Supply Chain Now: PING Golf’s Success with a Faster, Easier, and Fully Integrated TMS

Date: March 19, 2025
Host: Scott Luton (B)
Guests:

• Doug Wilson, Software Product Management, PING Golf (C)
• Shannon Valancourt, CEO, RateLinx (A)

Episode Overview

This episode highlights PING Golf’s journey to transforming its supply chain efficiency by upgrading to a modern, integrated Transportation Management System (TMS) with the help of RateLinx. The discussion centers on the challenges of global supply chain complexity, technology integration—especially during an ERP transition—the art of streamlining shipping processes, elevating customer experiences, and the critical role of implementation in delivering real business value.

With stories, candid insights, and hard-earned lessons, Doug and Shannon provide a roadmap for organizations considering a TMS overhaul, emphasizing the value of combining the right technology with intimate business process understanding.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. PING’s Growth and the Need for Change

• Background: PING Golf, a leading golf equipment brand since 1959, has expanded to five global manufacturing and repair facilities.
• Challenge: Growth and regional autonomy led to fragmented, regionally managed shipping operations.
• ERP-TMS Integration: PING embarked on a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) project, using it as an opportunity to reevaluate its underperforming TMS.

“We had locations around the globe. We wanted to kind of streamline those and bring those right into a single TMS provider.”
— Doug Wilson, (08:01)

2. Selecting the Right TMS Partner

• Fit Over Flash: PING looked for a provider attuned to their volume and global reach—not just high-volume shippers.
• RateLinx's Edge: RateLinx offered a TMS with a built-in, business-ready packing solution—key for PING, which would otherwise require in-house development.

“Being able to bring not only a TMS provider, but give us a packing solution that we could use ... was a huge win for us.”
— Doug Wilson, (08:55)

3. Complexity in Global Shipping Operations

• Stakeholder Saturation: Multiple internal groups intersect in shipping decisions.
• Hybrid Operations: Combinations of automated and manual, conveyor-based and local carrier networks made process standardization vital yet tricky.
• Regional Autonomy: Each region historically solved shipping challenges their own way due to local carrier requirements and limitations of prior technology.

“You have to regionalize it if you can't find a system.”
— Shannon Valancourt, (12:31)

4. Why Combine TMS and ERP Transformation

• Opportunity for Alignment: Implementing a new TMS during ERP rollout lets companies “rip the Band-Aid off,” aligning technical and business process improvements, avoiding costly retrofits later.
• Advice: It’s common—and wise—to reevaluate TMS alongside ERP integration for maximum synergy.

5. Implementation Best Practices

• Two-Phase Approach: Replace the old TMS first, then transition to integrating and tailoring with the ERP.
• Deep Physical Understanding: RateLinx emphasizes going to client sites and mapping the physical warehouse processes before pushing technical solutions.
• Collaboration Works: Co-building and knowledge sharing between teams accelerates success and reduces need for support post-launch.

“You have to understand the physical side of inside that warehouse, because we're going to fit into a process that they have established.”
— Shannon Valancourt, (33:55)

6. Benefits of API-Driven TMS Integration

• Reliable Automation: API connections between TMS and ERP enable smooth, fast, real-time operations—no "complex workarounds."
• Global Standardization: A single interface and process for shipping and packing, no matter the region.

“Connecting the system to the TMS was fairly straightforward ... it's almost, quite honestly, I would say it makes the project rather boring. And I'm okay with that.”
— Doug Wilson, (14:41)

7. Quantifiable Results Post-Implementation

• Increased Reliability: Weekly system outages are now virtually eliminated.
• Self-Service: Business users research and resolve shipment issues themselves, cutting help desk calls.
• Cost Reduction and improved rate shopping due to better real-time data.
• Simplicity: Integrations “just work,” enabling PING to focus on their core business—making golf clubs.

“Where we would have weekly system outages, now it's, I couldn't tell you when the last time we've had a system outage.”
— Doug Wilson, (39:08)

8. Broader Industry Trends and Lessons Learned

• No Room for Fragile Systems: Reliability isn’t optional. Shippers can't afford disruptions because “if they can't get the product out the door, they can't make money.” — Shannon Valancourt (40:46)
• SMBs Face Tougher Scrutiny: Lower-volume shippers can be harder to serve—they notice every mistake and need near-perfection.
• “Boring is Good”: A smooth, “boring” shipping operation is a mark of successful tech and process alignment.

9. Advice for Change Leaders

• Clarity and Discipline: Be clear on your priorities; don’t get distracted by “shiny objects.”
• Avoid Custom-Built Promises: Be wary of vendors who want to build features just for you—choose mature, fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Train for Data: Bring business users into the reporting and data journey early; TMS is about the data, not just labels.
• Ask Why: Always clarify the underlying business problem before deploying solutions.

"Ask them why, what problem are you trying to solve? … It's amazing what you learn."
— Shannon Valancourt, (49:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Boring Being Good:
  “How boring is good ... when supply chain ... is boring, that is good news.”
  — Scott Luton, (16:41)

• On Integration:
  “You can rip our screens off, just scrape them right off and you lose no functionality.”
  — Shannon Valancourt, (17:44)

• On Support:
  “Their help desk support felt like yelling into the void.”
  — Doug Wilson, describing previous TMS providers, (23:23)

• On Implementation:
  “If I wanted a software project, I would do it myself.”
  — Doug Wilson, on choosing mature solutions, (47:38)

• On SMB Complexity:
  “The smaller, the more difficult they are ... You mess up one shipment that could be 20% of what goes out that day.”
  — Shannon Valancourt, (29:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• PING’s Global Expansion and Logistics Complexity: 06:00 – 12:00
• Why Switch TMS, and Why During ERP Transition: 06:35 – 09:39
• Implementation & Collaboration Realities: 32:00 – 35:40
• API-Driven Integration Benefits: 14:41 – 17:29
• Post-Implementation Results: 39:08 – 40:00
• Industry Insight—Big vs. Small Shippers: 29:42 – 31:27
• Advice for Leaders Embarking on a Migration: 47:04 – 50:40

Episode Takeaways

1. Get Everyone on the Same Page: For global businesses, standardizing shipping through a unified TMS enables consistent and scalable operations.
2. Integrate Early, Integrate Smart: Implementing a TMS alongside ERP transition can pay dividends—but only with close process analysis and a reliable partner.
3. Emphasize Boring Reliability: In supply chain, “boring” systems are often the best—freeing up teams to innovate elsewhere.
4. Make Data King: Use TMS not just for labels but for real-time reporting, cost management, and improved customer service.
5. Never Settle for Incomplete Fit: Avoid “we’ll build it for you” vendor offers—choose TMS tech that meets your specific needs today.

Final Thoughts (Guest Wrap-Up)

• Doug Wilson:

  • Know your objectives and don’t compromise.
  • Don’t chase features you don’t need—avoid becoming a development partner for under-baked products.
  • Train your people, especially on data and reports.

• Shannon Valancourt:

  • Always ask customers what problem they’re trying to solve.
  • True collaboration comes from shared goals and honest, open questions.
  • Experience is earned: scars come from failing to ask “why?”
  • Don’t bleed on the bleeding edge—choose solutions, not experiments.

How to Connect

• Doug Wilson (PING):
  LinkedIn Profile (search on LinkedIn)
• Shannon Valancourt (RateLinx):
  RateLinx.com, or connect via LinkedIn

For Listeners Considering a TMS Upgrade

This episode is a must-listen (or must-read) for anyone involved in supply chain transformation, weighing a TMS switch, or wrestling with global logistics complexity. Doug and Shannon’s stories reinforce the power of matching technology to real operational needs, and how the right approach makes supply chain “boring”—in the very best way.

“Making supply chain boring and simple, but very capable right here in 2025…”
— Scott Luton, (46:17)

End of Summary