Magnus TMS

The first step in the order lifecycle is to capture the details of the shipment (cargo, locations, dates, etc.) from the company managing the shipment of the goods (the shipper). The shipper can be the originator of the freight or it could be a middleman, as is the case with brokers. In either scenario, you need an efficient method to take orders, whether that is via a manual order entry process or via direct integration with a shipper, broker, or partner.

The first step in the order lifecycle is to capture the details of the shipment (cargo, locations, dates, etc.) from the customer who manages the shipment of the goods (the shipper or broker). In either scenario, you need an efficient method to take orders, whether that is via a manual order entry process or via direct integration.

The Magnus TMS makes taking orders as quick and painless as possible. The order entry workflow has been designed from the ground up to streamline and simplify this process. Whether you need to take ad-hoc orders directly from customers, templatize repeat business, batch upload via spreadsheet, or via direct EDI integration, Magnus has you covered.

After rating a load, the next critical element is to make the most efficient match of that load to power. Making this match is at the heart of dispatching. And don’t let anyone fool you – it’s much more art than science.

At the most basic level, you have an unassigned load that needs a driver and/or power unit to move the cargo. Which loads, drivers or carriers should you focus on first? Once you have determined the first priority, the next question is how do you pair the two together? That decision needs to take into consideration the load and equipment requirements, hours-of-service (HoS), the distance between where a select driver or carrier will end a current trip over to the pickup location for the load (unladen miles), and much more. It’s complex.

Fortunately, the Magnus TMS includes a load planning module that provides the right level of intelligence, at the right time, to make this decision-making process as effective and efficient as possible. And because the Magnus Technologies Platform includes built-in data-science capabilities, the system continuously learns from previous decisions so that the suggested loads, drivers, power units and carriers match the unique nuances of your business operations.

Once the power has been optimally matched to the load, the wheels begin to turn. Manual dispatching procedures necessitate time-consuming conversations between dispatchers,drivers and carriers as well as a paper trail to keep track of the progress along the route.

This doesn’t just need to happen when the route begins, but instead, needs to occur at multiple points along the way to ensure your team has the visibility it needs to make adjustments as the operating environment inevitably changes due to weather and traffic delays, accidents, new customer requests, and changes to existing loads, etc.

You can’t manage what you can’t see.

In addition to the visibility along the route, your drivers or carriers must capture the proper documentation (Bill of Ladings, Proof of Delivery, etc.) at each stop to ensure you have what you need to collect payment. Most Electronic Logging Device (ELD) systems provide some form of asset tracking via the collected GPS. This data can tell you where your assets are at a given point in time, but they can’t tell you if your driver delivered the cargo and collected the appropriate paperwork on time to fulfill the order.

The Magnus TMS system includes both a web-based application (Magnus TMS) for your front- and back-office teams to fulfill their responsibilities and a mobile driver app (Magnus Driver App), both seamlessly integrating your entire team, including your drivers or carrier partners, to stay in sync, in real-time.

Updated load information and status tracking

Magnus Driver App provides updated load information and tracks the status of the load based on the driver’s actions. Once a load is dispatched to a driver, that load then becomes visible in Magnus Driver App for that driver. The driver can then update the status of the order at the critical steps along the route so that your operations team and customers know the precise status of a load at any given time.

If you need to update a load based on a change request from a customer, the load is updated in the Magnus TMS, and that updated information is immediately sent to Magnus Driver App, so the driver is aware of the change – all without the dispatcher picking up the phone.

Full document management

The Magnus Driver App also includes a full document management module that supports the electronic capture of printed documents and any required signatures. These documents and signatures are automatically linked to the load in the Magnus TMS, so the operations team has full visibility. From there, digitized documents can be automatically sent individually to interested parties or bundled together with electronic invoices for settling your receivables.

Document management system and rating module capability

The Magnus TMS and the Magnus Driver App feature a document management system and a rating module capability that makes settling your receivables and submitting invoices as simple as reviewing and approving loads that are eligible for payment. For operations with higher order volumes, this entire process can be fully automated with the manual work reserved for managing any exceptions.

Drivers’ net pay calculations

Conversely, on driver payroll, the Magnus TMS system supports calculating net pay based on any number of factors, including miles, revenue, number of stops, etc. Also, driver pay profiles can be different if the driver is driving on a team or as an individual.

Accounting and payroll modules

Included in the platform are accounting and payroll modules that can be fully integrated with leading general ledger and payroll providers via a file-based approach or directly via APIs when available.

The Magnus Platform gives you valuable insight into both your own operational data as well as understanding broader trucking industry trends. 

To help you derive actionable insights from your operational data, the Magnus Platform provides a full-feature reporting suite. These insights are available via a customizable reporting tool, where you can create custom reports that improve your business’s bottom line.

The Magnus Platform also gives you valuable insights into broader industry trends. Our Business Intelligence system allows you to compare and contrast your own operational data with industry data so you can drive better business decisions.