Getting Started with Load Manager TMS

Getting Started with Load Manager TMS

Getting Started with Load Manager TMS

Start here when your company is new to Load Manager or a new team member needs the basic workflow. The tabs and document names you see depend on your company setup and your user permissions.

Set up your core company information first. Then create one complete test load and review the customer-facing and carrier or driver-facing documents. After that, add more users, customers, carriers, drivers, integrations, and reports.

Not sure which setup path applies? See Choose the Right Load Manager Articles for Your TMS Setup.

Header and main menu tabs at the top of Load Manager

Your Company Setup

Company Setup Primary Assignment Tab Common Document Workflow What This Means for Setup
Freight Broker Carriers Rate Confirmation for carrier communication Add outside carriers on the Carrier tab. Carrier drivers can be saved as carrier contacts or driver details.
Dispatch Service Carriers Dispatch Report for carrier or driver communication Add the carriers you dispatch for on the Carrier tab. You may also set up a dispatch service fee.
Carrier or Trucking Company Drivers Dispatch Report for driver communication Add company drivers on the Driver tab.
Freight Broker and Carrier Operation Carriers and Drivers Rate Confirmations, Dispatch Reports, or both Use the freight broker path for outside carriers. Use the carrier/trucking path for company drivers or equipment.

Premium: Premium is the normal Load Manager TMS setup for an eligible freight broker, dispatch service, or freight broker and carrier operation. It includes Carrier Lookout, Onboard Carrier, and Text Dispatch. It is generally not used for carrier/trucking-only customers.

Recommended Setup Order

  1. Set up your company profile: Confirm your company name, address, contact information, and logo under Settings >> Company Info.
  2. Add your team: Add users, assign roles, and review permissions.
  3. Review configuration options: Confirm load numbering, document defaults, invoice terms, mobile dispatch settings, tracking settings, and other company-wide defaults.
  4. Add customers and saved stops.
  5. Add carriers or drivers: Freight Broker and Dispatch Service accounts add carriers. Carrier and Trucking accounts add drivers.
  6. Set up commodity and accessorial types.
  7. Connect email for users who send invoices, quotes, Rate Confirmations, Dispatch Reports, BOLs, onboarding emails, or load updates.
  8. Create a test load: Build one realistic load from start to finish.
  9. Review documents: Preview the invoice or quote, BOL, Rate Confirmation, or Dispatch Report.
  10. Review reports and accounting.

The Main Menu

Common tabs include My Loads, Users, Customers, Carriers or Drivers, All Loads, Dispatch Board, Reports, Logs, Settings, Accounting, and Logout.

If a tab is missing, your role may lack that permission, the feature may not be enabled, or your TMS type uses a different tab name.

Create One Complete Test Load

Include:

  • A customer profile, or a clearly marked test customer.
  • Pickup and delivery stops with dates, times, addresses, and instructions.
  • The assigned carrier or driver.
  • Customer rate, carrier or driver rate, and any accessorial, direct cost, payment advance, or dispatch service fee rows.
  • Customer reference numbers such as PO # or BOL #, if used.
  • Any notes or documents.

Saved Load Screen buttons for documents, dispatch, invoice, BOL, copy load, and map tools

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