If you have a shipping, freight or other cargo company that must move large amounts of product across an expansive range, then your company must have transportation and logistics database software. It will allow you to do everything from keep proper track of invoices, to track your shipments on the road, to even determining the fuel tax credit for the miles your trucks have traveled.

However, with so many transportation and logistics database software products on the market, it is imperative that you select the right one for your business. Take the time to learn a little about the different software applications so that you can decide which one will really enhance your business. Think of this tutorial as transportation and logistics database software for beginners.

1. Read up on the various applications and software solutions that freight broker software performs and determine how it can be integrated into your business.

2. Download a demo of transportation database software and start utilizing the software applications.

3. Receive training transportation and logistics database software programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Visit websites for transportation and logistics software to learn the functions of the software

When it comes to transportation logistics software, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the various applications that the software can perform. From calculating fuel tax, to keeping track of freight loads, to shipment arrival times and much more, take the time to see which applications would be a match for your business needs.

I recommend: Check out the website for the software produced by 3Sixty. Made by Transcore, they offer a myriad of transportation and logistics software solutions for your business. Also the software company Truck Master Logistics Systems makes several freight brokerage software programs.

Request a demo of logistics database software

Because the software market is full of companies vying for your business, many of them offer free downloads of their software so that you can test it before purchasing. Take the time to use the software and really see if the applications will be helpful to your business. It may take some time to find the right one, but once you do, the software will help bolster your businesses bottom line by highlighting where costs can be saved and profits increased.

I recommend: Visit the website for Tailwind Management Systems. They offer a free download of their software product. Just fill out some simple contact information and you'll be provided the download. Virtual Dispatch, another manufacturer of several transportation brokerage software programs, also offers a free download of their programs after filling out some contact information.

Get trained in transportation and logistics database software applications

Now that you've narrowed your software search to a few programs, it's time to receive training in the one that you think would be the best asset to your business. Ease of use and implementation should be your goals when selecting the product. Many of these software companies offer training via webinars, online videos, and off-site and on-site seminars. Depending on the size of your work force, determine which training method is best for your employees.

I recommend: Visit the website for Melton Technology. They offer several software applications dealing with transportation databases and logistics as well as training for that software online, at their facility or at your company office. Also, Aljex Software offers webinars and videos for its software solutions to help train employees.

If you own a transportation business, you're likely in the market for transportation database software. Your business has been profitable. However, you’ve noticed that your employees have lost invoices. The result is that you’re trying to find them under piles of forms, contracts, and other papers.

Using transportation and logistics database software will put an end to this nightmare. It will help you streamline your workflow, cut costs, and increase your productivity. Your dispatchers also will create better routing schedules. Here are some of the functions you can do with transportation and logistics database software:

1. Calculate fuel tax with transportation database software.

2. Use transportation brokerage software to do your billing.

3. Apply logistics database software to do dispatching.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use transportation database software to calculate fuel tax

There's no need to calculate your tax by hand. Let your transportation database software tool do the hard work for you. If drivers forget to turn in their trip sheets, you might have to spend time trying to reconstruct the length of the. As a result, productivity suffers and the extra effort cost your business money and time. Another detail you might have to handle occurs if your driver is out of state; you'll have to calculate that state tax. A transport database software application will eliminate these headaches.

I recommend: 3city TransCore offers a web-based freight broker software application that tracks your fuel and mileage. When you need reports, this freight broker software tool prints various summary reports. Prophesy Transportation Solutions also makes transportation database software designed to get rid of trip sheets. It also offers reporting capabilities.

Perform your billing with transportation and logistics database software

Save time by using transportation and logistics database software to do billing and invoicing. A good transportation brokerage software application will cut down on paper and save you money. You'll have no more need to send paper invoices, which can become lost in the mail or at your office.

I recommend: Infinity Software Solutions makes logistics database software that is designed to be easy to use. It strives to increase your cash flow. You’ll want to check out PowerTrack, another logistics database software company. Not only will you no longer have to create paper invoices, but you won’t have to create paper checks.

Dispatch your employees using transportation logistics software

Dispatching can be a complicated and time-consuming task. However, if you use logistics management software, it will help you streamline this task. A good logistics database application will automate tasks that are usually performed manually, such as routing assignments.

I recommend: Cheetah Software Systems makes logistics software solutions designed to increase productivity for your business. The company’s software automates many of your manual tasks. LOG-NET develops advanced dispatching software that is in real time.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you get technical support with your logistics database company. The company should provide 24/7 online technical support.

Working with transportation and logistics database software will improve your business’ productivity and reduce costs. You no longer have to sift through papers, such as contracts and invoices, to try to find that customer’s order. Instead, all you need to do is enter the customer’s name, and the logistics database software will retrieve that order right away.

Logistics management software encompasses several areas, such as packaging, transportation, inventory, and warehousing. You can learn about them by going to the software company’s website and viewing demos. When it comes to working with transportation and logistics database software, watch demos on how to:

1. Understand transportation database software.

2. Use freight broker software to run a strong freight business.

3. Become proficient at dispatching by employing logistics management software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how to use transportation database software

Transportation logistics software enables you to develop and manage geographic data sets or make and tailor maps to your preferences. Watching demos can show you how to use the features, such as buffering, polygon overlay, and geocoding. Transportation and logistics database software will ensure that you're complying with both federal and states' requirements.

I recommend: TransCAD offers comprehensive logistics software solutions. Watch the demo to learn how to construct and manage geographic data sets. You will also understand how to perform spatial analysis. Ryte Byte also has logistics database software applications. You can watch demos or learn how to use the applications by using screen shots.

Operate an effective freight business with freight broker software

Learn about the different modules that make up the logistics database software. Demos will show you how the different features work, such as creating and emailing reports and forms, as well as automatic rating systems. In addition, you'll learn how to use administrative and billing functions.

I recommend: Logisuite has a logistics database that contains several modules, such as Air Freight Import, Ocean Freight Import, and Domestic Freight. Request a demo to become familiar with these modules. Learn about its features, such as advance search and filters. Carrier Logistics also makes logistics management software to help reduce costs and enhance customer service.

Improve your dispatching operations by using software for logistics

Watching demos can teach you how to use the different functions of dispatching software, such as automated faxing and emailing features. You will learn how to set up various pick-ups and drop-offs. Demos will show you how to save the driving directions and maps, based on the particular shipper.

I recommend: ArcFleet Software Systems offers comprehensive dispatching logistics database software. Learn how to create trip envelopes that will enable you to choose load orders, tractors, trailers, and drivers. Virtual Dispatch has a web-based software tool that allows your customers to trace their shipments and confirm shipment status and delivery.

Transportation and logistics database software can help to increase productivity and streamline operations for transportation and manufacturing companies. Some functions of the software programs include ensuring compliance with government regulations, assistance with finding carriers or loads, creating routing schedules, managing loads and preparing invoices. Get to know key terminology used in transportation and logistics database software as well as general database terms to compare the various solutions that are available.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Carrier compliance monitoring

Carrier compliance monitoring is a feature of many transportation and logistics database software solutions. It allows companies to investigate carriers before hiring them and monitor current carriers. This reduces legal risk and saves time on finding and validating carriers.

I recommend: Review carrier compliance monitoring tools from TransCore 3Sixty for more information.

ACE compliance

The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is a commercial trade processing system under development by the Department of Homeland Security. ACE will require carriers to submit electronic manifests to United States Customs at specific deadlines before shipments arrive.

I recommend: See Virtual Dispatch for information about ACE compliant systems.

Load boards

Load board sites contain databases of manufacturers and direct shippers that have loads available for trucking companies and individual operators. Users can view companies sorted by features such as type of load, location and number of employees. Many load board sites are free, while others require paid membership.

I recommend: See BigRigCentral for more information about load boards and a comparison of free and paid sites.

Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)

Most transportation and logistics database software uses a relational database management system (RDBMS). RDBMS is a program that allows users to access a relational database. Some popular RDBMS systems include Microsoft SQL server and Oracle.

I recommend: Read more about Relational Database Management Systems at TechTarget.

Client-server architecture

Client-server architecture is a foundation of many database programs. Databases reside on a server in a client-server environment. Computers or workstations normally provide the processing power to open database applications and access the data that is stored on the server. A database software solution that is based on client-server architecture will require a server with enough hard drive capacity to hold the data.

I recommend: See WiseGeek for more information about client-server architecture.

ODBC

Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is an interface that allows external applications, like word processing or spreadsheet programs, to easily access information from various database systems.

I recommend: See Microsoft for more information about ODBC.