The path to a fully integrated transportation management system (TMS) is easier than you think. We'll help you weigh the pros and cons (well, if we can find any) of connecting to our TMS, so your logistics moves more efficiently.
When a vendor talks to you about integration, I bet you break out in a cold sweat. Because you’ve been there before, and it didn't work. It was downright daunting.
Let’s turn that page.
While most technology providers have focused solely on integration with the carrier and created a one-size-fits-all integration with clients with clients, we’ve approached this in reverse.
First, we figured out how to integrate with any Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system our clients might use to unify their various business functions and processes. Then, we worked downstream to carrier integrations.
Our API (Application Programming Interface, basically how our system talks to yours) is about you and your system. It's intended to be fast and easy to use, allowing you to work within your system and our TMS seamlessly without giving up any internal processes integral to your business. And it lives up to expectations.
Freight API requests and responses, but why?
The API builds an interface between our two systems by defining how the two communicate with each other using requests and responses. It’s a contract of service on how the data will be shared. But why is this important?
First, let’s take a moment to look at the benefits of using IL2000’s TMS to streamline and optimize your operations, including load planning, carrier selection, route optimization, shipment tracking and payment.
For a deep dive, peruse the blog, “Five reasons IL2000’s TMS is best in class.” For the highlights, read on.
A TMS brings a wealth of benefits to your operations, your team, and your bottom line, including:
- Reduced freight expenses
- Route planning and optimization
- Real-time freight tracking
- Carrier management
- Rate comparison
- Improved customer service
- Freight audit and payment
- Analytics and reporting
And the best part? Our TMS is entirely free. It's just the way we do business. Using it comes at no charge. That also means that integrating to our TMS is also free. We never charge for something that facilitates our collaboration. It’s how we create a successful partnership for both us and our clients.
How easy is it to use the IL2000 freight API, really?
Super easy. Here’s why.
Super easy. Here’s why.
Our APIs are ERP agnostic. They work no matter what system you have in play. The API works by providing an endpoint for your own systems to use. Through advanced functions, we turn traditional manual processes of integration into a seamless activity.
Our integration rules are customizable. We’re not going to force a way of working on you. If needed, we will switch around our processes and spend our own money to tailor the API. This is why we exist and how we built an award-winning customer experience. But the concept is always the same:
- You input the data, the API pulls the shipment record into our TMS, and the TMS finishes the shipment. Simply put, you input the order, and our system creates the shipment.
- Your ERP calls our TMS for carrier routing data, including rate, carrier, and tracking info.
- After the shipment information is created, we augment that data from the TMS to your ERP.
Data is always current. Since we use a RESTful API, the connection is secure, and the data is stateless, ensuring the information is always up to date.
On average, it takes about two weeks of work plus some testing to get this up and running. As with most web applications, we test the connections relentlessly to ensure every activity is properly shared with our systems and vice versa.
Overall, four to six weeks is a good bet. That's all it takes. We’ll send you test credentials and documentation so you can profile. This creates a unique identifier so the systems can talk to each other. We'll collaborate with you, offer direction, test with you, and send sample data. If it doesn't work how we both want, we'll build a better way.
If you wish, we can start with something small and manageable and expand until we've integrated all the functionalities you need. Any subsequent API is even faster and easier to set up.
We have a long history of success integrating with all types of client businesses, so we can guide you through this process. We understand how you feel now, but we know you’ll be surprised at how quick and easy integration will be.
It couldn't be simpler. Once integration is complete, you can do anything in our TMS via API.
Why integrate via our shipping API?
If you’ve never considered integration before, here’s what you’re missing:
- Eliminated manual data entry and reduced errors
- End-to-end shipment visibility
- Improved resource utilization
- Cost reduction
In one word – simplicity. Integrating with our TMS brings simplicity to your supply chain and transportation management.
Let’s break down the many benefits.
Enhance your operational efficiency by optimizing transportation processes and automating critical tasks. This eliminates time-consuming manual operations and reduces human error.
Bring scalability and flexibility into your operations, so you can adapt to changing business needs. The data integration across your supply chain connects procurement, order management, inventory, finance, and transportation functions.
Reduce supply chain costs and increase revenue by streamlining operations processes, comparing carriers, accessing negotiated rates, and gaining insights on total supply chain costs.
Improve efficiency by saving time on automated tasks and spotting opportunities, such a load consolidation.
Boost customer satisfaction by providing accurate, real-time information on order status, shipment tracking, and delivery schedules. Better yet, you can proactively resolve issues by addressing delays and problems before they become problems.
The freight API handshake
A free, and easily integrable TMS is such a crucial part of a well-working logistics partnership. It automates time-consuming and error-prone entries, facilitates instant real-time information, offers end-to-end visibility, and improves resource utilization.
Behind that easy-to-use management system stands our consulting team, who negotiate carrier contracts and manage those relationships, interpret your BI data, and audit and pay your freight invoices. They’re dedicated to the continuous improvement of your business.
Talk to a consultant about the benefits of using our API to integrate your shipping process with IL2000’s TMS.