
A SaaS transportation management system can help you streamline your shipping operations, reducing costs and improving efficiency. According to research, companies that implement such systems can expect a return on investment of up to 20%.
By automating tasks and providing real-time visibility into your supply chain, you can make informed decisions and respond quickly to changes. This can be especially helpful for businesses with complex logistics operations.
With a SaaS transportation management system, you can also take advantage of advanced analytics and reporting tools to gain insights into your shipping operations. For example, you can track metrics such as on-time delivery rates and freight costs to identify areas for improvement.
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What Is
A SaaS transportation management system is a cloud-based platform that helps companies manage their transportation operations more efficiently.
It automates tasks such as route optimization, driver management, and freight auditing, which can save a significant amount of time and money.
This type of system is often used by companies that have a large fleet of vehicles or that rely heavily on third-party carriers to move their goods.
Companies like FedEx and UPS have successfully implemented SaaS transportation management systems to streamline their operations and improve customer satisfaction.
The system can also provide real-time tracking and monitoring of shipments, which can help companies respond quickly to any issues that may arise during transit.
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Benefits and Value
A SaaS transportation management system can bring numerous benefits to your business. It can open up a complete logistics channel, providing a digital logistics platform that connects with cross-border e-commerce platforms and ERP systems.
This allows you to obtain platform orders for monitoring and management in real-time. With cloud-based supply chain management, you can schedule processes more effectively, understanding the status of your business operations.
Cloud systems promote efficient logistics operations and timely responses through confirmations and checkpoints. As a result, risks and potential threats are minimized, and you can forward alerts and important information to your customers in the event of any problems.
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Here are some key benefits of a SaaS transportation management system:
- Efficient cross-border order processing speed
- One-stop connection with all roles in the supply chain, real and controllable order information
- Better risk monitoring and independent financial systems
- Reduced costs through real-time management and a pay-per-use model
With a SaaS transportation management system, you can also reduce costs by minimizing capital expenditures and upgrading software.
Why Choose a TMS?
Choosing a Transportation Management System (TMS) can be a game-changer for your business. A SaaS TMS can help accelerate your return on investment (ROI) by moving from implementation to integration and optimization without any upfront investment in technology and fees for upgrades.
With a SaaS TMS, you can access data of carriers already in the system's network, knowing volumes of freight at any time and making smarter logistics decisions to prevent service disruptions. This level of visibility is crucial for making informed decisions.
Businesses can use a SaaS TMS the way they want with great scalability. This means you can grow your operations without worrying about the technology holding you back.
Streamlined communication is also a key benefit of a SaaS TMS. With shippers and carriers using one transportation management software, supply chain visibility can improve thanks to the recorded shipping data history. This enables real-time communication for all parties, allowing them to work together on shipping procedures while keeping track of the same data simultaneously on the same web page.
Here are some key benefits of a SaaS TMS:
- Customizable Solutions
- Seamless Integrations
- Real-Time Shipment Visibility
- End-to-End Freight Management
- Cost and Time Efficiency
- Scalability and expansion
Features and Functionality
A SaaS transportation management system (TMS) is designed to be easy to use and implement right out of the box, with fewer and less customizable functional capabilities compared to a cloud TMS.
Companies with freight budgets less than $10 million may find a SaaS TMS adequate for their needs. However, those with larger budgets should consider a cloud TMS for more advanced features.
A SaaS TMS typically offers a streamlined set of features, including Freight Forwarding Customs Clearance Warehouse Transport Workflow and Task Integration (Freight and Warehousing) Accounting capabilities that are easy to implement and use.
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Functionality
A SaaS TMS is designed to be easy to use and implement right out of the box, but its functional capabilities are limited compared to a cloud TMS.
For companies with a freight budget of less than $10 million, a SaaS TMS may be sufficient, as it's geared towards basic freight management.
However, companies with a freight budget exceeding $10 million should consider a cloud TMS for more advanced capabilities.
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A SaaS TMS is best suited for shippers with simple freight management needs, but a cloud TMS is a better fit for those with more complex requirements.
In general, a SaaS TMS is a more straightforward solution for small to medium-sized shippers, while a cloud TMS is better suited for larger enterprises.
Our Module Specifications
Our module specifications are designed to provide a comprehensive transportation management system. We offer a range of modules to meet the needs of your business, including Freight Forwarding and Customs Clearance.
Our system also includes a Warehouse module, which allows you to manage inventory and track shipments in real-time. Additionally, our Transport module enables you to optimize routes and schedules for maximum efficiency.
We've also included a Workflow and Task module, which streamlines tasks and automates processes to save you time and reduce errors. Integration with Freight and Warehousing systems is also available, ensuring seamless communication and coordination.
Our Accounting module provides accurate and up-to-date financial information, helping you make informed business decisions. With these modules, you'll have a robust transportation management system that meets your unique needs.
Here's an overview of our modules:
- Freight Forwarding
- Customs Clearance
- Warehouse
- Transport
- Workflow and Task
- Integration (Freight and Warehousing)
- Accounting
Implementation and Cost
Implementing a SaaS transportation management system can be a straightforward process, with many providers offering cloud-based solutions that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
These systems can be up and running in as little as a few weeks, with some providers offering implementation timelines as short as 30 days.
The cost of a SaaS transportation management system varies depending on the provider and the specific features and services required.
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Implementation Cost
The cost of implementing a SaaS TMS will be less than that of a cloud TMS. A SaaS TMS has an out of the box design, making it a fairly quick and easy solution to begin using.
The implementation cost of a cloud TMS will be higher due to a longer implementation cycle. This will also require internal hours from various disciplines.
A cloud TMS has a higher intent than just a freight IT system, but it can start as a freight platform and expand to other features over time. Many companies start small and only deploy the freight aspects initially.
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Fee Structure

A cloud TMS is typically a cost per shipment, while a SaaS TMS is by user or site.
You may have noticed that some logistics companies offer free TMS systems. These systems are actually SaaS models designed to make money for the logistics company.
Be aware that these free systems are only suitable for companies with less than $1.0 million in freight spend and expect to stay that way for the next 3 to 5 years.
Companies with greater freight budgets and a vision of future growth should be skeptical of the "free TMS" because it may be a Trojan horse into your company.
There are three areas of skepticism to consider: Freight Cost, Longevity, and Functionality.
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Upgrades
Upgrades are a crucial aspect of SaaS and cloud TMS platforms, with most vendors releasing small upgrades or patches on a quarterly basis.
These upgrades are designed to address specific issues or add new features to the platform, ensuring it stays up-to-date and efficient.
Cloud TMS vendors typically have more comprehensive upgrades due to their large IT budgets, which enable them to build a best-in-class transportation management platform.
This investment in IT results in more significant upgrades, setting them apart from their competitors and positioning them for inclusion on the annual Gartner TMS Magic Quadrant Report.
One major upgrade cycle is usually released per year, providing a more substantial update to the platform and its features.
Cloud Advantages
Cloud-based transportation management systems offer numerous advantages, including the ability to open up a complete logistics channel and provide a digital logistics platform. This allows for seamless integration with cross-border e-commerce platforms and ERP systems, enabling real-time monitoring and management of orders.
Cloud systems also facilitate a more efficient scheduling process, enabling freight forwarders and shippers to understand the status of their business operations. This leads to reduced risks and potential threats, as freight forwarders can quickly alert customers to any problems.
By utilizing a cloud-based logistics system, companies can reduce costs through a pay-per-use model, eliminating the need for capital expenditures on on-site resources. This also allows for easier upgrades and removal of outdated features, making it a convenient and cost-effective solution.
Core Benefits of Cloud Solutions
Cloud solutions offer numerous benefits for businesses, particularly in the logistics industry. One of the key advantages is the ability to open up a complete logistics channel, providing a digital logistics platform that connects with cross-border e-commerce platforms and ERP systems.
This integration enables real-time monitoring and management of orders, allowing freight forwarders and shippers to understand the status of their business operations. Cloud-based supply chain management also facilitates a more efficient scheduling process.
Cloud systems promote efficient logistics operations and timely response through confirmations and checkpoints. As a result, risks and potential threats are minimized, as freight forwarders can forward alerts and important information to their customers in the event of any problems.
Cloud-based logistics systems also facilitate real-time management of logistics operations and help reduce costs. Specifically, managers can access the latest updates of relevant data at any time.
Here are some of the key benefits of cloud solutions:
- Efficient cross-border order processing speed
- One-stop connection with all roles in the supply chain, real and controllable order information
- Better risk monitoring and independent financial systems
- Reduce costs
These benefits are crucial for shipping and logistics companies striving to improve their operations and provide the best possible service to their customers. By leveraging cloud-based solutions, companies can benefit from cheaper and more convenient ways to supplement their services with new features and remove outdated ones.
Is Cloud Better?

Cloud technology is a game-changer for businesses, offering flexibility and scalability that traditional systems can't match.
The answer to whether a Cloud TMS is better lies in a company's future direction, as it can help them adapt to changing needs and grow without being tied down by infrastructure costs.
A Cloud TMS allows for easier updates and maintenance, freeing up IT resources to focus on more strategic projects.
Companies with limited IT expertise can benefit from a Cloud TMS, which often comes with built-in support and maintenance.
By choosing a Cloud TMS, businesses can focus on their core operations and leave the technical details to the experts.
Success Stories
We've had the opportunity to work with various clients across the globe, achieving remarkable results in transportation savings. Several reengineering projects have helped clients increase their savings.
Our team has successfully implemented TMS integration with last mile software for automatic route tracking. This has led to improved efficiency and reduced errors.
We've also achieved significant savings of 200,000 USD/month from logistics reengineering and exploitation of synergies. This is a testament to our expertise in optimizing logistics operations.
One of our notable success stories is the implementation of a set of reports for easy evaluation of TMS output. This has enabled clients to make data-driven decisions and optimize their operations.
We've also helped clients automate their load building and carrier selection processes, reducing manual errors and increasing efficiency. Automation of sequential bidding has also been a key area of focus for us.
Our expertise in logistics platforms has enabled us to generate synergies in all logistics platforms, including rail and road. This has resulted in significant cost savings for our clients.
One of our clients, Tradisa, has achieved 100% automation of their invoicing process and integration with SAP. This has streamlined their operations and reduced errors.
Our client success project for continuous improvement has resulted in a +15% savings/year due to a reduction in penalties. This is a clear demonstration of the value we bring to our clients.
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About CargoWise
CargoWise is a SaaS Transportation TMS software that requires end-to-end support for businesses to optimize its performance. Elicit is a certified WiseTech Global Partner, providing seamless implementation and integration, customization, training, and ongoing technical support for CargoWise.
Elicit's expertise covers automating freight management processes, ensuring real-time shipment visibility, and integrating advanced API capabilities to maximize CargoWise's potential across the entire supply chain.
As a trusted partner, Elicit helps businesses using or adopting CargoWise to enhance their existing TMS trucking operations or deploy the software for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SaaS in transportation?
SaaS in transportation refers to cloud-based software solutions that can be accessed online, streamlining logistics, scheduling, and real-time information delivery. This model provides a convenient and efficient way for transportation agencies to manage complex operations.
Sources
- https://bluegistics.com/saas-in-tms/
- https://elicittechnology.com/saas-transportation/
- https://yalantis.com/works/transportation-management-system/
- https://www.inteklogistics.com/differences-between-saas-and-cloud-tms-logistics-systems
- https://www.etowertech.com/industry-news/saas-basis-transportation-management-system.html
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