February 20178 IN MY VIEWMaximize the Value of Your TMS InvestmentThe emergence of the SaaS model is helping reduce time and effort that goes into implementing Transportation Management System (TMS) systems, but even the most sophisticated TMS technology is ineffective without the talent behind it. Companies that leverage their own employees to power the TMS may have seen initial cost savings, but what if the employees who are power users of the platform leave? The company is left with a technology platform they can't maximize and are faced with taking time and resources away from strategic initiatives in order to train new power users.Merging Technology and TalentTechnology offers far greater value to you when operated by people who understand how to make the system perform. When a provider with the right solutions collaborates closely with you, your organization can obtain value far beyond a traditional vendor relationship. This is why a managed services model is so effective. It offers TMS software and third-party expertise in one package. The ROI on your TMS investment is driven by the seasoned transportation experts that possess the technical knowledge to accommodate strategic and tactical changes to your network.It's possible to hire resources that could serve your network to that level. But the shortage of supply chain management talent is one of the most pressing challenges faced by the industry today, and it's becoming harder and harder for companies to find and retain these in-demand professionals. Plus, hiring is only one part of the equation. You need an on-going commitment to keep that staff well-trained, and if they leave, you must replace them and start the cycle all over again. When you choose a TMS provider that offers managed services, you can rely on them for the people-plus-technology approach so you have a consistent cache of expertise available.Finding the Right FitThere are several key factors to help you choose the provider that best fits your organizational strategy. When evaluating a managed services provider and the technology they deploy, it's important you understand the technology's ability to scale with your business growth. It's equally important to consider key features such as analytical capabilities needed to execute your organization strategy such as optimization, procurement, event and exception management, freight audit and payment, and business intelligence.A TMS selection should be seen as a long-term investment and relationship between your company and the provider. Therefore, you need to have a clear understanding of the provider's long-term roadmap for sustained (or increased) savings over time as well as a process for continuously identifying and achieving savings in additional areas. Also, what is their future technology and talent development pipeline, and does it meet your organization's future growth goals?Unlocking the True Potential of Transportation Management SystemBy Jordan Kass, President of TMC, a division of C.H. Robinson
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