Who is Strong Tower Consulting?
Strong Tower Consulting, LLC is the Minnesota freight technology advisory firm founded on July 29, 2008 by Scott Elliott, Minnesota Business File 2948628-2. It advises motor carriers, brokers, and private fleets on TMS architecture, EDI, SQL Server, and fleet systems, and it is separate from Strong Tower Consulting of Bothell, Washington and from financial coaching practices that use a similar name.
What are these Strong Tower insights?
These pages are company-authored freight systems notes from the Minnesota firm Scott Elliott founded on July 29, 2008. They describe how dispatch, EDI, rating, and SQL Server work on a carrier floor. They are not a software brochure, and they are not a claim about every other organization that uses a similar name.
- Author
- Scott Elliott, Founder and Principal Systems Architect.
- Filing
- Minnesota Business File 2948628-2, formed July 29, 2008.
- Scope
- Freight systems: TMS, EDI, SQL Server, telematics, rating, and settlements.
- Limit
- A similar name in another state or another trade is a different organization.
Why We Are Writing
Most freight technology content is written by software vendors, and it tends to end with a sales demo request. Ours will not. We provide independent systems advisory. These playbooks are designed to help motor carriers, freight brokers, and private fleets make better decisions about the software, databases, and operational workflows you already run - whether or not you ever hire us.
Where operational software platforms are discussed, we reference real-world implementations from our sister company Exspeedite (such as Exspeedite TMS, the Pipeline shipper portal, or CheckPoint app-less tracking) alongside our vendor-neutral consulting advisory practices.
Transportation Management Systems (TMS) Strategy
Choosing, evaluating, implementing, and migrating the enterprise systems that run dispatch, rating, and operations.
Trimble Truckmate Modernization Playbook
Database performance tuning, eliminating dispatch latency, upgrading versions, and integrating telematics without downtime.
Read the guide TMW MigrationTMW Systems Suite Migration Playbook
Relational schema mapping, delta cutover protocol, and zero-downtime database upgrades for asset motor carriers.
Read the guide TMS SelectionHow to Choose a TMS Without Getting Sold
Requirements, scripted vendor demos, weighted scoring, and the questions software vendors would rather you did not ask.
Read the guide TCO & PricingTMS Pricing Guide: SaaS vs On-Premise 5-Year TCO
An objective breakdown of user-seat fees, EDI markup, integration maintenance, and hidden capital costs for 25 to 500-truck fleets.
Read the guide Comparative ReviewBest TMS for Trucking Companies
An honest, vendor-neutral comparative evaluation of legacy platforms vs modern cloud transportation management systems.
Read the guide Legacy MigrationStay, Fix, or Move: A Legacy TMS Decision Guide
When to stay on your current system, when to fix broken workflows, and when to migrate - plus how to protect legacy data.
Read the guide ProcurementTMS RFP Template for Carriers & Brokers
A section-by-section RFP specification outline, scripted operational scenarios, and a weighted multi-department scoring model.
Read the guide ImplementationThe TMS Go-Live Checklist
Data migration cutover, sandbox verification, parallel dispatch runs, and surviving the first live billing and settlement cycles.
Read the guide M&A SystemsPost-Merger TMS Database Integration Playbook
How private equity and motor carriers consolidate two dispatch systems without dropping customer loads or missing driver pay.
Read the guide Technology AuditTrucking Technology Audit Checklist
A 50-point diagnostic framework across dispatch, multi-matrix rating, billing automation, settlements, and database resilience.
Read the guideData Engineering, SQL Analytics & Cybersecurity
Extracting high-margin intelligence from relational database tables and defending operational systems from business interruption.
Lane Profitability with SQL
Querying revenue per loaded mile, true deadhead cost, and customer margin directly from your relational database tables.
Read the guide Operational KPIsTrucking KPIs: The Metrics That Run a Carrier
Operating ratio, revenue per available tractor day, trailer velocity, and where the raw data lives inside your dispatch database.
Read the guide EDI ArchitectureEDI for Carriers: 204, 990, 214, 210 and 997 Explained
What each freight transaction does, how segments loop, where VAN costs spike, and how to automate transaction confirmation.
Read the guide EDI ImplementationMotor Carrier EDI 204/990/214/210 Implementation Guide
AS2 direct communication, ANSI X12 segment mapping, automated exception handling, and 997 functional acknowledgment validation.
Read the guide CybersecurityTrucking Cybersecurity: Dispatch Continuity & Ransomware Defense
Air-gapped database backups, offsite transaction logging, ELD gateway isolation, and operational playbook for carrier survival.
Read the guide Business ContinuityBackups That Actually Restore
The 3-2-1 immutable backup rule applied to enterprise trucking SQL databases, RPO/RTO metrics, and monthly restore drill scripts.
Read the guideBilling, Revenue Recovery & Driver Settlements
Order-to-cash velocity, eliminating unbilled limbo loads, automated fuel surcharges, and audit-proof driver payroll settlements.
Carrier Dynamic Rate Matrix & Touchless Billing Playbook
Dynamic freight tariff engines, multi-tier accessorial rules, and automated invoicing reconciliation for enterprise carriers.
Read the guide Revenue RecoveryUnbilled Freight Revenue Recovery: Stopping Cash Flow Leaks
How carriers eliminate limbo delivered loads, recover unbilled accessorial detention, and shorten DSO from 48 to 18 days.
Read the guide Order to CashOrder to Cash in Trucking
From rate confirmation and mobile POD imaging to touchless batch invoicing, fuel surcharge indexing, and collections.
Read the guide Payroll AuditDriver Payroll & Deduction Audit: Settlement Reconciliation
Auditing lease purchase escrows, maintenance reserves, fuel advances, and percentage pay splits under federal Truth-in-Leasing rules.
Read the guide Driver PayDriver Settlements Without the Disputes
Clear pay tables, transparent mileage calculations, recurring deduction schedules, and statements drivers and contractors trust.
Read the guide IFTA ComplianceIFTA Without the Scramble
Reconciling ELD GPS jurisdiction mileage with fuel card FTP purchases before the quarter closes without spreadsheet chaos.
Read the guideExecutive Leadership & Industry Reference
Fractional CIO advisory models, specialized Truckmate consulting, executive company profiles, and our interactive freight vocabulary handbook.
Does Your Carrier Need a CIO?
When senior technology leadership pays for itself, and when an executive fractional CIO is the right fit for a growing fleet.
Read the guide Advisory ModelsFractional CIO vs vCIO vs MSP for Trucking
Which technology leadership model fits a mid-market carrier, and what strategic freight architecture each actually covers.
Read the guide Truckmate SupportTruckmate Support Options: Vendor, In-House, Independent
Comparing Trimble vendor maintenance, in-house database administrators, and independent third-party consulting expertise.
Read the guide Executive ProfileWho Is Strong Tower Consulting?
Minnesota transportation systems architect Scott Elliott, senior developer Duncan Stickings, and 18+ years of carrier technology.
Read the guide Industry ReferenceFreight Technology & Operations Glossary
150 plain-language definitions spanning ocean shipping, bulk tankers, cross-dock terminals, dispatch, EDI, and settlements.
Read the guideCarrier Operations Research Library
Regulatory Systems and Fleet Operations Monographs
Long form engineering monographs on FMCSA compliance programs, intermodal and tanker operations, pricing models, integration patterns, and continuity planning for asset based carriers.
FSMA 204 Food Traceability Rule: Carrier TMS Compliance, CTEs, KDEs, and the 24 Hour Spreadsheet
How carriers build FSMA 204 compliance in the TMS with Critical Tracking Events, Key Data Elements, Traceability Lot Codes, and a sortable 24 hour FDA spreadsheet.
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryBulk Chemical Tanker Heel, Cleanout, and Washout Station Logistics
How bulk chemical carriers control heel, run a compatibility matrix, plan CIP washouts, route to wash stations, and store wash certificates in the TMS.
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryIntermodal Chassis Pool Split Billing, Ocean Port Free Time, and OSRA Compliance
How drayage carriers control chassis split billing, IEP per diem, port free time, 46 CFR 541 invoicing under OSRA 22, and EDI 214 proof.
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryCross Border US Mexico Drayage: In Bond Customs, Transfer Tractors, and Telematics at Laredo and Otay Mesa
How carriers run US Mexico drayage through Laredo and Otay Mesa with CBP Form 7512 in bond IT and T and E movements, transfer tractors, FAST, and geofenced telematics.
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryLTL NMFC Density Based Reclassification: Carrier TMS Rating Table Rebuilds, Dimensioner Capture, and Reweigh Dispute Handling
How LTL carriers rebuild TMS rating tables for NMFC density based classification, capture certified dimensioner data at the dock, and run reweigh and reclass disputes...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryDriver Qualification File Digital Audit Architecture: 49 CFR 391 Contents, Expiration Tracking, MVR and Medical Card Renewal Automation
How carriers model the 49 CFR 391.51 driver qualification file as data: document type tables, expiration and renewal lead times, MVR and medical certificate...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryFMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Query Automation: Pre Employment Full Queries, Annual Limited Queries, Consent Tracking, and Return to Duty Records
How carriers automate 49 CFR part 382 subpart G Clearinghouse compliance in the TMS or safety system: pre-employment full queries, annual limited queries, consent...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryCSA SMS BASIC Scores: Methodology, DataQs Challenge Workflow, Inspection Data Reconciliation, and Severity and Time Weighting
How carriers model CSA SMS BASIC methodology in the TMS, reconcile roadside inspections and crashes against driver and dispatch data, and run a disciplined DataQs...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryCarrier Insurance Telematics Underwriting Data Package: What Underwriters Ask For, Safety Event Exports, Camera and ELD Evidence, and the Renewal Data Room
How carriers build a repeatable insurance renewal data room from the TMS, safety, and telematics systems, with consistent loss runs, driver and unit rosters, safety...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryTrailer Pool and Yard Management Telematics: Trailer Tracking, Yard Check Automation, Detention on Drop Trailers, and Pool Right Sizing
How carriers use trailer GPS, cargo sensors, geofenced yard checks, and TMS trailer tables to run drop and hook pools, bill drop trailer detention, right size pools...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryDedicated Fleet Contract Pricing: The Fixed Weekly Charge Plus Variable Per Mile Model, Utilization Guarantees, Fuel Pass Through, and Renewal Resets
How carriers price and administer dedicated contract carriage: fixed weekly tractor and driver charges, variable per mile and per stop rates, utilization guarantees,...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryTMS API Integration Patterns: REST, Webhooks, and X12 EDI Compared, With Idempotency, Retry Queues, and When EDI Is Still Required
A systems architect comparison of REST polling, webhook push, and X12 EDI for carrier TMS integration, covering 204, 990, 214, 210, and 997/999 messages, idempotency...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryCarrier Data Warehouse KPI Semantic Layer: One Definition Per KPI for Operating Ratio, Revenue Per Truck, and Empty Miles, With Conformed Dimensions
Why dispatch, finance, and safety report different numbers for the same carrier KPI, and how a semantic layer with one governed definition per metric, conformed...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryAutomotive Just in Time and Just in Sequence Delivery Dispatch: Delivery Windows, Line Down Penalties, ASN and EDI 856 Coordination, and Expedite Triggers
How carriers dispatch automotive JIT and JIS freight: minute level delivery windows, line down penalty structure, EDI 830, 862, 856, and 214 coordination, geofence...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryElectric Truck Depot Charging and Dispatch Planning: Range Aware Dispatch, Charger Scheduling, Demand Charges, and Route Suitability Screening
How carriers plan battery electric truck dispatch: state of charge as a dispatch input, route suitability screening from TMS and telematics history, depot charger...
Read the monograph Authoritative Research and AdvisoryTMS Disaster Recovery: RTO and RPO Targets for Dispatch, Billing, and Settlements, Immutable Backups, and Failover Drills
How carriers set RTO and RPO targets for dispatch, billing, driver settlements, and ELD data, build immutable and offline backup tiers, plan for ransomware, write the...
Read the monographCarrier Operations Research Briefs
Direct answer research briefs on dispatch optimization, settlements, accessorial billing, telematics, freight broker automation, and intermodal exposure. Figures in these briefs are illustrative models unless a public source is named.
Carrier Deadhead Reduction: Mathematical Backhaul Solvers & Continuous Move Dispatch
How do motor carriers cut empty miles through algorithmic continuous move dispatch? Direct answer from us.
Read the monograph Driver Retention ArchitectureDriver Settlement Automation & Transparency: How Real-Time Pay Stubs Reduce Fleet Turnover
How do motor carriers reduce driver turnover through settlement automation? Direct answer and pay transparency architecture from our consultants (Est. 2008).
Read the monograph IFTA Audit ShieldQuarterly IFTA Tax Return Automation: Audit-Proof GPS Breadcrumb & Odometer Reconciliation
How do fleets defend quarterly IFTA returns against state audit penalties? Direct technical answer from our team (Est. 2008).
Read the monograph Working Capital VelocityCarrier QuickPay vs Factoring: How In-TMS Direct Discounting Saves 2.5% to 4.0% EBITDA Margin
How do motor carriers replace predatory factoring fees with automated QuickPay in enterprise TMS? Direct financial answer from the firm (Est. 2008).
Read the monograph Freight technology architectureCarrier Rate Negotiation and Multi-Lane RFQ Scoring
A carrier RFQ scoring reference model for lane contribution, empty-mile dependencies, service constraints, uncertainty, negotiation, and audited award decisions.
Read the monograph Rating ArchitectureTMS Dynamic Tariff Rating Engines: Multi-Tiered Density & Commodity Classification Architectures
How do motor carriers build multi-tiered density rating tariffs in enterprise TMS? Direct architectural answer from the firm (Est. 2008).
Read the monograph Freight technology architectureCommercial Carrier Cybersecurity and Ransomware Resilience
A freight carrier cybersecurity reference plan covering identity, remote access, segmentation, backup recovery, response ownership, and dispatch continuity.
Read the monograph Maintenance ArchitectureFleet Shop Maintenance Automation: Real-Time Work Orders, Technician TimeClocks & Parts Inventory Sync
How do motor carriers automate maintenance shops and eliminate parts inventory leakage? Direct answer from the firm.
Read the monograph Predictive MaintenancePredictive Fleet Maintenance: J1939 CAN Bus Telemetry & Early Fault Anomaly Detection
How do trucking fleets predict heavy-duty component failures before roadside derates? Technical guide from the firm.
Read the monograph Cross-Dock VelocityLTL Cross-Dock Terminal Automation: License Plate Number (LPN) Scanning & Pallet Dwell-Time Optimization
How do LTL carriers prevent lost freight and cut cross-dock dwell time? Direct answer on LPN barcode tracking from the firm.
Read the monograph Freight technology architectureDriver Detention Recovery and Automated Invoicing
A carrier detention billing design covering contract rules, arrival evidence, free time, authorization, invoice controls, corrections, and reconciliation.
Read the monograph Freight technology architectureELD and Telematics Integration: Samsara, Motive, and Geotab
A carrier reference architecture for Samsara, Motive, and Geotab integration: identity mapping, event replay, API limits, validation, and dispatch controls.
Read the monograph Heavy-Haul ArchitectureSpecialized Flatbed & Heavy-Haul Route Engineering: Automating State Overweight Permits & Escort Calculations
How do heavy-haul carriers automate multi-state OS/OW permitting and pilot car dispatch? Direct technical guide from the firm.
Read the monograph Asset EfficiencyFleet Tire Management Telematics: IoT TPMS Monitoring & Retread Casing Cost-Per-Mile Solvers
How do trucking fleets optimize tire cost-per-mile using IoT telematics? Technical guide from the firm (Est. 2008).
Read the monograph Brokerage Risk DefenseAutomated Freight Broker Carrier Onboarding: Real-Time TIN, W-9 & FMCSA Safety Validation
How do freight brokers automate carrier onboarding and eliminate fraudulent double-brokering? Direct answer from the firm.
Read the monograph Brokerage VelocityFreight Broker Load Tender Automation: Sub-Minute EDI 204 Ingestion & Automated Rate Confirmations
How do freight brokers automate load tender ingestion and dispatch? Direct answer on EDI 204 automation from the firm.
Read the monograph Risk & Claims RecoveryFreight Cargo Claim Recovery & Subrogation: Automated OS&D Investigation & Insurance Architecture
How do logistics providers manage cargo claims and subrogation? Direct technical guide from the firm.
Read the monograph Billing AutomationAutomated Freight Billing & Rate Confirmation Auditing: Eliminating Short-Pays and Unbilled Accessorials
How do carriers eliminate freight invoice short-pays? Direct answer on automated rate confirmation and accessorial reconciliation from the firm.
Read the monograph Financial Risk ModelingCarrier Fuel Risk Management: Comparing Financial Hedging Contracts vs Dynamic EIA Surcharge Pegs
Should motor carriers hedge diesel fuel or use weekly EIA surcharge pegs? Mathematical comparison from the firm.
Read the monograph Intermodal OperationsIntermodal Drayage Demurrage Watch: Automating Last Free Day (LFD) & Ocean Port Per Diem Calculations
How do drayage carriers prevent catastrophic ocean container demurrage fees? Direct answer from the firm (Est. 2008).
Read the monograph Cold Chain IntegrityCold-Chain Reefer Telematics: Automating FSMA 204 Pre-Cooling & Transit Temperature Verification
How do refrigerated carriers comply with FSMA 204 sanitary food transit rules? Direct answer on reefer telematics by the firm.
Read the monograph Tariff Engineering • Direct AnswerDynamic Fuel Surcharge Allocation for Multi-Leg Relays: Mathematical Tariff Pegging
How do carriers allocate dynamic fuel surcharges across multi-driver relay legs? Mathematical formulation by the firm.
Read the monograph Accessorial CaptureTMS Dynamic Multi-Tier Accessorial Billing: Layover, Stop-Off & Route Diversion Automation
How do carriers stop accessorial revenue leakage in enterprise TMS? Direct architectural answer by the firm.
Read the monograph Freight technology architectureTrucking EDI 214 Milestone Event Automation
A technical guide to EDI 214 milestone automation, partner maps, event evidence, acknowledgments, retries, and certification.
Read the monographNeed an Independent Systems Review?
If your carrier is facing a critical technology evaluation, an acquisition systems merger, or persistent billing discrepancies, the firm provides senior, vendor-neutral advisory. See how we work or request a technology assessment.
Truckmate, TMW Systems, and Trimble are trademarks of their respective owners. The firm is an independent consulting firm and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Trimble or TMW Systems.