Written by Josh Asbury
COO, Infinity Software Solutions
Updated June 2026
One of the most common questions brokerages ask before switching TMS platforms is simple: how long is this going to take? The honest answer is that it depends, but the factors that drive that answer are predictable. This guide walks through the phases of a typical implementation, what tends to speed things up or slow things down, and what to expect once you go live.
What Drives Implementation Timelines
Before getting into phases, it helps to understand what actually determines how long a rollout takes. The biggest factors are usually:
- Data readiness. Brokerages with clean, well-organized customer, carrier, and load data move faster than those starting from scattered spreadsheets.
- Integration scope. A brokerage relying on a handful of well-supported integrations, like QuickBooks or DAT , will generally implement faster than one with many custom or less common connections.
- Team availability. Implementation moves at the pace of the slowest decision. Brokerages that dedicate time from ops and accounting staff during the rollout move through phases faster than those trying to fit it in around a full active board.
For most small to mid-size brokerages, that means going live within a few weeks is realistic with hands-on onboarding support, while larger or more customized rollouts can take a few months.
Phase 1: Kickoff and Planning
The first phase is about alignment, not configuration. A good kickoff covers:
- Confirming which workflows, integrations, and data sets are in scope.
- Identifying who on your team owns which decisions during the rollout.
- Setting a target go-live date and working backward to set milestones.
This is also the right time to flag any non-standard workflows your brokerage relies on, so the implementation team can plan for them rather than discovering them late.
Phase 2: Data Migration and Configuration
This phase covers moving your customer, carrier, and load data into the new system, and configuring the platform to match how your brokerage operates. For a detailed breakdown of what to prepare on the data side, see our Freight Broker TMS Migration Checklist .
Configuration during this phase typically includes setting up user accounts and permissions, customizing load statuses or workflows if needed, and confirming accounting codes and rate structures are set up correctly.
Phase 3: Integration Setup
Connecting the systems your team relies on daily, such as load boards, visibility tools, and accounting platforms, is one of the most important steps in implementation. Test these connections early rather than waiting until the end. Our Freight Broker Integration Checklist covers how to evaluate and validate these connections during rollout.
Phase 4: Training
Training should be built around how your team actually works, not a generic software walkthrough. The most effective training:
- Uses real loads and scenarios from your brokerage rather than sample data.
- Includes time for ops, dispatch, and accounting staff separately, since each group uses the system differently.
- Leaves room for follow-up questions after the team has had a few days to use the system hands-on.
Phase 5: Parallel Testing
Before fully cutting over, most brokerages run the new system alongside their existing one for a defined period. This gives your team a chance to validate that data, integrations, and workflows behave as expected under real conditions, without putting live loads at risk if something needs adjustment.
Phase 6: Go-Live and Stabilization
Go-live is not the finish line. Plan for a stabilization period, typically the first few weeks, where:
- Support access is close at hand for quick questions.
- Your team monitors for any data or workflow issues that only show up under real volume.
- Small configuration adjustments are made based on how the team is actually using the system.
A good vendor treats this as part of onboarding, not an extra cost. If you are still evaluating vendors, our TMS Demo Checklist for Freight Brokers includes questions to ask about what onboarding and post-launch support actually look like.
Final Thoughts
Implementation timelines vary, but the brokerages that move fastest are the ones that come in with clean data, a clear integration list, and dedicated time from the people who will use the system daily. If you are weighing whether it is time to make a switch at all, our guide on When to Switch Your Freight Broker TMS can help you think through that decision first.