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

Manhattan Associates introduces Sightline, bringing decision intelligence to supply chain planning

Manhattan Associates introduces Sightline, bringing decision intelligence to supply chain planning

29 June 2026

Manhattan Associates Inc. unveiled Sightline, a new capability within ActivePlanning, to reveal the reasoning behind AI-driven forecasts, recommendations, and inventory decisions in plain business language. Sightline brings the “why” behind projected outcomes directly into the application, from a single order line to an entire network. It gives planners forensic-level understanding of the factors shaping forecasts, … Read More

Optilogic launches Ada, the first agentic AI system purpose-Built for supply chain design

Optilogic launches Ada, the first agentic AI system purpose-Built for supply chain design

29 June 2026

Optilogic announced the general availability of Ada, a breakthrough agentic AI system that fundamentally transforms how supply chains are modeled, analyzed, and continuously redesigned. Announced live to more than 300 customers, partners, and industry leaders today at the company’s annual user conference in Detroit, Ada marks a major industry milestone: shifting supply chain teams from … Read More

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