. Robinson, Uber Freight, Coyote, and Priority1.
The wisest of shippers today are taking care of business by putting Owlery’s transportation management system to work. Owlery’s TMS platform features include:
Owlery is an end-to-end supply chain platform designed to handle every aspect of shipping from order to payment. Owlery’s TMS software seamlessly integrates with other systems to provide a comprehensive solution to automate and streamline logistics processes, ensuring accurate, timely, and cost-effective operations.
We enable supply chain professionals to utilize data for tasks such as in-depth reporting and analysis and monitoring market rates on freight lanes. Owlery also optimizes the auditing of freight bills and data collection. With Owlery’s supply chain synchronization from order to cash, users have all the data they need at their fingertips to take their business to the next level.
Owlery does it all, helping users save costs, boost efficiency, and enhance decision-making. Have a plan to take care of your business. Get started with Owlery today.
