How to Evaluate Transportation Management System Software

Here are some thoughts you might consider when buying “rate shopping software”

1. How easy is the system to learn
2. Does the system interface with your existing business systems
3. Can the system give you daily reports on shipments and cost savings
4. Will the system generate a bill of lading (shippers, VICS, cube shipping document)

The software should also have the following features:

• Anywhere to anywhere rating
• Multi base rate years, and carriers (1995, 1997 CZAR, Yellow etc.)
• FAK and actual class
• UPS, FedEx rates. (Multiweight, hundredweight)
• Truckload rates and stop off
• Daily savings report to help determine ROI and show bottom line profit improvement
• Ability to share this information real time with carriers and supply chain
• Multi discount for outbound / inbound rates plus minimum charges by ZIP Code and ZIP plus 4
• Fuel charge update

Last you should ask:

• How much is maintenance
• How much to load a new carrier or update an existing carrier
• How long does it take to get new carriers loaded
• Who will do the training on system
• Is this compliant with new STB ruling?

Related resources

• Banyan Technology
• Carrier Select Online©

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