Not one to let good content go to waste - the following is a portion of the instructions we are working on for the Routing Guide functionality.
Feedback is always appreciated.
We are looking for companies to beta test the new parts of our new transportation management software so get in touch if you are interested.
Thanks.
eRoutingGuide is built to allow flexibility with how you create your company’s Routing Guide. You are able to include as much information as you feel is necessary, and in any format. Remember, the idea is to firmly set the ground rules up front for all vendors, suppliers or anyone shipping product on your company’s behalf – so include any information you feel is important. Think how easy it will be to get your up to date Routing Guide into the people’s hands that need it. You’ll save time, energy and cost when your freight is routed right the first time.
eRoutingGuide allows you to upload an existing .pdf file to your personalized Routing Guide website that can be accessed by whomever you choose. There is also a large free-form area to add text with additional information for users to be aware of. Click Here for an example of a completed profile.
You’ll want to include basic information such as key logistics contacts with Names, Phone Numbers, Company Locations, etc.
Most importantly, make sure you spell out the specific routing instructions for any supplier, vendor or person within your own company shipping to you, or on your company’s behalf. Below are a few ideas to get you started or click here to see a sample eRouting Guide.
- Who are your preferred carriers? As an example, if there is a supplier routing an LTL shipment moving from Georgia to a location in New Jersey – the supplier needs to know the best carrier to use is X, and it needs to be billed to your correct account number which is XXXX.
- Do you have a national account with Fed Ex or UPS? People within your company need to know what account numbers to use to make sure the correct discount is applied.
- Do you utilize a 3rd Party Logistics company to handle all your truckload routing – make sure their contact information is easily accessible.
- Are appointments required at your facilities? Who do they contact for an appointment?
- Do you require an Advanced Shipping Notification (ASN) number? Make sure vendors and suppliers know that is a requirement and the procedures to follow.
All these points should help give you the idea. Once updated, eRoutingGuide allows you to easily send companies a link to your personalized webpage.
Click Here for an example of a completed profile. We welcome your questions and feedback: questions@eroutingguide.com
Thank you for choosing eRoutingGuide. Supply Chain Software made easy.
http://knol.google.com/k/anonymous/transportation-management-software-what/4ilw4vkwik1x/1#
Showing posts with label Transportation Management System. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transportation Management System. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Transportation Management Software - Part # 1 for ShipAssist - Beta Testers Needed
Not one to let good content go to waste - the following is a portion of the instructions we are working on for the ShipAssist functionality. Routing Guide to follow in part #2.
Feedback is always appreciated.
We are looking for companies to beta test the new parts of our new transportation management software so get in touch if you are interested.
Thanks.
ShipAssist is built to allow flexibility with how your facility’s Shipping Dock information is displayed on your personalized ShipAssist website. You are able to include as much information as you feel is necessary, and in any format. Remember, the idea is to firmly set the ground rules up front for any trucking company coming into your shipping dock – so include any and all information you feel is important. Think of the phone calls and hassles you can avoid by the carriers getting this information in advance!
Click Here for an example of a completed profile.
Here are some recommendations:
You’ll want to include basic information such as Phone, Address, Directions, and Hours.
Most importantly, make sure you include the specific Rules and Regulations at your shipping dock. Here are a few ideas to get you started or click here for an example.
- Are appointments required? Who do they contact for an appointment?
- Upon arrival, drivers must Auto- Check In by texting their load number to xxx-xxxx (*if your facility has eRoutingGuide Auto-Check-In service)
- Is a lumper service required? What is the rate?
- Is a lift-gate required?
- How many hours of wait time should a driver expect before you will approve detention?
- Will a delivery be refused without an Advanced Shipping Notification number?
- Is a pick up or some type of load number required?
- Are drivers allowed on the dock? Are you a shipper load and count (SLC) facility?
- How are OS&D issues handled?
Those points should give you the idea. Once updated, ShipAssist allows you to easily send companies a link to your personalized webpage and require that all carriers and vendors confirm their understanding of the rules and regulations on your ShipAssist website. Your Shipping Department will thank you.
Click Here for an example of a completed profile.
We welcome your questions and feedback: questions@eroutingguide.com
Thank you for choosing ShipAssist. Transportation Management Software can be simple!
Monday, August 16, 2010
New Interview About Transportation Management Software Startup - eRoutingGuide.com
I had a blast last Friday talking to Justin from http://www.asable.com/ talking about startup Transportation Management Software company, eRoutingGuide and ecommerce order fulfillment company, Fillship.com. Check out the interview on the AsAble.com site.
Also, check out a conversation with Dustin Mattison of Logipi.com.
Also, check out a conversation with Dustin Mattison of Logipi.com.
Ship products? eRoutingGuide is looking for companies to beta test a new product, no cost or obligation
If you ship anything, you should check out http://www.eroutingguide.com/ - any new user who signs up by 9/1/10 will be given free access to the new ShipAssist and Routing Guide products. All that is asked is feedback on how the system is working and ideas for improvements.
Here is an overview of the system:
Executive Summary:
eROUTINGguide.com is easyTMS. The eROUTINGguide vision is to offer on-line tools that give small and medium size companies access to transportation management technology that was previously only affordable to large companies. Each module within the system is designed to save time, protect information, and improve decision making for the logistics professionals in that organization.
• ShipAssist - Provides tools that help companies by preventing accessorial charges and improving communication with carriers.
• Online Routing Guide - Improves inbound and outbound routing guide compliance, reducing costly errors and service issues.
• easy TMS - Helps businesses reduce freight costs through ensuring better carrier rate management, shipment routing decisions, and carrier communication.
Each tool is simple to implement and has an ROI of days, not months or years.
ShipAssist:
ShipAssist provides easy access to an online location for shipping department to post facility rules and regulations, maps/directions to their facility, or any other information a shipper wants to communicate to carriers. As a standard procedure, the shipper directs carriers to their personalized site to review the facility’s regulations and provide a documented acknowledgment of acceptance of the rules. The main benefits of the service are to set clear guidelines and expectations for carriers to prevent disagreements over detention or other accessorial charges, as well as eliminate calls to the shipping department asking for directions or other requests for basic information. There is ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) functionality available as well.
The target market for the service is a manufacturer with one location, or a national retail chain with multiple locations, each having unique receiving requirements.
Online Routing Guide:
eRouting Guide provides an online location for companies to post their corporate routing guide in an open or password protected environment. The routing guide information is posted on a personalized site for the business and can be customized with any relevant content. Instead of sending out hard copies of routing guides, potential users can reference the information online. Updates can be made instantly and notification of any changes are sent immediately. Routing compliance is improved, therefore reducing time and expenses incurred to the business resulting from misrouted shipments. The goal is to make sure each shipment is routed the right way every time. There is ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) functionality available as well.
The target markets for the service are any manufacturer with vendors or suppliers sending inbound product or companies with de-centralized shipping origin point.
Here is an overview of the system:
Executive Summary:
eROUTINGguide.com is easyTMS. The eROUTINGguide vision is to offer on-line tools that give small and medium size companies access to transportation management technology that was previously only affordable to large companies. Each module within the system is designed to save time, protect information, and improve decision making for the logistics professionals in that organization.
• ShipAssist - Provides tools that help companies by preventing accessorial charges and improving communication with carriers.
• Online Routing Guide - Improves inbound and outbound routing guide compliance, reducing costly errors and service issues.
• easy TMS - Helps businesses reduce freight costs through ensuring better carrier rate management, shipment routing decisions, and carrier communication.
Each tool is simple to implement and has an ROI of days, not months or years.
ShipAssist:
ShipAssist provides easy access to an online location for shipping department to post facility rules and regulations, maps/directions to their facility, or any other information a shipper wants to communicate to carriers. As a standard procedure, the shipper directs carriers to their personalized site to review the facility’s regulations and provide a documented acknowledgment of acceptance of the rules. The main benefits of the service are to set clear guidelines and expectations for carriers to prevent disagreements over detention or other accessorial charges, as well as eliminate calls to the shipping department asking for directions or other requests for basic information. There is ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) functionality available as well.
The target market for the service is a manufacturer with one location, or a national retail chain with multiple locations, each having unique receiving requirements.
Online Routing Guide:
eRouting Guide provides an online location for companies to post their corporate routing guide in an open or password protected environment. The routing guide information is posted on a personalized site for the business and can be customized with any relevant content. Instead of sending out hard copies of routing guides, potential users can reference the information online. Updates can be made instantly and notification of any changes are sent immediately. Routing compliance is improved, therefore reducing time and expenses incurred to the business resulting from misrouted shipments. The goal is to make sure each shipment is routed the right way every time. There is ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) functionality available as well.
The target markets for the service are any manufacturer with vendors or suppliers sending inbound product or companies with de-centralized shipping origin point.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Benefits of Saas for Logistics Management
Benefits of SaaS (Software as a Service) for Transportation Management
In the old way of thinking, companies were used to buying, building, and maintaining their IT infrastructures despite exponential costs. SaaS gives companies an alternative to those headaches. Now, a company can plug in and subscribe to services built on shared infrastructure via the Internet. The SaaS model has gained popularity in recent years because of the many benefits it offers to businesses of all sizes and types, but it also begs several questions and considerations to be thought of as well.
The main benefits that are attracting businesses customers to take advantage of SaaS solutions for Transportation Management:
Higher Adoption Rates: SaaS applications are easily accessible from any computer or any device—anytime, anywhere. Because most people are familiar with using the Internet to find what they need, SaaS apps tend to have high adoption rates, with a lower learning curve.
Lower Initial Costs and Easier IT Implementation: SaaS applications are typically subscription based. No license fees mean lower initial costs. Having the SaaS provider manage the IT infrastructure means lower IT costs for hardware, software, and the people needed to manage it all.
Automatic Upgrades: Because the SaaS provider manages all updates and upgrades, there are no patches for customers to download or install. The SaaS provider also manages availability, so there’s no need for customers to add hardware, software, or bandwidth as the user base grows.
Seamless Integration: SaaS vendors with true multitenant architectures can scale indefinitely to meet customer demand. Many SaaS providers also offer customization capabilities to meet specific needs. Plus, many provide APIs that let you integrate with existing ERP systems or other business productivity systems.
Items to think about when considering a SaaS solution:
Data Security is more than just user privileges and password policies. It’s a multidimensional business imperative, especially for vendors responsible for customer data. Make sure any provider you’re considering has solid policies and procedures in place to guarantee the highest possible levels of security. Carrier and order fulfillment services contracts need to be kept safe.
With on-demand applications, customers rely on their providers to keep systems and data available. You need to trust your SaaS provider to meet your business requirements, so expect them to communicate with you as a partner in your business. You need to have access to your transportation data and systems from anywhere.
Scalability is important. With any utility, customers benefit from the scale of the supplier. Scale provides a larger customer community that can deliver more and higher-quality feedback to the vendor to drive future innovation. And a larger customer community provides rich opportunities for collaboration between customers. Make sure the vendors you’re evaluating provide:
Any vendor providing on-demand services should be professionally paranoid, considering every potential disaster, and being prepared for anything.
Data backup procedures should create multiple backup copies of customers’ data in near real time at the disk level. The strategy should include a multilevel backup strategy that includes disk-to-disk-to-tape data backup where tape backups serve as a secondary level of backup, not as their primary disaster recovery data source. Failover should cascade from server to server and from data center to data center in the event of a regional disaster, such as a hurricane or flood.
Any provider offering SaaS applications needs to be able to deliver very high availability. A detailed history should be available. Vendors should provide availability data on the entire service, not just on individual servers.
Kenneth Kowal is a logistics professional with over 15 years supply chain management experience. He has founded two companies: TMS logistics solution provider and startup ecommerce order fulfillment company FillShip.com.
In the old way of thinking, companies were used to buying, building, and maintaining their IT infrastructures despite exponential costs. SaaS gives companies an alternative to those headaches. Now, a company can plug in and subscribe to services built on shared infrastructure via the Internet. The SaaS model has gained popularity in recent years because of the many benefits it offers to businesses of all sizes and types, but it also begs several questions and considerations to be thought of as well.
The main benefits that are attracting businesses customers to take advantage of SaaS solutions for Transportation Management:
Higher Adoption Rates: SaaS applications are easily accessible from any computer or any device—anytime, anywhere. Because most people are familiar with using the Internet to find what they need, SaaS apps tend to have high adoption rates, with a lower learning curve.
Lower Initial Costs and Easier IT Implementation: SaaS applications are typically subscription based. No license fees mean lower initial costs. Having the SaaS provider manage the IT infrastructure means lower IT costs for hardware, software, and the people needed to manage it all.
Automatic Upgrades: Because the SaaS provider manages all updates and upgrades, there are no patches for customers to download or install. The SaaS provider also manages availability, so there’s no need for customers to add hardware, software, or bandwidth as the user base grows.
Seamless Integration: SaaS vendors with true multitenant architectures can scale indefinitely to meet customer demand. Many SaaS providers also offer customization capabilities to meet specific needs. Plus, many provide APIs that let you integrate with existing ERP systems or other business productivity systems.
Items to think about when considering a SaaS solution:
Data Security is more than just user privileges and password policies. It’s a multidimensional business imperative, especially for vendors responsible for customer data. Make sure any provider you’re considering has solid policies and procedures in place to guarantee the highest possible levels of security. Carrier and order fulfillment services contracts need to be kept safe.
With on-demand applications, customers rely on their providers to keep systems and data available. You need to trust your SaaS provider to meet your business requirements, so expect them to communicate with you as a partner in your business. You need to have access to your transportation data and systems from anywhere.
Scalability is important. With any utility, customers benefit from the scale of the supplier. Scale provides a larger customer community that can deliver more and higher-quality feedback to the vendor to drive future innovation. And a larger customer community provides rich opportunities for collaboration between customers. Make sure the vendors you’re evaluating provide:
Any vendor providing on-demand services should be professionally paranoid, considering every potential disaster, and being prepared for anything.
Data backup procedures should create multiple backup copies of customers’ data in near real time at the disk level. The strategy should include a multilevel backup strategy that includes disk-to-disk-to-tape data backup where tape backups serve as a secondary level of backup, not as their primary disaster recovery data source. Failover should cascade from server to server and from data center to data center in the event of a regional disaster, such as a hurricane or flood.
Any provider offering SaaS applications needs to be able to deliver very high availability. A detailed history should be available. Vendors should provide availability data on the entire service, not just on individual servers.
Kenneth Kowal is a logistics professional with over 15 years supply chain management experience. He has founded two companies: TMS logistics solution provider and startup ecommerce order fulfillment company FillShip.com.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A new type of TMS (Transportation Management System)
May 21, 2010 – eROUTINGguide.com announces plans for the July 2010 launch of its innovative new online transportation management system (TMS). Its TMS 2.0 – an easyTMS solution in the cloud.
The simple application represents a new way for companies to manage and control their logistics process from start to finish. Each module within the system is designed to save time, protect information, control costs and improve decision making for the logistics professionals in that organization.
easyTMS – Organized, secure carrier contract management with Tools for Carrier Selection, Route Optimization, Load Tendering, and Invoice Audit is what is does. Just as importantly, easyTMS provides services in a SaaS, or on-demand environment making implementation and upkeep simpler for users and per user costs a fractional of traditional TMS systems.
Ship Assist – Resolve disputes over Detention and other accessorials before they happen. With Ship Assist, all carriers delivering or picking up shipments from your facility sign off on the procedures at your shipping dock via a customized online webpage – creating a clear understanding of the rules and preventing future disputes.
Routing Guide – Reduce your headaches and transportation costs at the same time by improving compliance to your company’s Routing Guide. This on-line tool provides a simple, clean process for updating and distributing your Routing Guide.
Inquiries: kkowal@eroutingguide.com or call 717.889.8509 or visit: www.eroutingguide.com
eROUTINGguide provides order fulfillment services for e-commerce businesses.
The simple application represents a new way for companies to manage and control their logistics process from start to finish. Each module within the system is designed to save time, protect information, control costs and improve decision making for the logistics professionals in that organization.
easyTMS – Organized, secure carrier contract management with Tools for Carrier Selection, Route Optimization, Load Tendering, and Invoice Audit is what is does. Just as importantly, easyTMS provides services in a SaaS, or on-demand environment making implementation and upkeep simpler for users and per user costs a fractional of traditional TMS systems.
Ship Assist – Resolve disputes over Detention and other accessorials before they happen. With Ship Assist, all carriers delivering or picking up shipments from your facility sign off on the procedures at your shipping dock via a customized online webpage – creating a clear understanding of the rules and preventing future disputes.
Routing Guide – Reduce your headaches and transportation costs at the same time by improving compliance to your company’s Routing Guide. This on-line tool provides a simple, clean process for updating and distributing your Routing Guide.
Inquiries: kkowal@eroutingguide.com or call 717.889.8509 or visit: www.eroutingguide.com
eROUTINGguide provides order fulfillment services for e-commerce businesses.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
eROUTINGguide - a new "easy TMS" SaaS Offering for Logistics
Here is an overview of a new system we have in development that can perform many Transportation Management System functions at lower price points that tradition TMS Systems, and with easier implementation.
Our targeted go live date is July 1, 2010 and are looking for shippers interested in beta testing any of the functionality.
____________________
Executive Summary:
eROUTINGguide.com is easyTMS. The eROUTINGguide vision is to offer on-line tools that give small and medium size companies access to transportation management technology that was previously only affordable to large companies. Each module within the system is designed to save time, protect information, and improve decision making for the logistics professionals in that organization.
• ShipAssist - Provides tools that help companies by preventing accessorial charges and improving communication with carriers.
• Online Routing Guide - Improves inbound and outbound routing guide compliance, reducing costly errors and service issues.
• easy TMS - Helps businesses reduce freight costs through ensuring better carrier rate management, shipment routing decisions, and carrier communication.
Each tool is simple to implement and has an ROI of days, not months or years.
ShipAssist:
ShipAssist provides easy access to an online location for shippers to post facility rules and regulations, maps/directions to their facility, or any other information a shipper wants to communicate to carriers. As a standard procedure, the shipper directs carriers to their personalized site to review the facility’s regulations and provide a documented acknowledgment of acceptance of the rules. The main benefits of the service are to set clear guidelines and expectations for carriers to prevent disagreements over detention or other accessorial charges, as well as eliminate calls to the shipping department asking for directions or other requests for basic information. There is ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) functionality available as well.
The target market for the service is a manufacturer with one location, or a national retail chain with multiple locations, each having unique receiving requirements.
Online Routing Guide:
eRouting Guide provides an online location for companies to post their corporate routing guide in an open or password protected environment. The routing guide information is posted on a personalized site for the business and can be customized with any relevant content. Instead of sending out hard copies of routing guides, potential users can reference the information online. Updates can be made instantly and notification of any changes are sent immediately. Routing compliance is improved, therefore reducing time and expenses incurred to the business resulting from misrouted shipments. The goal is to make sure each shipment is routed the right way every time. There is ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) functionality available as well.
The target markets for the service are any manufacturer with vendors or suppliers sending inbound product or companies with de-centralized shipping origin point.
easy TMS:
easy TMS provides simple, easy to implement Transportation Management System functionality for truckload volume shipments at a low monthly rate. The system is web-based, or a SaaS.
eTMS Functionality:
• Tool for organizing and securely storing carrier rate contracts in a central location, allowing companies to make sure the correct routing decisions are made on every truckload shipment. Rate sheets that in the past were buried in a drawer or non-existent are now in one location so in the event of employee turnover or a need cross train additional employees the information is accessible to the right people.
• The Rate Quote tool identifies the top 3 low cost carriers for a given shipment, calculating and presenting the mileage, line haul and fuel surcharge costs.
• The system eliminates time consuming phone calls and manual processes by facilitating communication with carriers through automatic load tendering functionality, appointment confirmations, and Bill of Lading generation.
• Freight invoice pre-audit is integrated into the tool, automating the audit process for shippers – saving time or the need for a costly third party invoice audit company.
• The Sales Quote tool allows parties outside logistics to calculate costs for sales or budgeting in a controlled environment, taking this burden off the shoulders of the logistics group.
The target market for the service are small to medium size shippers currently reliant on manual processes for managing their carrier rate contracts and carrier communication processes.
Order Management, Shopping Cart Software, Ecommerce Platform, Order Fulfillment for Startup
Thursday, April 29, 2010
What is a TMS?
Transportation Management System or Logistics Management (TMS) – What is it?
A Transportation Management System is software that helps businesses manage the execution of its logistics supply chain, in particular coordinating and optimizing the movement of products and materials.
The general functions and benefits of a Transportation Management System (Logistics Software) include the following:
Shipment Load Planning and Shipment Routing Optimization – This functionality helps in areas such as determining the most cost effective mode to ship an order (truckload, ltl, air freight, intermodal, etc.), or the optimal way to combine multiple orders together into larger shipments. Carrier rate agreements and contracts are often housed within this area as well.
Routing Guide – Helping to ensuring vendor compliance to inbound routing guides is crucial to cost management.
Execution Management and Carrier Communication – This includes tools for assisting with carrier selection, calculating shipments costs (including line-haul, fuel surcharges, and accessorial charges), tendering loads and facilitating carrier communication (bills of lading and proof of delivery).
Visibility/ Shipment Tracking – Providing delivery status updates and alerts, this tool allows proactive program management and notice of potential delivery problems in advance.
Freight Bill Audit & Payment – Automating the freight audit and payment process, saving time and improving accuracy, or ending reliance on an outside third party.
Other functions:
Business Intelligence/ Reporting
Claims Management
Order Fulfillment Returns Management
Appointment Scheduling
Transportation Management Systems can be deployed on client’s systems or on-demand SaaS (Software as a Service).
__________________________________
visit our other blog: Truckload Pricing Trends and for more information on ecommerce order fulfillment services for ecommerce retailers and fulfillment for startup online retailers.
A Transportation Management System is software that helps businesses manage the execution of its logistics supply chain, in particular coordinating and optimizing the movement of products and materials.
The general functions and benefits of a Transportation Management System (Logistics Software) include the following:
Shipment Load Planning and Shipment Routing Optimization – This functionality helps in areas such as determining the most cost effective mode to ship an order (truckload, ltl, air freight, intermodal, etc.), or the optimal way to combine multiple orders together into larger shipments. Carrier rate agreements and contracts are often housed within this area as well.
Routing Guide – Helping to ensuring vendor compliance to inbound routing guides is crucial to cost management.
Execution Management and Carrier Communication – This includes tools for assisting with carrier selection, calculating shipments costs (including line-haul, fuel surcharges, and accessorial charges), tendering loads and facilitating carrier communication (bills of lading and proof of delivery).
Visibility/ Shipment Tracking – Providing delivery status updates and alerts, this tool allows proactive program management and notice of potential delivery problems in advance.
Freight Bill Audit & Payment – Automating the freight audit and payment process, saving time and improving accuracy, or ending reliance on an outside third party.
Other functions:
Business Intelligence/ Reporting
Claims Management
Order Fulfillment Returns Management
Appointment Scheduling
Transportation Management Systems can be deployed on client’s systems or on-demand SaaS (Software as a Service).
__________________________________
visit our other blog: Truckload Pricing Trends and for more information on ecommerce order fulfillment services for ecommerce retailers and fulfillment for startup online retailers.
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