A transportation management system keeps your loads, carriers, shippers, paperwork and money in one record. We sell one, so read this with that in mind. We’ve tried to make it useful even if you choose something else.
When a spreadsheet stops working
A spreadsheet is fine for a handful of loads. It’s time to look at a TMS when:
- More than one person needs to work the same load.
- You are retyping the same details into rate cons and invoices.
- Nobody can quickly say what a shipper owes.
- You can’t easily see which carriers have current paperwork.
What matters first
- Booking and status: one record per load that everyone can read.
- Rate confirmations: generated from the load, not retyped.
- Carrier records: MC, DOT, authority and insurance in one place.
- Invoicing and receivables: what you’ve billed, what’s late, what you owe.
- Roles: brokers see what they should, and no more.
- Data export: you can get your own data out.
What may matter, depending on your business
Load board posting, automated tracking, e-signature and accounting integrations can save real time at volume. Be honest about whether you need them now, and check whether each one costs extra. Juno doesn’t have load board connections, live GPS tracking or e-signature today, so if those are essential from day one, choose a product that does.
How pricing usually works
- Per user per month: simple, but the bill grows with your team.
- Per load or by volume: tied to activity, so harder to predict.
- One-time fee: no monthly bill, which is how Juno is sold, with a setup fee quoted up front.
Work out what each would cost over three years at the team size you expect, not just this month.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What is the full cost, including setup, seats, add-ons and support?
- How long is the contract, and how do I leave?
- Can I export loads, carriers and shippers myself?
- Who moves my existing data, and is it included?
- Will you demo it using a load like one of mine?
See how options compare on our comparison page, or how switching works if you already use a TMS.
Common questions
Does a new freight broker need a TMS?
Not on day one if you move only a few loads. Most brokers want one once rekeying, team handoffs or receivables start causing mistakes.
Which TMS features matter most for a small brokerage?
Load records, rate confirmations, carrier records, invoicing and data export come first. Integrations depend on how you work.
Can I switch TMS later?
Usually, if you can export your data. Ask about export before signing, and check for fees.