TMS

A Transport Management System (TMS) is the software that manages the planning, execution, and optimisation of the physical movement of goods. While "TMS" often refers specifically to road/trucking software in North America (with rate-shopping, load tendering, dispatch, route optimisation, dock scheduling), the broader definition covers any transport mode.

Core TMS features: rate management across multiple carriers, load planning, route optimisation, driver/vehicle assignment, dispatch and tracking, electronic proof of delivery (EPOD), and freight audit/payment. A modern TMS connects to carriers (EDI 204/214/210 for trucking, or REST APIs), warehouse systems (for pickup readiness), and ERP/financial systems (for billing).