Transport Management System (TMS)

Definition:

A Transport Management System (TMS) is a specialized software solution for planning, managing, executing and optimizing transport processes within the supply chain.
It supports shippers, logistics service providers and freight forwarders in the efficient organization of transports — from order entry and route planning to freight documentation, billing and shipment tracking.

A TMS enables the digital control of multimodal transport chains (road, rail, sea, air) and integrates transport service providers, drivers, customers and related systems (ERP, WMS, telematics).

Key Features:

• Transport planning & route optimization
• Freight cost calculation & carrier selection
• Document management (e.g. CMR, delivery notes)
• Shipment tracking & ETA management
• Freight tenders & rates
• Billing & cost control
• Reporting & performance analyses

Integration with digital supply chain architectures
TMS systems typically work together with ERP and telematics systems as well as warehouse management systems (WMS) and use real-time data to automate processes.

Relevance in chemical and hazardous goods logistics
TMS systems support the management of dangerous goods data, documents and legal requirements (e.g. ADR information).

_{Sources/further links:
SAP TMS overview: https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_TM}

_{Gartner —Transportation Management Systems Guide: https://www.gartner.com}

_{Siemens/Supply ChainExecution Platforms: https://www.siemens.com/logistics}

Challenges with transport management systems:

Media breaks in location and security requirements
A TMS controls transports, but often contains no detailed information on location-specific charging requirements, equipment, PPE, or check-in processes. Drivers often only learn critical requirements upon arrival, which leads to waiting times, incorrect loads or safety risks.
_{Sources/further links:
ECTA — Operational & Digital Gaps in Transport Execution: Guidelines | ECTA - European Chemical Transport Association}

Inconsistent data quality & manual maintenance
Data on addresses, time windows, products, charging points and documents must be maintained manually, which leads to errors, incorrect GPS destinations and communication costs.
_{Sources/further links:
McKinsey — Data Quality in Digital Logistics: https://www.mckinsey.com}

Loady's solution:

Seamless TMS integration: Loady can be used in all common TMS systems Integrate As a result, the dispo and drivers are already there before the start of transport reliable, multilingual data available:

• ‍Location & charging point data including precise GPS coordinates for gates, waiting areas and ramps‍
• Process & check-in requirements (registration, goal processes, slot rules)‍
• Safety requirements (PPE) and document obligations (e.g. SDB, eECD, CMR)‍
• Equipment specifications (e.g. hose/coupling type, earthing, gas pendulum)‍
• Multilingual driver briefings via QR code/link for operational execution

Result: fewer queries, lower waiting times, higher compliance and a smooth combination of TMS, telematics/ETA and operational location requirements.