When Excel is enough
A single-location team with low LR volume can survive on a shared sheet for a while. The cost shows up later: wrong status, missing POD, and billing that does not match what ops believes happened.
Side-by-side
| Need | Excel / sheets | LR software (TMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Create & number LRs | Manual rows; easy duplicates | Controlled LR creation with types |
| Live status across branches | Conflicting copies / versions | One status: booked → delivered |
| OFD & POD | Photos in chat; hard to audit | OFD runs + POD on the LR |
| GST / TBB billing | Re-key into accounts tools | Invoice from the same bookings |
| Access control | Anyone with the link | Branch-scoped roles |
What to move to next
Look for software that mirrors your workflow — not a generic courier tracker. Start with LR software, then OFD & POD and GST billing. Or read what to look for in a TMS before you start a trial.
Related guides
- What to look for in a TMS — A buyer checklist for multi-branch transporters evaluating cloud TMS and LR software.
- Digital POD explained — How proof of delivery closes disputes, OFD loops, and billing — without paper slips.
- PAID, TO_PAY & TBB — The three LR freight types transporters use daily — and how software should handle each.
- GST billing overview — How TBB bookings become GST invoices (SGST/CGST or IGST) without re-keying from ops.