Logistics & Transportation ERP
Logistics and transportation businesses operate in one of the most operationally demanding sectors — managing freight movements, warehouse operations, fleet assets, carrier relationships, and real-time visibility across complex supply chains. The right ERP platform integrates transportation management, warehouse management, fleet tracking, and financial controls into a unified system that reduces cost-per-shipment, improves on-time performance, and scales with network growth.
6
Sub-industries covered
30+
ERP vendors evaluated
4–12 months
Typical implementation
The logistics and transportation ERP market spans purpose-built transportation management systems (TMS) and warehouse management systems (WMS) through broad-scope ERP platforms with logistics modules, and dedicated 3PL billing and operations software. Modern logistics ERP must handle multi-modal freight (road, rail, ocean, air), real-time carrier and rate management, dynamic routing optimization, last-mile delivery orchestration, and compliance with DOT, FMCSA, and customs regulations. Selecting the right platform requires matching your operational model — asset-based carrier, non-asset broker, 3PL, or integrated supply chain operator — with a vendor who has genuine domain depth in your sector.
Browse by Sub-Industry
Logistics
ERP for logistics service providers managing multi-modal freight, carrier networks, and end-to-end shipment execution
Freight & Shipping
ERP for freight carriers, freight brokers, and shipping companies managing loads, lanes, and carrier networks
Supply Chain Management
ERP for supply chain orchestration, demand planning, inventory optimization, and supplier collaboration
Warehousing
ERP and WMS for warehouse operators managing receiving, slotting, picking, packing, and shipping operations
Fleet Management
ERP for fleet operators managing vehicle assets, driver compliance, maintenance, and fuel across owned and leased fleets
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
ERP and WMS for 3PL providers managing multi-client warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, and value-added services
Top ERP Vendors for Logistics & Transportation
Related Research & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is logistics ERP and how does it differ from a standalone TMS or WMS?
Logistics ERP combines transportation management, warehouse operations, fleet management, financials, and customer billing into a single integrated platform. Standalone TMS or WMS solutions optimize a single operational domain but require custom integrations to connect with accounting, HR, and CRM systems. Full ERP eliminates data silos and provides end-to-end visibility from order intake through delivery and invoicing.
Should a logistics company choose a specialized TMS/WMS or a broader ERP platform?
Asset-heavy carriers and 3PLs with complex operational workflows typically benefit from best-of-breed TMS and WMS platforms (Oracle TMS, Blue Yonder, Manhattan Associates) integrated with a financial ERP. Smaller logistics providers and growing 3PLs often find greater value in a single platform like NetSuite or Acumatica that covers operations and financials without extensive integration work.
How long does a logistics ERP implementation typically take?
Focused implementations for SMB logistics companies using cloud platforms like NetSuite or Acumatica typically take 4–8 months. Mid-market deployments involving TMS configuration, carrier integrations, and WMS go-lives typically run 6–12 months. Enterprise-scale implementations across multiple facilities and geographies commonly take 12–24 months.
What integrations are most critical for logistics ERP?
The most business-critical integrations include carrier EDI connections (X12 204, 210, 214), GPS and telematics feeds for fleet tracking, customer order management systems, customs and compliance platforms (e.g., Descartes, MIC), warehouse automation hardware (conveyors, sorters, ASRS), and e-commerce platforms for parcel and last-mile operations.
How does ERP support multi-modal freight management?
Modern TMS-enabled ERP platforms allow freight to be managed across truckload (TL), less-than-truckload (LTL), ocean, air, and parcel modes within a single system. They maintain carrier contracts and rate tables for each mode, provide mode-optimization tools to select the lowest-cost compliant option, and track shipments across carriers with unified status visibility.
What compliance requirements must logistics ERP address?
Key compliance areas include FMCSA Hours of Service (ELD mandate), DOT drug and alcohol testing records, IFTA fuel tax reporting, customs entry and AES filings for international freight, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT), and driver qualification file management. Industry-specific requirements like FSMA 204 food traceability and pharma cold-chain documentation add further complexity for specialized carriers.
How much does logistics ERP cost?
SMB logistics companies (10–50 users) should budget $60,000–$300,000 for annual software and implementation. Mid-market deployments (50–200 users) typically range from $300,000 to $1.5 million. Enterprise TMS/WMS implementations for large carriers and 3PLs with multiple facilities can exceed $2–10 million depending on scope, carrier integrations, and global rollout requirements.
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