What is the best logistics software for my business?

Every logistics business is unique— with different services offered, geographical areas covered, and customer needs met. This is why finding the best logistics software can vary between businesses. To find the best warehouse and transport logistic software for your business, you need to consider who you are, who you service, and how you want to grow. 

To find the best fit right now — and for the future — here are 5 things key decision-makers need to consider when choosing the best logistics software. 

In this 4-minute read, you’ll learn the top 5 things to consider when finding the best logistics software for your business — and in choosing your WMS or TMS software provider. 

We will explore how to select features and workflows for your operations and how to find the best support and training offered by software providers (will they actually pick up your call when you need them?). We will also look at the ease of implementation, speed of ROI, and scalability for future growth. 

1. Future-proof your business with access to updates and new features

One of the exciting benefits of having a cloud-based WMS and TMS system is the ability to outsource system updates and maintenance. 

This means you know your system remains secure and up to date at all times, and you have access to new software updates and features to keep you ahead of the competition. 

For the very best logistics software, think cloud-based SaaS! Choosing cloud-based WMS and TMS provider gives you the added security of having a team of dedicated specialists working on improving your system every day. 

At CartonCloud, we put our users at the centre of everything we do, including helping them provide ideas for enhancements and new features through our ideas portal. 

2. Choose an expert supplier with top-rated support

Expert support and advice are absolutely paramount. Your supplier's expertise will impact your experience with your software in a range of ways—from your first conversations to explore the features and pricing options to onboarding and correct implementation, advising on workflow optimization, and helping you troubleshoot any questions you have. 

You need a provider with world-class support — and the best way to find the best logistics software is through looking at customer ratings, Google reviews, and customer stories.  

Your WMS and TMS logistics software is the backbone of your business and all operations — it needs to be reliable. Whether you've got a small team or a large team, you'll be depending heavily on the software to meet expectations, and you need to know that your provider is there for you if you need them. 

3. Say yes to new opportunities with flexibility and scalability

So you have a feature-rich system and a great support team — what’s next? Can you grow with this system? 

It’s important to know your system has the capability of scaling up with your business growth, with not only the WMS features you need right now — but the features you may need in the future to say yes to new customers and business opportunities. 

Growing warehouses and logistics businesses need the ability to scale, by fulfilling higher volumes, and/or offering new services to win new business. (We explore the importance of scalability and flexibility in our article on how to find the right WMS for small businesses). 

In searching for the best logistics software for a growing 3PL, you want to make sure you have the opportunity to scale with increased customers, SKU #s and order volumes, and to add new services within your current system, to offer diversified revenue streams. This might be adding some transport services to your warehouse offering, or adding storage and handling to your transport business. 

It could even be adding specific workflows like cross-docking for last mile optimization — or ad hoc services like custom packaging or specific handling of inventory (for this, you will want to have flexible automated rate cards to capture all billable charges). 

4. See ROI faster, with fast Implementation (in days, not months!)

A major hurdle that can often prevent logistics managers from getting their new system up and running is the time taken to implement and set up. 

You want to see the benefits of your new system as soon as possible — accessing the automated workflows, harnessing new features, and removing manual data entry — and this means being able to onboard your business data, customer information and your team’s training — as soon as possible. 

This is why it’s so important to find a WMS and TMS software provider with fast and easy implementation. 

What to look for in the best logistics software implementation: Minimal disruption and a quick transition period should apply. When looking for the best logistics software fit for your business, you should — 

• Ask about the average implementation time (at CartonCloud our average implementation is six hours!)
• Inquire about training for you and your team (will you have a dedicated implementation specialist to onboard and access to online training for your team?)
• Ensure software features and workflows well documented in a knowledge base to help you with questions and troubleshooting, should the need arise
  

5. Online training for your entire team

Finally, your software is only as good as your use of it. To find the best software solution for your growing warehouse or transport business, you need to explore the system’s ease of use — and training requirements. 

At CartonCloud, we provide a dedicated implementation specialist to each new customer, so you get expert advice and support at every step of the way. What’s more, you and your team can also explore all features and workflows in our well-documented online Knowledge Base CartonCloud Help, and access our online learning academy to master your system in days!

Explore our suite of online training videos, keep up to date with new features in our monthly round-ups, master training with detailed online courses and modules, or explore features at your own page in our knowledge base. 

Next steps

Ask for a demonstration or software tour. Once you’ve done the initial research to explore the features you want, the team and other customer reviews, the best way to find the best logistics software for your business is to see it in action. 

CartonCloud offers FREE, obligation-free software demos with our experienced team, to walk you trough the software features that apply to your business needs and workflows. We know your time is precious which is why we call before hand to ask you about your business needs, your current pain points or frustrations, and your growth aspirations — and then the demo is tailored to your needs, so you can explore exactly how our solution can help you scale and grow. 

Want to know more?

CartonCloud is created by logistics people for logistics people.

Get in touch with our friendly team today to book a FREE Demo at a time that suits you. See our software in action, talk to our experienced team about your operations and services, and find out how CartonCloud can help you revolutionize your operations with ease.