What do you do if your transportation management system needs to incorporate new technology?

Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are solutions that allow you to comprehensively manage distribution operations and cover all processes from order receipt, route planning and optimization, resource allocation, real-time monitoring, control of deliveries, KPIS. For implementation, the most important thing is to define what we want to achieve, what processes to improve, what strategies to follow, what technologies will be required, who will be involved, what information we will need and how it will be executed.

Clear view about performance / availability of assets that's compose the the fleet. Informations about predict potential failure and insights for best finantial decision. In aditional important KPI's as service providers ( like maintenance ) performance and ESG / Sustainbility impacts.

Understand Your Needs Before Adopting New Tech: A Transportation Management System (TMS) can greatly improve your company's logistics and transportation processes, but only if it addresses your specific pain points and goals. Before adopting new technology, assess your current and future transportation needs. Identify the gaps that your current TMS is not addressing and prioritize the areas or functions that can benefit from new technology. In my experience, taking the time to understand your needs can make all the difference in the successful implementation of a new TMS. One thing I have found helpful is to always involve key stakeholders #TMS #TransportationManagement #Logistics #TechnologyAssessment #ROI #StakeholderEngagement

Start by thoroughly evaluating your present transportation management system and pinpointing the precise areas in which new technology is required. Take into account elements like inefficiencies, potential improvement areas, and new trends in the sector. Discuss the intended features and capabilities of the new technology with team members, IT staff, and decision-makers, among other important stakeholders, to acquire their opinions and thoughts.

Evaluate your current transportation management system to identify areas where new technology could enhance efficiency, reduce costs, or improve customer service.

Research Your TMS Options: To find the right Transportation Management System (TMS) for your company, you need to do your homework. Compare features, benefits, costs, and compatibility of different solutions. Consider reliability, scalability, security, and compliance with regulations. Don't forget to consult experts, peers, and industry publications. In my experience, taking a thorough approach to research can lead to a more informed decision and a better fit for your company's needs. One thing I have found helpful is to create a checklist of features and requirements to guide your research and evaluation. #TMS #TransportationManagement #Logistics #TechResearch #Checklist #InformedDecision #Regulations #Standards #ExpertConsultation

After determining your needs, look into the various new technology solutions that can meet those needs. Examine various suppliers, software programs, and technical advancements related to transportation management. When assessing possible solutions, take into account elements like cost, user-friendliness, scalability, compatibility, and functionality. Seek for solutions that can easily interface with your current systems and processes and provide the capability and adaptability to match your unique requirements.

Explore available technologies and solutions that address the identified needs. Consider factors such as compatibility, scalability, cost, and potential impact on operations.

It should always be reflecting towards bridging the gap of needs; while exploring other factors keep in mind about GPS tracking, IoT Sensors, Systematic Analytics.

Research is key, and it must be thorough. Do not rush into taking the next available technology. But have a research team speaking to technology suppliers to find out what their system can do and at what price. Perform thorough searches on the supplier's background to learn about their industry reputation, how long they have been in business and the capabilities of their technology and what will be needed to integrate the new technology into the current system. Meet the suppliers and ask them to demonstrate their technologies and properly document all your findings, quotes etc. All this is done so that at the end the relevant stakeholders can look at the findings and decide which is the best option given the needs identified on step 1.

Test Your TMS Before You Invest: Before implementing new transportation management system (TMS) technology, test and validate its functionality and performance. Set up a pilot project, sandbox, or simulation to mimic real-world scenarios and data. Monitor and measure outcomes and impacts. Solicit feedback from stakeholders. In my experience, testing can help you identify potential issues and risks, and ensure a smoother implementation. One thing I have found helpful is to establish clear criteria and metrics for success, and to communicate them to all stakeholders involved. #TMS #TransportationManagement #Logistics #TechTesting #PilotProject #StakeholderFeedback #SuccessMetrics #Implementation #RiskManagement

Testing and validating the new technology's functioning and performance is crucial before putting it into full use. Establish test settings or pilot projects to see how the technology performs in real-world situations and how well it meets your transportation management needs. Get input from stakeholders and end users to find out about any problems or areas that need to be improved. Make any necessary modifications or improvements to the technology based on this input before implementing it more widely. To help users migrate smoothly, make sure the right training and support materials are available.

Conduct pilot tests or trials to assess the effectiveness and suitability of the selected technology. Gather feedback from users and stakeholders to validate its performance and benefits.

Una buena idea mal ejecutada, no lleva a ningún resultado, por lo cual es importante validar que se están obteniendo los parámetros deseados a partir de la implementación de un nuevo sistema de gestión. Recordemos que el objetivo de implementar nuevas tecnologías, es volverse más eficiente con todos los recursos.

Tedting and validation with the project team .Then Planning preparation, training to the extent you have super users on the floor for added support when the system is activated.

Plan Your TMS Implementation: After testing and validating new technology, plan and execute its implementation into your transportation management system (TMS). Develop a roadmap, timeline, budget, and contingency plan. Communicate and coordinate with internal and external teams. Provide training and support. In my experience, a well-planned implementation can minimize disruptions and maximize benefits. One thing I have found helpful is to establish a steering committee or a project team that can oversee the implementation and make adjustments as needed. #TMS #TransportationManagement #Logistics #TechImplementation #Roadmap #Training #Support #SteeringCommittee #ProjectTeam #Adjustments #DisruptionMinimization #BenefitMaximization

Develop a comprehensive implementation plan that outlines the steps, timeline, and resources required to integrate the new technology into your transportation management system. Execute the plan systematically, ensuring smooth adoption and minimal disruption to operations.

Continuously monitor the performance of the new technology post-implementation. Collect data and feedback to evaluate its impact on key performance indicators. Make adjustments and optimizations as necessary to maximize its benefits.

Metrics are everything in this age, ensure there's data that is being collected on the performance, cost savings, etc of the the new system. That way you can be able to sit down as a team evaluate the worthiness or value of the upgrade. Corrective measures can be taken from this exercise

once the pilot is launched or say it a testing phase; all the relevant staff needs to be trained before the deployment of the tech. additionally, post evaluation should also be done in order to eliminate current as well as foreseen challenges, ensuring the updates and repairs.