We're so glad you're here and promise to provide you with nothing short of World-Class Customer Service and a kick-butt TMS to use for many years to come!

If you operate a 3PL / Freight Brokerage and you're new to AscendTMS, then this help guide is for you!

In no time at all, you'll learn how:

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the two videos included above. They do a great job of giving you and your team a "lay of the land" of AscendTMS.

Enjoyed the videos but still have questions? No worries! 😎 Check out our step-by-step, how-to guides (below) to help you along your AscendTMS journey and become an AscendTMS expert in no time!

So, let's Get Started!

You'll find the Settings Menu in the lower, left-hand corner of your AscendTMS screen.

This is where you'll start customizing and making AscendTMS your very own! Below you'll find help guides on areas within Settings you may want to visit and customize to your liking.

Take some time to explore the Settings Menu to discover powerful customization options that let you tailor AscendTMS to fit your unique operation.

To get started finding shippers, just click on the Find New Shippers tab on the left side of your AscendTMS screen.

Whether you're a new freight brokerage looking for your first customer, or you're a seasoned pro with a book of long-term, happy clients, EVERY single broker can use more shippers! We've partnered with the BEST source to finding vetted and verified shippers in our trusted partners, Shipper CRM! Finding shippers has never been EASIER!

Every Monday at midnight, each user receives 10 search credits to sort and filter by the exact types of shippers they're looking for. Looking for poultry shippers in Florida? We've got 'em! Want aluminum manufacturers in Indiana? Oh, yeah! We've got 'em! How about beverage bottlers in New York? Yup! We've got them, too! So, have at it! There are over 52,000 fully researched and verified shipper profiles waiting for YOU!

For a full rundown of how to use the ShipperCRM Live Directory, please visit our How to Find New Shippers help guide, linked below.

Now that you've customized your AscendTMS to your liking, and have learned the EASIEST and BEST way to Find Shippers, you're ready to start moving loads! So, naturally, that's where we'll head to next - How to Build, Dispatch and Manage loads!

The Loads tab is where you'll build, post, track, update and manage loads you're currently moving, about to move, or loads that have delivered and are ready to start the invoicing and billing processes.

Let's start with an overview of Load Management. Go ahead and click on the Loads tab, then View Loads within your AscendTMS account screen.

Then, please visit our Load Management Overview / View Loads help guide (link below) for a full walk-through on how AscendTMS takes the complicated out of planning, booking and dispatching loads!

Once you've got a handle on Load Management, just return back to this guide for a quick crash course on How to Build a Load within AscendTMS!

AscendTMS flawlessly handles just about every type of move and mode you can imagine! From simple one-pick, one-drop moves to multi-stop loads. From multi-modal to over-dimensional. From partial to full truckload, we've got you covered! And, ALL from one, easy-to-use load building process.

From within the same Loads tab, navigate to and click on the Build a Load tab.

​For a deep dive including helpful videos and step-by-steps guides that cover how to build any and every load under the sun, please visit our series of How to Build a Load (and additional Load Templates and Copy a Load tools) Help Guides, below.

Fast-track load building with Load Templates – perfect for dedicated lanes or recurring loads, saving you time and reducing repetitive tasks every time you dispatch.

Need to run that same load again? Just use the Copy Load function and duplicate it in seconds, AND pick the load details you want to copy over. Because repeating success should be that easy. 😎

Now that your load has been built, you'll need to find a carrier, right? Right! So, here are a few more help guides to walk you through getting those loads covered, carriers vetted and onboarded and how to use AscendEZ Sign for your Carrier Rate Confirmations, efficiently, and in no time at all!

Need to cover a load fast—but with the right carrier? AscendTMS gives freight brokers the ultimate edge with powerful tools designed to simplify and speed up carrier selection.

With just a few clicks, you can Post Loads, run Lane History reports, and use the Search My Carriers feature to match your shipment with the ideal carrier based on real performance metrics. Leverage historical data, KPI reporting, and customizable criteria to confidently book the best carrier—every time. Because in freight, smart moves win fast.

Get your loads in front of the right eyes by posting to top platforms like DAT, Truckstop.com, 123Loadboard, Loadboard Network, and countless others – the more exposure, the better!

A quick and easy report that uses YOUR historical data to show you the carriers who have covered this load, how much you paid them, how profitable those previous loads were, how the carrier performed and more!

Unlock the power of precision with the Search My Carriers tool within AscendTMS. This feature lets you drill down into a wealth of criteria, from carrier type and insurance coverage to past lanes, equipment, and more. Whether you need a specialized carrier for a specific load or want to review your past performance, our advanced search functions give you the flexibility to match the right carrier to the right job – fast!

Now that you've found the perfect carrier for your load, it's time to move seamlessly into the vetting and onboarding process. With AscendTMS, this step is as easy as clicking a few buttons.

Onboarding carriers has never been simpler with AscendTMS! Thanks to our built-in, free carrier vetting tool – AscendCVQ – you can quickly verify insurance, authority, and other key details. Plus, with integrations to MyCarrierPortal, Truckstop RMIS, and the upcoming Highway integration, you can easily connect and manage your carriers all in one place. Setup is a breeze, and the intuitive interface makes managing your carrier network smoother than ever!

Now, let's keep the momentum going and lock in that carrier with ease using our powerful AscendEZ Sign – the electronic signature tool that streamlines your carrier confirmations in no time!

With AscendEZ Sign, getting Carrier Rate Confirmations signed is as easy as clicking a button. Say goodbye to printing, scanning, and chasing signatures—this built-in e-signature tool lets you dispatch loads faster and lock in carrier agreements instantly, all without ever leaving AscendTMS.

With the right carrier now dispatched and on the move, let’s explore the load management magic inside AscendTMS!

Once your load is on the move, AscendTMS makes it effortless to stay in control. From real-time status updates to comprehensive load histories, you’ll have everything you need to monitor progress, update customers, and keep things running smoothly. Whether you’re managing one load or a hundred, AscendTMS gives you the visibility and tools to stay ahead every step of the way.

From within the Loads tab, go ahead navigate to and click on the View Loads tab.

Once there, please visit our help guides listed below for super helpful tutorials on how to easily manage, track and update your loads, from dispatch to delivery.

Speed things up with the AscendTMS Shortcut Menu—just right-click on any load to unlock a powerhouse of quick actions. Instantly update load statuses, open documents, launch dispatch and tracking tools, post loads, and so much more. It’s your one-click express lane to getting things done faster than ever.

Visual Notification indicators in the Last Contact column of Load Management and Load Logs—makes it easy to spot important updates and know exactly when it’s time to take action.

Bulk Load Updates - Bulk It Like a Boss

Need to update, post, archive, or send multiple loads to Accounting? Do it all at once with Bulk Update mode in the Load Management tab—fast, easy, done.

As a freight broker, visibility is everything—and AscendTMS delivers. With free real-time tracking via AscendTracker, plus built-in integrations with MacroPoint, Trucker Tools, and Transflo, you’ll always know where your loads are and when they'll arrive. Keep your customers in the loop, reduce check calls, and stay ahead of the game with tracking tools that work as hard as you do.

The AscendTracker feature sends them a special text message and we simply grab their location and the status of the load for you. The driver can also respond from his phone with the real-time status of the load with one press. NO APPS NEEDED - just our special text message! You can also use this feature to send any other instructions to a driver via standard text message.

Check out the AscendTracker Help Guide link (below) for a deep dive!

Take the guesswork out of freight visibility with the MacroPoint integration in AscendTMS. This powerful partnership lets you seamlessly track your loads in real time—right from inside your TMS. No more jumping between systems or chasing down updates. Just simple, automated tracking that keeps you and your customers informed every step of the way.

Stay connected from dispatch to delivery with the Trucker Tools integration in AscendTMS. This seamless connection gives you real-time load tracking directly inside your TMS, using the Trucker Tools app your carriers already know and trust. Cut down on check calls, boost transparency, and keep your customers in the loop—without ever leaving AscendTMS.

Integrating Transflo Velocity+ into your daily AscendTMS load management activities eliminates the need for manually collecting and processing paperwork, manual check calls to drivers and streamlines dispatching and tracking. Transflo automates it all using the most advanced digital document processing technology and most widely used driver app on the market.

Visit our Transflo Velocity+ Help Guide for how to get started using Transflo Velocity+!

The Accounting module in AscendTMS makes managing your books as smooth as moving freight. Easily invoice customers, pay carriers, and track past due invoices—all from one simple dashboard. Need to nudge a slow-paying customer? Send automated past due notices with just a click. Plus, you can combine multiple invoices into a single summary invoice for cleaner, faster billing. It’s everything you need to stay on top of your finances—without ever leaving your TMS.

Check out our Accounting Help Guides, below.

Invoicing in AscendTMS is quick, accurate, and built to keep your cash flow moving. This guide walks you through creating and sending professional invoices—complete with all the necessary load paperwork attached—so you can spend less time on admin and more time running your business.

Paying Carriers in AscendTMS is fast, simple, and built to keep your operations running smoothly. This guide walks freight brokers through the process of reviewing completed loads, confirming pay amounts, and issuing payments to carriers—whether by check, ACH, or factoring. With everything in one place, you’ll spend less time chasing paperwork and more time booking freight.

As a freight broker, data is king! AscendTMS Load and KPI Reporting gives you the real-time insights you need to move smarter and grow faster. From spotting your most profitable shippers to tracking revenue trends and lane activity, you’ll quickly see which customers, carriers and lanes are driving your margins—and which ones aren’t. It’s data you can act on, right when you need it.

For a Help Guide on Load Reporting, check out our Load Reporting Help Guide link, below.

For a Help Guide on KPI Reporting and Trend Analytics, check out our KPI Reporting Help Guide link, below.

You’ve just scratched the surface of what’s possible as a freight broker or 3PL using AscendTMS. From building loads and onboarding carriers to tracking KPIs and getting paid faster, you now have the tools to run a smarter, more efficient operation—all in one place. Whether you're booking your first load or managing hundreds a week, AscendTMS grows with you, adapts to your business, and keeps the chaos in check.

So go ahead—quote it, cover it, track it, invoice it. And most importantly, own it. With AscendTMS, you’re not just getting started. You’re gaining momentum.

Join our FREE live training sessions every Monday through Thursday at 2pm EST—no fees, no fine print, no kidding. Just head over to the AscendTMS Training Center and jump in!

Our team of actual humans (no bots here!) is just an email or phone call away. Shoot us a note at support@inmotionglobal.com or give us a ring at (813) 681-5000, Option 2. We’re here to help you win the freight game!