How BuyCo Enhances Your Transport Management System (TMS)
In the fast-evolving world of global supply chain management, businesses rely on Transport Management Systems (TMS) to optimize planning, execution, and freight management across multiple transportation modes. While TMS platforms are indispensable for road, rail, and air freight operations, they often fall short in addressing the unique complexities of ocean shipping. This is where BuyCo steps in as a powerful, complementary solution.
The Gaps in TMS for Ocean Freight
Traditional TMS platforms were designed primarily to handle road transportation and general freight management. As a result, ocean freight is typically managed as a secondary feature, with key processes treated as manual data entries. For instance, a TMS often provides static sailing schedules and lacks the ability to integrate directly with shipping lines for live updates, booking workflows, and operational tracking.
Key limitations of traditional TMS in ocean shipping include:
Disconnected Scheduling: Sailing schedules are static and uploaded periodically, leading to outdated information.
Limited Tracking: Ocean freight tracking lacks real-time updates, forcing teams to rely on separate systems.
Manual Bookings: Booking processes are manual, requiring templates or PDFs sent via email.
Operational Gaps: No support for managing booking amendments, Shipping Instructions, VGM declaration, blank sailings, rollovers, or live shipping line confirmations.
How BuyCo Complements TMS Platforms
BuyCo is purpose-built to handle the intricacies of container shipping, making it a perfect companion to your TMS. By seamlessly integrating with TMS platforms, BuyCo bridges the gaps and supercharges ocean freight management.
Real-Time Ocean Freight Management
BuyCo connects directly with a network of shipping lines, enabling live updates for vessel schedules, booking confirmations, and operational milestones. This reduces manual effort and enhances accuracy.
Comprehensive Booking Workflows
Advanced Container Tracking
BuyCo offers real-time visibility into the entire container lifecycle, from the origin of departure to the final destination. BuyCo smart tracking engine collects tracking data from several sources including shipping lines APIs and others, and selects the most accurate data allowing businesses to manage exceptions proactively and reduce costly delays.
Enhanced Collaboration
BuyCo simplifies collaboration between internal teams and external stakeholders, such as carriers and freight forwarders. The platform ensures that everyone has access to the same real-time information.
Collaboration with shipping lines: BuyCo is connected to all shipping lines and manages purpose-built container shipping workflows such as booking, shipping instructions and VGM declaration to streamline communication between your transport team and shipping lines customer service teams.
Collaboration with 3PLs / Freight Forwarders: Buyco with 3PLs systems so your team can exchange transport orders, booking confirmations, and shipping updates with your 3PLs in one unified portal. No more juggling emails, spreadsheets, and phone calls.
Collaboration with your customers / consignees: BuyCo is a SaaS platform where you can invite all participants to share live updates of shipments. Your customers at destination can connect to BuyCo to see the booking status or real-time tracking of the containers they expect to receive.
How BuyCo Complements TMS Platforms
1. Sales Order Creation in ERP:
The ERP generates a sales orders including product, quantities and customer location details.
2. Transport Order Creation in TMS:
The TMS generates a freight unit details based on the Sales Order definition. This typically includes the number and type of containers required to ship the goods.
3. Ocean Freight Booking in BuyCo:
Live vessel schedules are accessed, and bookings are managed seamlessly.
4. Data Sync:
Key updates, such as container numbers and shipment status, are pushed back into the TMS.
5. Real-Time Tracking:
BuyCo monitors container movements and updates the TMS with critical tracking milestones.
The Synergy Between TMS and BuyCo
Together, TMS and BuyCo provide a holistic solution for global logistics. TMS platforms excel in strategic multimodal planning, freight procurement, and financial settlement, while BuyCo enhances operational efficiency and visibility in ocean freight. By working in tandem, these systems reduce manual workloads, optimize costs, and improve on-time delivery.
Key Benefits:
Labor Savings: Streamlined operations reduce administrative due to the complexity of container shipping.
Cost Optimization: Minimized demurrage and detention fees.
Improved Visibility:Real-time tracking and collaboration for better decision-making.
BuyCo doesn’t replace your TMS—it makes it better. By addressing the unique challenges of ocean freight, BuyCo enables businesses to manage container shipping operations faster and more effectively. If your TMS struggles with ocean shipping, BuyCo is the perfect complement to help you navigate the complexities of global trade with confidence.
Ready to streamline your supply chain?
Set up a personal demo and see how BuyCo will transform your ocean transportation