When the planning cycle is complete, you approve the plan and set appointments, if necessary. Once the loads are submitted, On-Demand TMS® takes over the workflow, offering the confirmed loads to your carriers.
Each load can contain a multi-level Route Guide. Normally this contains carriers listed in order of preference (cost-ranking or service-ranking). The Route Guide observes carriers’ capacity constraints from your carrier contracts. It may also contain the Private Transportation Marketplace (PTM) as an alternative. On-Demand TMS® employs both web-based and EDI tendering technologies (based on each carrier’s preference).
The tendering process cascades through the list. Each carrier is given a set time increment within which to respond. If the carrier fails to respond, or the carrier rejects the shipment, the offer is withdrawn and tendered to the next carrier in the list (or to the PTM). This automates and streamlines tactical transportation operations and ensures that loads get covered with capacity. Other pre-shipment services can be performed, such as creating shipment documentation and operational instructions to staging areas, docks, and other facilities.
All actions and changes are recorded and archived for Business Intelligence.