In this article we set out 12 reasons to choose the Planlogi eCMR platform as your logistics company’s partner for digital transformation.
The Planlogi eCMR system is an officially recognised platform that both transport companies and consignors have joined. Joining gives you the assurance that your consignment notes will meet the European Union requirements that are soon to come into force.
With our cloud-based solution you can open eCMR shipments, connect your own transport management system (TMS) or adopt Planlogi’s TMS – all of which are integrated internationally with eFTI gates – so you can manage transport documents electronically, speed up the flow of information and invoicing, and reduce errors and downtime.
1. Full eFTI and CMR compliance with audit logs
Every electronic consignment note (eCMR) event recorded in Planlogi (creation, digital signatures, check-in at loading and check-out at unloading) is saved to an archive, where a timestamp, the authenticated person who performed it and the geolocation are added automatically.
This means your transport documents are verifiable and already comply today with the eFTI regulation that will apply from 2027. The result is lower regulatory risk in future, because your business process and signatures at key points have been brought into line with the law.
2. Guaranteed security and data protection
Planlogi runs in EU-based, certified data centres. All documents travel through encrypted channels to prevent unauthorised access.
Role-based access control ensures that every signature, status change or file upload is tied to a user.
This is an important feature that customs and insurers require to resolve eCMR disputes more quickly.
3. Integrations with ERPs and customers’ systems
Once Planlogi is connected to your existing transport management system (TMS), the Planlogi eCMR system automatically relays data between your TMS and the national eCMR register (eFTI gate).
As a consignor, you can connect your ERP or production software to Planlogi, which lets you open shipments, send them electronically to your carriers and, depending on the carrier’s digital capability, in some cases also see the order status. In future, once the eCMR system as a whole is more widely adopted, it will also be possible to see goods arriving to the consignor, enabling simpler data exchange and better planning of internal logistics processes.
If you adopt Planlogi’s complete logistics management software, you can also automate the entire process through our existing integrations.
Orders, API interfaces, the customer portal, planning, driver work orders and invoices all run in Planlogi and are automatically integrated with the Planlogi eCMR platform for you – the simplest turnkey solution. It means all your support comes from one place, eliminating double entry and reducing manual work or costly technical third-party integration processes.
4. Real-time shipment tracking and better transparency
Planlogi saves every eCMR status change immediately to a cloud log visible to authorised parties. This provides full visibility of the shipment’s journey and reduces information gaps with inspection authorities and customers.
In addition, a history of actions is kept, which reduces the need to keep paper consignment notes for seven years and deal with disposing of them later.
An electronic, verifiable, real-time eCMR data stream increases transparency and reduces disputes and misunderstandings between parties.
The eCMR link automatically created by Planlogi contains the required data and any photos uploaded by the driver, for example of the condition of the goods or at the moment of handover. This is particularly useful for logging damaged consignments. Over time, additional features will be added that allow integration with customs and other similar environments.
5. Fewer manual errors and less data loss
Planlogi replaces your company’s paper CMR consignment notes with electronic consignment notes (eCMR). An electronic transport document eliminates duplicates, lost paperwork and the constant problems caused by illegible handwriting.
Waiting for the document to come back with the truck before invoicing drags out the cash-flow process, and customers have even had invoices go unissued because the paper never came back. Chasing the customer for the money afterwards is difficult.
Planlogi also provides automatic validation and checks on mandatory consignment note fields, reducing the risk of important data being left off the note.
If the consignor has its own ERP system, the digital output allows it to import shipment information back into that ERP later for accurate cost accounting and CO2 reporting.
6. More efficient transport operations
Planlogi brings all data related to the shipment’s journey into a single view, so the logistician, terminal, warehouse, driver and customer are always working with the same information. Each sees only the part of the information they need and adds to it according to their own tasks.
Sharing information in real time like this improves the workflow, simplifies decision-making, speeds up route corrections and simplifies incident resolution and management. The work may differ each time, but the process is repeatable – and that kind of operational management is always more profitable.
7. Faster document processing and invoicing
Automatic recording of timestamps and digital signatures cuts document delivery delays from days to just minutes. Instead of waiting for the driver to return from the route with the paperwork before drawing up the invoice and sending it to the customer, with a digital consignment note you can do it all instantly on the Planlogi platform once the goods have been handed over.
This makes the invoicing process many times faster and simpler, with all the necessary documents linked to the invoice. No more scanning the consignment note PDF, adding attachments and chasing documents lost along the way. Everything is immediately available in Planlogi and is sent to the customer with the invoice.
Invoicing can be managed in Planlogi, but this information is not integrated with the eCMR system, as it is needed only for internal operations. Once issued, the invoice is emailed to the customer together with a link to access the necessary supporting documents. An e-invoice is also issued if the customer receives e-invoices, and your accounting is integrated into the same process. All systems work together.
☝️ According to Planlogi users, invoicing through Planlogi is on average five times faster than with their previous processes.
8. Smoother loading and unloading
The Planlogi eCMR shows the driver real-time information on where loading takes place and the related goods information, such as quantity, weight and special conditions. For the driver, all the information is presented logically and clearly.
The solution is easy to use because the usage patterns are repeatable. The driver can quickly and easily confirm successful loading, confirm unloading or update order information (e.g. quantity, weight).
No more filling in forms by hand! This speeds up the loading process considerably.
9. Reliable Estonian-language customer support
Planlogi’s support team is based in Estonia and answers questions Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00. Customers can get help in both Estonian and English.
When you join the Planlogi eCMR system, you’re assigned a personal contact for the implementation period who knows your setup inside out. Personal launch support continues for two months after the implementation period to ensure quick responses to questions that come up in day-to-day work.
10. Easy adoption and smooth onboarding
The Planlogi eCMR platform is built to be easy and intuitive to use for your whole team and other parties involved. Part of our process is training your team, which, in addition to knowledge of the software, gives you the chance to review your entire business process and get up to speed with the changes that eCMR brings.
Depending on the size of the company and the complexity of moving to eCMR, the length of the implementation process varies from a couple of months to six months. The workload and implementation time may increase if the solution needs to be integrated with third parties. In that case Planlogi can lead the process to keep communication as simple as possible.
11. TMS and eCMR on one cloud platform
If you’re still managing transport in Excel, Planlogi is the ideal choice for you because, unlike many eCMR platforms, Planlogi also offers complete cloud-based logistics management software.
The planner can quickly and easily enter the whole route in Planlogi, follow updates on the consignment in real time and change it immediately if needed.
The driver receives the consignment data automatically in the driver app and signs documents digitally.
The invoice is created and sent to your accounting software and to the customer immediately after the consignee’s signature is collected, and is available in the Planlogi archive.
☝️ By adopting Planlogi logistics software, you’ve already validated a large part of your logistics process as eCMR-ready.
12. Planlogi is an official service provider for EIS eCMR integration grant applications
Did you know that Enterprise and Innovation Foundation Estonia (EIS) supports integration with the eCMR data service and the digitalisation of consignment notes with up to €15,000, covering up to 90% of the investment? It’s an opportunity to adopt an eCMR solution and digitalise your entire logistics process.
Grant applications are accepted until 30 September 2025 or until the budget runs out.
Book an eCMR introductory consultation with Planlogi and we’ll introduce you to both the solution and the grant scheme in more detail. We also offer help with mapping your needs and implementing the eCMR system.
Besides Planlogi, there are currently nine official eCMR service providers in Estonia. All of them enable you to create an electronic consignment note (eCMR), but the platforms differ greatly in technical details and total cost. Before making a final decision, answer ten checklist questions to assess where you stand today.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose the Planlogi eCMR platform?
The Planlogi eCMR platform ensures eFTI and CMR compliance, security, automatic data exchange, real-time tracking, less manual work and data loss, faster document processing and seamless integration with your logistics management software.
How does the Planlogi eCMR ensure eFTI and CMR compliance?
Every event on the eCMR (creation, digital signatures, loading and unloading) is saved to an archive with timestamps, geolocation and audited user data, ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing future risk.
How are security and data protection ensured?
Planlogi uses certified European Union data centres, an encrypted channel and role-based access control, which prevents unauthorised access and ensures data security and fast dispute resolution.
What integrations are possible with Planlogi?
The Planlogi eCMR integrates with your TMS, ERP and customers’ systems, enabling automatic data exchange, order tracking and invoicing automation, reducing double entry and manual work.
How are real-time tracking and transparency ensured?
Every eCMR status change is saved to a cloud log visible to authorised parties, making it possible to follow the shipment’s entire journey and reducing information gaps with customers and inspection authorities.
How does the Planlogi eCMR reduce errors and data loss?
An electronic transport document eliminates the drawbacks of paperwork such as duplicates, lost documents and illegible handwriting, reducing invoicing delays and the risk of errors.
How does eCMR improve transport operations?
All shipment-related data is brought together in one view, allowing the logistician, terminal, driver and customer to use the same information in real time, speeding up decisions, route corrections and incident resolution.
How does eCMR speed up document processing and invoicing?
Automatic timestamps and digital signatures make it possible to draw up invoices immediately after the goods are handed over, without waiting for the paperwork to come back, making the invoicing process many times faster.
How can loading and unloading be made smoother?
The Planlogi eCMR shows the driver all loading and unloading information in real time, including quantities, weight and special conditions, speeding up the process and reducing the need to fill in forms by hand.
What customer support does the Planlogi eCMR platform offer?
Planlogi’s support team is based in Estonia and provides support Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00, in Estonian and English. On joining, a personal contact is assigned for the implementation period to ensure quick responses to questions.
How easy is it to adopt the Planlogi eCMR?
The platform is intuitive and easy to use, includes team training and makes it possible to quickly review the entire business process and get users up to speed with how eCMR works.
How do the TMS and eCMR work on one cloud platform?
Planlogi’s complete logistics management software combines the TMS and eCMR on a cloud platform, allowing the planner, driver and accounts team to use the same information in real time, speeding up operations and reducing double entry.
