Cloud-native vs. on-premise TMS: What's the difference?

Two fundamentally different models

An on-premise TMS runs on the company's own servers. The company is responsible for hardware, maintenance, security updates, and backups. A cloud-based TMS runs on an external cloud platform and is accessed through the browser.

The difference is not just about where the system runs — it affects how quickly you can get started, how easy it is to maintain, and how well the system can grow with your business.

Advantages of cloud-based TMS

Cloud-based systems offer several concrete advantages for transport companies:

• No investment in your own servers or server rooms
• Automatic updates without downtime
• Access from any device, anywhere
• Better scalability — the system grows with the business
• Easier integration with other cloud services and systems
• Stronger security and automated backups

The challenges of on-premise systems

On-premise systems have served the transport industry well for decades, but they come with increasing costs and limitations. Hardware ages, IT expertise is hard to recruit, and every update requires planning and resources.

Additionally, on-premise systems often lack mobile access and real-time integrations — features that modern customers and partners expect.

Orbit TMS: built for the cloud from day one

Unlike systems that have been migrated from on-premise to the cloud, Orbit TMS is built as a cloud-native platform from the ground up. This means the architecture, security model, and integration capabilities are designed to leverage the full potential of the cloud.

The result is a platform that is faster to get started with, easier to maintain, and better prepared for the future.