TMS or ELD which is Trucking Software?

A TMS (Transportation Management System) and an ELD (Electronic Logging Device) are both types of trucking software, but they serve different purposes within the realm of the trucking and transportation industry.

1. TMS (Transportation Management System): A TMS is a comprehensive software platform designed to manage various aspects of transportation and logistics operations. It helps trucking companies, shippers, and logistics providers streamline their processes, optimize routes, manage carriers, track shipments, and analyze performance. A TMS is more focused on the broader management and optimization of the entire transportation process.

Key features of a TMS for trucking companies include order management, load planning, carrier selection, freight brokerage, route optimization, shipment tracking, Invoicing and reporting.

2. ELD (Electronic Logging Device): An ELD, on the other hand, is a specific type of trucking software that focuses on regulatory compliance related to drivers’ hours of service (HOS). It involves using hardware devices that are connected to a truck’s engine to electronically record and report driving hours, rest periods, and other related data. ELDs are primarily used to ensure that commercial drivers are adhering to hours of service regulations to prevent fatigue-related accidents and maintain driver safety.

Key features of an ELD include automatic logging of driving hours, real-time synchronization with the driver’s mobile device or a display in the vehicle’s cab, and generation of reports for compliance with regulatory authorities.

In summary, while both TMS and ELD are types of trucking software, a TMS covers a broader range of transportation management functions, while an ELD specifically focuses on electronic logging and compliance with hours of service regulations. Depending on the needs of a trucking company, they might use either one or both of these software solutions to effectively manage their operations and ensure regulatory compliance. ELD does need a hardware component to run in the trucks, so if there was to be a winner TMS is usually a pure Software as a Service so would win the prize.