Frequently Asked Questions
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Getting Started & Basics
Tai TMS is a comprehensive Transportation Management System built specifically for freight brokers. It’s a cloud-based platform that automates the shipment lifecycle for both Full Truckload (FTL) and Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight, from initial quote through final delivery and invoicing.
Unlike generic TMS software, Tai is purpose-built for brokerages. We understand the unique challenges freight brokers face because our development team includes freight industry experts with 20+ years of experience. Tai eliminates manual data entry, automates routine operations, and integrates directly with carriers, load boards, and accounting software.
Core capabilities include:
- Automated quoting with real-time carrier rates
- Direct API/EDI integration with LTL carriers
- Load board integration (DAT, Truckstop, 123 Loadboard, etc.)
- Real-time shipment tracking and visibility
- Automated carrier bill audit and reconciliation
- Customer self-service portal
- QuickBooks and accounting integration
Tai TMS is designed specifically for freight brokers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers handling domestic FTL and LTL shipments in the United States.
Ideal users include:
- Mid-sized to enterprise freight brokerages
- Brokerages looking to scale without adding headcount
- Brokers handling both FTL and LTL shipments
- 3PLs managing multi-modal domestic freight
- Brokerages wanting to eliminate manual processes
- Operations frustrated with legacy TMS systems
You’re a great fit for Tai if:
- You spend hours manually entering shipment data
- You’re juggling multiple platforms
- You want to provide customers with real-time visibility
- You need better carrier bill reconciliation
- You’re ready to automate repetitive tasks
- You want to grow without proportionally increasing staff
● You want to book 40% more freight per person - You’re looking to book 20% more spot quotes
- You want to build better relationships with carriers
Tai is NOT designed for asset-based brokers or carriers (companies with their own trucks) or shippers managing in-house transportation.
Three things set Tai apart: automation depth, freight broker expertise, and ease of use.
- Automation Built for Brokers
Tai automates workflows for both LTL and FTL shipping. From the moment a quote request is received until the invoice is paid and synced to QuickBooks, Tai handles the workflow, helping to reduce manual intervention and human errors. Our automation saves brokerages an average of 11 hours per week per user.
- Built by Freight Experts
Our development team includes logistics professionals who’ve worked in freight brokerages for 20+ years. We understand broker workflows, pain points, and the nuances of FTL vs. LTL operations. This expertise means Tai is designed around how brokers actually work, not how software engineers think they work.
- Modern, Intuitive Interface
Tai features a clean, modern interface that requires minimal training. New users are typically productive within days, not weeks.
Additional differentiators:
- Direct carrier integration (API/EDI). No third party needed
- Integrated LTL rating with local, regional, and nationwide carriers
- Automated document processing and carrier bill audit
- Built-in advanced automation
- Branded customer portal for self-service
- Transparent, straightforward pricing
- Robust support for both modes, FTL and LTL shipping
Tai TMS is 100% cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service). There’s no software to install, no servers to maintain, and no IT infrastructure required.
What this means for you:
- Access anywhere: Web-based interface accessible from any device with internet
- Automatic updates: New features and improvements roll out automatically – no manual upgrades
- Zero maintenance: We handle all server maintenance, security, backups, and uptime
- Quick implementation: Easy go-live process
- Predictable costs: Simple monthly subscription, no hardware investment
Requirements:
- Modern web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)
- Stable internet connection
- That’s it – no special hardware or software needed
All your data is securely stored in enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure with automatic backups, 99.9% uptime, and bank-level security.
No. Tai TMS is designed for freight brokers, not IT professionals. If you can use a web browser and standard software like email or Excel, you can use Tai.
The interface is intuitive:
- Clean, modern design similar to consumer apps
- Point-and-click navigation
- Minimal jargon or technical terminology
- Context-sensitive help throughout the system
Training is straightforward:
- Most users are productive within weeks
- Online training videos cover all primary functions
- Live onboarding sessions with our team
- Ongoing support via phone, email, and chat
For more complex setups (like carrier integrations or accounting sync), our implementation team handles the technical heavy lifting. You focus on your business, we handle the technology.
Features & Functionality
Tai TMS provides end-to-end automation for the freight brokerage workflow. Here are the core capabilities:
- Quoting & Rating
- Instant LTL rates from all major carriers (API-EDI integrations)
- FTL rating with lane history and pricing tools
- Quote templates for common lanes
- Customer self-service portal for instant quotes
- Historical rate analysis and market trends for FTL
- Load Coverage & Carrier Management
- Integrated load board access (DAT, Truckstop, 123 Loadboard etc.)
- Historical carrier database with performance history
- Automated carrier selection based on lane and rate
- One-click carrier dispatch
- Carrier compliance management (insurance, authority, etc.)
- Shipment Tracking & Visibility
- Real-time tracking for FTL and LTL shipments
- Automated carrier check-calls (reduces manual tracking)
- Customer tracking portal
- Proactive exception alerts
- Delivery confirmation capture
● Built-in integrations with tracking and visibility platforms
- Documentation & Billing
- Digital document upload and processing
- Automated POD (Proof of Delivery) collection
- Customer invoicing with customizable templates
- Carrier bill audit and reconciliation
- Discrepancy flagging and resolution workflow
- Accounting Integration
- QuickBooks integration
- Automated AR/AP management
- Commission calculation
- Financial reporting and analytics
- Reduces billing cycle time by up to 65%
- Analytics & Reporting
- Real-time dashboards (revenue, margin, volume)
- Carrier performance scorecards
- Lane profitability analysis
- Custom reporting
- Data export capabilities
Yes. Tai TMS is a true multi-modal platform that seamlessly handles both Full Truckload (FTL) and Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments within a single interface.
FTL Capabilities:
- Load board integration (DAT, Truckstop, etc.)
- Carrier sourcing and rate comparison
- Automated dispatching
- Real-time FTL tracking
- Carrier rate confirmation and booking
- Lane-based pricing history
LTL Capabilities:
- Direct API integration with all major LTL carriers (UPS Freight, Estes, XPO, Old Dominion, etc.)
- Instant rate shopping across 20+ carriers
- Automated LTL dispatch via API/EDI
- Terminal-by-terminal tracking
- Interline shipment management
- Automated carrier bill audit for LTL
The Power of Multimodal:
Many brokers handle both FTL and LTL. With Tai, you manage everything in one system with one workflow. No need to toggle between multiple platforms or maintain separate systems for different freight modes.
Yes. Tai TMS integrates directly with major load boards, including DAT, Truckstop, and other capacity tools. These integrations enable you to search for carriers, post loads, and book capacity all within the Tai interface.
Load Board Integration Features:
- Search available capacity across multiple load boards simultaneously ● Post loads to load boards with one click
- View carrier contact info and book directly
- Rate comparison across different load boards
- Historical load board performance data
Supported Load Boards:
- DAT Load Board
- Truckstop
- Direct Freight
- 123Loadboard
How It Works:
When you need FTL coverage, Tai’s integrated load board search pulls real-time capacity from connected platforms. You can compare rates, contact carriers, and book all in one place, without switching between different browser tabs or applications.
This integration saves brokers 3-5 hours per day compared to manually checking multiple load boards.
Yes. Tai TMS has native integration with QuickBooks, allowing you to automatically sync financial data between your TMS and accounting system.
QuickBooks Integration Capabilities:
- Automatically create customer invoices in QuickBooks
- Sync accounts receivable (AR) data
- Push carrier bill data to accounts payable (AP)
- Sync customer and vendor records
- Map Tai revenue/expenses to QuickBooks accounts
- Eliminate duplicate data entry
Billing Automation:
When you mark a shipment complete in Tai, the system can automatically:
- Generate the customer invoice
- Create the invoice in QuickBooks
- Calculate carrier payment due
- Record the payable in QuickBooks
- Update your revenue and margin tracking
Time Savings:
Our QuickBooks integration reduces billing cycle time by up to 65% and eliminates manual data entry errors that can cause accounting headaches.
Tai TMS integrates directly with over 100 carriers via API and EDI connections, including all major LTL carriers and numerous FTL capacity providers.
Major LTL Carriers (Direct API):
- FedEx Freight
- XPO Logistics
- Estes Express
- Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL)
- ABF Freight
- Saia Motor Freight
- R+L Carriers
- Southeastern Freight Lines
FTL & Capacity Tools:
- DAT iQ (API integration)
- Truckstop
- Parade
What API/EDI Integration Means:
- Instant Rating: Real-time LTL rates without manual lookup
- Automated Dispatch: Book shipments electronically without phone calls ● Real-Time Tracking: Automatic status updates from carriers
- Digital BOL: Electronic bill of lading transmission
- Automated Billing: Carrier bills are automatically pulled into Tai
Don’t see your carrier? We can set up custom integrations for carriers you work with frequently. Contact us to discuss.
Yes. Tai TMS features a branded customer portal that provides your shippers with self-service access to quotes, bookings, tracking, and documents.
Customer Portal Features:
- Request Quotes: Customers can enter shipment details and receive instant quotes (LTL) or request FTL pricing
- Book Shipments: Self-service booking with saved addresses and preferences
- Track Shipments: Real-time tracking visibility for all active loads
- Access Documents: Download BOLs, PODs, invoices, and other documents
- View History: Complete shipment history and previous quotes
- Reporting: Basic analytics on their shipping patterns and costs
White-Label Branding:
The portal is fully branded with your company logo, colors, and domain name. To your customers, it looks like your proprietary technology.
Benefits for Brokers:
- Reduces phone calls and emails (“Where’s my shipment?”)
- Customers can get instant LTL quotes 24/7
- Captures more volume without adding staff
- Improves customer satisfaction with visibility
- Professional image – looks like a big 3PL
Security:
Each customer gets their own secure login and can only see their own shipments and data.
Integration & Compatibility
Tai TMS connects with the major systems and platforms freight brokers use daily: Accounting Software:
- QuickBooks
- (Other accounting integrations available)
Load Boards & Capacity Tools:
- DAT Load Board
- Truckstop
- Direct Freight
- 123Loadboard
- Parade
- CargoChief
LTL Carriers (100+ via API/EDI):
- All major LTL carriers (ABF, FedEx, ESTES, ODFL, XPO, Saia, etc.)
FTL Carriers:
- Custom API connections available for frequent carrier partners
Rate Shopping Tools:
- Built-in LTL rating via carrier API/EDI
- FTL rate intelligence tools
Document Management:
- Tai document processor
Communication:
- Email integration (Gmail, Outlook, Office 365)
- SMS/Text messaging for driver communication
- FRONT
Payment Processing:
- Denim
- HaulPay
- Global Payments
- Road Sync
- Triumph
Carrier Onboarding
- HIGHWAY
- RMIS
- TRUCKSTOP
Custom Integrations:
Need to connect Tai to another system? We offer custom API integration for frequently used platforms. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Pricing & Plans
Tai TMS pricing is based on active users (per seat/per month). We offer transparent, straightforward pricing with no hidden fees.
Typical Pricing Structure:
- Per-user monthly subscription
- No long-term contracts
- Includes all core features (not tiered/limited)
- Based on the number of shipments
What’s Included:
- Full TMS platform access
- All integrations (carriers, load boards, QuickBooks)
- Customer portal
- Training and onboarding
- Ongoing support (phone, email, chat)
- Regular updates and new features
Contact us for a pricing quote: Request Demo
Pricing varies based on team size and number of shipments, but our goal is to provide exceptional value that pays for itself through time savings and operational efficiency.
Most Tai TMS agreements include an initial 12-month term, after which the contract moves to month-to-month.
Why an initial term?
- Ensures you’re committed to successful implementation
- Allows time to realize ROI (typically 3-6 months)
- Justifies our implementation and training investment
After the initial term:
- Month-to-month or annual renewal (your choice)
- No penalty for cancellation (with 30-day notice)
- Pricing locked for annual renewals
We want you to stay because Tai makes your brokerage more profitable, not because you’re locked into a contract.
For most brokerages, the monthly subscription is all-inclusive. However, there are a few scenarios where additional fees may apply:
Included at No Extra Cost:
- Standard carrier integrations (API/EDI)
- Load board integrations (DAT, Truckstop, etc.)
- QuickBooks integration
- Customer portal
- Regular training and support
- Software updates and new features
- Standard implementation and onboarding
Possible Additional Fees:
- Custom Integrations: If you need a custom API connection to a proprietary system, there may be a one-time setup fee
- Data Migration: Large-scale data migration from legacy systems (thousands of historical shipments) may have a setup fee
- Advanced Training: On-site training or extensive custom training programs ● Third-Party Services: Load board subscriptions (DAT, Truckstop) and other platforms are billed separately by those providers
No Surprise Fees:
We’ll always disclose any additional costs upfront. Our goal is transparent pricing with no hidden charges.
Implementation & Onboarding
As a new customer, you will benefit from being assisted by an Onboarding team with different processes in place to help you succeed.
Implementation Timeline:
Setup & Configuration
- Account setup and user provisioning
- Access to our Learning Management System (LMS)
- Excel templates to import your information and your integration sources so you can plug in your integrations.
Week 2: Data Migration & Testing
- Kickoff call
- Import customer and carrier data
- Integrations Setup
- Training and TMS Knowledge
Testing & Go-Live
Once imports, integrations, and training are completed, the account will go live on the agreed-upon date. During the first 2 to 3 weeks after a Broker is live, they will transition to the Support team and will start sending questions directly to them through the designated channels. The goal is for Brokers to start entering real shipments during this time and raise any questions or concerns that arise so the Tai team can step in and provide immediate assistance.
What Affects Timeline:
- Size of your team (# of users to train)
- Data migration complexity
- Custom integration requirements
- Your team’s availability for training
Implementation Support:
You’ll have a dedicated implementation specialist guiding you through every step.
Tai provides comprehensive training through multiple formats to ensure your entire team is confident using the system.
Onboarding Training
- Live kickoff call with implementation specialist
- Role-based training sessions (admin, dispatcher, accounting, etc.)
- Hands-on practice with test shipments
- Q&A sessions as questions arise
- Knowledge-based availability
Self-Service Training Resources:
- Access to our Learning Management System (LMS)
- Step-by-step written guides
- In-app chatbot with help and tooltips
- Knowledge base with searchable articles
Ongoing Training:
- New feature webinars (as features release)
- Advanced power-user training
- Tai Expert curses
Training Formats:
- Live virtual sessions
- Pre-recorded video tutorials
- Screen-sharing one-on-one sessions
- Written documentation
Tai provides ongoing support through multiple channels to ensure you always have help when needed.
Support Channels:
- Phone Support: Direct line to support team during business hours
- Email Support: support@tai-software.com, typical response within 2-4 hours ● Live Chat: In-app chat for quick questions
- Help Center: Searchable knowledge base with articles and videos
- Account Manager: Dedicated contact for strategic questions
Support Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM Eastern Time
- Emergency support available for critical issues
● 24/7 AI-Powered help desk bot
What We Support:
- Technical issues or bugs
- Feature questions (“How do I…?”)
- Integration troubleshooting
- Best practice guidance
- Workflow optimization
- New user training
Response Times:
- Critical issues (system down): Immediate response
- High priority (workflow blocked): Within 1 hour
- Normal questions: Within 4 business hours
- Feature requests: Logged and reviewed by product team
Ongoing Relationship:
We view support as partnership. You’re not just a ticket number, we want your brokerage to succeed with Tai.
Technical Questions
Tai TMS is web-based and works on virtually any modern device. There are no special hardware or software requirements.
Minimum Requirements:
- Internet: Broadband connection (DSL, Cable, Fiber)
- Browser: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari (latest version recommended)
- Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS – any OS with a modern browser
- Screen Resolution: 1280×720 minimum (1920×1080 recommended)
Recommended Setup:
- Internet: 10+ Mbps download speed
- Computer: Any computer from the last 5 years
- Monitor: Dual monitors (for efficiency)
- Browser: Chrome or Edge (best performance)
Mobile Access:
- Tai works on tablets and smartphones via mobile browser
- Responsive design adapts to smaller screens
- Best for tracking and lightweight tasks
- Full functionality available on desktop/laptop
No Installation Required:
Nothing to download or install. Access Tai TMS instantly from any web browser.
Tai TMS uses enterprise-grade security measures to protect your data, including encryption, secure infrastructure, and access controls.
Data Security Features:
Encryption:
- SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission
- Data encrypted at rest in database
- Bank-level security standards
Infrastructure:
- Hosted on enterprise cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure)
- Automatic backups multiple times daily
- Geographically distributed data centers
- 99.9% uptime SLA
Access Control:
- Role-based user permissions
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) available
- Secure password requirements
- Session timeouts and automatic logout
Compliance:
- SOC 2 Type II audit [if applicable]
- GDPR compliant data handling
- Regular security audits and penetration testing
Data Ownership:
- You own your data 100%
- Export your data at any time
- Data deletion available upon request
We take security seriously because your brokerage data is critical to your business.
Yes. You can export your data at any time in multiple formats. Tai never holds your data hostage.
What You Can Export:
- Shipment history (complete records)
- Customer database
- Carrier database
- Financial data (invoices, payments, margins)
- Lane pricing history
- Activity logs
- Custom reports
Export Formats:
- Excel (.xlsx)
- CSV (comma-separated values)
- PDF (for documents and reports)
- JSON/XML (for system integration)
How to Export:
- Built-in export function in most reports
- Request full data export from support team
- API access for automated data retrieval
Why This Matters:
You’re never locked in. If you decide Tai isn’t the right fit, you can take your complete operational history with you.
Yes. Tai TMS provides a RESTful API for custom integrations with other systems and workflows.
API Capabilities:
- Read/write shipment data
- Create and update orders
- Pull tracking information
- Access financial data
- Manage customers and carriers
- Retrieve analytics and reports
Common API Use Cases:
- Connect Tai to your custom CRM
- Integrate with internal reporting tools
- Automate data sync with other systems
- Build custom dashboards or apps
- Connect to proprietary shipper systems
API Documentation:
Comprehensive API documentation available to customers, including:
- Endpoint references
- Authentication methods
- Code examples
- Rate limits and best practices
API Access:
Available with standard subscription. Contact us for API documentation and credentials.
We’re here to help. The best way to learn if Tai TMS is right for your brokerage is to see it in action.