The concept of the supply chain has been around since the mid-1980s, but it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that the supply chain as we know it today became mainstream. As we’ve discussed in past articles, the supply chain covers a product’s life cycle from inception to delivery to the end user. The earliest formal adoption of the supply chain used the “total cost of ownership.” As its benchmark. The supply chain as a whole is still evolving and maturing today.

Within the larger supply chain exists several different components. Here at Amware, we focus on the transportation logistics component. Transportation logistics concentrates on warehousing, sometimes assembling, and ultimately transporting and delivering the product to its final destination.

While it seems simple on the surface, transportation logistics can be complex as there are multiple warehousing options and many ways and modes a product can move from point ‘A’ to point ‘B.’ Parcel shipping is used to move small packages in lower volumes. Intermodal transport uses two or more modes of transport like rail and truck. LTL moves products on trucks, but the entire truck isn’t dedicated to moving that one product. FTL uses the full capacity of an entire truck to move products.

Within each of these transport modes live (software) management systems designed to work specifically with that mode of transport. Additionally, warehousing uses an entirely different platform. All of these platforms are commonly referred to as “management systems.”

What is a TMS?

One of these management systems is the Transportation Management System, or TMS.

Here at Amware, we utilize Amrate, our custom-built Transportation Management System. Amrate will manage most modes of transport, including LTL, FTL, partial, and intermodal. The Amrate portal offers many options, including obtaining quotes from multiple carriers, booking LTL shipments, tracking those shipments, and seeing LTL order history.

Clients wishing to book a full truckload shipment may still wish to call as that market is a little different. Unlike LTL, we’ve found that the best way to receive instant rates on FTL shipments is to call and ask as rates change rapidly in the FTL space.

How Amware Utilizes the TMS as Part of Your Supply Chain

As a 3PL with over 25 years of warehousing and shipping experience, Amware knows transportation logistics and how to store and move customer products effectively. The TMS is an integral part of the process. It allows for more accuracy across the board and gives clients access and insight into that part of the supply chain they wouldn’t have otherwise. Amrate can be utilized in the cloud or integrated into existing supply chain and ERP software programs.

We’ve recently given Amrate a new look and feel as well as several new options as part of the Amrate 7.0 upgrade. If you haven’t seen it yet, request a trial below.