An LTL trip carries several shippers' freight on one trailer, each order with its own BOL, POD and invoice, which is why tracking it is harder than tracking a truckload. A Transportation Management System (TMS) can be a valuable tool for load management that can help companies remain competitive and profitable when faced with complex LTL shipments. Learn how to track LTL freight with a Transportation Management System with this breakdown.
Top 6 Reasons Why to Track LTL Shipments with a TMS
A Transportation Management System (TMS) is critical for any company looking to master the complexities of LTL shipping. By centralizing data and automating processes, a TMS provides increased visibility and control over LTL shipments and transforms a logistics challenge into a competitive advantage.
Here are six key reasons why a TMS is essential for tracking LTL shipments:
Trucking dispatch software built on one trip record
Build the load once. Dispatch, driver pay and the invoice come off that record. Plans from $350 per month for one user, billed quarterly.
1. Central Hub for Tracking LTL Shipments
A TMS acts as a central information hub for freight companies and consolidates tracking information from multiple LTL carriers into a single, comprehensive dashboard. This eliminates the need for freight companies to log into multiple carrier portals, saves significant time, and reduces administrative overhead.
2. Real-Time Tracking Capabilities
Modern TMS platforms can be integrated with carrier APIs and telematics to provide live, real-time location data for LTL shipments. This allows freight companies to be more proactive, monitor the progress of LTL shipments, and identify potential delays before they become major issues.
3. Automated LTL Shipping Updates
A TMS has the potential to automate many day-to-day processes by providing proactive notifications for key events like pickups, in-transit movements, and deliveries, which eliminates the need to check manually for updates. This automation allows employees to focus on more critical, value-added tasks.
4. Improved Customer Communication
With instant access to accurate tracking data, freight companies can provide their customers with reliable and timely updates on the shipment and delivery of LTL loads. Many TMS platforms feature customer portals that allow clients to self-serve and track their own shipments. Status updates go to your customers' tracking partners through the freight tracking module, fed by the same positions dispatch sees.
5. Reduced Costs for Freight Companies
Increased visibility of LTL shipments allows freight companies to uncover inefficiencies, reduce time spent on manual tracking, and minimize the costs of service failures or lost cargo. By improving on-time performance, companies can avoid late penalties and strengthen relationships with freight carriers.
6. LTL Shipping Analytics
A TMS collects valuable data on every LTL shipment and provides powerful analytics on carrier performance, shipping times, and costs. Freight companies can use this information to optimize their carrier network and negotiate better rates, which directly improves their bottom line.
Related: Real-Time Freight Tracking: How It Works in a TMS and What It Changes
Learn more about how to track LTL shipments with a Transportation Management System (TMS) with this breakdown created by TransPlus that highlights a few key reasons why a TMS is a critical tool for trucking and freight companies. Book a personalized demo, scheduled the same week you ask, with no commitment, and see how trucking dispatch software tracks each LTL order on the trip to its own consignee and its own POD.
Related reading: how TMS software improves LTL shipping, how AI load management reduces empty miles, and real-time freight tracking: how it works in a TMS and what it changes.
.avif)
.avif)
