Advancements in supply chain technology, including robotic process automation (RPA), big data analytics, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms, have broken down barriers to efficiency and made big promises. Unfortunately, not all transportation management systems (TMS) platforms are created equally, nor do they all carry the enterprise-level of sophistication and value. And that problem is only growing worse as the global TMS market expands. As explained by Global Trade Magazine, “The TMS market is growing globally, and for a good reason. Common objectives like controlling costs, establishing internal efficiencies, and managing capacity restrictions have established the need for technology that provides uninterrupted visibility across the supply chain and helps streamline operations.” As a result, supply chain leaders need to know the top signs to recognize when the limitations of TMS solutions are hurting the organization more than helping.
Limited Visibility Results in Missed Pickups
Users Cannot Access Data in Real-Time
Another of the top limitations of TMS software revolves around the accuracy and timeliness of data. In today’s world, outdated data can have disastrous consequences. As reported by Supply Chain Brain, “Navigating the supply chain challenges of today requires timely, accurate, and holistic visibility into a company’s transportation operations. But that doesn’t mean access to more spreadsheets containing old data; instead, success relies on a shipper’s ability to view the entire network in real-time and easily access critical actionable information.” And when users cannot access data in real-time or experience disruptions during routine operations, the limitations of the software are beginning to hurt your process further.
Updates Are Time Consuming and Disruptive
On the topic of disruptions, frequent updates to a TMS platform are inevitable. Software developers are continuously looking for ways to add more functionality and data-rich functions to the best media. However, that ongoing process alludes to one of the limitations of TMS software that can go overlooked. When updates become excessively time-consuming and disruptive to your supply chain’s overall flow, it is an indicator that the limitations of TMS software are beginning to reach their breaking point.
