Transport & Logistics Software Development

Custom logistics software typically costs $80,000-$400,000+ depending on complexity. Basic TMS with carrier management and tracking starts around $80k-$120k. Fleet management platforms with telematics integration range $100k-$200k. Comprehensive WMS handling multiple facilities typically $150k-$300k. Cost factors include integrations (ERP, telematics, carriers), custom business logic, mobile apps, compliance features (ELD, CoR). Most clients see ROI within 12-18 months through efficiency gains and reduced manual processes. For perspective, off-the-shelf SaaS costs $200k-$500k+ over 5 years due to per-user and per-vehicle fees.

TMS manages freight movement and carrier relationships: rate shopping, load planning, carrier selection, shipment tracking, freight payment. Serves shippers, 3PLs, freight brokers. WMS optimizes warehouse operations: receiving, putaway, inventory, picking, packing, shipping. Uses barcode scanning and mobile devices. Fleet Management manages owned vehicles and drivers: GPS tracking, maintenance scheduling, fuel management, driver safety, HOS/ELD compliance. Many companies need multiple systems working together. We often build integrated platforms combining TMS, fleet management, WMS in a single system, eliminating data silos and duplicate entry.

Typical delivery is 12-16 weeks from project kickoff to live deployment. Includes requirements analysis (2 weeks), system design (1-2 weeks), development (6-8 weeks), testing (2-3 weeks), training and deployment (1 week). Simpler solutions like route optimization or basic fleet tracking deliver in 8-10 weeks. Complex 3PL platforms with extensive carrier integrations may take 20-24 weeks. We use phased delivery: launch core capabilities quickly then add advanced features in subsequent phases. Delivers value faster while building toward complete vision. Timeline factors include integration complexity, custom business logic, mobile apps, data migration.

Yes, we integrate with all major telematics providers including Geotab, Samsara, Verizon Connect, Teletrac Navman, Trimble, KeepTruckin (Motive), Omnitracs. Integrations pull real-time GPS location, vehicle diagnostics, driver behavior data, HOS information, fuel consumption into your fleet management or dispatch system. Use official APIs for reliable, supported integrations. Enables real-time dispatch with live vehicle locations, automated compliance monitoring pulling HOS data from ELDs, maintenance scheduling triggered by diagnostic trouble codes, fuel management, safety management analyzing harsh braking and speeding. Can integrate with custom IoT hardware for specialized tracking needs.

Yes, we build transport software for both US and Australian markets with jurisdiction-specific compliance. US operations: FMCSA HOS regulations, ELD mandate with certified ELD integration, DOT safety management and CSA score tracking, IFTA mileage tracking and fuel tax reporting, HAZMAT compliance. Australian operations: Chain of Responsibility (CoR) management with fatigue tracking, Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) compliance, mass management and load restraint documentation, NHVAS support, Integrated Cargo System (ICS) integration for customs. Build systems handling multi-country operations in single platform, adapting compliance features, user interfaces, regulatory reporting to appropriate jurisdiction.

We integrate with FMCSA-certified ELDs including Geotab, Samsara, KeepTruckin (Motive), Verizon Connect to automatically capture Hours of Service data. Integration pulls driving time, on-duty time, rest periods, location data from ELD hardware connected to vehicle engines. Fleet management platforms display real-time HOS compliance status, prevent dispatch assignments that would create violations, alert dispatchers when drivers approach HOS limits, provide driver-facing views of remaining available hours, generate compliant logs for roadside inspections. Build business logic that enforces compliance proactively—dispatch system won't assign loads drivers can't complete legally. Electronic DVIRs allow drivers to complete inspections on mobile devices.

Yes, we integrate with carrier networks, freight load boards, electronic tendering systems including DAT, Truckstop.com, 123Loadboard, EDI networks, direct carrier API connections. Integrations enable electronic load tendering where TMS automatically tenders freight to selected carriers via EDI 204 or API, receives responses automatically, pulls tracking updates via EDI 214 or API, processes freight invoices via EDI 210. Direct carrier integrations connect with FedEx, UPS, XPO, Old Dominion, hundreds of LTL and parcel carriers for rate shopping, shipment booking, label generation, tracking. Modern carriers offer REST APIs; traditional carriers use EDI with batch processing. Eliminates manual load tendering phone calls, enables rate shopping, reduces errors, provides consolidated tracking.

Route optimization uses advanced algorithms to calculate efficient vehicle routes considering delivery time windows, vehicle capacity, driver schedules, HOS compliance, traffic patterns, service duration, customer priorities, depot locations. Solves Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) using genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, constraint programming. Optimization happens in layers: strategic routing determines geographic areas each vehicle serves, tactical routing assigns stops to vehicles, operational routing determines sequence to minimize drive time. Dynamic re-optimization adjusts routes in real-time when new orders arrive, customers reschedule, traffic delays occur. Companies reduce miles driven by 20-30%, complete 25% more stops per day, improve on-time delivery, reduce fuel consumption.

Yes, mobile apps are critical components of modern logistics software. Driver apps provide electronic dispatch, turn-by-turn navigation, proof of delivery capture with photos and signatures, electronic HOS logs and compliance alerts, DVIRs, offline functionality for areas without cellular coverage. Warehouse apps provide mobile-directed workflows for receiving, putaway, picking, packing, shipping, barcode scanning for inventory accuracy, real-time inventory visibility. Build native iOS and Android apps when performance and offline capabilities are critical, or cross-platform apps using React Native for faster development. Design interfaces specifically for mobile use: large buttons for glove-wearing workers, voice-guided navigation, minimal data entry through barcode scanning and photos.

Post-launch support ensures custom transport software continues performing reliably and evolves with your business. Support includes bug fixes, security patches, performance monitoring and optimization, infrastructure management for cloud hosting, technical support via email, phone, ticketing system. Maintenance retainers provide predictable monthly costs covering routine updates, minor enhancements, support. Most clients choose maintenance agreements covering 5-10 hours monthly for small systems up to 40+ hours monthly for large platforms. Enhancement projects add new features, integrations, capabilities as business needs evolve. Provide training for new users and documentation including technical documentation, user guides, administrator guides. Most clients find ongoing support valuable because original development team knows system intimately.