# What is Manhattan Active TM? Modules, integrations and alternatives > Source: https://netray.co/software/manhattan-active-tm > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Manufacturing Software Encyclopedia ## Short answer Manhattan Active TM is the cloud-native transportation management product from Manhattan Associates, part of its Manhattan Active platform. It plans, executes and settles freight and is built to work with the vendor's warehouse and order products. It is used by shippers and logistics providers. ## Vendor Manhattan Associates ## Category warehouse-logistics ## Aliases - Manhattan Active Transportation Management - Manhattan TMS - Manhattan Active Platform TM ## Overview Manhattan Active TM is Manhattan Associates' transportation management offering, delivered as a cloud-native service on the same platform as its Active warehouse management and omnichannel products. The platform model emphasises continuous updates and API-based extension rather than customer-managed versions. Shippers, retailers, distributors and manufacturers use it to plan loads, choose carriers and modes, tender and track shipments, and settle freight. It carries forward capabilities of Manhattan's earlier transportation products, which customers may still know as Manhattan TMS. In a manufacturing stack it sits beside the ERP as the freight layer. It is most compelling where the same company also uses Manhattan Active WMS, because shipment and warehouse processes share a platform. Manufacturers on other warehouse systems can still integrate it, with more mapping work. ## Best For - Shippers and distributors that also use Manhattan warehouse or order management products. - Companies that prefer a continuously updated cloud service over managing upgrades. - Manufacturers with high-volume outbound distribution and multi-stop or multimodal freight. - Logistics providers needing a scalable, API-oriented transportation platform. - Teams standardising on one vendor for warehouse and transport execution. ## Modules ### Order and shipment management **Description:** Brings in orders and shipment requests and organises them for planning. ### Planning and optimisation **Description:** Load building, mode and carrier selection and route planning against cost and service rules. ### Carrier management and tendering **Description:** Maintains carrier profiles, rates and service, and automates tendering and acceptance. ### Execution and tracking **Description:** Dispatch, status events and exception handling through delivery. ### Freight audit and settlement **Description:** Compares carrier invoices to expected charges and prepares approved payment. ### Parcel and small shipment support **Description:** Rating and shipping workflows for parcel carriers alongside larger freight. ### Analytics and visibility **Description:** Dashboards and reporting on freight cost and service performance. ## Deployment Delivered as a cloud-native service on the Manhattan Active platform, with updates managed by the vendor rather than customer-scheduled upgrades. ## Integrations ### Manhattan Active products **Detail:** Shares a platform and integration model with Manhattan Active WMS and order management products, simplifying shipment and delivery handoffs. ### ERP integration **Detail:** Connects to ERPs such as SAP, Oracle, Infor and Microsoft Dynamics through APIs, files or middleware for orders, deliveries and cost data. ### REST APIs **Detail:** Exposes API interfaces for extending and integrating the platform; confirm current coverage with the vendor. ### EDI with carriers **Detail:** Tendering, status and invoice exchange commonly use X12 messages through a translator or network. ### Visibility and telematics feeds **Detail:** Ingests shipment events from carriers and third-party providers. ## Strengths - Cloud-native platform with vendor-managed updates. - Close fit with Manhattan warehouse and order products. - Combines planning, execution and settlement in one product. - API-oriented design supports extension without core modification. - Heritage in distribution and supply chain execution. ## Limitations - Benefits are strongest when other Manhattan products are also used. - Continuous updates mean less control over timing of change, which some regulated teams find hard. - Does not replace ERP, production or warehouse execution functions. - Integration with a non-Manhattan warehouse system or ERP still takes design and testing. - Packaging and product naming have evolved, so confirm current scope. ## Alternatives - MercuryGate - Oracle Transportation Management - SAP Transportation Management - Descartes - Blue Yonder Transportation - E2open ## Ai Opportunities - Explain planning decisions, such as why a load was split or a carrier skipped, for planner review. - Draft carrier communications about delays and detentions using shipment events, subject to approval. - Extract data from carrier paperwork and emails into shipment records. - Highlight freight invoice anomalies against expected charges for auditors. - Provide natural language answers about lane cost and carrier service over reporting data. ## Selection Tips - Decide whether a single-vendor platform with warehouse management matters to you. - Understand the update model and how you will test releases that arrive continuously. - Map ERP order, delivery and cost-posting integration before signing scope. - Pilot with real lanes, carriers and rates to compare planned versus actual cost. - Check carrier connectivity effort and who owns it. - Clarify extension options through APIs versus configuration. ## Faq ### What is Manhattan Active TM? **Answer:** Manhattan Active TM is the cloud-native transportation management product from Manhattan Associates. It plans loads, selects carriers, tenders and tracks shipments, and handles freight audit and settlement, running on the same Manhattan Active platform as the vendor's warehouse and omnichannel products. ### How is it different from Manhattan TMS? **Answer:** Manhattan's earlier transportation product is commonly called Manhattan TMS, while Active TM is the cloud-native offering on the Manhattan Active platform with vendor-managed updates. Capabilities and packaging differ, so check what a given contract actually includes. ### Does it require Manhattan Active WMS? **Answer:** No. It can be used on its own and integrated with other warehouse systems and ERPs. The integration is simplest when the same platform runs warehouse management, but non-Manhattan environments simply need more mapping and testing. ### Is it suitable for manufacturers? **Answer:** Yes, particularly manufacturers with substantial outbound distribution and many carriers. It does not run production or inventory costing, so it complements an ERP rather than replacing any part of it. ### What are Manhattan Active TM alternatives? **Answer:** MercuryGate, Oracle Transportation Management, SAP Transportation Management, Descartes and Blue Yonder are common alternatives. Decisions typically weigh ERP alignment, existing warehouse systems, freight complexity and tolerance for continuous cloud updates. ## Search terms what is Manhattan Active TM, Manhattan Active TM alternatives, Manhattan Active TM modules, Manhattan Active TM API, Manhattan TMS, Manhattan Active TM vs MercuryGate, Manhattan Associates transportation management, Manhattan Active platform --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json