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Outgrowing Your In-House TMS? Let’s Talk About the Rate Engine

If you're proud of your in-house system—but know it's time to upgrade how you manage rates—it’s worth exploring a modular approach.

You built your own TMS—and that’s no small thing.

You had unique needs. Off-the-shelf tools didn’t cut it. So you rolled up your sleeves, wrote custom logic, connected your carriers, and got freight moving your way.

That deserves credit. A homegrown TMS is a sign of a sharp, resourceful team.

But if you’re reading this, you might be starting to feel something shift.

When Custom Code Hits a Wall

Homegrown TMS platforms work well—until the rules get too complex, the carrier mix explodes, or the pricing logic starts looking more like spaghetti code than strategy.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone:

  • “We’re spending hours updating carrier rates manually.”
  • “We can’t easily test different rate rules without breaking things.”
  • “New modes or surcharges are hard to layer in.”
  • “Our system works, but it doesn’t scale.”

That’s where many self-built TMS teams hit the same bottleneck: the rate engine.

Why the Rate Engine Deserves a Second Look

A modern shipping operation doesn’t just need rate lookup. It needs a rate strategy.

That means:

  • Multi-modal logic (parcel, LTL, FTL, ocean, air—all in one engine)
  • Real-time API connections to carriers
  • Rule-based flexibility (fuel surcharges, accessorials, etc.)
  • Scenario testing (What-if logic for network planning)
  • Carrier and Vendor compliance enforcement (cost vs. service trade-offs baked in)

You shouldn’t have to rewrite custom code every time you want to run a new procurement event or change rate tiers.

Smart Teams Know When to Reinforce, Not Rebuild

We’re not suggesting you throw out your system. Quite the opposite.

You’ve got a foundation—and you know your business better than anyone.

But bolting on a more robust, configurable rate engine can unlock:

✅ Faster procurement cycles
✅ Fewer billing errors and carrier disputes
✅ Easier onboarding for new carriers and modes
✅ More confident decision-making when markets shift

What’s Next?

If you’re proud of your in-house system—but know it’s time to upgrade how you manage rates—it’s worth exploring a modular approach.

At G2Mint, we work with companies just like yours:
Smart, experienced teams with a TMS that works—until it doesn’t.
We don’t replace your tech. We help you power it up.

We’ll be happy to show you how easy it is to plug the most robust rate engine into your homegrown system—no heavy lifting required.  Request a Demo or Try for Free!

Curious how it would look inside your environment?
We’d love to show you how a better rate engine can plug into what you’ve already built.

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