ERP solutions, for instance, may offer a TMS add-on or module, but the functionality and flexibility are inferior to a dedicated TMS. The limitations of a TMS incumbent can cause you to miss opportunities. At the same time, an incumbent software provider can exacerbate inefficiencies and come up short of delivering maximum value.
The Lure of Incumbent TMS Solutions
Strategic Disadvantages of Not Exploring New TMS Options
Admittedly, free transportation management options or incumbent TMS solutions are a good fit for smaller, less growth-oriented organizations only seeking basic functionality. Yet, for organizations with aspirations beyond the basics, these systems cannot keep pace with more complex logistics requirements, competition, and customer expectations.
Whatever TMS you choose, it needs to align with evolving business needs and the dynamic logistics environment to support short- and long-term goals.
Cost of Disruptions
Without real-time tracking, disruptions such as delayed shipments or inventory inaccuracies become common, potentially leading to significant operational and customer service costs.Cost of Missed Opportunities
Operating on a system with limited capabilities may cause you to miss potential partnerships or deals, which can result in missed revenue and growth opportunities.Cost of Manual Processes
Manual processes for entering data, tracking shipments, and generating reports take valuable time away from employees and increase the risk of human error and delay in decision-making.Costs of Lackluster Support
As you can imagine, free or incumbent TMS solutions typically offer minimal support, leaving companies with limited resources to troubleshoot issues on their own.Future Investment Costs
The low cost is the lure, and the “cool features” are the hook. The free or low-cost ride ends once you want to access features that matter most or need customization.Cost of Limited Automation
Essential automated processes, such as auto-scheduling or carrier rate comparisons, are absent from incumbent TMS software. As your business scales, this results in higher labor costs and inefficiencies.
This is exactly what they mean when they say, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Once you peel back the layers, you can see that free, add-on, or incumbent solutions won’t just cost you; they will hold you back.
Calculate your potential Saving While Using an enterprise TMS
The Benefits of Seeking Alternative TMS Solutions
Performing due diligence on TMS alternatives dispels misconceptions about enterprise solutions and uncovers capabilities you didn’t know existed.
Here’s how you make the case for an enterprise TMS.
- Reduce Freight and Operational Costs: Features such as advanced visibility and shipment tracking can reduce freight expenses by up to 12% and lower operational costs by up to 5%.
- Return on Investment (ROI): Implementation and integration of a TMS are fast: 3-6 months. This speed is crucial in delivering ROI. In fact, an independent study found that employing MercuryGate’s TMS can deliver an ROI in excess of 300% in the first five years.
- Unparalleled Support: Our support portal enhances the experience by providing a platform to create, track, and prioritize support cases. It gives you a single point of contact and an opportunity to provide feedback on completed cases.
- Robust Collaboration: When you choose MercuryGate, your dedicated customer success team is by your side to identify specific business needs and help you achieve greater value.
- Data Analytics: Data analytics is another superpower of an enterprise TMS. It provides insights and opportunities to improve carrier management, last-mile delivery, claims management, and other logistics processes.
These are just a few benefits of choosing MercuryGate’s Enterprise TMS solution. Request a demo, and you’ll see firsthand why industry leaders choose MercuryGate and why we continue to be recognized for TMS excellence.
Where Will Your TMS Take You?
The limited capabilities of incumbent TMS solutions hinder all of these and put you at a disadvantage. We encourage you to leverage our self-service tool to see the potential value for your organization.
