Transport Management + Microsoft Dynamics

Transport Management System for Microsoft Dynamics

D365 Supply Chain includes basic transportation features, but carrier rate shopping, advanced load optimization, and real-time shipment tracking require more. Locate2u provides dedicated TMS capabilities that integrate directly with Dynamics 365 via the Dataverse API.

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Integration Overview

Where D365 transportation falls short

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management includes a Transportation Management module with basic load planning and freight reconciliation. D365 Business Central has no transportation module at all. Neither product provides the operational depth that growing logistics operations require.

Locate2u bridges this gap. It pulls orders and warehouse release data from Dynamics 365, handles the full transport execution cycle -- load building, carrier selection, route optimization, dispatch, and tracking -- and posts freight costs and delivery data back to D365 for financial reconciliation.

Transport Gaps in Dynamics 365

What the D365 Transportation module cannot do

No multi-carrier rate shopping -- D365 cannot compare live rates across contracted carriers to find the lowest cost option per shipment
Limited load building -- basic grouping by shipment but no intelligent consolidation based on weight, cube, and delivery window constraints
No real-time GPS tracking -- shipment status relies on manual updates or EDI messages from carriers, creating visibility gaps during transit
Basic route planning -- D365 routes are simple origin-destination calculations without multi-stop optimization or real-time traffic adjustment

How It Works

Three steps to transport management with Dynamics 365

Connect Dynamics 365

Link D365 Supply Chain or Business Central via the Dataverse Web API. Sales orders, transfer orders, and warehouse data sync to Locate2u automatically when shipments are ready for transport.

Plan and Optimize

Consolidate D365 orders into optimized loads. Compare carrier rates across your contracted providers. Build multi-stop routes that minimize distance and respect delivery time windows.

Execute and Sync

Dispatch to carriers or your own fleet. Track every shipment with GPS and milestone updates. Delivery confirmations, freight costs, and POD records post back to D365 for financial reconciliation.

TMS Features for Dynamics 365

Transport management capabilities that extend Dynamics 365

Load Optimization

Consolidate D365 orders into loads based on weight, cube, delivery windows, and carrier constraints. Intelligent grouping reduces partial shipments and improves vehicle fill rates beyond D365's basic load planning.

Carrier Rate Management

Compare rates from multiple carriers in real time for each shipment. Factor in service level, transit time, accessorial charges, and fuel surcharges -- something the D365 Transportation module cannot do natively.

Real-Time Tracking

GPS tracking on your own vehicles and milestone tracking on carrier shipments. Live location data, ETA updates, and exception alerts visible in Locate2u and synced to D365 shipment records.

Compliance Management

Track driver hours, vehicle certifications, dangerous goods requirements, and weight regulations. Automated compliance checks before dispatch ensure every shipment meets regulatory requirements.

Cost Analytics

Detailed freight spend analysis by carrier, lane, mode, and D365 cost center. Identify cost trends, carrier performance issues, and rate optimization opportunities with dashboards built for logistics teams.

Driver and Vehicle Scheduling

Assign drivers and vehicles to loads factoring in availability, certifications, and capacity. Schedule transport runs that align with D365 warehouse release times and customer delivery commitments.

Results

What Dynamics 365 customers achieve with Locate2u TMS

20%

reduction in freight spend through carrier rate optimization and load consolidation

85%

average load utilization, up from 60% with D365 basic transportation planning

95%

on-time delivery rate with optimized routing and proactive exception management

2 wks

average deployment time via Dataverse API with pre-built D365 field mappings

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management includes a basic Transportation Management module with load planning and freight reconciliation features. However, it lacks advanced capabilities like multi-carrier rate shopping, automated load optimization, real-time GPS tracking, and detailed carrier performance analytics. Locate2u extends D365 with these dedicated TMS capabilities through direct API integration.

Locate2u integrates with Dynamics 365 through the Dataverse Web API (formerly Common Data Service). Sales orders, load plans, and shipment data sync bidirectionally between D365 and Locate2u. The integration also supports Dynamics 365 Business Central via its standard API endpoints for organizations running the SMB-focused ERP.

Yes. Locate2u can operate as the execution layer for transport operations that D365 initiates. Load plans created in D365 can be handed off to Locate2u for carrier selection, route optimization, and real-time tracking. This approach lets you use D365 for strategic transport planning while Locate2u handles day-to-day operational execution.

Locate2u pulls sales orders, transfer orders, warehouse release data, item dimensions and weights, delivery addresses, and customer service level requirements from D365. This data drives load consolidation, carrier selection, and route optimization. Transport costs and delivery confirmations flow back to D365 for financial posting and customer updates.

Yes. Locate2u integrates with both D365 Supply Chain Management (enterprise) and D365 Business Central (SMB). Business Central users benefit most because the SMB product has no built-in transportation management features at all. Locate2u adds complete TMS functionality including carrier management, load building, shipment tracking, and freight cost analysis.