Managed transportation vs a TMS: you might not need both

A TMS is software you configure and manage. Managed transportation is a service that runs your freight for you. If you have a TMS already, we work alongside it. If you don't, you probably don't need one.

See how it works for your operation
TMS vs managed transportation

Nuvocargo is not a TMS. We're a managed transportation service — we plan, execute, and optimize your freight, whether or not you have a TMS in place.

0

Software to implement

No TMS purchase, no IT project, no change management program. We plug into your existing systems — ERP, spreadsheets, or whatever you use today — and start moving freight.

8 wks

From decision to live operations

Most TMS implementations take 6–18 months and cost $250K+. We're operationally live in 8 weeks — including lane setup, carrier onboarding, and reporting.

7%

Average freight cost reduction

Our customers reduce combined freight spend and admin costs by an average of 7% in year one — without replacing their carriers or buying new software.

1

Partner, not another platform

You don't need another dashboard. You need fewer freight problems. We provide the visibility, reporting, and optimization — and a team that's accountable for outcomes.

Have a TMS already?
We work with it, not against it.

How it works with or without a TMS

Managed transportation works whether you have a TMS or not

Deploy best practices to optimize your freight costs, including contract and spot bids, RFPs, and continuous benchmarking against market indexes.

Freight costs saving dashboard

Boost customer service metrics like OTIF and OTD with Nuvocargo’s end-to-end software, which holds carriers accountable for performance using reliable and actionable data.

Cargo truck

Automate tedious manual tasks with the latest artificial intelligence & software tools, freeing up more time for strategic decisions and reporting instead of putting out daily operational fires.

Generate customized reports, including customer service metrics by consignee, transit time by lane, carrier performance, and more, with our reporting & insights module.

Measure & offset your carbon emissions; meet your sustainability goals by deeply understanding your C02 exposure by load, customer, lane, and mode.

Centralize dozens of vendors into one with Nuvocargo; we manage your entire North American supply chain, covering carriers, customs brokers, warehouses, border providers, and more.

We've onboarded companies running enterprise TMS platforms and companies running freight on spreadsheets. The service is the same. We fill the gaps either way.

What we handle

What we handle

Planning, execution, payments, and reporting — run by our team, visible to yours.

If you have a TMS

We integrate with your existing TMS to add execution capacity, carrier relationships, and operational oversight. Your TMS keeps doing what it does. We handle what it can't.

If you don't have a TMS

You don't need to buy one. We provide real-time visibility, rate benchmarking, reporting, and freight execution through our platform — included in the service.

Ilustration of nuvocargo's alerts systemIlustration of nuvocargo's alerts system

Planning & procurement

We optimize your lanes, run your RFPs, and manage carrier relationships. You set the strategic direction. We handle the execution.

Ilustration of nuvocargo's alerts systemIlustration of nuvocargo's alerts system

Freight execution

Load tendering, tracking, exception management, and carrier communication — handled by our ops team around the clock.

Ilustration of nuvocargo's alerts systemIlustration of nuvocargo's alerts system

Reporting & benchmarking

Weekly and monthly reporting on cost per load, OTIF, carrier performance, and lane benchmarks. Data you can act on, not just admire.

Ilustration of nuvocargo's alerts systemIlustration of nuvocargo's alerts system
How we get started

From first conversation to live freight in 8 weeks

No IT project. No implementation team. No change management program. Just a structured onboarding that protects your operation.

1 Hour

Initial consultation to gain clarity on your needs and objectives

Day 1

Current state review — we map your lanes, volumes, carriers, and existing systems

Week 1

Systems check — we confirm how we'll connect with your TMS or ERP (or confirm you don't need one)

Week 2–3

Lane setup and carrier onboarding — we configure your top lanes and onboard preferred carriers

Week 4–5

First loads — we execute your first shipments and benchmark performance

Week 6–7

Reporting live — dashboards and benchmarks available for your team

Week 8

Full steady state — complete operations running, continuous improvement cycle begins

See how it works for your operation

Discover how Nuvocargo helped a global manufacturer achieve over 10% cost savings on yearly logistics spend and streamline its operation.

FAQs

Everything you need to know

How is Nuvocargo accountable for outcomes, rather than just providing software?

Nuvocargo is more than a software provider—we act as an extension of your team. That means we don’t just give you tools and dashboards; we actively manage execution, optimization, and day-to-day logistics operations. You can hold us accountable for key metrics like OTP, OTD, and freight budgets because we take ownership of tasks that impact your bottom line. Instead of simply offering visibility, we drive results—ensuring your shipments move efficiently and cost-effectively.

Do you sell your TMS as a standalone product?

No, Nuvocargo’s technology is not offered as a standalone software product. Our platform is part of our 4PL service, where our team operates alongside you to deliver measurable cost savings, service-level improvements, and full supply chain visibility.

Can Nuvocargo integrate with our existing TMS, ERP, or other systems?

Yes. We know that ripping and replacing systems isn’t practical, so Nuvocargo is built to work with the tools you already use. Our team collaborates closely with your IT and operations teams to ensure smooth, customized integrations that fit into your existing workflow. Whether it’s syncing shipment data with your ERP or integrating our Control Tower with your TMS, we make sure information flows seamlessly across your entire supply chain.

How would my logistics and other teams partner with Nuvocargo?

We work as an extension of your logistics and procurement teams, handling the heavy lifting so you can focus on strategic decisions. Our technology automates manual processes like load tendering, freight audits, and document management, while our team provides proactive insights to keep your supply chain optimized. During onboarding, we develop a tailored plan based on your business goals, ensuring that we’re aligned on key metrics from day one.

How does your pricing work?

Our pricing is flexible and designed to align with your goals. It scales with your needs, adjusts based on your freight volume, and incentivizes cost savings and service improvements. We’re not a SaaS subscription—we focus on delivering long-term value by optimizing your freight spend and improving operational performance.