MPO SCS provides a powerful Crossdock Management System (CMS) for efficient deconsolidation of incoming shipments and consolidation of outgoing shipments. In supply chains where customers require (de)consolidation of shipments, strict coordination of logistics processes is needed. The Crossdock Management System can help you to handle large volumes of shipment orders, provide efficient deconsolidation, control merge-in-transit operations and create new consolidated outbound orders for their various destinations. The main CMS functions are:
Inbound Planning: Based on inbound order schedules, CMS plans the shipments to be received and determines how they need to be deconsolidated.
Inbound Execution: When the goods have arrived at the crossdock, you can register the inbound order by manual input or scanning the transport document. The receipt will be validated against the planned order. After registration, CMS can print package labels and report the receipts. In case of
anomalies, CMS can put the goods status to hold awaiting further instructions .
Outbound Planning: Based on the requirements and outbound truck schedules, CMS plans the outgoing orders by creating the loading lists. These lists then can be dispatched for processing.
Outbound Execution: When loading goods to the outbound trucks, CMS monitors the whole process by scanning the packages and prints the manifest. In case of last minute changes, the loading lists can be easily modified.
Inbound Planning
Based on the inbound order schedules, the MPO CMS plans the shipments to be received and determines how they need to be deconsolidated. When the goods have arrived at the crossdock, the MPO CMS can scan the reference number of the receiving loads and print the labels for packages that are not labeled. The feature highlights are:
- Multiple ways to register the planned inbound order schedules, e.g. manual input or system interfaces
- Scanning or manually input of the corresponding reference number of the order to get an overview of the inbound shipment items and their destinations
- Printing package labels on shipment item level
Inbound Execution
When the inbound planning has been finished, the MPO CMS can validate the receipt against the planned inbound order. Next, CMS registers the status of shipment items and reports the receipt. In case of anomalies, CMS can get further instructions from partner systems how to handle the exceptions. The feature highlights are:
- Validating the inbound goods against the planned order
- Reporting inbound order receipts to partner systems, e.g. TMS or ERP
- Registering shipment anomalies, e.g. damaged goods
- Resolving anomalies for shipments put on hold
- Reporting the anomalies to partner systems
- Shipment splitting to return the exceptional part of the order
- Shipment diverting to return the whole anomalous order
Outbound Planning
At this stage of the cross-docking process, the MPO CMS plans the outgoing orders by creating the loading list based on outbound truck schedules and shipment requirements. The feature highlights are:
- Manual registration of the outbound truck departure schedule
- Automatic registration of the outbound schedule by interfacing with partner systems, e.g.TMS or ERP
- Providing an overview of unplanned loads
- Planning the load lists for outbound trucks
- Load capacity calculation and optimization
- Outbound load manifest creation
Outbound Execution
When the loading lists have been created, the MPO CMS dispatches them to the crossdock personnel. They immediately know from which lane they need to retrieve the outgoing goods. When loading goods to the outbound trucks, CMS monitors the whole process, updates and reports the status.
- Printing the loading lists for crossdock personnel
- Showing load instructions on handheld devices
- Updating loading status by scanning the goods packages
- Advanced Shipment Notice to the receiving party
- Loading confirmation report to partner system, e.g. TMS, ERP
- Loading list modification in case of exceptions
- Web visibility to any order, anywhere at anytime
