Transportation planning and optimization

Build efficient transportation plans through improved planning and optimization

Overview

Click to enlargePlanning and optimization capabilities within a transportation management system (TMS) can enable you to build optimized inbound and outbound transportation plans for your complex multi-modal shipping operations. Some of the benefits can include:

Lower freight costs by 5% to 15% by selecting the best-cost mode of transportation
Improve on time performance and equipment utilization through load-building and order consolidation
Increase operational efficiency by automating transportation planning for inbound and outbound shipments across multiple modes of transport

A TMS helps you build efficient transportation plans that drive down costs and improve on time performance. A powerful TMS helps facilitate both inbound and outbound planning, from single mode point-to-point shipments to complex multi-mode shipments that require routes with multiple stops and pickups. Using an optimization engine specifically designed for complex transportation requirements, a TMS enables you to consolidate your orders into loads and assign them the best mode of transportation.

Build loads and shipments quickly and easily using a load builder workbench with drag and drop capabilities
Automate the carrier selection process based on carrier contracts and routing guides
Offer flexible tendering strategies based on configured business rules, such as lowest cost, carrier ranking, and volume commitments
Optimize transportation planning across all transportation modes, including truckload (TL), less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal, rail, ocean, parcel and air freight, as well as dedicated/private fleets
Enable all shippers, carriers and customers to work from the same plan, with proactive notification of any changes made during execution

See how Sterling Transportation Management System can help you achieve these benefits