Expertise / knowledge center

Understand the model.
Make better decisions.

Practical guides to transportation flows, logistics operating models and TMS implementation. Clear explanations for the operational decisions behind complex logistics.

Explore the guides Browse key concepts
Transport flows1PL–4PL modelsTMS readiness
Three ways to frame the operationKnowledge map

Different questions need different models. Start with the right classification.

01How does the product move?Primary / Secondary Logistics
Transport flow
02Who operates or coordinates it?1PL / 2PL / 3PL / 4PL
Operating model
03Are the processes and data ready?People / Processes / Integration
TMS readiness
From terminology to practical decisions.Conceptual guide · Not a product screenshot

Featured / start here

Three essential guides.
Three different questions.

Start with transport-flow terminology, understand who delivers the logistics service, then check what your organization needs before introducing a TMS.

PrimaryUpstream flowSecondaryDownstream flow

01 / Transport flows

Primary vs. Secondary Logistics

Understand how upstream movements and downstream distribution differ, and why these terms depend on the network being described.

Full guide planned/expertise/knowledge-center/primary-vs-secondary-logistics/

1PL / 2PLService role3PL / 4PLOrchestration

02 / Operating models

1PL, 2PL, 3PL and 4PL

Separate logistics service responsibility from transport-flow classifications, and understand what changes between operating models.

Full guide planned/expertise/knowledge-center/1pl-2pl-3pl-4pl/

ProcessOwners & rulesDataSystems & events

03 / TMS implementation

Before You Implement a TMS

A practical readiness checklist covering processes, operating roles, transport data, integrations and exception handling.

Full guide planned/expertise/knowledge-center/tms-readiness-checklist/

These are editorial previews. Full-length article pages are planned and will be linked only after publication. The explanations are contextual, not universal standards for every industry.

Interactive / knowledge explorer

Explore a concept.
See what it changes.

Select a guide to compare two perspectives, understand a practical distinction and follow a relevant path into the iBisTMS website.

What are you trying to understand?

Choose one topic to explore its definitions, operational implications and related solutions.

Short editorial previews; article pages are not yet published.

Transport flowsConcept explorer

Primary vs. Secondary Logistics

Primary and secondary describe how a particular logistics network divides its transport flows. They do not identify who owns the fleet.

Primary logisticsUpstream or trunk movements

For example: bulk movements from a refinery or supply point to a terminal or depot.

Secondary logisticsDownstream distribution

For example: deliveries from a distribution depot to service stations or customer sites.

Before applying these labels, define the boundary of your network: where does each flow begin and end?

Planned article: /expertise/knowledge-center/primary-vs-secondary-logistics/

The future article path is shown as text until that page is published.

From knowledge to operation

Use the insight.
Explore the application.

Definitions only matter if they help clarify a transport decision. These sections show how an operating question connects to a real workflow.

01 / Industries

See the logistics context.

Compare planning and delivery patterns in Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Retail, Bulk, FMCG and 3PL operations.

Explore Industries
02 / Use cases

Follow the operational decision.

Learn how multi-site planning, carrier coordination, execution visibility and freight control come together.

Explore Use Cases
03 / Expertise

Prepare for transformation.

Translate concepts into process maps, interface definitions, responsibilities and a realistic TMS delivery roadmap.

Explore Logistics Advisory

Editorial roadmap

More questions.
More practical guides.

Future topics build on the decisions operators and system teams encounter across planning, execution and freight control.

Planning

Capacity, time windows and mix rules.

Which constraints must be resolved before a route can be executed?

Integration

What should Goods Issue trigger?

How source-system events inform transport states and configured workflow decisions.

Finance

Freight settlement vs. audit.

Connecting transport execution with rate references, invoicing and exception review.

A practical question / a real operation

Have a transport challenge?
Let's discuss its context.

If you are working through logistics requirements, TMS scope or enterprise integrations, our team can help you clarify the operational picture.

Discuss your operation Explore capabilities