%20(1).png)
In an ideal world, a single platform would manage all modes of transport, in all regions, for all types of flow. Solutions offer extensive visibility over road, sea and air transport. However, when it comes to rail transport, these tools reach their limits.
Most TMS solutions are not designed to handle the unique complexity of rail logistics. Rail flows are often managed as an afterthought, either manually, or with limited functionality built into systems originally designed for road transport. The result is significant gaps in visibility, planning and execution.
What is needed is a specialized approach that understands the nuances of rail transportation and brings together real-time data, automated planning and operational collaboration.
Rail-specific challenges
Rail has several specific features that make it complex to manage:
- Dispersed data: Information is often scattered between players (rail operators, wagon lessors, etc.).
- Limited tracking at wagon level: Unlike trucks or containers, wagons are often not equipped with active GPS and have to be tracked by fragmented systems.
- Lack of real-time visibility: It's difficult to accurately track the position of wagons and trains.
- Rigid scheduling: Schedules and capacities are less flexible than in other modes of transport.
- Manual processes still prevail: Many actors still rely on email or phone for operational updates, causing delays and data loss.
Everysens: The rail TMS specialist
To meet these challenges, Everysens offers a dedicated solution: the TVMS (Transportation Visibility & Management system). Designed specifically for rail, this system provides:
- Real-time visibility: Precise wagon tracking, reliable Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), and proactive alerts.
- Cost control and Pay: Companies gain real-time visibility. Users can monitor the cost-effectiveness of their shipments, and easily generate reports to support sustainability goals and compliance.
- Intelligent planning: The RALF assistant optimizes transport plans based on capacity, constraints, historical patterns, and available assets, automatically suggesting the best options.
- Smooth collaboration: All participants (shippers, carriers, customers) are connected on the same platform, facilitating exchanges and coordination.
- Real-time alerts: Enables proactive response, whether it’s a delay, a missed loading, or a misrouted wagon.
- Order management: Bridges the gap between supply chain planning and rail operations by integrating transport demand directly in the TVMS. Teams can anticipate shipment needs, create and validate transport orders centrally, and align them in real time with available fleet and network capacity.
- Comprehensive analytics and performance KPIs: Dashboards to monitor on-time delivery, dwell time, wagon utilization, network performance, and service quality.
- Fleet optimization: Full visibility into wagon usage and idle times allows better rotation, reduced empty runs, and more efficient fleet sizing.
Heidelberg Materials: Concrete results with Everysens
Heidelberg Materials, one of the world's leading manufacturers of building materials, was looking to modernize its rail operations, which until then had been fragmented between several tools and were highly manual.
By deploying Everysens TVMS, the company centralized the management of its rail flows on a single platform, benefiting from real-time visibility of its wagons, digitization of consignment notes, and improved operations management.
The results are tangible and enhanced customer satisfaction thanks to faster, more reliable information.
While a universal TMS remains a utopian dream, specialized solutions such as Everysens' demonstrate that it is possible to effectively manage complex modes of transport such as rail. Rather than looking for a single tool to do everything, it makes more sense to go for solutions tailored to each specific need.
Discover how Everysens solves industry-specific challenges with its tools!
