# Transport management system (TMS) development > A transport management system (TMS) plans, executes and settles freight movements: order intake, load and route planning, carrier selection and rates, dispatch, tracking, proof of delivery, freight audit and billing. Infikey builds custom TMS platforms for shippers, 3PLs and transporters. Typical builds cost USD 40,000–100,000. Plan loads, choose carriers, track every shipment and bill freight accurately, in one system connected to your ERP and carriers. - **Budget:** USD 40k–100k (INR 32–80 lakh) - **Modes:** FTL, PTL/LTL, courier, multimodal - **Users:** Planners, carriers, drivers, customers ## TMS modules | Module | What it does | |---|---| | Order management | Orders from ERP, portal, email or API; consolidation and splitting | | Planning | Load building, vehicle type selection, route planning and multi-drop sequencing | | Carrier management | Carrier onboarding, contracts, rate cards, spot quotes and auctions | | Dispatch and tracking | Vehicle placement, GPS or SIM-based tracking, milestones and exceptions | | Proof of delivery | ePOD with photos, signatures and OTP, damage and shortage capture | | Freight audit and billing | Rate validation, detention and extra charges, carrier payables, customer invoices | | Analytics | Cost per kg or km, on-time delivery, carrier scorecards, lane analysis | ## Integrations - **ERP**: SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Tally, Zoho and Odoo for orders and invoices. - **Tax and compliance**: GST e-way bills and e-invoices in India; VAT invoicing in the UAE and UK. - **Tracking**: GPS devices, telematics platforms and SIM-based tracking with driver consent. - **Carriers**: courier and freight carrier APIs for rates, bookings, labels and tracking. - **Customers**: tracking pages, notifications and EDI or API feeds for large customers. ## Cost | Scope | Budget (USD) | Budget (INR) | |---|---|---| | Dispatch and tracking with ePOD and customer tracking links | 20,000–40,000 | 16–32 lakh | | Full TMS with planning, carriers, freight audit and billing | 40,000–100,000 | 32–80 lakh | | Freight marketplace or brokerage platform | 60,000–140,000 | 50 lakh–1.15 crore | Compare build and subscription costs with the [build vs buy calculator](https://infikeytechnologies.com/tools/build-vs-buy-software-calculator). ## Where a TMS saves money - Better load consolidation means fewer vehicles for the same freight. - Rate validation catches carrier overbilling before payment. - Carrier scorecards move volume to reliable, cost-effective partners. - Digital proof of delivery shortens the time from delivery to invoice. - Exception alerts let teams act before a late delivery becomes a lost customer. ## Project blueprint: Transport management system for a freight forwarder Based on the requirements we hear most often from buyers like this. A freight forwarder books trucks through a mix of own vehicles and market carriers. Load planning happens on calls, freight rates live in spreadsheets, and proof of delivery arrives on paper days after delivery, which delays billing. What we would build: - Order intake from customers by portal, API and email - Load planning and carrier selection with rate cards - Trip tracking through GPS and driver app - Electronic proof of delivery with photos and signatures - Freight billing, carrier settlement and customer portal How success is measured: - Time from delivery to invoice - Freight cost against customer rate (margin per trip) - On-time delivery rate by customer and carrier - Dispatch team time spent on calls ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between a TMS and fleet management software? Fleet management software focuses on your own vehicles: tracking, fuel, maintenance and drivers. A TMS focuses on freight: orders, planning, carriers, rates, delivery proof and billing, whether vehicles are owned or hired. Many transporters need both, connected. ### Can a TMS work with hired vehicles and market trucks? Yes. Hired vehicles can be tracked through SIM-based tracking with driver consent or a simple driver app, and trips are settled with brokers or owners inside the TMS. ### How is a TMS rolled out? In phases, so dispatch and tracking go live first, followed by planning, carrier management and billing. 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Last updated: 2026-10-19 Get an estimate: https://infikeytechnologies.com/contact Cost figures are planning ranges, not quotes. Final scope and price are confirmed after discovery.