Analysis of Ship Times Can Create Savings

The performance of trucking company data systems are more important than ever since fuel costs have risen dramatically. You need an easy and economical way to find and list shipments that arrived late, as shippers should receive deductions due to lateness. Far too many shippers pay surcharges for fuel and special services, and then learn the shipment arrived late. The good news is that performing analysis is now easy. The shipment date from the INbound Shipment Status (Transaction Set 214) can be compared to the arrival date automatically providing the information needed to claim deductions. Most carriers will provide this message for no charge upon request.

Overview

The key challenge is moving all the shipment information into a database. If your system generates an OUTbound Shipment Status Message (ASN – 856 or DESADV), the data such as the customer name, PO and PRO numbers, the Ship-To location, the shipment date, and more are already in your business application. The next steps are to 1) extract the information into a simple MS Access^TM database, 2) use your existing EDI system to process INbound Shipment Statuses which contain the arrival date, and 3) create the informative reports. Over time, as the number of carriers and users grows, you can customize the report(s) as requested.

Conclusion

Savings can be immediate as claims for late arrivals can easily be made. Performing carriers can also be easily recognized and given more loads. Your existing EDI system can be used. DCS has many years experience with shippers, carriers, and logistics providers and can have reports for the first two carriers within a week.