Product Information

Descartes Transport Management System Infodis Express Shipments

Many shippers are using several express or parcel carriers to conduct business and each carrier has its own system to manage the warehouse and shipping department. This makes it difficult to decide if the best price/performance transport option has been chosen.

With the Descartes Express Shipment module you can select the right carrier and the right service and print the carrier specific shipping label, all from the same browser application.

This module is part of Descartes TMS ID solution which helps logistics professionals quickly evaluate money-saving transportation and shipping options, and then execute those shipments with contract carriers. Built to accommodate the end-to-end supply chain management process, the solution also supports order management through consolidation, financial settlement and auditing.

Shipment Booking

The Express Shipment module allows you to simply enter the shipment details like addresses, number of packages, weight, size, etc. in the browser page to get an overview of all the options and carriers with lead times and freight charges. You simply select the best option for your shipment and print the label. Data entry is simplified by making use of shipment templates or by selecting addresses from the address book.

It is also possible to set up an EDI connection with your ERP or WMS system and have the shipment details flow into the Express Shipment system. When the packages arrive at the packing table you only have to search for the right package on the website.

Before requesting the overview of transport options you can add or edit the shipment details. From all the transport options displayed you just select the one with the best price performance and print the label. Even express shipments with dangerous goods can be shipped via the Express Shipment system.

During the booking process the payer of the freight can be selected. By default this is set to the booker but options like collect (ship under carrier account number of the receiving party) or 3rd party billing are also available. 3rd party billing allows shipments from a location (e.g. warehouse, supplier or office) to the delivery address (e.g. warehouse, shop or end customer) whereby the final invoice will be sent to another address. All 3 parties may be in different countries.

Label Printing

For each package of the shipment the correct carrier specific package label will be printed, directly after confirming the booking. Print the manifest and send the EDI to the carrier. At the end of the day the drivers of the carriers come to pick up the goods and following that the end of day file/manifest can be printed and handed over to the driver. Typically the Descartes system sends the information via EDI to the carrier, thus the carriers’ system is updated as well.

Benefits

Using this module gives you a uniform way of working for all your express carriers. No separate systems are needed. A computer with an internet browser and only one label printer is all you need. In a few clicks you have a complete overview of all the transport options to make the right choice for serving your customer at the best price.

The label printing option can be used as a stand-alone application, but can also be fully integrated in the other goods flows using the Descartes solution.

You can further track and trace your Express shipments in the system, monitor the carrier performance and have freight invoice control.

End-to-End Productivity Increases and Decreased Costs