---
title: "TMS Examples: Real-World Use Cases Across Industries | ShipperGuide"
description: Explore real-world Transportation Management System (TMS) examples and see how different industries use TMS to optimize logistics and shipping.
image: https://blog.shipperguide.com/hubfs/premium_photo-1664298540395-137026cd7dc9.avif
---
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# TMS Examples: Real-World Use Cases Across Industries
by [**Hal Koss**](https://blog.shipperguide.com/author/hal-koss)
Key Takeaways
- Food and beverage shippers use a TMS to protect freshness across the middle mile.
- Manufacturers use one to balance inbound materials against outbound finished goods.
- 3PLs and brokers run multi-client freight from a single system to cut redundancy.
- The strongest examples share one trait: fewer manual steps between quote and delivery.
[Transportation management systems](https://shipperguide.com/) directly intersect with logistics and supply chains. However, businesses in retail, manufacturing, and distribution are the ones that can benefit from TMS solutions the most. By leveraging a transportation management system, companies can streamline operations. Businesses with high shipment volumes can also scale operations efficiently.
In this article, we’ll share a few transportation management system examples and success stories. If you’re considering integrating a transportation management system (TMS), this post will showcase the benefits of TMS software and other solutions.
[](https://lp.shipperguide.com/tms-ebook)
## How Do Food and Beverage Shippers Use a TMS?
They use it to hold the middle mile together, keeping produce at temperature and on schedule between production sites and distribution centers.
Optimal logistics are vital in all sectors; however, since the [food and beverage industry](https://blog.shipperguide.com/food-beverage-smb-tms) deals with perishables, TMS platforms can play a vital role in their operations. Middle-mile logistics, the stage between production facilities and distribution centers, can be improved significantly with TMS tools. That includes optimizing routes, preserving proper temperatures, and meeting delivery timelines.
### Case Example: Food and Beverage Distribution
A national produce distributor implemented a cloud-based TMS. Their primary goal was to manage daily delivery routes across regional warehouses. Integration of temperature sensors and [real-time shipment tracking](https://blog.shipperguide.com/real-time-shipment-tracking) minimized spoilage and ensured goods stayed fresh. In addition to this achievement, this national produce distributor also managed to automate workflows and scheduling, as well as analyze recurring issues and inefficiencies.
> Key Takeaway: Accurate tracking and route automation lets food and beverage distributors achieve better freshness and reduce various costs. Improved visibility and better supplier coordination are additional benefits of integrating a TMS.
## Manufacturing and Distribution TMS Applications: Optimizing Inbound and Outbound Logistics
Manufacturers and distributors can significantly benefit from integrating a TMS. That’s because this solution allows them to optimize both inbound and outbound logistics. A manufacturer can use the features of a transportation management system to manage deliveries of raw materials and supplies.
In addition to being handy when coordinating inbound deliveries, manufacturing TMS functionalities can be used to manage shipments. Thanks to the analysis of [carrier performance](https://blog.shipperguide.com/carrier-scorecards), optimizations in capacity utilization, and automation of distribution management workflows, suppliers and manufacturers can achieve better supply chain agility.
### Coordinating Complex Supply Chains
Supply chains have become increasingly complex as companies push for maximum efficiency. However, this makes them more fragile and prone to disruptions. That’s why manufacturers need an innovative TMS to make their supply chains more flexible.
ShipperGuide is one transportation management system example that is used by producers, suppliers, and other companies with large shipment volumes. Our solution allows businesses to balance inbound material shipments with outbound finished goods distribution. Centralizing supplier data and schedules achieves this. Furthermore, automating processes and prioritizing shipments reduces the risk of bottlenecks.
### Improving Distribution Management Efficiency
Some of the key TMS use cases are related to the improvement of distribution efficiency. Here is how a transportation management system can do that:
- [Load consolidation](https://blog.shipperguide.com/load-consolidation-and-optimization) to assist in better load planning and maximum utilization of trailers.
- Managing carrier selection and picking optimal transportation modes.
- Enhancing communication between retailers, wholesale customers, facilities, plants, and other components of the supply chain.
> Key Takeaway: Lowering transportation costs and improving efficiency through workflow automation are among the best examples of why a TMS is a must-have.
[](https://loadsmart.navattic.com/pyrs026l)
## How Do 3PLs and Freight Brokers Use a TMS?
They use it to run many customers out of one system, standardizing how loads are priced, tendered, and tracked no matter whose freight it is.
Third-party logistics has become the preferred option for many businesses. [3PLs](https://blog.shipperguide.com/tms-for-3pl) and freight brokers rely on a TMS to manage multiple shippers and carriers. That requires a combination of flexibility and precision.
By integrating a modern 3PL TMS, companies in this sector can centralize transportation management and freight activities. Standardizing and automating workflows makes it easier for both 3PL companies and their customers to scale operations and manage complex supply chains.
### Centralizing Multi-Client Operations
One of the best TMS use cases when it comes to the 3PL industry is handling multi-client operations. A [transportation management system](https://blog.shipperguide.com/what-is-a-transportation-management-system) is a powerful platform that combines various processes. Using it to centralize multi-client operations can significantly improve 3PLs as it eliminates redundancies, allows tracking of inefficiencies, and streamlines coordination between shippers, drivers, and other parts of the supply chain.
### Freight Broker Software Capabilities
Billing automation, rate management, load board integrations, and carrier tracking make TMS solutions powerful freight brokers. [Consolidating pricing and market data](https://blog.shipperguide.com/tms-software) allows brokers to secure more competitive rates without manually checking multiple sources, which is one of the clearest differences between brokerage software and a TMS. And with real-time carrier tracking, shipment visibility improves, strengthening transparency and trust between all parties involved.
## Be ShipperGuide’s Next Success Story
ShipperGuide is a great example of a next-generation TMS. By integrating various innovations and functionalities, our solution can help shippers optimize their procurement, planning, and execution processes.
[](https://shipperguide.com/#request-a-demo)
## Frequently Asked Questions
### What Are Examples of Transportation Management Systems?
ShipperGuide is a great transportation management example that’s suitable for shippers in different sectors. Solutions offered by SAP, Oracle, or other large companies are also TMS examples.
### What’s the Best TMS System?
There is no single best TMS solution. Choosing the right option for your business depends on factors like business goals, logistics strategy, operational complexity, business type, and the currently used software.
### Which Industries Get the Most Out of a TMS?
Retail, manufacturing, distribution, food and beverage, and third-party logistics see the clearest gains. What those industries have in common is high shipment volume and freight decisions that repeat daily. The more often a decision is made, the more a system that standardizes it is worth.
Topics: [TMS](https://blog.shipperguide.com/tag/tms)
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