What is a transport management system (TMS)?
A plain-language guide for Indian transport and logistics companies: what a TMS does, who needs one and what to look for.
What a TMS does
A transport management system (TMS) is software that runs the daily work of a transport company. It replaces calls, WhatsApp messages, paper and spreadsheets with one system where each step feeds the next:
- taking a customer's vehicle requirement and booking the consignment (the docket, also called the LR or consignment note);
- assigning a vehicle and driver, and following the trip;
- capturing proof of delivery (POD);
- billing the customer, collecting payment and reconciling the bank;
- paying vehicle owners, with tax deducted at source (TDS) worked out;
- keeping E-Way Bill and E-Invoice compliance;
- showing owners and managers what is happening, through dashboards and reports.
Who needs one
A TMS helps most when a business has several of these at once: many dockets a day, more than one branch or hub, hired as well as own vehicles, customers who expect timely invoices, and paperwork that has to be right (E-Way Bill, E-Invoice, TDS). Operators of full truckload (FTL) and part truckload (PTL) services, from a handful of trucks to a large network, are the usual users.
What to look for in a TMS for India
- Both FTL and PTL workflows, not only one of them. See FTL vs PTL in FreGo.
- E-Way Bill and E-Invoice inside the workflow, so staff do not switch between portals. See where each action happens.
- Proof of delivery that starts billing, with an audit step before an invoice goes out.
- Rate cards and billing that match how you charge: weight slabs, flat rates, surcharges and GST.
- Vendor payments with advance, balance, debit notes and TDS.
- Fleet and tracking if you run your own vehicles: trips, drivers, maintenance, GPS or SIM tracking.
- A driver app that works offline, because delivery points often have poor signal.
- Reports you can export to Excel or PDF.
How FreGo covers these
FreGo is a TMS built for Indian FTL and PTL operators. It covers each point above in one platform: FreGo App (operations, billing, vendor payments, fleet), FreGo Comply (E-Way Bill and E-Invoice), FreGo Track (GPS and SIM tracking), FreGo Connect (WhatsApp alerts and API) and FreGo Mobile (the driver app). Full workflow detail is on the Modules page and the product overview is on the Platform page.
Questions to ask any vendor
- Can you show the product running on my kind of operation?
- How are price, setup and extra usage charged, in writing?
- How is my data protected, and who can see it?
- How long does it take to start, and who trains my team?
- What support do I get, and how do I reach it?
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or accounting advice. To see FreGo on your own operation, book a demo or call +91 77383 82261.