Pass the ‘Data Baton’ Cleanly with a Cloud-Based Integration Platform

The trucking and logistics industry is racing towards digitization. Motor carriers, freight brokers and shippers are all trying to accelerate and reach higher levels of automation.

The race can seem like a never-ending sprint to the finish line when freight transactions will be fully automated through connected systems and, at some point, with delivery provided by autonomous vehicles.

Winning the Relay Race

As it stands, digitization is a relay race. To reach higher levels of speed and automation, companies need their data to move cleanly from one system to the next. To stay competitive, fleets and freight brokers need transportation management systems (TMS) to more quickly and completely integrate with new and emerging technologies.

As the most essential team member of your data relay team, a TMS can be difficult to whip into shape. Like many carriers and freight brokers, you may be using an outdated TMS platform that may still be performing admirably well in important areas such as uptime and usability.

The lack of new feature options and integrations could be a point of frustration, however. One way to quickly and affordably get a TMS up to speed is by using a SaaS-based integration layer. This unique middleware solution has pre-built integrations for TMS and third-party applications that utilize real-time APIs.

Want to see the power of system integrations for yourself?

Breaking Down Data Silos

Trucking and logistics companies that use the cloud-based integration layer can unify data within their enterprise and more quickly adopt new tools and services to stay competitive. 

The integration layer will eliminate data silos and give users access and visibility to new sources of data. Your TMS can become what it was meant to be – a single pane of glass where users can perform all business functions in the quote-to-cash lifecycle for loads, and have real-time decision support.

Your operations team can make optimal load planning decisions that account for drivers’ hours of service along with customer order and asset data. Communication gaps and delays that have been creating errors and rework will disappear. Instead, team members can stay focused on high-value activities while the system handles routine tasks like sharing visibility of capacity and rates with customers to move more loads at higher margins.

Other benefits that come from using a TMS integration layer to cleanly pass the data baton include:

• Synchronizing capacity with demand: Team members in sales, customer service and operations can quickly identify and act on areas of opportunity.
• Optimizing Resources: Use real-time visibility of driver and equipment data to reduce waste and increase productivity.
• Having a Single Source of Truth: Analyze profitability and drive business performance with metrics that matter.
• Creating a Data-Driven Culture: Encourage and empower users to make better decisions.

All of these benefits and more can be realized by having data flow freely between systems. Once orders are entered in a TMS, any updates made during the process can be instantly shared through integrated systems to drive efficiency, reduce mistakes, and help users make better decisions.

Driving Continuous Improvement

As part of enabling real-time data exchanges, a TMS integration layer helps companies identify exceptions that might otherwise go unnoticed before the damage is done.

By catching errors as soon as they happen, your teams can proactively resolve issues and make changes to prevent repeat offenses by:

• Improving operational visibility of driver, asset and shipment status. 
• Increasing customer satisfaction by tailoring workflows for each account.
• Enhancing cybersecurity by ensuring data is securely transmitted between different systems.
• Automating business processes to reduce the need for manual intervention.

Companies stuck with disjointed and siloed systems will be left behind as the trucking and logistics industry continues to reach higher levels of automation. An integration platform is therefore becoming critical to keep companies in the race by streamlining workflows, improving data accuracy, and optimizing business processes.

Adding a middleware solution to your existing TMS will unlock the full potential of your data to drive growth and success in this increasingly competitive business environment.

Interested in learning more about the SaaS-based Tranztec Connect integration platform?

Consider a SaaS-based integration platform from Tranztec. The platform can quickly breathe new life into your TMS by connecting it to applications your business needs to gain a competitive advantage with a fast, error-free data relay.

Download our latest guide to discover a five-step strategy for reviving your TMS by connecting to an ecosystem of third-party applications and data sources to improve system performance and user efficiency.