Algorithmic TMS tendering has undergone a remarkable evolution—from simple load matching to a sophisticated system that expertly balances cost, coverage, and efficiency. Yet, with progress comes a crowded TMS market, making differentiation more challenging than ever.

What sets the IntelliTrans TMS apart? As innovators in tendering technology, we’ve reshaped what’s possible, going far beyond the basics. While features like dock scheduling and predictive exception management are impressive, it’s our advanced tendering algorithm that truly redefines the standard.

IntelliTrans empowers shippers and brokers with unparalleled load visibility, using a structured, scalable process that optimizes coverage and cost. The outcome? Tangible savings and stronger carrier partnerships that drive success in today’s competitive landscape.

In fact, our approach delivers measurable results: the average cost savings for one carrier was $110 lower than the highest-cost carrier with visibility, yielding impressive savings in any market.

How Ever-Expansive TMS Tendering Works

In the early days, tendering was a labor-intensive process, relying on static rate sheets and manual bids that often resulted in inefficiencies and missed opportunities.

Today, tendering algorithms have revolutionized the process by utilizing real-time data and predictive analytics to:

• Dynamically optimize carrier selection.
• Expand carrier visibility, increasing load acceptance rates.
• More effectively balance cost and service KPIs.

Using algorithm templates, shippers and brokers set up automated tendering processes that control carrier visibility of loads and define the order in which they view them. Tendering can be as simple as auto-awarding loads to a private fleet or as complex as multiple tendering algorithms per customer and location, providing load visibility all the way from private fleets to spot bids and load boards.

The New Standard for Algorithmic TMS

IntelliTrans has set a new standard in algorithmic TMS tendering by continuously enhancing our system to tackle the complexities of the modern transportation market.

• Dynamic visibility expansion: Unlike traditional systems, our algorithm offers load visibility to a growing pool of carriers in a structured, prioritized order, enabling fair competition for loads.
• Industry differentiator: While many systems impose strict time limits, we maintain an open tendering window, reducing the chances of empty miles or missed deliveries.
• Tailored tendering strategies: Shippers and brokers gain unmatched flexibility with our tailored processes, ranging from least-cost tendering to customer-preferred carrier options. This ensures adaptability across diverse lanes and business needs.

As a result of these innovations, tenders are offered to carriers for a specific period during which they can accept or reject the load. Once a carrier rejects it, the system narrows the pool and sends the tender to additional carriers until the load is accepted.

IntelliTrans leverages a variety of tendering methods and strategies to align with a shipper’s needs, such as:

• Least-cost: Prioritize carriers offering the lowest rate on a specific lane, expanding the offer to others over a set timeframe.
• Auto award: Designate shipments directly to selected carriers or your own fleet.
• Allocations: Distribute volume based on agreed percentages (e.g., 60% to Carrier A, 40% to Carrier B) or predetermined load counts (e.g., 10 daily loads for Carrier A, five for Carrier B).
• Service-based: Utilize TMS carrier scorecards to assign loads based on KPIs like reliability and transit times.
• Customer-based: Tailor carrier selection to meet specific customer requirements (e.g., all shipments for Customer X must go with Carrier C).
• Spot bids: Invite carriers without existing rates on a lane to bid for the load.
• Spot networks: List loads on freight-matching platforms like DAT for additional carrier options.

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Proven Cost Savings in Action

Let’s explore an example offer timeline. At 11:30 AM, the IntelliTrans algorithm ensures all eligible carriers—up to Carrier D—can see the load. If Carrier B accepts the load, it results in $200 in cost avoidance ($1,200 to $1,000).

Many systems miss such opportunities by limiting visibility to a single carrier, but IntelliTrans ensures no savings are left on the table.

IntelliTrans Leads the Charge

As the transportation industry evolves, IntelliTrans drives innovation by integrating advanced algorithms for predictive accuracy, expanding data sets for real-time insights, and enhancing intuitive, customizable tools to give shippers and brokers, like you, greater control.

See the difference IntelliTrans can make for your business. Connect with an IntelliTrans TMS expert and discover how our algorithmic TMS can optimize your operations and boost your bottom line.