One of the biggest hindrances to TMS software adoption is dealing with the headache of integrations. Many supply chain companies use several disparate systems to manage their operations, and the idea of connecting each of those systems to a TMS platform via integrations sounds like a hassle. The truth is that if you are not using transportation management software that allows you to streamline the integrations process, connecting all of your important platforms will become a hassle.
Poor TMS Integrations Are Costly, Time-Consuming, and Unproductive
A good transportation management system will allow for easy, API integrations that do not involve massive time, confusion within your organization, and large amounts of money being spent on training. Otherwise, poor integrations make the job harder for freight brokers, 3PLs, shippers, and the like. When it comes to customization options, examine how much customization your TMS system is offering in terms of integrations. If there are too many overwhelming options for customization, this can result in unproductivity in trying to figure out each and every detail. Instead, opt for a system that has a no-nonsense process that is built on the foundation of simplicity, so that you can get your system up and running in no time without having to break a sweat.
Benefits of API Integrations
The plusses to API integrations are many. The ability to unify all of your important systems into a single platform for efficient management can help you greatly improve your customer service and satisfaction. Having a single glass pane view for every system can help you make wiser business decisions as viewing analytical data becomes easier. You can save massive amounts of time by being able to click through a single system to get to the view you want to see. You can allow the costs tied to each shipment to go down significantly due to a better way to manage systems and data. Collaboration becomes easier, quicker, and more time efficient. All of this results in greater profits and cash flows, as operational efficiency accelerates, allowing your business to scale by focusing on other more important activities.
TMS integrations no longer have to be such a pain to manage. It all depends on which transportation management system you work with, what their capabilities are, how simple the platform is to operate, what third-party integrations they allow, and what that integration process looks like. Since this is a very important part of your business, you do not want to rush into looking into a good TMS. Hop on demos, ask for their integration capabilities, compare options, read reviews online, and act accordingly.
Zara Raza is a Digital Marketing Specialist at Turvo Inc., a cloud-based collaborative transportation management system to modernize the supply chain. Turvo helps 3PLs, freight brokers, and shippers improve and automate logistics and supply chain processes with a scalable TMS.