LTL Order Management

LTL Order Management Features You Should Expect in a TMS

LTL success is repeatability. The best systems reduce re-keying, standardize accessorial selection, and keep documentation tied to every shipment—from quote to POD.

Order + Shipment Creation

Fast LTL order intake with templates
Multi-piece shipment details (pallets/crates/cartons)
Class/NMFC fields (as supported)
Address book + location notes (dock hours, requirements)

Rating + Tender

Multi-carrier LTL rate comparisons
Accessorial selection and validation
Service level and transit time visibility
Tender workflow and confirmation tracking

Docs + Compliance

BOL generation and document packets
Shipping labels and item labels (optional)
Attachment storage (photos, receipts)
Audit trail on edits and approvals

Tracking + Billing

Shipment tracking and status timeline
Exceptions and delay alerts
POD capture and invoice readiness
Margin reporting by customer and carrier

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LTL Order Intake with Customer Profiles and Templates

Standardize how LTL orders enter your system. Store shipper/consignee defaults, billing terms, and required reference fields to reduce errors and speed order creation.

Customer profiles with default accessorials and instructions
Saved ship-from / ship-to locations with dock hours and notes
Reference fields: PO, PRO (when assigned), pickup #, delivery appt notes
Clone repeat shipments and lane templates

Multi-Carrier LTL Rating, Transit Times, and Accessorial Control

LTL margin is won or lost at rating. Compare carriers quickly, confirm service levels, and ensure accessorials are applied consistently to avoid rebills and surprises.

Step	What the TMS Should Do	Why It Matters
Rate shop	Return comparable quotes across selected LTL carriers (with service level)	Choose best cost/service fit for each order
Accessorials	Standardize and validate accessorial selection (liftgate, limited access, etc.)	Reduce billing disputes and carrier rebills
Confirm	Lock in quote, capture confirmation metadata, and attach to the shipment	Creates an auditable record of terms

Add your specific rating method (contract rates, tariff discounts, API sources, etc.) based on what your product supports.

Shipment Build: Pieces, Weight, Class, NMFC, and Handling Units

LTL accuracy depends on good shipment detail. Capture handling units and piece-level info so your rating and paperwork are consistent, and your team has a clear record for disputes.

Handling units: pallets, crates, cartons (piece count + weight)
Freight class and NMFC fields (as supported)
Dimensions and density fields (optional)
Special handling instructions and hazardous flags (if applicable)

BOL, Labels, and LTL Document Packets

Generate consistent paperwork so shipments move through terminals smoothly. A TMS should create a clean BOL, support label printing, and store all documents in one billing-ready packet.

Bill of Lading (BOL) generation
Shipping labels (carrier PRO labels where supported)
Document attachments (photos, packing slips, receipts)
Billing packet checklist and completion status

Pickup Scheduling, Tendering, and Confirmation Tracking

Once you pick the carrier, execution should be simple. Schedule pickups, send tender details, and track confirmations with clear timestamps and audit trails.

Pickup request scheduling with windows and notes
Tender workflow: requested → confirmed → picked up
Terminal routing details (where applicable)
Proof-of-pickup attachments (optional)

LTL Tracking, Status Timeline, and Delivery ETAs

Give customers visibility without chasing updates. A TMS should store a clear shipment timeline and surface exceptions early so you can communicate proactively.

Status timeline: picked up → in transit → at terminal → out for delivery → delivered
ETA visibility (when supported by your tracking source)
Exception flags and service alerts
Customer update logs and internal notes

Add your tracking source(s): carrier tracking feeds, PRO tracking, portal sync, or manual milestone updates.

Exceptions, Shortages, Damages, and Claims Workflow

LTL is more prone to OS&D (overage, shortage, and damage). Track incidents, store supporting documents, and maintain a clear record of communications to reduce claim friction.

Exception reason codes (missed appt, refused delivery, reweigh, OS&D)
Photo/document attachment for proof
Claims status workflow (opened → submitted → resolved)
Notes, timestamps, and audit trails

Billing Readiness, Audits, and LTL Profitability Reporting

LTL profitability requires accurate cost capture and clean documentation. Tie carrier cost, accessorials, and service performance back to each shipment so you can measure true margin by customer and lane.

Billing packet completion checks (POD, BOL, approvals)
Accessorial audit trail and approvals
Margin reporting by customer, carrier, and lane
Exportable reports for accounting workflows

Ready to Modernize Your LTL Order Workflow?

Centralize LTL rating, shipment creation, paperwork, tracking, exceptions, and billing readiness in one TMS—so your team can ship more with fewer mistakes and faster cash flow.

Rate shop LTL carriers and standardize accessorials
Generate BOLs/labels and keep documents attached
Track shipments and manage exceptions proactively
Improve margin control with reporting and audits

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