WISL Branch Freight – Remote Installation

The goal of WISL BFS RI(Remote Installation) is to offer the advantages of an on-site shipping server to the shipper while preserving the controls and other advantages of a centralized freight management service.

The remote server retains a data base sufficient to support the operational activities of shipping. This data base is maintained by importing shipping data from the shipper’s corporate ERP system and importing rates and other system control data from the freight management server. The only data base update performed on the shipping server is as a result of shipping procedures performed in WISL BFS. All other data base update is performed on the freight management server with updates transferred regularly to the shipping server. The only report output generated by the shipping server are documents directly related to the shipping process e.g. shipping label, BOL, carrier manifest, ship confirmation notice. All other reporting is done from the freight management server.

Relevant updates on the freight management server are accumulated and transferred to the shipping server at specified intervals utilizing standard internet protocol with specific operational procedures negotiated by installation. Likewise shipping data is accumulated and transferred from the shipping server to the freight management server at specified intervals utilizing standard internet protocol with specific operational procedures negotiated by installation. Transfer of data to and from the shipper ERP(both format and transfer methodology) is negotiated by installation.

Platforms

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

	IBM’s UniVerse DBMS – provides for support of imported and generated data base files
	IBM’s Middleware Web DE – provides for browser based access by workstations to the webserver
	JAVA Application Server(JRun)

WISL Software Modules

	WISL Branch Freight System Remote Installation(BFS RI)
	FAIS Consolidation(CO)
	WISL WebRate(WWR) – provides for rating inquiry of any current BOL or any manually specified shipment

Installation Preparation

There are many files that must be established to accomplish the freight management activities performed by BFS RI. Most of these are maintained by the facilities on the freight management server. 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 RI.

	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
	Periodic import of data base update from the freight management server(automatic)
	Periodic export of data base update to freight management server(automatic)