Shipping: Take your supply chain performance to the next level
Perfect organization of your shipping processes is the key to the kind of supply chain performance that will keep your customers happy. AEB Shipping provides a smart link between physical activities and the data you need. Consignment consolidation, packing processes, the printing of all required shipping documents, and load control: Everything works together flawlessly. The speed and flexibility of your shipping processes grows while the error rate in packaging and loading declines. The result is high-efficiency goods issue processes.
From package to consignment: it’s that easy
Various criteria may be used to determine when a consignment can be created, especially when shipping individually packaged goods. A consignment may be compiled for an especially affordable transport route, for example – or for a fast transport. AEB Shipping lets you freely define the criteria for creating consignments. You can also decide whether the software should automatically assign packages to a consignment – or whether your dispatchers should do so manually.
In either case, you always have the flexibility to modify collective consignments by adding or removing packages. This leaves your options open in urgent transactions such as last-minute orders. It’s just as easy to correct documents associated with the consignment, such as loading lists. AEB Shipping also integrates effective load control with scanner support that rules out loading the wrong packages and warns you if a consignment is incomplete.
Smart integration: the high-flexibility packing station
Those who work in logistics know that a lot more happens at a packing station than just the packing of goods. AEB Shipping includes a highly flexible packing station featuring smart integration into the data flow. The software lets you use scanners and scales to monitor outbound goods, for example. This slashes both the error rate and the amount of work that employees must perform manually.
A series of tasks that previously had to be done in the shipping office can now be performed directly at the packing station, including the printing of delivery notes, packing lists, and other accompanying documents. This saves trips and time. Naturally, the packing station also supports multi-level packing (box in box, box on pallet, etc.), and qualified packing, in which the content of each individual package is identified. This makes it possible to track shipments at the product level.
Easy load device management included
How many boxes do we have in stock? How many pallets are available? How many crates do we have at other storage sites? Load device management lets you efficiently manage all the load devices you use – both your own and those of others. This provides a fully updated view of your warehouse situation when preparing transports so that you can plan the use of load devices accordingly.
AEB Shipping lets you create load device accounts for each business partner and for each package type that you use. This lets you track the whereabouts of your pallets or boxes and see where each unit is.
Accompanying papers and documents – done!
Transports still require some paper documents. That’s why AEB Shipping creates all the documents that might be needed to accompany the shipment: CMR consignment note, loading list, and more than 100 others. The software suggests documents based on the transaction and then fills in most of the information automatically. You can also generate customer shipping notifications if needed or forwarding orders, then transmit them electronically. Shipping is status-driven and automated.
Integrated processes for greater efficiency
Many strands come together in shipping. That’s why to be truly efficient, shipping software needs to interact with other shipping-related processes. This is especially true of the warehouse management system, of course. But the integration with AEB Export Filing or AEB Carrier Connect also offers great potential, since it lets you print out export accompanying documents and carrier labels directly at the packing station. Last but not least: When data is shared between AEB Shipping and Freight Cost Management, you can even automate the tedious task of checking freight invoices – or switch over entirely to the self-billing procedure.
Customers already mastering their transport & freight management with AEB software
Questions?
The application automatically suggests the necessary forms and transit accompanying documents. Which ones?
AEB Shipping automatically identifies all the forms, business papers, and EDI messages relevant to each transaction – for nearly every country and carrier. A VDA consignment can’t leave your plant until the necessary messages and labels have been created, for example. A customs consignment requires a customs declaration. And if a forwarder requires a pro forma invoice, ASSIST4 will let you know. All told, over 100 documents are available.
How exactly does the system support my shipment planning process?
The consignment process can be manual, semi-automated (using suggestions), or fully automated based on delivery notes or invoices. Last-minute changes – adding or removing shipments from the consignment – can be made through a simple drag-and-drop in the application or directly at the packing station. The consignment and all downstream information is updated in real time. The system can then also help you consolidate consignments into collective consignments. You can define the rules governing (semi-)automated consignment consolidation by customer.
Can load devices also be taken into account?
Yes. The load device management feature automatically books load devices, updates accounts, and monitors inventories as you move goods. The monitoring is based on package types and the corresponding subwarehouse or business partner warehouse, or on the shipping point.
Which packaging processes are supported?
Packaging is supported at multiple levels, if necessary. Both the “product to package” and “package to consignment” processes are supported, each with its own packing station (desktop or mobile). The system even supports various methods of reading the weight from the packing station scale or calculating weight during multi-level packing.
We also ship hazardous goods. How does the system support this process?
The hazardous goods feature lets you print the documents needed for hazardous goods transports. The key data needed to process hazardous goods can be defined in the master data, then supplemented with transaction data at the consignment level. Hazardous goods indicators such as LQ (limited quantity) and EQ (excepted quantity) are included not only when creating documents but also in the data transmitted to linked carriers and parcel services.
Micael Österberg
Product expert
"Once goods come out of production, there is never any time to lose. But there are many process steps from the production line to the last mile delivery that need to come together to make things work. Our solution connects all relevant steps in the process, which creates efficiency and the foundation for delivery success."