The verdict in three sentences
A custom transport management system (TMS) costs between 55,000 and 170,000 EUR in 2026, depending on whether you stop at planning and transport orders or add telematics, mobile proof of delivery and EDI with your carriers. The ROI shows on two lines: fuel and empty miles, where route optimization delivers 8 to 15% direct savings. Plan a 14 to 24 week project and managed hosting of 800 to 2,500 EUR/month.
TMS module costs in 2026
A TMS only creates value when the bricks chain together: from transport order to invoicing, via planning and proof of delivery. Each module is priced by its algorithmic complexity.
| Module | Function | 2026 range (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Transport orders | Entry, statuses, assignment | 10,000 – 20,000 |
| Route planning / optimization | Algorithm, constraints, time windows | 18,000 – 48,000 |
| Telematics / fleet tracking | GPS, position, driving, fuel | 13,000 – 34,000 |
| Mobile proof of delivery (POD) | Driver app, signature, photos | 10,000 – 24,000 |
| Carrier EDI / freight brokerage | Standardized data exchange | 11,000 – 30,000 |
| Transport invoicing | Rates, taxes, fuel surcharge | 9,000 – 22,000 |
A base TMS (orders + planning + POD) starts around 55,000 – 80,000 EUR. Adding telematics, EDI and advanced invoicing brings the project to 125,000 – 170,000 EUR.
The real gain: fuel and empty miles
A TMS promise is not administrative but operational. Route optimization cuts miles driven, hence fuel, wear and driving hours. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a 20-vehicle fleet.
| Metric | Without TMS | With optimized TMS | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty miles (return legs) | 22% | 12% | −10 pts |
| Annual fuel cost (20 veh.) | 480,000 EUR | 415,000 EUR | −13.5% |
| Daily planning time | 3 hrs | 40 min | −78% |
| On-time delivery rate | 84% | 95% | +11 pts |
| Delivery disputes (missing proof) | 6%/month | 1.5%/month | −75% |
| Transport invoice issued | D+7 | D+1 | −6 days |
Mini case study
Thomas, logistics director of a regional distributor in Lille, runs 20 vehicles and 2,300 deliveries/month. Planning is done in a spreadsheet (3 hrs/day) and 22% of miles are empty. He invests 72,000 EUR in a TMS with planning, mobile POD and invoicing, delivered in 18 weeks. Over 12 months: empty miles drop to 12%, i.e. 65,000 EUR of fuel savings, and invoicing moves from D+7 to D+1 (cash improved by ~6 days of revenue). The tool pays back in 13 months, before reduced disputes and 2 hrs/day of planning saved.
FAQ
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Isn't a SaaS TMS enough?
For a standard fleet, a SaaS TMS (50–150 EUR/vehicle/month) can work. Custom is justified as soon as you have specific constraints (multi-depot, brokerage, complex pricing, ERP integration) the vendor doesn't cover.
Is route optimization really reliable?
Yes, if the algorithm captures your real constraints: time windows, capacities, service times, driving regulations. It is the most expensive module (18,000–48,000 EUR) because it drives the ROI.
What does mobile proof of delivery bring?
A driver app with signature and photos eliminates "parcel not received" disputes: typically from 6% to 1.5% disputes/month. The module costs 10,000 to 24,000 EUR.
Can we connect existing telematics?
Yes, most GPS boxes expose APIs. We integrate position, consumption and driving style into the TMS rather than replacing everything, which limits cost.
What maintenance budget?
Plan 15 to 20% of the build per year, i.e. 800 to 2,500 EUR/month depending on fleet size, for hosting, map updates and support.
Let's scope your project. Give us your fleet size, routing constraints and integrations (ERP, telematics, EDI): we'll scope a TMS between 55,000 and 170,000 EUR. 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.
