Build a Brokerage Transportation Management System (TMS) — Web App (MVP) ________________________________________ Project Description We are building a professional Transportation Management System (TMS) for a freight brokerage company specializing in full truckload shipments, including open-deck and specialized freight. This system will be used internally by brokerage staff (sales, dispatch, operations, accounting) and must support future expansion into customer and carrier portals and mobile applications. This is NOT a fleet management system — it is a broker operations platform. ________________________________________ Phase 1 Scope (MVP) The MVP will focus on core brokerage operations only. Core Modules 1) User & Role Management • Secure login • Role-based access (Admin, Operations, Sales, Accounting, Dispatcher) • Audit logging ________________________________________ 2) Customer (Shipper) Management • Company profiles and contacts • Pickup/delivery locations • Payment terms • Notes/history ________________________________________ 3) Carrier Management • Carrier profiles (MC/DOT) • Document storage (insurance, W-9, agreements) • Compliance status (manual verification acceptable) • Ability to approve/block carriers ________________________________________ 4) Load Management (Core) Full lifecycle tracking: Quote → Booked → Dispatched → In Transit → Delivered → Invoiced → Closed Load details: • Multi-stop pickup/delivery • Equipment type • Commodity, weight, dimensions • Special requirements • Internal notes • Buy rate vs sell rate ________________________________________ 5) Internal Load Board • Dispatchers can post/edit loads • Approved carriers can request to book • Status synchronization across system ________________________________________ 6) Dispatch & Tracking (Basic) • Assign carriers to loads • Manual status updates • Event logging • ETA fields (manual or calculated) ________________________________________ 7) Document Management Upload and store per-load documents: • Rate confirmations • Bills of lading • Proof of delivery • Receipts ________________________________________ 8) Billing & Accounting • Generate customer invoices • Track payment status (manual confirmation) • Track carrier payables • Support accessorial charges ________________________________________ 9) Reporting Basic dashboards: • Load status overview • Revenue vs cost summary • Aging reports ________________________________________ Technical Preferences Open to proposals, but preferred stack: • Backend: Node.js (NestJS or equivalent) • Frontend: React / Next.js • Database: PostgreSQL • Cloud-ready architecture • REST API for future mobile apps • Secure file storage (e.g., AWS S3) ________________________________________ Deliverables • Fully functional web application • Source code in private repository • Database schema & migrations • Deployment instructions • Basic technical documentation ________________________________________ Ideal Candidate / Team • Experience building complex business applications • Experience with logistics, ERP, or operational systems preferred • Strong architecture skills • Ability to design scalable systems