All About Our TMS

FreightCenter's Transportation Management System, what is it and how does it work?

FreightCenter.com's transportation management system is an evolutionary system designed to help your business become a leader in transportation logistics.

Transportation Management System Sales Manager, Joel Levey has been hard at work launching our innovative TMS System.  “We’re allowing our software purchasers to manage their parcel and non-parcel transportation capabilities the same way that we do,“ he said. 

“Our TMS system is the reason we’ve seen 135% growth in the past three years, and now we’re allowing other companies to use our exact technology.  

Imagine if Google suddenly opened its books for a small fee, allowing other search engines the ability to duplicate their engineering. That is basically what we’re doing.” 

TMS offers complete back-end technology that includes custom rates, automated quoting, booking scheduling, tracking, and a built-in CRM system.  View this QnA with Joel Levey and find out how it can help your business.

Q: In lamens terms, what is your Transportation Management System? 
A: It's a system that allows you to quote and book, in real time LTL and Truckload freight shipments.  It also allows you to track and trace over a web based platform that is one of the best offered in the industry.

Q: What types of businesses can benefit from utilizing this system and what kind of returns can they expect?
A: Any one who does any kind of freight shipping on a regular basis.  Brokers, mfr's, and freight forwarders our some of our best clients.  It saves time money and makes booking freight easy and seamless.

Q: Do you think that an entrepreneur that has not had experience in the transportation industry could utilize your system?
A: Absolutely! However, like any business, you must put time and effort into finding the customers.  Our system makes the process of signing up customers and booking freight very easy and quick.

Q: Are all transportation management systems the same, and what makes your TMS unique? 
A: Our interface is the best in the industry, and can be custom fit to meet your needs.  With our system we also give you a fully branded website package to help start up your website, so customers can book freight, online, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Q: How does your licensing work?
A: Our agreements are year to year. It's a simple contract with all the details of expectations from FreightCenter.com, as well as all fees and charges.

Q: If I have never used a system like this before, how can I get support or training? 
A: We offer a full staff to assist with support and train once the contract has been finalized.  We are open 8a.m-11p.m. Monday through Friday, and even have staff here on Saturday to help with support.


Q: What’s the best way to learn more about FreightCenter.com’s Transportation Management System?
A: Call me or send me an email for a brief 20 minute demo online.  You can call me at 727-450-7800 Ext. 1106 or email me at jlevey@freightcenter.com and I would be happy to schedule a live demo of our system.

How to Manage the Cost of Shipping Freight

FreightCenter.com polled random freight users asking them the reasons they decide not to book a shipment with a freight company.  The top two answers were 1. I was not ready to ship my item and 2. The cost to ship my item was too high.  Our entire operation is designed to find you the best shipping prices available, and we do!  For a first time shipper understanding how to manage the cost of shipping can be difficult.  Here are some tips for making sure that you get the best and most accurate price available.
1. Know your destination and pick up locations.
Locations with a lift gate, forklift or loading dock can save you money.  A general rule of thumb is the less time and energy it takes the freight shipper, the less costs you'll pay for your shipment.  Another element that effects costs is whether your shipping to a residence or a corporation.  Some neighborhoods don't allow large service trucks to drop off freight, thus creating an additional charge.  A freight agent can't quote you accurately unless you are able to deliver this information.  Customer complaints could easily be turned into customer savings by understanding your pick up and drop off locations.

2.  Know your weight and dimensions.
We operate in the world of freight.  Although we do have numerous partners that provide moving services.  Choosing transportation via freight requires a little homework on your part.  It's very important to know your weight AFTER packaging, as well as the exact dimensions of your items AFTER packaging.  We provide quotes for your shipment based on the the weight and dimensions you provide us.  To avoid a rebill accuracy is important!

3.  We judge a book by it's cover....packaging matters!
Packaging your items the correct way is vital to ensure your items get to their location safely and on time.  Did you also know it can save you money?  Items should be crated and palletized, as well as packed with extra cushioning for more fragile items like furniture.  Please visit our packaging blog to find additional freight packaging tips.

4.  Watch your add-ons.
Make sure that you're not signing up for services that you don't need.  Overnight shipping or guaranteed shipping, while convenient can be more costly.  Negotiate your shipping price well in advance and make sure that your items are ready to go on the day you choose.


5.  Give your broker as much information as possible.
Your freight broker is able to help you based on your specific needs.  Have questions, just call! The more information that you give him/her, the best price they will be able to offer you.  Let's say you are shipping several small packages to various locations in the same city.  Instead of having the freight company drop off your individual packages, it may be in your  best interest to drop off your freight in one location and then use a parcel shipper to distribute your items.  Logistics is what we do, whether it's a combination of LTL and truckload or rail, air, or ocean, let us find the best combination for your shipment.

Want to learn more about freight shipping? 
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Why Should I Use A Freight Logistics Company

Freight logistics companies have agreements with the freight carriers and search for the right availability based on price and customer requirements. Companies like Freightcenter.com can manage everything from one shipment to your entire supply chain.

Roadway Express, AAA Cooper, and R&L Carriers are a few of the many National freight carriers available. Third party freight logistics companies do not touch the freight, they provide the service of helping shippers find the best price with the best carrier for truck load and less than truckload (LTL) shipments.

Many shippers ask me how better rates can be offered through freight logistics companies than through the freight carriers directly. This is due to the volume of shipments that the freight brokers bring the freight carriers. The more shipments booked for them, the better the discount offered to the freight logistics company. In turn the less frequent shipper can obtain lower rates going this route.

Other reasons to use a freight broker besides lower rates are customer service and ease of setting up shipments. Most of the larger freight logistics companies have agents assigned to accounts who will take care of shipment from start to finish. The shipper does not have to dispatch or track the shipment, this is all done by the logistics agent. Also, many freight logistics companies have booking software available to the shipper for booking online shipments. Booking a shipment online eliminates the time spent waiting on hold.