The verdict in three sentences
A custom TMS (Transport Management System) costs between 70,000 and 200,000 EUR in 2026, depending on route optimization and the number of integrations. The most direct gain is the 10-18 % reduction in mileage driven, plus the end of delivery disputes thanks to electronic proof of delivery (e-POD). For a fleet of more than 20 vehicles, return on investment lands in 9 to 15 months.
Where a TMS makes the difference
A carrier or a 3PL loses money on three fronts invisible in a spreadsheet:
- Non-optimized routes: the planner does their best, but an optimization engine consistently finds 10 to 18 % fewer kilometres.
- Delivery disputes: without timestamped, signed proof, a contested delivery costs admin time and sometimes a credit note.
- Re-entry between the transport order, the WMS, invoicing and the customer, which multiplies errors.
Modules and 2026 budget
| Module | What it covers | 2026 ballpark (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Transport orders | Order intake, assignment, statuses | 12,000 - 26,000 |
| Route optimization | Algorithm, constraints, re-planning | 18,000 - 45,000 |
| Driver app + e-POD | Offline mode, signature, photos | 15,000 - 35,000 |
| Real-time customer tracking | Portal, ETA, notifications | 10,000 - 24,000 |
| WMS / ERP integration | Stock, order flows, EDI | 10,000 - 28,000 |
| Transport billing | Rating, flat rates, fuel surcharge | 8,000 - 20,000 |
| Operations reporting | KPIs, fill rate, on-time rate | 7,000 - 18,000 |
A core of orders + optimization + driver app starts around 70,000 EUR. A full platform integrated with the WMS and billing reaches 200,000 EUR, over 5 to 9 months.
Fuel and hours ROI
| Gain area | Current situation | With the TMS | Estimated annual gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilometres driven | Baseline | -10 to -18 % | Fuel + wear |
| Planning time | 3 h/day | 1 h/day | ~460 h/year |
| Delivery disputes | 4-7 % of deliveries | < 1.5 % | Credit notes avoided |
| Customer tracking calls | Many | -50 to -70 % | Admin time |
For a fleet of 25 vehicles each driving 45,000 km/year, a 14 % reduction equals roughly 157,000 km avoided. At 0.45 EUR/km fully loaded cost, that is on the order of 70,000 EUR a year, before counting planning hours and disputes saved.
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Mini case study
Karim is operations director of a 25-vehicle regional carrier in Rouen. His planners spend 3 h/day building routes and he suffers 5 % delivery disputes. He invests 118,000 EUR in an orders + optimization + e-POD driver app + customer portal core.
Over 12 months: 14 % mileage saved (~70,000 EUR of fuel and wear), 460 planning hours freed, and a dispute rate down below 1.5 % (end of recurring credit notes). The investment pays back in 13 to 14 months, excluding the customer-satisfaction gain.
FAQ
Is a custom TMS better than an off-the-shelf one? It depends on your routing constraints. If they are standard, a subscription TMS is enough; custom pays off when your rules (time windows, tail lifts, multi-depot, dedicated routes) are too specific for a vendor.
Does route optimization really work? Yes, on multi-drop routes a 10-18 % mileage gain is realistic. On simple point-to-point trips the gain is smaller and optimization is less of a priority.
Is electronic proof of delivery legally solid? Yes, a timestamped, geolocated, signed e-POD has far stronger evidential value than a paper slip. It drastically reduces contested deliveries.
How long to deploy? Allow 5 to 9 months depending on the number of integrations (WMS, ERP, billing). The driver app can be delivered first to quickly capture the e-POD gain.
How do I integrate my existing WMS and billing? Via connectors and EDI, budgeted at 10,000 to 28,000 EUR. It is essential to remove re-entry between the transport order, stock and the customer invoice.
Let's scope your project. Give us your fleet size, your route volume and your integrations (WMS, ERP, billing), and we will frame a TMS that pays back in under 15 months. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
