3PLs Leverage Advanced Parcel TMS Capabilities to Strengthen Strategic Client Partnerships
In an era defined by economic uncertainty, costly final mile delivery, and parcel pricing complexity, shippers face mounting pressure to control costs while meeting rising customer delivery expectations.
According to the 30th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study, shippers are increasingly forming strategic partnerships with 3PLs to innovate adaptive strategies that foster continuous improvement in cost reduction and delivery performance.
A new generation of parcel Transportation Management System (TMS) platforms has emerged offering enhanced flexibility, scalability, and data-driven decision intelligence—critical capabilities for 3PLs aiming to build resilient, strategic and long-lasting relationships with their clients.
Key Parcel TMS Capabilities That Help 3PLs Differentiate Value-Added Services
Parcel TMS platforms are purpose-built to optimize planning and execution of high-volume, small-package shipments. Unlike legacy systems that primarily handle multi-carrier label printing at the end of a conveyor line, modern parcel TMS platforms extend automation and decision intelligence across the entire order lifecycle—from order creation and allocation to fulfillment, shipping, returns, and invoice reconciliation.
Here are some of the advanced capabilities that empower 3PLs to deliver differentiated value to their customers:
Flexibility and Faster Time to Benefit
Parcel TMS platforms streamline rapid customer onboarding with out-of-the-box connectors and no-code business rule configurations. These capabilities allow 3PLs to swiftly adapt to changing business conditions. Adjustments to new routing, cartonization, and carrier selection requirements can be implemented in minutes—eliminating the need for costly custom development and long project timelines.
Scalable, High-Speed Performance
Speed is essential for meeting shipper SLAs, especially during peak seasons. While legacy systems depend on slow, unreliable carrier APIs, modern parcel TMS platforms feature in-platform optimization engines capable of processing thousands of rates, transit times, and business rules per second—enabling real-time cost control and enhanced delivery performance.
Diversified Carrier Rate and Route Management
As e-commerce growth accelerates, managing escalating final-mile shipping costs has become increasingly complex. Parcel TMS platforms allow 3PLs to offer a broader range of carrier service options and negotiate customer-specific rate cards with granular markups and discounts across base rates, surcharges, and fees. Intelligent routing guides provide precise and cost-effective control over when, where, and how carriers are used based on weight breaks, delivery areas, SKU types, and shipment attributes.
Planning and “What-If” Simulations
Legacy shipping systems analytics are limited to historical reporting and static dashboards. They tell you what happened, not what could happen. Parcel TMS platforms offer simulation tools that model the cost and delivery outcomes based on changes to carrier routing, cartonization, and rate markups. These are powerful “what if” tools for 3PL sales representatives to clearly demonstrate ROIs based on customer shipping data. High speed optimization engines rapidly generate simulation insights that can be seamlessly translated into operational strategies.
Predictive Delivery Times and Costs
Market volatility has widened the gap between expected and actual landed costs. Parcel TMS platforms harness machine learning to forecast delivery times and costs based on historical shipping and carrier invoice data. This empowers 3PLs to set accurate cost and delivery expectations while safeguarding profit margins.
High-Speed Shipment Processing
In high-volume parcel environments, every millisecond counts. Parcel TMS high-speed optimization engines enforce rules that reduce manual errors and boost warehouse throughput—streamlining operations and accelerating fulfillment… reducing dependence on carrier rating APIs.
Strengthening Shipper-3PL Partnerships
The Third-Party Logistics Study highlights a significant shift: shippers are no longer just outsourcing logistics—they’re seeking strategic partners who can help them navigate supply chain complexity. Parcel TMS capabilities enable 3PLs to offer valuable consultative services that deepen collaboration, including:
• Continuous improvement in cost reduction and on-time delivery
• Operational scalability and reliability
• Lower total cost of ownership
These value-added services build trust and position 3PLs as indispensable allies in a volatile and constantly evolving market.
As market disruptions become the norm, 3PLs equipped with advanced parcel TMS capabilities are helping shippers not just adapt—but thrive. By combining technology, data, and logistics expertise, Sendflex’s parcel TMS platform is redefining what it means to be a strategic partner in today’s supply chain landscape.
EBOOK
Controlling parcel costs requires a new approach, one that can easily adapt to a rapidly changing environment with intelligent decision-making at every stage of fulfillment. To protect their margins, shippers need to close the gap between expected vs. actual costs without compromising operational efficiency or customer service levels.
This eBook explores:
- Where and why margin erosion occurs in parcel shipping and how to diagnose it.
- How modern parcel TMS platforms can operationalize decision intelligence to accurately predict and control costs.
- Examples of how Sendflex has helped shippers conquer complexity and protect their margins.
DELIVERY CONSULTATION
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Are you struggling to keep up with the consumer demand for faster, cheaper delivery service options? Is it time for a smart multi-carrier parcel solution?
Whether deployed on premise or accessed from the cloud, our shipping platform apps and APIs support your entire extended enterprise: carrier selection, rating and routing, cartonization, shipping and drop shipping, tracking, and returns.
