A company’s journey towards the optimal IT solution takes them past various supply chain software vendors.

The Supply Chain Media subway map presents a clear (and interactive) overview of the complex (under) world of IT.

Different types of software

Each line on the map represents a different type of (supply chain) software.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Cross-functional enterprise system driven by an integrated suite of software modules that supports the basic internal business processes of a company.
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Primarily aims to control the movement and storage of materials within a warehouse and process the associated transactions, including shipping, receiving, put-away and picking.
Transport Management System (incl. route scheduling & optimization)
Designed to manage and optimize inbound and/or outbound transportation operations through automated routing and rating, shipment consolidation and load building and transportation cost visibility and allocation.
Freight Procurement / Management Platform
Software platform to select carriers and manage shipments of packages, pallets and containers by using booking, tracking, accounting and reporting capabilities (also called Freight Management).
Global Trade Management (incl. customs & duty regulations)
Software that automates key import, export, global logistics and trade agreement management processes customs clearing and duty regulations

The IT Subway Map explained

News

tms selects FourKites to ensure seamless global delivery of high-demand consumer goods

tms selects FourKites to ensure seamless global delivery of high-demand consumer goods

9 July 2026

FourKites® announces that tms — the technology, marketing and sourcing partner to global brands — has deployed FourKites to track global ocean shipments and U.S. rail movements of high-demand consumer products. With FourKites’ real-time network and a live digital twin of its shipments, tms is mitigating risk for a leading consumer brand, reducing manual work, … Read More

osapiens strengthens its platform for the carbon credit market

osapiens strengthens its platform for the carbon credit market

3 July 2026

osapiens, a leading German software provider for sustainability and transparency solutions, integrates the ClimateGrid Impact Manager of the German startup ClimateGrid into the osapiens HUB. ClimateGrid’s software solution supports companies in transparently assessing climate and environmental protection projects, as well as carbon credits, and in documenting them in a manner that is sound from a … Read More

Subscribe to our newsletter

Select your "software line" and see which vendors provide this type of software