TLC Resources
People, Information, and Groups important to TLC and to our clients. Also find useful industry links and event calendars
Six Tips for Choosing a 3PL
Experts discuss and offer advice on how to evaluate and choose the 3PL that is the best fit for your operations. This is a great article from Food Logistics. First and foremost, a 3PL has to be a good fit with it's culture of clients and there has to be trust in each others' expectations and deliverables.
1. Design the RFP - Develop clear objectives, include critical data, identify your metrics, set clear expectations
2. Share a Common Mindset - This is an ongoing relationship, long term and involves give and take. Understand your 3PL also needs to make money
3. Request Technological Sophistication - You outsource to avoid investment. Find a 3PL whose operating systems are scalable and can integrate with your ERP and provide near real time visibility with good EDI communication between carrier and provider.
4. Keeping Pace with Growth - Is the 3PL flexible enough to grow with you? If you are establishing new markets or planning to grow by aquisition, can they handle a 30% increase in your footprint at the same level of service they provide you now?
5. Maintain Control - Look for asset-based 3PLs who also users other carriers. "Piece of Mind" might cost a few extra dollars, but it's well worth it.
6. Ask About Financial Health - Can the 3PL handle a large amount of money through their system? Verify they have stable leadership and good relationships with their banks. Ask for P&L data over a timeperiod to verify trends.
You can find the complete article here on Food Logistics
Carrier Procurement Insights - Whitepaper from Armstrong & Associates
This is a great whitepaper for anyone who is a shipper of products or goods. This paper will help you understand how your freight complements an individual carrier's network. Not all freight is attractive to carriers and this paper introduces the primary influencers to price and volume commitments.
Here is the complete whitepaper
Transportpotation Management Software (TMS) - approximately only 38% of companies utilize the benefits that TMS provides
Research shows that shippers that have invested in TMS are seeing cost reductions, improved delivery reliability, and inventory reduction. Here is a great article from Logistics Management about TMS. This article will help establish why TMS can no longer be ignored. If you are ready to investigate TMS, Check out TMONE, our TMS system.
