ViewPoint TMS: Strategic Technology for Shippers and Distributors

For shippers and distributors, integrating a Transportation Management System (TMS) like ViewPoint TMS from Translogistics Inc. (TLI) with their existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is a smart investment in efficiency. This integration automates and optimizes transportation processes, leading to faster and more reliable logistics operations. By enhancing supply chain data management, negotiating better carrier rates, and improving overall operational efficiencies, a TMS effectively reduces transportation costs.

What is ViewPoint TMS?

ViewPoint TMS is a powerful transportation management system designed to optimize various facets of transportation and logistics.

Bill of Lading Creation:

• Automated Documentation: Quickly generate and manage Bills of Lading (BOL) for shipments, ensuring accurate and efficient documentation for compliance and tracking.

Quick Rate:

• Instant Rate Quotes: Obtain and compare freight rates quickly to make informed decisions and negotiate better terms with carriers.

Data Retrieval:

• Efficient Data Access: Retrieve and manage critical historic transportation data easily, facilitating smooth operations and accurate record-keeping.

Tracking:

• Carrier Tracking Visibility: Gain tracking visibility into shipment statuses with carrier EDI updates. Provide accurate updates to customers and improve overall supply chain transparency.

Analytics and Reporting:

• Robust Reporting Tools: Access comprehensive reports and analytics to gain insights into transportation performance, costs, and operational efficiency.
• Shipment Manifest Reports: Generate detailed shipment manifest reports that include information on activity, costs, and various modes of transportation, including small parcel, LTL, volume, FTL, and international LCL and FCL.

Integration Capabilities:

• ERP System Integration: Seamlessly integrate ViewPoint TMS with various ERP systems to ensure a unified view of operations and streamlined data management.
• Microsoft Power BI Integration: For those seeking advanced data visualization, integrate ViewPoint TMS with Microsoft Power BI to create custom dashboards and detailed reports.
• Public Tracking Links: Provide customers with public tracking links to enable them to track their own freight, enhancing transparency and customer satisfaction.
• Vendor Portal: Utilize the vendor portal to allow key vendors to route inbound shipments directly, giving you total control over the supply chain.

ViewPoint TMS provides modular access to features that cater to the needs of shippers and distributors, enabling them to manage their transportation processes more effectively.

Managed Transportation Services

Managed Transportation Services (MTS) provide shippers and distributors with a comprehensive, outsourced solution for handling their transportation operations. This service includes everything from planning and carrier selection to executing shipments, optimizing routes, and ensuring operational efficiency. MTS providers bring advanced technology, often through a Transportation Management System (TMS), to integrate and manage logistics processes seamlessly.

A key aspect of MTS is freight bill auditing and cargo claims management, which ensures accurate invoicing and resolves disputes over damaged or lost goods. In addition to day-to-day operations, MTS providers offer strategic insights through data analytics, helping businesses make informed decisions, optimize their transportation networks, and reduce costs. While ViewPoint TMS can provide users access to data, Translogistics' managed transportation services will interpret it for shippers and make actionable plans to generate additional savings. On-going detailed reporting further enhances this data transparency and carrier performance monitoring.

Freight Bill Audits and Claims:

• Freight Bill Audits: ViewPoint TMS offers robust auditing features that help validate carrier invoices, ensuring that charges align with agreed-upon rates and service levels. This reduces the risk of overcharges and billing discrepancies.
• Freight Claims: The system provides tools for managing and processing freight claims, ensuring that any issues with shipments are addressed promptly and efficiently.

Supply Chain Analytics:

• Advanced Supply Chain Analytics: Utilize the TMS system’s analytics capabilities to gain insights into transportation performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency.

Transportation RFPs (Request for Proposals):

• Streamlined RFP Process: ViewPoint TMS simplifies the RFP process for selecting carriers and negotiating contracts. The system provides tools for managing and evaluating proposals, ensuring that shippers can secure the best terms and services.

By leveraging managed transportation technology, companies gain access to industry expertise, cutting-edge technology, and dedicated resources, enabling them to focus on their core operations while maintaining efficient, cost-effective transportation. This model also ensures scalability and flexibility, adapting to changing business needs and market conditions.

Many peers in the logistics and transportation industry are leveraging similar technologies, and specific managed transportation services through platforms like Cobroker Pro. Cobroker Pro facilitates advanced TMS solutions and industry collaboration, enhancing operational efficiency and enabling better management of transportation services.

Integrating a Transportation Management System (TMS) like ViewPoint TMS into your ERP system, combined with leveraging Managed Transportation Services (MTS), offers significant benefits that can transform your logistics operations. One of the primary advantages is cost savings. MTS providers negotiate better carrier rates, optimize shipping routes, and enhance operational efficiencies, all of which contribute to substantial reductions in transportation costs. By using a TMS, companies can further optimize these savings through integrated rate management and automated freight auditing, ensuring that all expenditures are accurately accounted for and aligned with pre-negotiated terms. When shippers delegate their transportation management obligations, their companies can focus on their core business activities and have higher probability of meeting their strategic initiatives while leaving logistics to the experts.