Transportation Management Systems (TMS) Course

Lesson 1 • Freight Documentation and Compliance

Introduces bills of lading, proof of delivery, and regulatory compliance concepts. Grounds students in documentation that TMS systems generate and track.

Lesson 2 • Supply Chain and Freight Fundamentals

Covers the relationship between supply chain structure and freight movement. Establishes context for understanding where TMS fits in logistics operations.

Lesson 3 • Carrier and Shipper Relationships

Defines roles of shippers, carriers, brokers, and 3PLs in freight markets. Clarifies stakeholder relationships that TMS workflows must support.

Lesson 1 • TMS User Roles and Permissions

Explains role-based access control and typical user profiles in a TMS. Prepares students to configure and navigate the system with appropriate access.

Lesson 2 • What a TMS Does and Why

Defines TMS scope across planning, execution, and settlement functions. Connects TMS capabilities to measurable business outcomes like cost and service.

Lesson 3 • Navigating the TMS Interface

Guides hands-on exploration of dashboards, search tools, and workflow queues. Builds the interface fluency needed for all subsequent practical exercises.

Lesson 4 • TMS Deployment Models

Compares cloud-based, on-premise, and hybrid TMS deployments. Helps students evaluate deployment fit based on organizational size and IT strategy.

Lesson 1 • Shipment Consolidation Strategies

Teaches pool, zone, and time-window consolidation techniques to reduce freight costs. Students apply consolidation logic to real order sets in the TMS.

Lesson 2 • Order Modification and Cancellation

Addresses procedures for amending or canceling orders after tender without disrupting carrier commitments. Reduces costly re-tendering and penalty charges.

Lesson 3 • Order Intake and Data Entry

Covers manual entry, EDI, and API-based order intake methods. Accurate order data is the foundation for all downstream TMS planning functions.

Lesson 4 • Shipment Status and Visibility

Demonstrates how to track shipment milestones and manage exceptions in real time. Visibility data feeds customer communication and performance reporting.

Lesson 1 • Contract Management and Compliance

Teaches how to store, version, and enforce carrier contract terms within the TMS. Contract compliance prevents billing disputes and unauthorized rate application.

Lesson 2 • Building the Carrier Master File

Covers data elements required to onboard carriers into the TMS, including authority and insurance fields. A complete carrier master enables compliant tendering.

Lesson 3 • Carrier Scorecarding and Performance

Introduces on-time delivery, tender acceptance, and claims metrics for carrier evaluation. Performance data informs routing guide prioritization and contract renewals.

Lesson 4 • Rate Table Structure and Entry

Explains base rates, accessorial schedules, and fuel surcharge tables and how to enter them accurately. Correct rate tables are essential for reliable cost estimation.

Lesson 1 • Network Optimization Fundamentals

Introduces constraint-based optimization for load consolidation, mode shift, and route design. Students learn to set objective functions and interpret solver outputs.

Lesson 2 • Optimization Scenario Analysis

Guides students through building and comparing multiple optimization scenarios before committing to a plan. Scenario analysis supports defensible cost-reduction decisions.

Lesson 3 • How TMS Rating Engines Work

Explains rate retrieval, comparison logic, and the role of tariff libraries in automated rating. Understanding rating mechanics prevents costly misapplied rates.

Lesson 4 • Spot Market and Dynamic Pricing

Explains when and how to source spot freight through TMS-integrated load boards and digital brokers. Spot sourcing skills reduce cost during capacity crunches.

Lesson 1 • Automated Audit Rules Configuration

Teaches how to build rule sets that flag duplicate charges, rate mismatches, and accessorial errors. Automated rules scale audit coverage without adding headcount.

Lesson 2 • Exception Management and Dispute Resolution

Covers workflows for investigating flagged invoices, issuing short pays, and logging carrier disputes. Structured dispute resolution protects carrier relationships.

Lesson 3 • Freight Cost Allocation

Explains how to allocate freight costs to cost centers, business units, or product lines using TMS coding. Accurate allocation enables meaningful profitability analysis.

Lesson 4 • Freight Spend Analytics and Benchmarking

Demonstrates how to build spend dashboards and compare costs against market benchmarks. Spend visibility drives continuous cost reduction initiatives.

Lesson 1 • ERP and WMS Integration

Details the data flows between TMS and ERP order management and WMS pick-and-pack systems. Seamless integration eliminates manual rekeying and order errors.

Lesson 2 • Integration Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Teaches how to use TMS integration logs, error queues, and alerting tools to detect and resolve failures. Proactive monitoring prevents shipment delays caused by data errors.

Lesson 3 • Integration Architecture Fundamentals

Covers point-to-point, middleware, and API-first integration patterns relevant to TMS. Choosing the right architecture reduces long-term maintenance burden.

Lesson 4 • Carrier Connectivity and Track-and-Trace

Explains EDI, API, and telematics-based carrier connectivity for tendering and tracking. Real-time carrier data improves exception management and customer service.

Lesson 1 • Business Case and ROI Justification

Teaches how to quantify TMS benefits, model payback periods, and present investment cases to leadership. A compelling ROI model accelerates executive approval for TMS initiatives.

Lesson 2 • TMS Reporting and Dashboard Design

Covers report types, data visualization best practices, and executive dashboard construction in TMS. Effective reporting converts raw data into actionable management insights.

Lesson 3 • Continuous Improvement in Transportation

Applies root cause analysis, Pareto prioritization, and PDCA cycles to recurring freight problems. Structured improvement methods sustain cost and service gains over time.

Lesson 4 • Transportation KPI Framework Design

Guides construction of a balanced KPI set covering cost, service, and sustainability metrics. A structured KPI framework aligns transportation goals with business strategy.