Automation and Integration
Automating shipping processes: How to ensure the success of digital freight forwarding orders
In today's logistics, three things are paramount: speed, transparency and accuracy. Companies that organise their shipping processes manually are missing out on potential and risking avoidable errors.
The topics at a glance:
- The challenge with shipping processes
- The solution: Fully automated data exchange
- Key elements for maximum efficiency
- Advantages of digital freight forwarding orders
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about digital freight forwarding orders
- Conclusion: Automate your shipping processes
The challenge with shipping processes
Many companies struggle with complex shipping processes. Shipping data has to be entered multiple times, loading lists have to be created manually and labels have to be printed separately. Electronic shipping orders? Not a chance. The result is that everything takes longer, errors creep in, status updates arrive late or are incomplete, and ultimately, the quality of deliveries suffers. For customers, this means unnecessary waiting times and uncertainty. This has a direct impact on customer satisfaction.
Consequently, many companies are looking for ways to standardise and automate their processes.
The solution: Fully automated data exchange
Your ERP system can be integrated directly into your freight forwarder's logistics processes via standardised EDI interfaces. This means that the shipping order (NVE number of the shipping unit) is transferred quickly and without error to an SFTP server at the freight forwarder, triggering the process immediately.
For you, this means:
- Transmit shipping orders automatically: Electronic and automated transmission of NVE data in IFTMIN format.
- Real-time status updates: With IFTSTA, you always have visibility of collection, transport and delivery.
- Invoices directly in the ERP: The invoice for the order is sent directly to the ERP system via an INVOIC message. It can then be stored in the incoming invoices are for further processing.
The result is a continuous digital process without any media discontinuity.
Key elements for maximum efficiency
Each shipping unit is assigned a unique NVE (SSC) in accordance with the GS1 standard. This enables all packages to be identified and scanned using barcodes. This ensures not only traceability, but also maximum process reliability throughout the entire supply chain.
- NVE (Shipping Unit Number): Each shipment is given a unique identification number in accordance with the GS1 standard. This number contains the NVE number in both plain text and barcode form. This means that each package can be identified as unique worldwide.
- GS1 standards: It is a globally recognised standard for the unique identification and labelling of products, shipping units and locations. It ensures efficiency and transparency throughout the entire supply chain, from warehouse to recipient.
- Automatically generated loading list: There is no need for manual entry or creation; all data is available in digital form and can be sent to an inbox for further processing.
- Automatically generated label: Each package receives a standardised transport label with a barcode showing the NVE number. This label is made available to the customer and the freight forwarder via email. The label can then be printed and/or scanned by the relevant parties.
Advantages of digital freight forwarding orders
Implementing an automated freight forwarding order solution offers the following added value:
- Faster dispatch: Your employees no longer need to worry about simple, repetitive tasks. Automated processes eliminate the need for manual steps.
- Avoid errors: Uniform standards and barcode scanning increase data quality and ensure maximum accuracy.
- Delight customers: Punctual and transparent deliveries increase customer satisfaction.
- Future-proof your logistics: Use GS1 standards and digital data exchange via EDI.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about digital freight forwarding orders
How difficult is it to implement a digital freight forwarding process?
Thanks to preconfigured interfaces and clear standards, such as IFTMIN and IFTSTA, introducing Syncler is straightforward. Integration is project-based and requires minimal IT effort.
How does Syncler integrate with existing ERP and logistics systems?
Syncler works independently of any particular system and connects ERP and freight forwarding systems via standardised EDI processes.
How secure is data exchange via Syncler?
All data is encrypted and transferred via SFTP. Standardised formats also ensure consistency, integrity, and complete traceability.
Conclusion: Automate your shipping processes
With Syncler and electronic shipping orders, you can digitise your shipping processes from start to finish, from order creation to delivery. This saves you time, minimise errors and enables you to offer your customers a better service.
Don’t wait any longer for the next media disruption. Digitise your shipping processes now with Syncler as your central integration platform.
