WISL Branch Freight

The WISL Branch Freight System is designed to provide a branch operation with the capability to monitor and control freight costs. Through an interface with the corporate order entry and/or purchasing system, a data base keyed on customer reference number is established that contains information about shipment requests(both inbound and outbound).

Interactive facilities are provided to record receiving information for inbound shipments and to record shipping information at the time an outbound shipment is sent. In both cases automatic rating is employed to identify preferred carrier(s) and allow for accrual and control reporting. It is anticipated that the rates would be maintained centrally via WISL's Freight Analysis Information System with updates provided as required through EDI.

Platforms

Freight Management Server: Open Systems

	UNIX; AIX, Solaris
	Windows Server 2000/2003
	Linux; Redhat

Webserver:

	Windows Server 2000/2003, Internet Information Services
	Redhat Linux, Apache

Workstation: Any device that can run a browser (Windows Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator or Firefox) and can access the corporate intranet or internet as required

Includes:

	Windows PC
	Mac
	Thin client

Third Party Software

Freight Management Server:

	IBM’s UniVerse DBMS
	AccuSoft’s terminal emulation package – AccuTerm
	PC Miler, + PC Miler Server + Canadian Postal Codes

Webserver:

IBM’s Middleware Web DE – provides for browser based access by workstations to the webserver

WISL Software Modules

	WISL Branch Freight System (BFS)
	Freight Analysis Information Rates Maintenance(RM)

Freight Analysis Information Route Analysis(RA)

	Freight Analysis Information System Shipping Interface(SI)
	Freight Analysis Information System Consolidation(CO)
	WISL WebRate(WWR) – provides for rating inquiry of any current BOL or any mauually specified shipment

Installation Preparation

There are many files that must be established to accomplish the freight management activities performed by BFS. They include the Carrier file, the Customer(corporate branch structure) file and all relevant rate quotes. One of these files, the Dealer(Shipper’s customer) file is maintained by ongoing imports from the shipper’s corporate ERP system as part of the shipment record.

The major area of focus is on the accuracy and completeness of shipping location data in the ERP customer file. Accurate location names and postal/zip codes are necessary to perform the rating and consolidation integral to BFS.

	Miscellaneous freight management files
	Ship Location – postal/zip codes

System Flow

Below is an overview of the main system flow of BFS.

	Order import from corporate ERP system
	Clerical review of imported data
	Entry of any additional shipping relevant data
	Clerical submission to auto-rating
	Clerical selection of carrier
	Prompt for consolidation
	Clerical submission for consolidation if desired
	Review of consolidation
	Generation of shipping documents
	Upon arrival of carrier – generation of shipment manifest when required