And how eShipz fits into the modern logistics stack
If you’re moving goods in today’s fast-changing Indian market, you’re up against rising delivery expectations, complex supply chains, and fragmented logistics networks. Whether you’re a manufacturer shipping to distributors, a retail chain moving goods across stores, a 3PL handling bulk volumes, or a D2C brand scaling fast, transportation has become a strategic function, not just a backend activity.
Enter the Transportation Management System (TMS), once a tool for large enterprises, now a critical enabler for businesses of all sizes.
According to MarketsandMarkets, the global TMS market is projected to grow from $13.5 billion in 2023 to $33.3 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 19.7%. India’s adoption is accelerating too, driven by D2C growth, GST compliance, and Tier-2/3 ecommerce expansion.
But what is a TMS exactly? And why are brands across India, from D2C startups to large 3PLs, moving toward smarter transport automation?
Let’s unpack it.
Why TMS Is Essential for Indian Businesses
A transportation Management System (TMS) is no longer a luxury, it’s crucial infrastructure. As India’s logistics ecosystem evolves, businesses across sectors like retail, fashion, and manufacturing face rising complexity. Fast delivery is expected even in remote towns, cash-on-delivery remains common, and return rates during peak seasons can spike sharply.
Manual processes or basic courier dashboards just can’t scale in this environment.
A TMS is software that helps businesses plan, execute, and optimize the movement of goods. It can help you:
- Allocate shipments across couriers or transporters
- Track delivery status in real time
- Reduce logistics costs through smarter routing
- Manage COD reconciliation and tax documentation
- Handle returns and failed deliveries more efficiently,
In short, a TMS gives you control over the chaos. It takes the mess out of managing shipments by automating repetitive tasks, keeping all your orders and carriers in one place, and giving you a clear view of what’s happening at every step of the delivery.
Where eShipz Fits In
Why Indian Businesses Need Smarter Shipping Infrastructure
India’s logistics landscape is anything but simple:
- 1–2 day delivery expectations, even in remote towns
- Cash-on-Delivery (COD) still dominant
- Returns (RTOs) can spike to 30% during sales
- Multiple sales channels, courier partners, and compliance requirements
A modern platform like eShipz helps you manage this complexity by automating key workflows and centralizing operations. Here’s how:
Must-Have Capabilities in a Modern TMS (Mini-TMS)
Modern logistics demands more than just booking shipments. Here are the essential features your TMS ( mini-TMS) needs to stay fast, efficient, and future-ready.
Multi-Carrier Integrations
Connect instantly with partners like India Post, Delhivery, XpressBees, Bluedart, and DTDC. Choose the best-fit carrier for each shipment based on cost, SLA, or serviceability.
Smart Courier Allocation
Auto-assign carriers based on rules like pincode, weight, cost, and COD support, reducing delays and margin leakage.
Real-Time Tracking & Branded Visibility
Centralize B2B and D2C orders across all couriers into one dashboard. Send proactive delivery alerts and branded tracking pages to keep customers in the loop.
GST-Compliant Documentation
Automate e-invoices, eWay bills, and label generation. Avoid errors and penalties while speeding up dispatch.
Returns & NDR Management
Create smooth return workflows, manage non-delivery reports, and automate pickup links to cut down RTOs and customer service tickets.
Analytics & Cost Reporting
Get deep insights into carrier performance, SLA breaches, and shipping costs per order. Use data to optimize your operations and vendor negotiations.
API & Platform Syncing
Seamless integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Flipkart, and ERPs, keeping your systems in sync, without manual effort.
Flexible Pricing for Every Stage
Affordable plans for startups and D2C brands, with enterprise-grade features and scalability as you grow.
Best Transportation Management Systems in India
The Future of TMS:
What was once just about tracking shipments is now a full-blown intelligence layer. The future of TMS is being built on automation, analytics, and adaptability.
AI-Driven Courier Allocation
Match shipments to carriers based on cost, delivery SLA, and past performance in real time.
Predictive ETAs
Use historical data and traffic conditions to offer accurate delivery forecasts.
Hyperlocal Routing
Integrate with dark stores or micro-fulfillment hubs for faster last mile.
Mobile-First Dashboards
Let field teams track, update, and report shipments from anywhere.
Green Logistics Insights
Track carbon emissions per shipment as sustainability becomes a key KPI.
These innovations aren’t just buzzwords; they’re already shaping how modern logistics runs. From AI-based courier routing to real-time visibility, brands that adapt early are gaining the edge. In today’s fast-moving market, waiting is no longer an option.
Do You Really Need a TMS?
If you’re shipping over 100 orders a day, juggling 3+ couriers, or planning festive campaigns, a TMS is no longer optional, it’s foundational.
The right platform helps you:
- Automate your post-purchase experience
- Reduce RTOs and customer service calls
- Gain real-time visibility and insights
The post-purchase journey is where brands are remembered or forgotten. The right platform doesn’t just ship orders; it orchestrates everything that happens after checkout.
With eShipz, you don’t just manage shipping, you own it. Whether you’re a large enterprise looking to enhance execution, or a fast-growing D2C brand needing an all-in-one platform.
With eShipz, you can automate those crucial moments, cut down RTOs and support chaos, and get real-time visibility into every delivery’s progress. In a landscape where logistics can make or break customer trust, eShipz helps you do more than keep up, it helps you take control.
The logistics puzzle is only getting more complex. But with the right system, you won’t just manage it, you’ll master it.
If your current system feels like a patchwork – Click to simplify
