Tailored Logistics Solutions

What Tailored Logistics Solutions does

Tailored Logistics Solutions (TLS) is a privately held, family-owned trucking software company founded in 1975 by Larry Ellis and currently led by his son Brian Ellis as CEO. The firm designs, builds, and supports web-based trucking dispatch software for U.S. carriers, freight brokers, and intermodal operators, operating from a 1-10 employee footprint in Burr Ridge, Illinois. Its core product, TLS Transformation, is a browser-delivered platform that unifies LTL, truckload, intermodal, and freight brokerage operations in a single system, hosted either by TLS or on customer servers, and accessible from PCs, Macs, tablets, Chromebooks, and smartphones.

The platform is complemented by the Tailored Mobile app for driver workflows and is distinguished by deep operational integrations: direct connections to all six Class I North American railroads for container tracking and grounding notifications, mobile communications links to Omnitracs and PeopleNet telematics, and a RouteMax routing engine that produces optimized multi-stop routes in under five minutes. Built-in EDI, document auto-capture, automated notifications, claims management, and customer/agent web portals round out the feature set. Staff average 25 years of direct transportation software expertise and the codebase represents a third-generation evolution from proprietary hardware to DOS/Windows to web.

TLS monetizes through quote-based multi-year subscriptions priced on business size and user needs, sold via a five-step enterprise demo motion (contact, demo, tailoring, proposal, implementation) supported by content marketing, social channels, and a Zoho Bookings scheduling link hosted under the CEO's name. Customers are predominantly mid-market carriers and brokers acquired through founder-led sales; no enterprise logos of material scale are publicly disclosed, and there are no funding rounds, acquisitions, or institutional investors identified in the available materials.

Name

Tailored Logistics Solutions

Legal name

Tailored Logistics Solutions

Website

https://tailoredlogistics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tailored Logistics Solutions provides web-based trucking dispatch software to U.S. carriers, freight brokers, and intermodal operators. Founded in 1975 and led by CEO Brian Ellis, the family-owned firm sells a customizable platform integrating EDI, rail tracing, and mobile driver workflows via multi-year subscriptions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trucking Management Software

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Transportation (48899)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Carrier TMS (Trucking Dispatch & Back-Office) (TLAEAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brokerage/3PL TMS (Freight Brokerage Operations) (TLAEAAAB), Freight Rating, Tariff & Contract Management (TMS Add-on) (TLAEAAAH)

Keywords

• Trucking dispatch software
• Transportation management software
• Intermodal logistics software
• Freight broker software
• Carrier management solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Illinois City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Trucking Dispatch Software Subscription: TLS provides web-based trucking dispatch software solutions. Pricing depends on business size and user needs, with a single platform handling LTL, truckload, intermodal, and brokerage operations. The company can host the application for customers, managing upgrades and data backups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Tailored Logistics Solutions (TLS) provides web-based trucking dispatch software for carriers, brokers, and intermodal operators. The platform, branded TLS Transformation, unifies dispatch, billing, driver management, document handling, EDI, and customer communication in a single browser-accessible system. Service modules cover intermodal, LTL, truckload, and freight broker operations, complemented by a mobile app for drivers and direct integrations with major U.S. railroads.

Product overview

Tailored Logistics Solutions offers TLS Transformation, a unified web-based trucking dispatch software platform designed for carriers, brokers, and intermodal operators. The platform consists of four integrated service modules (Intermodal Services, LTL Services, Truckload Services, and Freight Broker Services) complemented by the Tailored Mobile app for driver operations. All modules share a common database and are accessible via web browser or mobile devices. Additional add-on features include Customer Web Portal, Agent Web Portal, built-in document management, EDI capabilities, and integration with third-party tools including Omnitracs, PeopleNet, RouteMax, and major U.S. railroads (UP, NS, CSX, CP, CN, BN). The company positions itself as a family-owned business with trucking industry expertise since 1975.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TLS Transformation: Web-based trucking software platform that runs through web browsers, the third generation of TLS software.
• Tailored Mobile

Products and services

• TLS Transformation Web-based trucking dispatch software platform for carriers, brokers, and intermodal operators that centralizes dispatch, billing, driver management, document handling, EDI, and customer communication in a single browser-accessible system.
• Tailored Mobile Mobile device application available on Android and Apple devices that enables drivers to accept loads, update statuses, capture signatures, upload documents, and communicate with dispatch directly from the road.
• Intermodal Services Software module for drayage carriers and intermodal operators featuring split-screen dispatch, automated last free day reminders, real-time rail tracing, EDI tools, container/chassis tracking, and driver pay tariffs.
• LTL Services Less Than Truckload software module for managing small freight shipments (150 to 15,000 pounds) with automated rating, billing, routing, customer portal access, real-time tracking, document management, and RouteMax route optimization.
• Truckload Services Truckload software module for managing full trailer shipments with dispatch optimization for closest/lowest-cost drivers, automated billing and settlements, driver communications, EDI capabilities, and customer web portal access.
• Freight Broker Services Freight brokerage software module for managing broker operations including load entry, carrier sourcing and qualification, dispatch monitoring, customer invoicing, carrier payments, carrier mobile access, document management, and CRM-style features.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced manual document handling through auto-taken (focused and cropped) document pictures
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Union Pacific (UP)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect integration with Union Pacific railroad for tracking inbound containers and receiving automated grounding notifications. Automatically marks inbound containers as grounded while importing last free day to help avoid additional fees.
• Norfolk Southern (NS)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect integration with Norfolk Southern railroad for container tracking, ETAs, and automated grounding notifications to avoid detention and demurrage charges.
• CSX TransportationcoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect integration with CSX for rail tracing interface enabling automated container tracking and status updates without visiting multiple rail websites.
• Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect integration with Canadian Pacific railroad for automated container tracking and grounding notifications.
• Canadian National (CN)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirect integration with Canadian National railroad for rail tracing interface and automated container status updates.
• BNSF RailwaycoreTechnology or IntegrationDirect integration with BNSF for container tracking, ETAs, and automated grounding notifications to help avoid storage charges.
• OmnitracscoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile communications interface integration with Omnitracs for streamlined driver-dispatcher communication and data exchange.
• PeopleNetcoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile communications interface integration with PeopleNet for convenient messaging between drivers and dispatchers.
• RouteMaxcoreTechnology or IntegrationConnection to RouteMax optimized routing engine that creates routes with stunning efficiency and accuracy, generating routes in five minutes or less with subsequent interface supplying drivers with relevant information.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• McLeod Software: Long-established TMS provider serving truckload carriers, LTL, intermodal, and freight brokers with a similarly broad, modular platform. Closely comparable to TLS in target customers and product scope, though typically deployed at larger enterprise fleets.
• Rose Rocket: Cloud-native TMS purpose-built for mid-market carriers and brokers covering dispatch, billing, and customer portals. Competes head-to-head with TLS for the same mid-market trucking and brokerage buyers, with a more modern UX and self-serve orientation.
• LoadMaster TMS: TMS for trucking, LTL, and brokerage operations with a long history in the mid-market. Overlaps with TLS on dispatch, rating, billing, and EDI workflows across small and mid-sized carriers and brokers.
• MercuryGate International: TMS spanning multimodal transportation including truckload, LTL, intermodal, and parcel. Competes with TLS in the carrier/broker TMS space, generally oriented toward larger 3PLs and shippers but addressing overlapping workflows.
• Aljex Software: TMS focused on freight brokers and 3PLs with rating, carrier management, EDI, and document workflows. Directly comparable to TLS's Freight Broker Services module and competes for similar broker customers.
• ITS Dispatch: Trucking-specific dispatch and operations software used by smaller and mid-sized carriers. Closely overlaps TLS's Carrier TMS positioning, with similar focus on dispatch automation, driver communication, and back-office workflows.

Broad incumbents

• TMW Systems (Trimble Transportation): Incumbent TMS for trucking, brokerage, and intermodal now owned by Trimble. Competes with TLS across the same carrier and broker customer base but with much broader enterprise reach, deeper telematics integration, and substantially larger R&D and sales investment.
• Descartes Systems Group: Broad logistics technology platform with TMS, routing, rating, and freight audit/pay capabilities. Overlaps with TLS on multiple TMS-adjacent functions and addresses similar broker and carrier customers through a broader portfolio play.

Emerging players

• Samsara: Fleet management and telematics platform expanding into dispatch, workflow, and broader operational software for trucking. Competes with TLS as an adjacent rather than pure TMS player, often partnering with or displacing incumbent TMS at mid-market fleets.
• Motive (formerly KeepTruckin): Fleet operations platform combining ELD, telematics, and dispatch/workflow tools for commercial fleets. Adjacent to TLS with overlapping workflows (driver app, dispatch, document capture) but a fleet-management-first GTM and significantly larger capital base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TailoredLogisticsSolutions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tailored-logistics-solutions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tailored Logistics Solutions