What’s the ROI of Alpega TMS? Independent proof from Forrester
When evaluating transportation management system (TMS) solutions, the question that matters most to CFOs and logistics directors is simple: "What's the actual return on investment?" A recent independent Total Economic Impact™ study by Forrester Consulting provides concrete answers about Alpega TMS ROI, revealing compelling financial results that go beyond typical vendor promises.
Alpega TMS ROI results from Forrester TEI study
The Forrester TEI study examined a real-world implementation of Alpega TMS at a consumer goods company with €430+ million in annual revenue. The results speak for themselves:
- 50% ROI over three years
- €221,000 net present value (NPV)
- 8-month payback period
- €368,000 in total benefits vs. €147,000 in costs
These aren't theoretical projections - they're based on actual performance data from a company that exports to over 85 countries and processes thousands of transport orders annually.
Cost-benefit breakdown of Alpega TMS implementation
1. Improved freight management efficiency: €84,000
The study revealed that Alpega TMS delivered an 80% time savings in freight management processes. Before implementation, the company spent:
- 15 minutes per transport order on manual communication
- 5 minutes per order on export documentation
Post-implementation, automation reduced these times dramatically, creating significant efficiency gains across 6,000-15,000 annual transport orders.
2. Reporting revolution: €89,000 in savings
Perhaps the most striking transformation was in reporting capabilities. The global logistics director noted: "Prior to Alpega, there was no reporting at all. Now we can do it at the click of a button."
The company previously would have spent 2 hours weekly per region on manual reporting across 15 regions. Alpega's automated reporting eliminated this time-consuming process entirely.
3. Freight optimization through "flexing": €164,000
The largest single benefit came from Alpega's freight optimization capabilities. The company attributed €115,000 annually to "flexing"—the ability to:
- Reallocate freight between different carriers
- Take advantage of spot rates
- Optimize shipping dates and container loads
- Ensure full container loads (FCL) for better unit economics
This flexibility proved especially valuable for transatlantic shipments, where the company optimized 10-33% of containers over the three-year period.
4. Eliminated overflow storage fees: €32,000
Through better visibility and inventory planning via the Smart Booking add-on, the company avoided €11,500-€17,000 annually in overflow storage fees. The logistics director explained: "We can see how much is planned to be shipped and whether we're going to have to go into overflow storage."
Understanding the costs for ROI calculation
Transparency about costs is crucial for ROI calculations. The Forrester study identified two main cost categories:
Subscription costs: €110,000 (3-year PV)
Alpega operates on a usage-based model tied to transport order volume:
- Year 1: €25,000
- Year 2: €45,000
- Year 3: €60,000
The degressive pricing structure means cost per order decreases as volume increases, a critical factor for growing businesses.
Implementation investment: €37,000
- The four-month implementation required:
- Project manager (50% time allocation)
- IT architect (10% time allocation)
- Developer (10% time allocation)
- Logistics manager (25% time allocation)
- Integration costs with existing ERP/CRM systems
Beyond the numbers: Unquantified strategic benefits
The Forrester study also identified several benefits that couldn't be quantified but add substantial strategic value:
Enhanced compliance and audit readiness Automated reporting and centralized documentation streamline regulatory compliance and make audits significantly easier.
Strengthened partner relationships The shift from manual email communication to automated processes eliminated frustrations and inaccuracies, improving relationships with carriers and warehouse partners.
Real-ime decision making "It revolutionized how we operate, and it's given the team much more visibility," the logistics director noted. Real-time granular visibility enables data-driven decisions across transport orders, shipment volumes, and financial targets.
Key factors that impact ROI
Based on the Forrester analysis, several factors maximize TMS return on investment:
Scale matters
The degressive pricing model means larger organizations with higher transport volumes see better unit economics and faster payback periods.
Process maturity
Organizations with more manual processes see greater efficiency gains. The studied company's heavy reliance on email communication amplified Alpega's impact.
Geographic complexity
Multi-region operations benefit significantly from standardized processes and centralized visibility. The company's 15-region footprint multiplied reporting savings.
Carrier diversity
Organizations working with many carriers (this company used 25-30) see substantial benefits from automated communication and freight optimization.
Calculating your potential ROI with Alpega TMS
While every organization's ROI will vary, the Forrester study provides a framework for evaluation:
- Assess current manual processes: How much time do teams spend on freight communication, export documentation, and reporting?
- Evaluate freight optimization potential: What percentage of shipments could benefit from carrier flexing and rate optimization?
- Quantify visibility gaps: Are you experiencing overflow storage fees, compliance issues, or partner relationship challenges due to poor visibility?
- Consider scale factors: Higher transport volumes and more complex operations typically see better ROI metrics.
Implementation strategy for maximum ROI
The studied company's phased approach offers a roadmap for ROI optimization:
Phase 1: Start with the least complex warehouse as a proof-of-concept
Phase 2: Roll out to transport providers (the most challenging phase)
Phase 3: Integrate key partners to reduce email traffic and improve communication
This staged approach allows for learning and optimization while building internal confidence in the solution.
Alpega TMS as a strategic growth investment
The Forrester TEI study makes a compelling case that Alpega TMS isn't just a cost center, it's a growth enabler. With a 150% ROI and 8-month payback, the financial case is clear. But the strategic benefits, improved decision-making, enhanced partnerships, and competitive differentiation, may be even more valuable in the long term.
For logistics leaders evaluating TMS solutions, the question isn't whether you can afford to invest in modern transportation management, it's whether you can afford not to. In an increasingly complex and competitive supply chain landscape, the organizations with the best visibility, efficiency, and flexibility will be the ones that thrive.
The Forrester study provides a data-driven foundation for making that investment decision. The only question remaining is: how quickly can you start realizing these returns?
Next steps: Calculate your potential ROI
Download the complete study: Get the full Forrester Total Economic Impact report with detailed financial models, implementation guidance, and risk assessments.
See Alpega in action: Schedule a personalized demo to see how Alpega TMS can deliver similar ROI results for your organization.
Related resources:
Transportation Management Best Practices Guide
This analysis is based on "The Total Economic Impact™ Of Alpega TMS," an independent study commissioned by Alpega and delivered by Forrester Consulting in August 2025. Results may vary based on organization size, industry, and implementation approach.