Last Reviewed: November 13th, 2024

Best Trucking Software Of 2024

What is Trucking Software?

Trucking Software (TS) is a digital powerhouse designed to streamline and optimize operations in the trucking industry. Its mission is fixing age-old challenges like dispatch inefficiencies, faulty route planning, billing inaccuracies, and regulatory non-compliance. By leveraging TS, trucking companies can amplify operational excellence, enhance customer experience, and skyrocket their bottom line. Key functionalities typically encompass dispatch and routing, tracking, compliance management, and billing and payroll. Emerging features, an exciting space to watch, signal towards AI-enabled predictive analytics, increased automation, and superior IoT integrations. Players within the trucking industry, particularly trucking companies and freight brokers, are the primary beneficiaries. Beware that inaccurate data entries and ineffective user training can limit the potential of TS. However, despite such limitations, the overarching benefits - which include operational efficiency, compliance assurance, and revenue growth - underscore its unquestionable value in the trucking industry.

What Are The Key Benefits of Trucking Software?

  • Amplifies operational efficiency
  • Boosts customer experience
  • Optimizes dispatch and routing
  • Enhances regulatory compliance
  • Improves tracking ability
  • Streamlines billing process
  • Reduces manual errors
  • Simplifies payroll management
  • Facilitates data-driven decisions
  • Drives revenue growth
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Overall

Based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub for 68 solutions, we determined the following solutions are the best Trucking Software overall:

Start Price
$10,000
Annually
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Cloud On-Premise
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Why We Picked MercuryGate

MercuryGate has attracted a range of users, from small businesses to large enterprises, each with unique needs and expectations. The platform's user-friendly interface has consistently been lauded, making it accessible even for those with limited technical expertise. This ease of use translates into tangible efficiency gains, as users report spending less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on core business activities.

My firsthand experience with the platform involved a complex, multi-leg shipment of industrial pipes from China to a remote rig site in North Dakota. This scenario tested MercuryGate's capabilities across multiple transportation modes, including trucks, ocean freight and rail. The TMS efficiently handled the complexities of this shipment, showcasing its potential for cost savings and operational efficiency.

During execution, the load board provided real-time visibility into all 17 loads involved in the shipment. This centralized information hub allowed me to proactively manage the shipment, identify potential bottlenecks and make informed decisions. The 'next recommended activity' feature was particularly useful in streamlining operations and ensuring timely execution.

Furthermore, MercuryGate's carrier and rate selection capabilities stood out. The platform provided a detailed overview of available carriers and rates, empowering me to make informed decisions based on cost, transit time, carrier reliability and contractual agreements.

In addition to these core functionalities, MercuryGate offers industry-specific features, 3PL support, a control tower for enhanced visibility, exception management for proactive issue resolution, scheduling capabilities, and robust reporting and analytics tools.

Ultimately, MercuryGate is best suited for businesses seeking a reliable and easy-to-use transportation and logistics management solution that can accommodate a wide range of needs. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features make it an ideal choice for those looking to streamline their operations and improve efficiency without the need for extensive customization.

Pros & Cons

  • Cost Savings: These systems can optimize routing and carrier selection, leading to reduced fuel expenses and improved delivery efficiency, resulting in significant cost savings for businesses.
  • Real-Time Visibility: TMS solutions provide GPS integration and real-time tracking capabilities for monitoring shipments and receiving timely updates, enhancing customer service.
  • Greater Efficiency: A TMS can automate load planning, shipment tracking, and documentation management, reducing manual work and errors to speed up delivery times and improve operational efficiency.
  • High Implementation Costs: Buying and implementing a TMS can be costly, including expenses for software and hardware and potential disruptions during the shift from legacy systems.
  • Complex Implementation Process: Poor planning or lack of standardization can lead to failed performances. If the chosen TMS doesn’t align with the company’s needs, it can create further inefficiencies.
  • Limited Flexibility: Some TMS solutions may have limitations in terms of customization and flexibility, making it difficult to adapt to specific business needs or changes in the market.

Key Features

  • 3PL Support: MercuryGate, while suitable for most companies, includes functionalities to help 3PL providers run the operations they are in charge of. Manage multiple transportation methods for multiple clients with a suite of 3PL-enabled tools. It scores 100 in our analyst data for integrating with freight broker solutions such as Loadsmart and FreightFriend. The same impressive score expands to its integration with logistics solutions like FedEx and UPS.
  • MercuryGate Control Tower: The control tower's map-view interface offers a complete overview of all shipments in transit. It helps users identify bottlenecks or delays and take corrective actions promptly. The control tower improves situational awareness and operational responsiveness.
  • Order Management: MercuryGate's TMS simplifies order management with automated order entry, a shipping cart for item selection and electronic generation of all shipping documents, including invoices and bills of lading. Rated a score of 100, its features let you access agreement details, plan loads by weight or delivery dates, and drill into vendor shipment progress.
  • Exception Management: The system highlights important deviations from routine operations, such as delays and unexpected costs, enabling quick resolution to maintain efficiency and service levels. Instant notifications ensure all relevant parties are aware and can collaborate on solutions, reducing misunderstandings and maintaining alignment across the logistics network.
  • Carrier Rate Management: This module helps you compare freight rates and services from different carriers to make cost-effective shipping decisions while maintaining service levels. Use performance scorecards that score a perfect 100 in our data to evaluate carriers based on criteria such as timeliness, compliance and responsiveness.
  • Reporting and Analytics: The platform offers customizable reports that create insights specific to operational requirements, enabling targeted analysis and strategic planning. The financial and performance analysis reports that score 100 in our analyst data offer in-depth breakdowns of costs and operational metrics.
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Why We Picked Uber Freight

Uber Freight has established itself as a prominent player in the logistics software arena, offering a platform that streamlines freight operations for both shippers and carriers. User feedback over the past year paints a picture of a service with clear strengths and weaknesses. Many users commend the platform's intuitive interface and its ability to simplify tasks such as rate shopping, booking, tracking, and payment. This ease of use translates into significant time and cost savings, a crucial factor for businesses operating in the fast-paced world of logistics. Additionally, Uber Freight's dynamic pricing model, which adjusts rates based on real-time market conditions, has been praised for its transparency and flexibility, particularly during periods of high demand or market volatility.

However, some users have expressed concerns regarding the platform's limitations. Certain features commonly found in competing logistics software, such as advanced reporting and analytics tools, are reportedly absent from Uber Freight. These limitations can hinder businesses that require in-depth data analysis for strategic decision-making. Additionally, there have been reports of occasional reliability issues, such as delays in load matching or inaccurate tracking information.

In conclusion, Uber Freight appears to be an ideal solution for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a user-friendly and cost-effective platform to manage their freight operations. Its intuitive interface and dynamic pricing model offer a compelling value proposition. However, larger enterprises or those with complex logistical needs may find the platform's current feature set somewhat restrictive. As with any technology solution, it's recommended to carefully evaluate your specific requirements and compare available options before making a decision.

Pros & Cons

  • Transparent Pricing: Easily compare rates from different carriers without needing to negotiate, enabling more efficient budgeting and cost management.
  • Streamlined Booking: Book shipments with just a few clicks, saving time and effort compared to traditional methods.
  • Real-Time Tracking: Monitor the status and location of shipments in real-time, providing better visibility and control over the supply chain.
  • Wide Carrier Network: Access a large network of reliable carriers, increasing the chances of finding the right fit for specific shipping needs.
  • Limited Customer Support: Uber Freight's customer support options are limited, often leaving users feeling frustrated and unheard when issues arise. The lack of readily available assistance can be particularly challenging for time-sensitive logistics operations.
  • Pricing Transparency: The platform's bidding system and lack of upfront pricing details can make it difficult for carriers to accurately predict their earnings and for shippers to effectively budget for transportation costs. This opacity can lead to uncertainty and potential disputes over final charges.
  • Technological Glitches: Users frequently report encountering technical issues and glitches within the Uber Freight app, which can disrupt operations and cause delays. These technological hiccups can range from app crashes to inaccurate location tracking, hindering overall efficiency.

Key Features

  • TMS and Advanced Technology: Assists with planning, execution, settlement and other key aspects within TMS. Provides performance optimization and management with analytic capabilities for all modes such as parcel, LTL truckload and truckload. Features include: 
    • Global control tower
    • Service prediction
    • Real-time visibility
    • Freight allocation module
    • Optimize prime product for freight optimization
    • Network services
    • Business intelligence and advanced data analytics
  • Global Transportation Management: Includes features for carrier management, freight claims, audits and payment services. Provides network collaboration with clients and business process outsourcing as well. These capabilities are available across Europe and North America. 
  •  Platform Services: Comprised of three toolkits: 
    • Data Insights: Provides detailed insights for market intelligence and benchmarks. Analyze service and spend metrics through specialized reporting and benchmarking tools. 
    • Command Center: Facilitates end-to-end visibility and real-time tracking with event monitoring and service prediction capabilities for shippers within supply chain operations. 
    • Marketplace: Includes several features for LTL consolidation, private and dedicated fleet optimization, cross docks, and continuous movement, within a single collaboration platform. 
  • Global Trade and Customs:  
    • Ocean and Air: Facilitates and monitors ocean and air shipments through a global control tower toolkit, with data integration, pricing and routing capabilities. 
    • NVOCC: Provides a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) with Federal Maritime Commission Requirement compliance. Leverage the benefit of a contracted carrier base to negotiate the best carrier prices with rail, ocean and air liners. 
    • Cross-Border Logistics: Offers multi-modal cross-border logistic capabilities for freight management and shipment crossing the borders across Mexico and Canada. Access entry ports, personalized customer support services and ensure legal compliance using the tools. 
    • Custom Brokerage and Compliance: Leverage specialized consultants, including customs brokers and logistics experts, for analysis of procedures and goods, as well as special attorneys. Assists with simplifying all global trade operations within Mexico, Canada and the U.S. 
    • Cross Dock and Transload Services: Consolidates goods for direct shipment to the end customer to avoid unnecessary expenses and delays. Provides product customization features including, kitting and labeling as well as product position within the U.S, Canada, Mexico or even overseas. 
  • Capacity Services: Access strategic intermodal and truck brokerage features for all supply chain modes across Mexico, Canada and the U.S. Includes drayage, expedited and over-dimensional freight, LTL and consolidations, parcel and various other truckload services. 
  • Engineering and Consulting: Provides features for asset management, supply chain management, mode and carrier optimization, sourcing and procurement, network designing and dedicated assessments for the entire fleet. 
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Why We Picked JDA TMS

JDA TMS users praise its comprehensive functionality and ability to manage the entire shipment lifecycle. Its robust planning capabilities received particular credit.

Integration with other systems is another significant benefit. Users call the system “WMS-aware” for its integrative ability. The software's key advantages are its powerful planning capabilities, which enable the creation of efficient routes, the management of load and the implementation of strategies to minimize transportation costs.

However, some users noted a learning curve when using the system, and JDA TMS could benefit from a more user-friendly interface to broaden its appeal. Additionally, some user reviews raised questions about its cost-effectiveness, which may require further investigation into pricing models.

Although JDA TMS doesn't inherently include the powerful supply chain visibility features of Blue Yonder's Luminate Control Tower, integration between the two is possible, which promises a more holistic view of the supply chain.

Pros & Cons

  • Transportation Planning and Execution: All users commended the integrated planning and execution functionality, which helped optimize routes or loads and implement transportation modeling seamlessly.
  • Automation: All users reported that the automated workflows have reduced human intervention in repetitive processes.
  • Scalability: All users indicated that JDA TMS grew with their businesses to fulfill all the evolving needs.
  • Integration: 75% of users have said that the system integrated seamlessly with other systems, especially WMS.
  • Learning Curve: Most users agreed that it has a steep learning curve and that they needed extensive training to unlock its rich functionalities.
  • Training and Support: 86% of users expressed dissatisfaction with customer support services. They struggled with inefficient training modules and a lack of post-implementation support.
  • Customization: 67 % of JDA TMS users said the system is somewhat inflexible, making it difficult to customize for specific use cases.

Key Features

  • End-to-End Planning: Integrate fleet and common carrier planning to maximize efficiency and planning. Optimize local, national and international inbound and outgoing processes.
  • Transportation Execution: JDA TMS includes automated implementation, real-time shipment and product-level visibility, advanced routing, mode, container and service-level optimization, as well as inventory awareness throughout the supply chain.
  • Transportation Modeling: The platform uses tactical modeling and connected business analytics to provide the most precise assessment of savings and network performance evaluation.
  • Order Management And Supplier Collaboration: The Luminate platform lets shippers and carriers interact and validate POs, manage supplier compliance, track milestones, provide routing instructions, and produce reports. 
  • Load Building: Enhance load-building with pre-defined integration flows from Luminate Planning. Create customizable replenishment plans that account for transportation constraints. Consolidate orders and optimize vehicle load plans. The shipment edit functionality supports adding new items and adjusting shipping numbers.
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Why We Picked SAP Transportation Management

Navigating the intricate world of transportation management systems can feel like charting a course through a dense jungle. With a myriad of options available, each boasting unique features and functionalities, selecting the right one for your business can be daunting. One name that consistently emerges from the undergrowth is SAP Transportation Management, a comprehensive solution designed to streamline and optimize transportation operations. But how does it truly fare in the eyes of its users?

SAP Transportation Management receives consistent praise for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those without prior experience with similar software. The system's ability to seamlessly integrate with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is another highlight, enabling a unified view of logistics and supply chain processes. This integration empowers businesses to break down data silos and achieve greater visibility across their operations. However, some users note that the initial setup and configuration can be complex, often requiring specialized expertise. Additionally, the software's robust capabilities come at a cost, which may pose a challenge for smaller businesses with limited budgets. Despite these drawbacks, SAP Transportation Management stands out for its comprehensive reporting and analytics features, providing businesses with actionable insights to drive informed decision-making and optimize transportation strategies. The software's ability to manage various transportation modes, including road, rail, air, and ocean, further enhances its versatility and appeal.

In conclusion, SAP Transportation Management emerges as a powerful and adaptable solution well-suited for large enterprises with complex transportation needs and the resources to invest in a sophisticated system. Its ability to integrate with existing systems, provide end-to-end visibility, and generate comprehensive reports makes it a valuable asset for businesses seeking to optimize their transportation operations and gain a competitive edge in today's dynamic market. While the initial setup complexity and cost may present challenges for smaller businesses, the long-term benefits and scalability of SAP Transportation Management make it a worthwhile investment for those looking to elevate their transportation management to new heights.

Pros & Cons

  • Improved Visibility: Provides real-time insights into transportation processes, allowing for better decision-making and proactive problem-solving.
  • Enhanced Efficiency: Automates manual tasks, streamlines workflows, and optimizes resource allocation, leading to cost savings and improved productivity.
  • Collaboration: Facilitates seamless collaboration between shippers, carriers, and other stakeholders, fostering stronger relationships and improving communication.
  • Scalability: Adapts to changing business needs and supports growth, ensuring long-term value and flexibility.
  • Complexity: The system's intricate structure and extensive configuration options can present a steep learning curve for new users, potentially leading to implementation challenges and delays.
  • Cost: Implementing and maintaining SAP TM can be expensive, especially for smaller businesses or those with less complex transportation needs. The licensing fees, infrastructure costs, and ongoing support expenses can accumulate quickly.
  • Integration: Integrating SAP TM with existing systems, such as ERP or warehouse management systems, can be a complex and time-consuming process, requiring careful planning and execution to ensure seamless data flow and avoid disruptions to operations.
  • Customization: While SAP TM offers a high degree of customization, tailoring the system to specific business requirements can be challenging and may necessitate specialized expertise or additional development efforts.

Key Features

  • Freight Management: SAP TMS contains a suite of tools that can lower spending on transportation management processes while measuring shipper and trade agreement compliances. 
  • Order Management: Visibility into shipping and order management helps increase customer satisfaction while also cutting costs related to freight management. SAP TMS boosts the efficiency of order and process management while leveraging rules-based routing. 
  • Analytics: Analytics tools allow SAP TMS to provide real-time data-driven data in order to help optimize and expedite planning processes. With tools to improve collaboration with business partners while also lowering data complexity, this solution helps keep an operation competitive. 
  • Transportation Management: Streamlined transportation management processes allow logistics operations to move faster while creating a more responsive supply chain. Dynamically responding transportation processes cut costs even further while boosting efficiency. 
  • Freight Costing: Increase visibility into your transportation costing and invoicing. Automated calculations help cut down on human-based errors and clients can integrate their transportation management data into their billing data. 
  • Planning: Planning tools increase order delivery accuracy and boost on-time deliveries. Plan out the most fuel-efficient transport route and leverage automated planning processes to connect with the perfect carrier. 
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Why We Picked Logility

Logility provides effective features for supply change and transportation management, with users calling out its planning, forecasting and modeling tools as notable strengths. Reviews unanimously indicate that the initial setup is challenging and cumbersome. There’s also a steep learning curve and the software is difficult to customize. However, prompt and effective customer support is offered to help resolve any issues. It has a simple user interface, and users also appreciate how easy it is to manipulate and manage data. Overall, it’s a good choice for companies looking to get extensive supply chain and transportation capabilities.

Pros & Cons

  • Easy to Use: The software is extremely easy to use and navigate through, as reflected by 80% of reviews on the UI.
  • Responsive Support: A team of dedicated consultants with good business acumen offer prompt and effective customer support, according to 100% of reviews on support.
  • Planning and Forecasting: All reviews on this feature indicate that powerful tools for planning, forecasting and modeling, which are accessible anytime and anywhere, are a major benefit.
  • Data Actions: Users can easily upload data, download into Excel and perform mass changes in a few clicks, as suggested by all reviews on data actions.
  • Initial Setup: The initial setup is challenging, as suggested by all reviews on this feature.
  • Learning Curve: According to 65% of reviews on this element, using technical tools involves a steep learning curve.
  • Difficult Customization: Customizing features isn’t simple, as indicated by 100% of reviews on customization.

Key Features

  • Analytics: Leverages complex machine learning, AI and other simulations to automate planning and give insight into supply chain data and functions. Supports planning across large multi-enterprise networks and other complex operations. 
  • Inventory Optimization: Accelerates inventory turns, reduces carrying costs, and reveals the best stocking locations and sizes of inventory buffers. Algorithms and machine learning help create strong inventory policies. 
  • Demand Optimization: Helps deploy optimal inventory based on changes occurring in daily demand while lowering the amount of inventory needed to meet customer service requirements. Attribute demand to specific customers and eliminate non-essential inventory to reduce carrying costs. 
  • Lifecycle Management: Gaining full visibility into projects allows end-to-end control over the lifecycle of an operation. Put financial plans into place so that projects meet their revenue goals and plan to source by vendor and region. 
  • Sourcing Management: Supports RFQ’s (requests for quotes) to aid choosing participating vendors based on the set criterias. Compares suppliers on the global market to each other and issued RFQs. Also optimizes vendor onboarding to aid in vetting factories to mitigate risks. 
  • Supply Optimization: Leverage it to optimize sourcing and production. Automate replenishment as well as set and view a realistic, similar model of a supply chain for a beneficial bird’s eye view. 
  • Integrated Business Planning: Accelerates operational and financial business planning with tools to visualize all merits across multiple scenarios. Helps plan and showcase diverse currencies, and synchronize tactical and strategic plans over a variety of time horizons. 
  • Quality Compliance: Facilitates quality management audits, global logistics and regulatory document management to deliver the right items at the desired place and time. 
  • Retail Optimization: Includes tools for allocation, merchandising and assortment planning, which streamline processes, balance plans across levels, boost overall sales and cut inventory expenses. 
Start Price
$15,000
Annually
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Why We Picked BluJay TMS

BluJay TMS caters to the specific needs of diverse industries. It offers a range of specialized features that help companies streamline their shipping processes, reduce costs and enhance collaboration. The platform comes with robust features such as multimodal freight management, automated carrier selection, real-time shipment tracking and the BluDex Transportation Index, which allows for trend analysis.

Users praised the platform for its outstanding carrier network, inventory management and tracking features. However, some noted issues with customer service and the complexity of reporting features.

Overall, BluJay TMS is highly regarded for its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, especially SAP, and for its real-time compliance screening service for international dealings.

Whether the user is an eCommerce business, a manufacturer, or a distributor, BluJay TMS provides a flexible and scalable solution to manage transportation needs. With its advanced features and user-friendly interface, it takes the complexity out of logistics and lets businesses focus on growth.

Pros & Cons

  • Carrier Network: All users agreed that BluJay TMS lets them access a wide network of high-quality carriers.
  • Inventory Management: All users appreciated the inventory management module, which gave them control and visibility into moving items.
  • Tracking and Visibility: All users commended the product for its end-to-end shipment tracking capability.
  • Integration: 75% of users said that the system integrated seamlessly with other systems, especially SAP.
  • Customer Service: All users reported that service request resolutions are too lengthy.
  • Reporting and Analytics: 75% of users said that its reporting features aren't up to par as extracting reports is complicated.

Key Features

  • Transportation Management: Blujay TMS manages multimodal freight. It tracks shipments, manages carriers and optimizes planning. It also supports rating, routing and load building. Manage the entire shipping process from a single platform, from carrier selection to delivery confirmation.
  • Carrier Selection: It automates carrier selection based on specific needs for competitive shipment rates. It manages orders and cross-docking, offers container tracking and includes import/export management features.
  • Shipment Visibility: BluJay TMS helps track shipments in real time. It integrates with carrier networks to collect data. It provides shipment location, status and potential delay information, along with alerts and notifications.
  • BluDex Transportation Index: This tool collects data from millions of market transactions for an up-to-date look at transportation trends. It prevents risks like accepting low rates or working with unreliable carriers and ensures compliance with pricing policies and regulations.
  • Compliance Screen: Denied Party Screening is a real-time compliance screening service for international or domestic transactions. It checks for restricted parties, embargoed countries and export licenses, with optional notifications and audit trails for internal management. Automatic updates keep users compliant with changing laws.
  • Freight Bill Audit: BluJay TMS automates workflows to improve overall speed and efficiency. It works with carrier systems to gather data electronically, checks payments beforehand and takes care of issues, reducing the need for manual work. It also helps ensure that invoices are correct and paid on time.
Start Price
$80
Monthly
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Why We Picked IBM Sterling

IBM Sterling is a flexible and easy-to-use supply chain suite that helps its customers build dynamic and smarter business networks. It has a highly customizable platform and supports comprehensive integration capabilities with various external systems. Many reviewers have noted that it does not have an intuitive user interface, and the implementation process can be cumbersome. It involves a steep learning curve, and users find it complicated to understand. It also consumes a large amount of system resources, making it slow sometimes.

Pros & Cons

  • Integration: It supports integration with multiple external systems, as noted by 88% of reviewers who mention integration.
  • Customization: It offers highly customizable tools and features, as observed by 50% of the users who refer to reports.
  • Ease of Use: It offers a flexible platform that is easy to use, manage and modify, as noted by all the reviewers specifying ease of use.
  • Learning Curve: It is complicated to understand and involves a steep learning curve, as stated by 57% of the users who report learning curve.
  • Interface: Over 50% of reviewers that mentioned the interface stated that the interface is not user-friendly and intuitive.
  • Resource-Intensive: It consumes a large amount of system resources, as observed by all reviewers referring to system resource utilization.
  • Implementation: Around 67% of the users who specified implementation report that the deployment and implementation process is cumbersome.

Key Features

  • Business Network: Offers cloud-based and security-rich connectivity with suppliers, partners and customers. Ensure timely order deliveries with real-time intelligence and recommendations through AI capabilities. Provides multi-party visibility of digital events throughout the supply chain via blockchain, empowering transparency and trust. 
  • Food Trust: Connects participants through an immutable, permissioned and shared record of processing details, food provenance, transaction data and more through its collaborative network. Trace the location and status of food products, including essential details like multi-ingredient and farm-store view. 
  • Visibility Insights: Optimize performance by correlating data from disparate and siloed systems, creating digital playbooks and capturing organizational knowledge. Accelerate time to value, get intelligent insights, manage inventory and mitigate disruptions to meet demand through the inventory control tower. Supply chain intelligence services help boost data integration by developing purpose-built control towers using a control tower solution blueprint. 
  • TradeLens Platform: Gain access to a supply chain and logistics network with over half of the global container shipping volume data coverage through an interconnected supply chain partners system. Every shipment party can access their information and all transactions’ audit trails using its permission matrix. Offers services and apps developed by TradeLens and third parties to accelerate innovation and value creation. 
  • Trust Your Supplier: Identify, onboard and manage qualified suppliers through a blockchain-based solution. It helps expedite supplier onboarding, lower procurement operating costs, reduce compliance risk, speed new supplier assessments, access verified data and streamline insight sharing. 
  • Business Transaction Intelligence: Provides insights into B2B transaction lifecycles. Offers multi-part shared transaction visibility and empowers users with real-time visibility and self-service. Prevents potential risks by giving discrepancy alerts on B2B transaction anomalies. 
  • Transaction Manager: Automates manual B2B transactions and helps save money and time by cutting costs, reducing errors and elevating user satisfaction with customers, non-EDI suppliers and other trading partners. Gain unified visibility throughout supply chain partner transactions and onboard non-technical trading partners. 
  • Document Conversion Services: Converts manual transactions and non-structured documents like email, pdf and fax into EDI or other structured formats. Provides various features, including advanced OCR to read images, customized exception handling, multiple language support and ICR technology to recognize handwriting. 
  • Order Management: Ensures omnichannel order fulfillment by combining inventory and delivery visibility, multichannel order aggregation and service availability in a single platform. It helps customize monitoring and alerts, take immediate actions on capacity, deliver order promises with intelligent fulfillment and use reverse logistics to track inventory. 
  • Fulfillment Optimizer with Watson: Enhance existing order management systems and minimize cost-to-serve with cognitive analytics engine. Retailers can utilize store capacity, balance protecting margins and meet delivery expectations, increasing profits. 
  • Inventory Visibility: Explore product highlights and find use-case specific solutions. Users can personalize dashboards, balance inventory across channels, track inventory velocity, enable drop shipping, leverage autoscaling, get real-time views with the Cassandra database, Akamai gateways and more. 
  • Store Engagement: Gain inventory, customer and order data view through an intuitive user-interface, accessible from mobile devices and sales counters. Provides cross-sell and up-sell recommendations, enables flexible fulfillment options, helps standardize processes for task and inventory management and manages returns throughout channels using purpose-built tools. 
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Why We Picked Manhattan TMS

Navigating the labyrinth of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) can feel overwhelming, but Manhattan TMS emerges as a compelling contender, offering a robust suite of features designed to streamline transportation and logistics operations. User feedback from the past year paints a picture of a solution celebrated for its ease of use and comprehensive functionality, yet shadowed by concerns regarding its cost and perceived rigidity.

Manhattan TMS distinguishes itself through its intuitive interface and extensive capabilities encompassing planning, execution, and tracking. The software's integration with other Manhattan Associates solutions further enhances its appeal, creating a unified ecosystem for managing various aspects of the supply chain. However, the platform's premium pricing and potential lack of flexibility have drawn criticism from some users, particularly those seeking more customizable solutions. These factors are crucial considerations for businesses evaluating TMS options, as they directly impact the software's affordability and adaptability to unique operational requirements. Ultimately, Manhattan TMS appears well-suited for larger enterprises with complex transportation needs and the budget to invest in a top-tier solution. Its comprehensive feature set and integration capabilities can empower these organizations to optimize their transportation networks and achieve significant efficiency gains.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of Use: Users frequently praise the platform's intuitive design and user-friendly interface, highlighting that it simplifies complex tasks such as shipment tracking and carrier management.
  • Comprehensive Functionality: Manhattan TMS offers a wide range of features, covering various aspects of transportation management, from procurement and planning to execution and settlement, which caters to diverse business needs.
  • Visibility and Control: The platform provides real-time visibility into shipment status and transportation costs, empowering users with greater control over their supply chain operations and facilitating proactive decision-making.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Manhattan TMS is designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes and can be easily scaled to meet evolving requirements, making it a suitable solution for growing companies.
  • Integration Capabilities: The platform seamlessly integrates with other enterprise systems, such as ERP and WMS, enabling efficient data exchange and streamlined workflows.
  • Limited Customization: The system's rigidity can pose challenges for businesses with unique workflows or industry-specific requirements that necessitate a high degree of customization.
  • Learning Curve: Manhattan TMS presents a steep learning curve due to its intricate features and functionalities. Users frequently report difficulties in navigating the system and effectively utilizing its capabilities without comprehensive training.
  • Cost: Implementing and maintaining Manhattan TMS can be expensive, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. The licensing fees, implementation costs, and ongoing support expenses can strain budgets.
  • Integration Challenges: Integrating Manhattan TMS with existing enterprise systems, such as warehouse management systems (WMS) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, can be complex and time-consuming.

Key Features

  • Smart Transportation Modeling: It empowers users with solutions that help implement important changes to business models while observing their impacts. 
  • Transportation Procurement: The system supports logistics and enables users to source contracts, manage bids and automate procurement, streamlining the bidding process. 
  • Fleet Management: Manhattan TMS boosts fleet efficiency with features focused on safety and compliance. It also leverages machine learning and analytics to support better decision making. 
  • Carrier Management: It provides a comprehensive set of solutions that help maximize driver and customer satisfaction while ensuring that asset utilization and operational costs remain low. 
  • Audit, Bills and Claims: This tool helps maximize savings by transforming automated sources and varied data manuals into one single freight invoice database. 
  • Shipping Planning and Execution: Manhattan Associates transportation management suite offers robust, connectable and scalable solutions to help plan, optimize and execute operations. 
  • Driver Support: This software suite offers maximum support to fleet drivers to help them with all kinds of communication, including dispatch. 
  • Load Analyzer: The load analyzer function helps users analyze and accordingly balance delivery loads across multiple shifts, resources and fleets throughout the entire transport and supply chain. 
  • Invoice Management: It enables fleet owners and clients to manage all invoices and their reconciliation through telemechanics or by a carrier portal. 
  • Customer Training: Training is offered to new and existing customers in a structured learning environment. This enables them to gather knowledge about configuration, solution use, system administration and implementation. 
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Why We Picked Kuebix

Kuebix provides solutions for transportation management with freight intelligence and is widely used by companies of all sizes. As suggested by most user reviews, it has slow and tedious report tracking and lacks information to track inbound shipments. The amount of time it takes to book shipments was another complaint. Despite those issues, it has a lot to offer, including a comprehensive suite of features that generally save a lot of time. Moreover, its easy-to-use UI, affordable cost, and quick and effective customer service make it a strong contender for companies looking for a TMS solution.

Pros & Cons

  • Easy to Use: All reviews on usage suggest that it’s highly intuitive, making it easy to understand and use.
  • Customer Service: Support is quick and highly responsive, according to 100% of reviews on the same.
  • Comprehensive Suite: Its ability to serve all supply chain requirements and handles all from setting shipments to accessing reports is helpful, as noted by 100% of reviews on functionality.
  • Saves Time: All users mentioning this aspect agreed that sorting through different quotes and pulling all of them from LTL carriers simultaneously helps save time.
  • Budget-Friendly: All reviews on product cost indicate that the software is extremely cost effective as compared to competitors that offer TMS solutions.
  • Report Tracking: It can be cumbersome and tedious to track reports, as suggested by 85% of reviewers mentioning this feature.
  • Inbound Shipments: The software doesn’t track information for shipments coming inbound, according to all reviews on the topic.
  • Tedious Shipment Bookings: More than 55% of reviews on shipment bookings indicate that it’s tedious and time-consuming to book shipments.

Key Features

  • Rate Negotiation: Dive into shipping options to choose the best service levels and rates for shipments. Compare and view rates for any mode of transportation to increase savings. 
  • Spot Quotes and Services: Request spot quotes for freight volumes to lower freight costs. An expansive and accessible shipping community enables finding the best rates for freight volumes and service levels. 
  • Easy Booking: Book shipments directly through the system. After connecting with a carrier, get shipments booked and ready to go in a few clicks. 
  • Shipment Tracking: Stakeholders can gain full real-time visibility into critical shipments. Customers can see exactly where their product is and when it’s expected to arrive, which can boost customer satisfaction. 
  • Automatic Freight Audit and Pay: Automatically audits carrier invoices against rate quotes that have been approved. Identifies rates that should be disputed by pointing out unexpected fees. When a correct pay amount has been put together, the system can automatically deduct it from an invoice. 
  • Claims Management: Maintain historical claims and organize them to ensure none are passed over by accident. 
  • Carrier Management: Supports and tracks important carrier tasks, schedules and customer or client interactions to help gauge a carrier’s performance. 
Start Price
$600
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Company Size
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Cloud On-Premise
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Why We Picked Oracle Transportation Management

Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) is a powerful TMS solution with a comprehensive set of features, but it's not without its drawbacks.

One of the most common complaints from users is the complex user interface (UI). Many users find the UI to be difficult to navigate and learn, which can lead to frustration and inefficiency. For example, one user commented, "The UI is so clunky and outdated. It takes me forever to find the information I need." This can be a major drawback for companies that need a user-friendly system that can be easily adopted by their employees.

Another common complaint is the high cost of ownership. OTM is a relatively expensive product, and the licensing fees and ongoing maintenance costs can be a significant burden for small and medium-sized businesses. One user said, "The cost of OTM is just too high. We were looking for a more affordable solution." This is especially true when compared to other TMS solutions on the market, such as SAP Transportation Management and JDA Transportation Management.

However, despite these drawbacks, OTM also has a number of strengths. One of the biggest strengths is its comprehensiveness. OTM offers a wide range of features and functionality, which can be a major advantage for companies with complex transportation needs. One user said, "OTM is a very powerful tool. It has all the features we need to manage our transportation operations efficiently." This is especially true when compared to some of the more basic TMS solutions on the market.

Another strength of OTM is its scalability. OTM can be easily scaled to accommodate the needs of growing businesses. This is important for companies that expect their transportation needs to increase over time. One user said, "OTM is very scalable. We've been able to easily add users and functionality as our business has grown." This is not as true for some of the smaller TMS solutions on the market, which may not be able to accommodate the needs of larger businesses.

Overall, OTM is a powerful and comprehensive TMS solution that can be a good fit for companies with complex transportation needs. However, the high cost of ownership and the complex UI may be drawbacks for some companies.

Pros & Cons

  • Improved Visibility: Gain real-time insights into your entire transportation network, from shipment status to carrier performance.
  • Enhanced Efficiency: Automate routine tasks, optimize routes and modes, reduce costs, and improve resource utilization.
  • Increased Collaboration: Share data and insights with partners to improve communication, coordination, and decision-making.
  • Reduced Risk: Proactively identify and mitigate potential disruptions, ensuring on-time deliveries and minimizing the impact of unexpected events.
  • Scalability: Adapt to changing business needs and grow your operations with ease, accommodating increasing volumes and expanding global reach.
  • Limited Visibility: Difficulty tracking shipments and inventory across the entire supply chain.
  • Complex User Interface: Steep learning curve and cumbersome interface make it difficult for users to navigate and find the information they need.
  • Customization Challenges: Limited ability to customize the system to meet specific business needs.
  • Integration Issues: Difficulty integrating with other enterprise systems.
  • High Cost of Ownership: Expensive licensing fees and ongoing maintenance costs.

Key Features

  • Carrier Sourcing: Helps plan and execute shipments to domestic or international locations. Optimizes storage in shipping containers, streamlines order consolidation and boosts overarching transportation network efficiency. 
  • Fleet Management: Streamlines fleet, driver and trailer management. Handle disputes, optimize contracted carrier rates and improve fleet resource visibility. 
  • Operational Planning: Leverage algorithms and optimization engines to optimize shipments based on variables, including cost and asset utilization. Maintains organized transportation flow with support for complex multi-stop consolidation, pooling and cross-docking. 
  • Transportation Intelligence: Customize real-time dashboards and leverage data stored within the system. Transforms transportation data into valuable insights to predict future inefficiencies and act proactively. 
  • Payment, Billing and Claims: Reduces process time and prevents errors associated with billing through automated freight payments. Ensures clients pay and get billed accurately for the services provided to them. 
  • Rate Management: Access a rating engine and global repository of service providers and relevant services in one place. Streamlines rate management with dedicated support for ocean, rail, air, parcel, LTL, intermodal and truckload shipments. 
  • Order Management: Integrates with purchasing, external order management and warehousing to manage transportation demand-induced operations. Share and offer tools to external parties and the supply chain, including suppliers, partners, clients and customers. 
  • Visibility and Events Handling: Proactively manage order lifecycle and shipment with automated milestone tracking and monitoring. Automatically accelerate dispatches at times of significant delays in pick-up confirmations. Receive live status updates from dispatch parties in multiple formats on tablets and mobile devices. 
  • Booking and Tendering: Utilize several communication channels, including XML, mobile device, web and email. Share dispatch plans and workflows and handle service provider texts in real time. Offers automated support to manage several tender processes such as broadcast and sequential tendering. 
  • Reporting and E-Documents: Create insightful reports and e-documents for crucial business aspects, including commercial invoice, BOL, lane-based carrier performance, projected late orders, packing list and cost savings. 
  • Forwarding and Brokerage: Automate freight forwarding operations and brokerage workflows to improve and expedite processes. Offers end-to-end support for several functions such as console and job management and quoting. 
  • Integrations: Integrates with Oracle Cloud SCM apps and Oracle EBS (E-Business Suite), supporting and synchronizing shipment information with sales orders. Templates consist of predefined workflows, including shipping and order compliance, export documentation, order planning and processing and transportation. 

COMPARE THE BEST Trucking Software

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$100,000
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All Trucking Software (68 found)

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Buyer's Guide

Trucking Software Is All About Seamless Fleet Management and Smooth Handling of Dispatch Data 

Trucking Software BG Intro

Looking after the transportation wing of the supply chain means keeping your eyes open for profitable loads and on-time dispatches while tracking deliveries.

Intelligent trucking software caters to these functions while automating billing processes like driver payment records, maintenance expenses, order invoices and more.

If you’re in the market for a TMS solution, this buyer’s guide will help you shed a truckload of worries by walking you through the primary benefits of the software, reasons for implementation and a cost assessment.

Executive Summary

  • Trucking software tools lend vital visibility into freight movement to locate and prevent dispatch delays.
  • Powerful automation enables fleet managers to speed up billing and schedule on-time dispatches.
  • As environmental concerns grow, the trucking industry is under increasing pressure to decrease its carbon footprint.
  • A handful of crucial questions for the buyer and the vendor help you make informed software selections.
What This Guide Covers:

What Is Trucking Software?

Trucking software is a dispatch, scheduling and accounting toolset that lets businesses plan, organize and track fleets efficiently.

Owner-operators or carriers can dispatch products, map delivery routes and track fuel expenses from a focal point. Besides this, it helps economize human labor by managing mounting paperwork, automating billing and handling logistical documentation.

Trucking software automates the following processes:

  • Route planning
  • Dispatching
  • Fuel management
  • Accounting
  • Repair and maintenance

Most carriers and owner-operators would prefer a trucking software solution to help them stay on top of market trends, optimize routes and establish compliance with the International Fuel Tax Agreement.

Though typically deployed by carriers, the best trucking software offers functionalities that brokers, manufacturers and retailers can use.

Deployment Methods

Cloud-based trucking software offers significant advantages over on-premise transport management systems, but each type has pros and cons.

Cloud-Based

The portability of cloud-based transportation software solutions over on-premise alternatives is a significant benefit. Many of these suites allow you to log in from any internet-enabled device, giving you full access to information and functionality.

Any upgrades or maintenance apply in real time without interfering with operations.

They also often provide a subscription-based pricing plan, vital for small organizations seeking a trucking system. Although cloud-based solutions have a modest initial cost, recurring charges can quickly pile up.

On-Premise

While on-premise software is reliable, it’s typically expensive to acquire and operate. You'll need to store the equipment and pay support employees to keep everything working.

Unlike browser-based alternatives, on-premise installations don’t rely on a continual internet connection. You also have complete control over the system and may make costly but necessary adjustments to meet your specific needs.

Consider what you need to accomplish and which deployment method best supports your short- and long-term objectives.

Hybrid

Some trucking software vendors offer a hybrid deployment option, incorporating both on-premises and cloud-based deployment aspects. This arrangement enables businesses to use cloud-based services for some features while hosting modules or data on their servers.

Primary Benefits

Let’s look at the main benefits of trucking software.

Trucking Software Benefits

Leverage Seamless Planning

Amidst volatile market trends and increasing demand, you can’t count out the role of planning. Trucking software that integrates functions like scheduling, route optimization and centralized communication between drivers, managers and customers is a clear winner.

Be aware of the vehicles in your inventory, track their loading stops and delivery spots, set fuel consumption targets, predict or prevent delays, and build an impressive customer base through sustained communication — all with the help of robust trucking software.

Improve Fuel Optimization and IFTA Compliance

Fuel management is the most critical function of the software because it enables a greener and tax-compliant fleet operation. Optimizing fuel use equals maximizing company profits, plus it’s great for the environment. The software employs GPS tracking, telematics and reporting to refuel trucks at your preferred stops and order scheduled maintenance.

Additionally, trucking software saves companies a ton of tedious paperwork that goes into filing quarterly reports to establish compliance with the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). Companies can safeguard themselves against penalties and fines with this integrated feature.

Cut Costs

The right software will reflect direct profits for your company. The 2022 update on the Analysis of the Operational Cost of Trucking indicates that the cost borne by fleet managers rose by 12.7% in 2021 to $1.855 per mile, the highest number ever recorded. Here’s how deploying the right trucking software helps slash expenses in three crucial areas:

The Operational Cost of Trucking 2022

  • Fuel is the most significant contributor to expenses, up 35.4% from 2020. Trucking software can reduce fuel consumption and plan fuel-optimized routes.
  • Driver wages are up by 10.8% from 2020. Fleet managers can automate the payroll process via trucking tools.
  • Repair and maintenance costs feature a hike of 18.2% from 2020.

These tools schedule maintenance and repairs to prevent breakdowns, excessive fuel consumption and harsh handling.

Enhance Customer Service

Answering your clients' questions might be extremely challenging at times. If you have a team of CSRs that answer your clients' calls and then present them with estimates based on their needs, you'll need automation to make the process smoother. Here’s where real-time tracking and enhanced communication save the day.

The most significant benefit of trucking software is that it allows you to provide quotes to your customers in seconds. Customers will receive projected costs for your services from automated processes rather than waiting for a response over the phone.

Implementation Goals

Goal 1

Foster Efficient Operations

Improve efficiency by integrating all business components into a single platform. Trucking software aids in the management of everyday activities such as dispatch, routing and accounting.

TMS platforms may also forecast the probable outcomes of unexpected situations like labor strikes or weather events and their influence on the local economy and industry.

It helps manage fleet upkeep, driver performance and legal compliance, resulting in a well-maintained and productive fleet.

Goal 2

Optimize Routes

Trucking software automates manual tasks such as route optimization to determine the most cost-effective delivery routes, enhancing logistics management efficiency.

Route optimization also minimizes freight costs by reducing mileage, fuel, and tolls by allocating orders to available cars and automatically computing the best routes.

Trucking tools guarantee that shippers drive safely, lowering insurance payments and vehicle downtime.

Goal 3

Reduce Expenses

Trucking software automates several administrative duties, including invoicing and billing, saving time and reducing errors. This automation cuts administrative expenses while also improving accuracy.

Trucking solutions eliminate delays and enhance communication between drivers, dispatchers and customers. Real-time updates on delivery status, route modifications and other vital information assist the process.

This support can decrease the expenses of missing deliveries, miscommunication and other concerns.

Goal 4

Support Data-Driven Decisions

Trucking software, emphasizing data-driven decision-making, can help achieve various organizational goals in the logistics and transportation industries.

Data-driven decision-making helps identify the most efficient delivery routes, considering weather, traffic and road conditions. This information decreases travel time and expenses while increasing delivery accuracy.

It can help organizations that rely on timely deliveries of products manage inventory levels by giving realistic delivery schedules, decreasing the need for surplus stock.

These solutions present a wealth of data you can examine to uncover trends, patterns and room for improvement. This data-driven strategy has the potential to lead to more informed strategic decisions.

Basic Features & Functionality

Planning and Dispatch

Trucking tools boost planning by tracking optimal freight lanes while juggling weather conditions, vehicle breakdowns, time constraints, fuel-and-cost-efficient routes, driver skillset and more.

Trucking software optimizes and maximizes the load capacities of your carriers. Operators can choose to dispatch goods immediately or schedule them accordingly.

Fuel Management

The fuel tracking feature optimizes fuel consumption to reduce expenses. This integrated feature lets drivers monitor vehicular health, schedule maintenance and draw up fuel-optimized routes.

IFTA Compliance

Trucking software solutions help managers roll out consistent and accurate tax records in accordance with IFTA mandates. This tool eliminates human error and saves time by automatically calculating and reporting the total number of miles covered and fuel purchases.

Fleet Tracking

With data visibility being in vogue in the TMS market, dispatchers can streamline the delivery of goods through real-time GPS freight tracking.

Trucking software generates ETA’s, sends customers notifications, and alerts fleet managers of unforeseen delays due to breakdowns or harsh weather.

Billing and Compensation Management

Trucking software accounting tools come with some analytic capacities. With it, you can generate performance reports based on KPIs, automate payroll and calculate invoices, resulting in a paperless billing system.

Analytic Tools

The key to staying ahead of competitors is making data-backed decisions after closely tracking market trends. The best trucking software has intuitive dashboards, geofencing alerts and reporting tools that help you visualize data.

Doing so can help you identify your operation’s strong and weak points so that you can make the right choices to stay on top of industry trends.

Advanced Features & Functionality

IFTA Compliance

Trucking software helps managers roll out consistent and accurate tax records following IFTA mandates. This tool eliminates human error and saves time by automatically calculating and reporting the total miles covered and fuel purchases.

Billing and Compensation Management

Accounting tools come with some analytic capacities. With it, you can generate performance reports based on KPIs, automate payroll and calculate invoices, resulting in a paperless billing system.

Safety Tools

DOT compliance and theft security are two ways to maintain a safe trucking operation.

DOT standards account for the qualifications of drivers, alcohol and drug testing, hazardous goods carriage guidelines and routine inspections.

Trucking tools generate inspection reminders and medical test alerts, log driver records and consolidate reports until DOT compliance is duly issued.

Security tools can tag vehicles and other assets to shield them against theft or usage beyond business hours for non-operational activities.

Integration

Any software that a trucking company adopts must be able to integrate with other applications. It must be fully compatible with 3PL systems, accounting programs, GPS devices, CRM platforms and more. This level of integration ensures complete visibility across all logistics operations.

Current & Upcoming Trends

With technological advancements and evolving customer needs, the sector has changed to remain competitive. The trucking industry constantly evolves, and various current and emerging innovations will affect the sector in 2023 and beyond.

Trucking Software Industry Trends

Autonomous Trucking

Persistent shortages of competent truck drivers across America and firms seeking to expedite delivery while staying within their budgets create an unfavorable situation.

According to The American Trucking Association, the sector required 80,000 more drivers in 2021. By 2030, this demand is predicted to expand to 160,000 competent truck drivers.

While shortages of new drivers and COVID-19-induced early retirement plans contribute to this requirement, self-driving technology saves the logistics and supply chain industries.

AI-powered driving and self-driving trucks will be game-changers in the coming years.

Enhanced Safety Measures

Trucking companies are investing heavily in driver safety and safety-related technology to raise standards. Trucking software incorporates modern safety features like driver monitoring, collision avoidance systems and electronic stability control to prevent accidents and enhance overall safety.

Fleets that use AI safety tools like dashcams and AI-based coaching report reductions in:

  • Unsafe driving patterns
  • FMCSA-reported hazardous driving violations
  • Harsh driving incidents
  • Speeding

Fewer accidents will occur by adding safety and security modules to the software. Accident reduction benefits drivers, trucking companies and the general public.

Fewer accidents can also assist in reducing insurance premiums and truck repair expenses. Advances in brakes, collision avoidance, lane deviation warnings and driver fatigue level alarms make truck driving safer than ever before.

Record-High Fuel Price Upsurges

Increasing fuel costs are another development that has the potential to disrupt the trucking industry by 2023. The national average per gallon price of diesel fuel was $3.674 in 2022, which was $1.148 more than in 2021.

After hitting a low of $2.39 in October 2020, diesel prices have slowly climbed. This tendency might impact enterprises' bottom lines because fuel expenditures account for a large percentage of many trucking companies' operational expenses.

Sustainable Trucking Operations

As environmental concerns grow, the trucking industry is under increasing pressure to decrease its carbon footprint.

Trucking software includes components that assist businesses in monitoring and managing their fuel use and emissions, supporting the use of electric trucks and environmentally friendly practices.

Convoy’s Sustainability in Trucking Snapshot Report reveals that in 2022, the top reason for reducing carbon emissions was government regulation. In contrast, in 2021, more awareness of the environmental impact of carbon emissions took center stage.

Software Comparison Strategy

The market is full of software and tools designed to make fleet operations more manageable and transparent. However, narrowing down the preferred software from hundreds of options can be mind-boggling.

Every operation has unique needs, goals and obstacles, regardless of size. So, selecting the appropriate trucking software can make or break processes.

Once you’ve chalked out your requirements, here are a few ways to go about comparing software:

  • Consider cloud-based, hybrid or on-premise deployment options. Cloud-based solutions are highly scalable products that adapt to growing operations by augmenting new features. If an upfront investment isn’t a concern, going for on-premise solutions that don’t depend upon internet connectivity makes sense.
  • Hybrid deployment allows companies to cut costs by using cloud-based services for modules that benefit from scalability and cost-efficiency while keeping critical modules on-premises.
  • Make a list of the modules you'd like for your trucking enterprise.
  • Compare each software solution's features to your list.
  • Consider features like real-time tracking abilities, scalability and integration potential. Route optimization accuracy is another important aspect.
  • If you’re looking for a dedicated tool for accounting or mapping features, check whether your current software has integrative capacities or needs an upgrade.
  • Go for intuitive, easy-to-use solutions. Dispatchers and drivers often report handling issues as they’re not too tech-savvy, so a user-friendly interface is a definite plus.
  • Browse the market and connect with subject matter experts to decide on a product. If you’ve got a vendor in mind, check for records of good customer support, constant software upgradation and free trials before making the purchase.

If you’re still unsure of your needs, head to our transport management system requirements and features checklist.

Cost & Pricing Considerations

A crucial element of browsing and finalizing software is pricing. Before investing, consider the following:

1. Pricing Models

Trucking software providers may offer different pricing models, such as monthly subscriptions, annual contracts or one-time licensing fees. Understanding the pricing model and determining which option aligns with your budget and business needs is essential.

Different deployment methods warrant additional investments. Cloud-based trucking software usually comes with monthly subscription costs. With on-premise tools, add-ons and upfront licensing costs can be considerable.

Implementation costs are bound to stack up with added customizations, modules, dashboards or vehicles.

2. Features Range

Trucking software frequently comes in many feature tiers or packages. Basic packages may contain capabilities such as dispatch management and fleet tracking, while sophisticated packages may include load optimization and compliance management features.

Consider the elements critical to your company and select a bundle accordingly.

3. Scalability

Consider the software's scalability as your company grows. Some software vendors may charge based on the number of users or fleet size. Ascertain that the pricing structure allows for growth without incurring significant extra costs.

4. Implementation and Training

When calculating the entire cost of trucking software, consider implementation and training fees. Some suppliers may charge for installation services or training programs.

5. Customization and Integration

Additional expenses may exist if you want modification or integration with other systems. Discuss customization choices and integration possibilities with the software provider to understand any associated costs.

6. Free Trials and Demos

Most trucking software suppliers provide free samples or demos. Before making a financial commitment, take advantage of these possibilities to examine the software's capabilities, usability and fit for your business.

Most Popular Trucking Software

After considering your budget, operational needs and company size, you’re ready to look at some of the top trucking platforms. We’ve curated a list of some popular solutions for you to explore:

MercuryGate

What It Does

MercuryGate is a highly scalable, multimodal platform with high visibility into operations to encourage better planning and shipment organization.

It facilitates route optimization to cut costs, save time and enhance customer experiences. Automated billing and invoicing procedures improve productivity and reduce the possibility of inaccuracies.

MercuryGate

A demo of MercuryGate’s order dashboard.

Product Overview
User Sentiment Score 71%
Company Size S | M | L
What It's Best For
Capability SelectHub Analyst Score
Driver Compliances 100
Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) Or Hours of Service (HoS) Compliance 100
Load Planning 100
Export Reports 85
Agreement Type 85

Transplace

What It Does

Transplace helps companies manage their operations by improving planning and execution. It enables strategic planning and implementation by providing seamless inward and outbound monitoring.

It saves money and time by automating carrier selection, shipment routes and transportation modes. This trucking software incorporates data algorithms, reporting capabilities and actionable insights to support effective decision-making.

Transplace

Transplace’s comprehensive dashboard.

Product Overview
User Sentiment Score 91%
Company Size M | L
What It's Best For
Capability SelectHub Analyst Score
Tracking and Tracing Trucks 100
Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) Or Hours of Service (HoS) Compliance 100
Load Planning 100
Create Carrier Response Template 85
“What If” Scenario for Bid Analysis 85

SAP Transportation

What It Does

This system is the transportation module of SAP SCM that offers both cloud-based and on-premise trucking solutions. It includes a standardized data analysis tool that’s easy to deploy and use.

This platform enables efficient and predictive handling of freight operations with the help of forecasting tools and automated TMS processes.

SAP Transportation

Transportation manager KPIs in SAP.

Product Overview
User Sentiment Score 83%
Company Size M | L
What It's Best For
Capability SelectHub Analyst Score
Route Planning 100
Tracking and Tracing Trucks 100
Load Planning 100
Agreement Type 85
“What If” Scenario for Bid Analysis 85

Oracle Transportation Management

What It Does

Oracle Transportation Management, an Oracle Cloud SCM component, helps logistic service providers and shippers with operation planning, transportation intelligence, fleet management, carrier sourcing and more.

Combining these solutions allows you to plan and execute optimum shipments at the lowest possible cost, monitor and manage fleets, and automate operations. Strategic organization frees up time for essential activities and decision-making.

You can’t deploy this trucking software independently since it’s a built-in component of the SCM module.

Oracle Transportation Management

Seamless fleet management with Oracle. Source

Product Overview
User Sentiment Score 84%
Company Size M | L
What It's Best For
Capability SelectHub Analyst Score
Route Analysis 100
Driver Compliance 100
Load Planning 100
Performance Analysis Report 85
Manual Bid Creation 85

ITS Dispatch

What It Does

ITS Dispatch allows users to manage and track loads, including load creation, assignment and monitoring. It enables carriers and brokers to match available trucks with available loads.

The platform allows users to track shipments in real time, allowing them to monitor the status of loads and offer clients precise arrival estimations. The program assists dispatchers in using the solution to manage carrier and driver information, assign drivers to specific loads and track their availability.

Transplace

Track load volume, truck miles and gross revenue on the ITS Dispatch dashboard.

Product Overview
User Sentiment Score
88%
Company Size S | M | L

Questions To Ask Yourself

As outlined above, the first step to finding the best trucking software is asking yourself a couple of questions. This strategy goes a long way in helping you evaluate your operation’s long and short-term goals to decide on the market trends you’re aiming to master.

Ask these internal questions while choosing:

  • Are you looking to improve your current platform with added features or buy brand-new software?
  • What is your total budget?
  • Do you require a unique tool or an all-in-one product?
  • What level of customization and support do you need?
  • Who will be using this solution?

Trucking Software Key Questions To Ask

 

 

 

Questions To Ask Vendor

After you’ve narrowed down a list of vendors and trucking software, it’s best to lead with a few questions about the product and the vendor. This practice lets you assess the vendor’s market presence and customer loyalty while teasing out the product’s functionalities before jumping in.

Here are a few helpful questions:

About the Software

  • Does this solution link to a carrier network?
  • Does the software support inbound and outbound visibility?
  • Does the solution mesh with the size of our business?
  • Is there any overhead setup cost involved? How much do you charge?
  • How does the software integrate with our supply chain?

About the Vendor

  • How does your technical support team handle help requests?
  • What are the typical challenges to expect during the installation and implementation of the software?
  • What’s your return and refund policy?
  • How do you plan to stay relevant in the next five years?
  • What customer support and training do you offer?

Next Steps

In the wake of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions forced retailers to face the harsh reality of empty shelves. As the market recovers and newer trends appear, the revenue of the freight industry is projected to rise by a sizeable margin.

That’s good news for the trucking industry. The freight operation scene is forecasted to be dominated by truck-driven deliveries instead of freight rail for the next ten years.

These statistics indicate the burgeoning demand for digitalization of the industry. Trucking software harnesses powerful automation to aid the delivery of commercial goods, speed up invoicing and optimize fuel consumption.

Our free comparison report helps you compare software leaders in this domain and foster a seamless and compliant trucking operation.

Product Comparisons

Additional Resources

About The Contributors

The following expert team members are responsible for creating, reviewing, and fact checking the accuracy of this content.

Technical Content Writer
Urnesha is a Technical Content Writer at SelectHub, covering supply chain management, TMS, and compensation management. She has worked in content writing, editorship, and translation for the last 7 years. Her dream is to be a lifelong learner and venture out of her comfort zone as she does so. She's passionate about access to quality education, animal rights, and sustainability, among other things. She holds a Master's degree in English literature from the University of Hyderabad. Outside of work, you can find her listening to The Beatles, making memes, or volunteering at an animal NGO.
Technical Research By Mohit Hariramani
Senior Analyst
Mohit has a degree and Master in Finance from Mumbai, India, his years of professional market research experience started in 2019. His expertise lies in categories such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing, Inventory Management, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Facility Management Software (FMS), POS Systems (Point of Sale) and more. Through his academic and professional background, he honed skills in attention to detail, navigating ambiguity, and analytical prowess, which uniquely equip him to manage and thrive in the dynamic landscape of these diverse categories. He's passionate about leveraging his knowledge and experience to contribute effectively to the assigned technology areas.
Technical Review By Kankana Kalita
Principal Analyst
A seasoned business and research analyst, Kankana Kalita specializes in ERP, CMMS, manufacturing, construction, supply chain, HRMS and CRM. Prior to joining SelectHub, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, an MBA in Operations and Marketing, and worked in email marketing and logistics.
Edited By Hunter Lowe
Content Editor
Hunter Lowe is a Content Editor, Writer and Market Analyst at SelectHub. His team covers categories that range from ERP and business intelligence to transportation and supply chain management. Hunter is an avid reader and Dungeons and Dragons addict who studied English and Creative Writing through college. In his free time, you'll likely find him devising new dungeons for his players to explore, checking out the latest video games, writing his next horror story or running around with his daughter.