How can you use a TMS to manage your international logistics?

If you are involved in international logistics, you know how complex and challenging it can be to manage the movement of goods across borders. You have to deal with different modes of transportation, customs regulations, tariffs, documentation, and risks. That's why you need a reliable and efficient tool to help you plan, execute, monitor, and optimize your international logistics operations. That tool is a transportation management system, or TMS.

1 What is a TMS?

A TMS is a software platform that enables you to manage all aspects of your transportation processes, from sourcing and booking carriers, to tracking and tracing shipments, to analyzing and reporting performance. A TMS can help you reduce costs, improve service levels, enhance visibility, and comply with regulations. A TMS can also integrate with other systems, such as your ERP, WMS, CRM, or SCM, to create a seamless and holistic logistics network.

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Raavinder kaul

Head of Warehousing @ Pantos Logistics | Warehouse Management Expert
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TMS is a computer-based software system that helps organizations manage and streamline their transportation operations. It provides a centralized platform for planning, executing, and monitoring the movement of goods and vehicles.Features of a transport management system may include: Route planning and optimization.The system helps in creating efficient transportation routes by considering factors such as distance, traffic conditions, delivery time windows,and vehicle capacity.It allows organizations to keep track of their fleet of vehicles,including their maintenance schedules, fuel consumption,and driver assignments TMS helps organizations optimize their operations,reduce costs improve customer service,and increase overall efficiency.

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2 How can a TMS help you with international logistics?

A TMS can offer you several benefits when it comes to managing your international logistics, such as optimizing your routing and mode selection, simplifying documentation and compliance, improving visibility and control, and enhancing analysis and improvement. With a TMS, you can find the best routes and modes for your international shipments, based on cost, transit time, service quality, and carbon footprint. You can also generate and manage required documents for international shipments, track shipments in real time, set up alerts and notifications, measure logistics performance with dashboards and KPIs, and leverage data to optimize processes.

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Christopher M. Ricart, MBA

📣LinkedIn Top Voice | 📈 Independent Trader | 🚗 Transportation Strategist | 🚦Incident Management Specialist
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In the evolving international logistics landscape, a TMS goes beyond traditional functions. It integrates with emerging technologies like blockchain, providing an immutable and transparent ledger for international transactions. This ensures heightened security, reduces fraud risks, and enhances the integrity of cross-border shipments. Additionally, TMS solutions increasingly incorporate artificial intelligence to predict and mitigate potential disruptions in the global supply chain, adding a proactive layer to logistics management. Furthermore, TMS platforms are adapting to geopolitical shifts and trade regulations, offering real-time updates on customs compliance and tariff changes.

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3 How to choose a TMS for your international logistics?

When selecting a TMS for your international logistics, there are several factors to consider. Functionality is key; you need a TMS that can handle the complexity and diversity of your international operations, as well as support multiple modes, currencies, languages, and regulations. Additionally, look for a TMS with advanced features such as optimization, automation, integration, and analytics. Scalability is also important; you need a TMS that can grow with your business and adapt to changing market conditions. It should be able to handle large volumes of data and transactions, as well as offer flexible and customizable options. Lastly, reliability is essential; you need a TMS that can deliver consistent and high-quality service and performance while protecting your data and transactions. It should also offer support, maintenance, and updates to quickly resolve any issues or problems.

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Christopher M. Ricart, MBA

📣LinkedIn Top Voice | 📈 Independent Trader | 🚗 Transportation Strategist | 🚦Incident Management Specialist
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Choosing a TMS requires a forward-looking approach. Modern TMS solutions integrate cutting-edge technologies, enhancing predictive analytics for improved supply chain resilience. For instance, blockchain integration ensures secure and transparent cross-border transactions, mitigating fraud risks. Furthermore, TMS providers increasingly prioritize user-friendly interfaces and seamless integration with other technologies, fostering a smoother user experience and enhancing overall efficiency. The adaptability of TMS platforms to evolving geopolitical landscapes and their swift adjustments to comply with changing trade regulations contribute to a strategic advantage in navigating the complexities of international logistics.

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4 How to implement a TMS for your international logistics?

Implementing a TMS for your international logistics can be a challenging and time-consuming project, so it's important to plan, execute, and monitor the process carefully. To ensure a successful outcome, you should define your objectives and scope, select the right vendor and solution, prepare your data and systems, test and train your users, and launch and monitor your TMS. When defining objectives and scope, consider what you want to achieve with your TMS and the key features and requirements you need. When selecting a vendor and solution, evaluate different options based on your objectives and scope. When preparing data and systems, you'll need to collect data such as carriers, customers, shipments, rates, and regulations. You'll also need to integrate your TMS with other systems like ERP or WMS. When testing and training users, make sure to validate functionality and performance of the TMS. Finally, when launching and monitoring your TMS, collect feedback from stakeholders to make adjustments or improvements as needed.

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5 How to optimize your TMS for your international logistics?

Implementing a TMS for your international logistics is not enough. To ensure that you are getting the most value and benefit from it, you need to optimize your TMS. Regularly update your data and systems to make sure they are accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, review your processes and strategies periodically to make sure they are aligned with your objectives and goals. Furthermore, explore new features and functionalities that your TMS can offer, as well as leverage the innovation and technology from your TMS vendor to gain a competitive edge. Finally, seek feedback and support from your users and stakeholders, as well as from your TMS vendor to make sure they are meeting your needs and requirements.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you use a TMS to manage your international logistics?

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1 What is a TMS?

2 How can a TMS help you with international logistics?

3 How to choose a TMS for your international logistics?

4 How to implement a TMS for your international logistics?

5 How to optimize your TMS for your international logistics?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Logistics Management

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How can you use a TMS to manage your international logistics?

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1 What is a TMS?

2 How can a TMS help you with international logistics?

3 How to choose a TMS for your international logistics?

4 How to implement a TMS for your international logistics?

5 How to optimize your TMS for your international logistics?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Logistics Management

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