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Consignment management software for Southampton Freight Services

Introduction

Southampton Freight Services Ltd (SFS) is a leading international freight forwarder and logistics provider, offering comprehensive solutions for import and export requirements across air, sea, road, and international courier services. SFS sought to optimise their consignment processing workflow to enhance client satisfaction and operational effectiveness.

the challenge

key features & functionalities

result

testimonial

the challenge

Previously reliant on manual processes and PDF-based documentation, SFS recognised the need for a more streamlined and automated system to handle consignment management. They faced challenges in processing consignments efficiently and providing real-time updates to clients regarding their shipments. Building upon our successful collaboration in previously developing a quoting system, SFS approached b4b to create a tailored consignment management system.

Key features & functionalities

The new quote management software developed for SFS includes several key features that cater to the unique needs of the freight forwarding industry:

ARM API Integration:

The system seamlessly integrates with external company ARM via an API, enabling the automatic transfer of shipment data. This integration ensures that SFS receives accurate and up-to-date information regarding bond types, booking in types, package types, locations, warehouse details, shippers, and consignment imagery.

Consignment and Package Handling:

The system categorises shipments into Consignments, each containing multiple Packages. When data is received from ARM's API, the system efficiently processes 'items' within a 'shipment', ensuring proper terminology alignment and data integrity.

Client and Vessel Assignment:

Each Consignment can be assigned to a specific Client and Vessel, facilitating clear identification and tracking. Additionally, Consignments are linked to Vessel Calls, enabling precise management of shipping schedules and destinations.

Load List Generation:

Load Lists are automatically generated from the Consignment list, grouping shipments based on their intended mode of transport (e.g. airfreight, sea freight). This feature streamlines logistics planning and execution, optimising transportation efficiency.

Crew Mail Segregation:

Crew Mail, categorised with a specific booking type, is visually separated within the system to distinguish it from other Consignment types. This ensures clarity and efficiency in handling these specialised shipments.

Manifest Creation:

The system enables the generation of detailed Manifests associated with Vessel Calls. Manifests categorise Consignments into bonded and non-bonded shipments, facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements.

result

By automating consignment processing and integrating with ARM's API, SFS has significantly reduced manual workload and processing time, leading to enhanced operational efficiency. Designed with scalability in mind, the system also accommodates SFS's evolving needs and future growth, ensuring long-term effectiveness. All-in-all, the team at SFS are extremely satisfied with the results!

find out more about our automated freight service solutions

We have been working with b4b for many years and used their team to create our CRM system in 2022 and later our warehousing system in 2024. Due to our company's niche of handling last mile deliveries for vessels, off-the-shelf stock based warehousing systems would not work for our business model.

The system we were using previously was only semi-automated and required double entry of information on two computer systems, which was incredibly time consuming. We made a basic outline of what the project needed to achieve from start to finish and over several meetings refined this further with the help of the insightful team at b4b, who were extremely adept at providing solutions to potential problems. B4b then produced a prototype of how the system would work in terms of functionality, along with a timescale for delivery.

The new warehousing system created by b4b has exceeded our expectations and has been in constant use since day one of its inception. The system has saved us huge amounts of admin time, avoiding the need for double entry, providing printed output for despatch, sending automatic notifications to clients in real time, and providing a reference for any queries. At the touch of a button, you can see an entire movement record, including photographs.

Any issues were quickly remedied by b4b without exception. With our ongoing support package, our intention is to continue building on this to automate other tasks in the future, such as billing, and to provide live customer access to their shipments via a web portal.

Stuart Green

Security, IT and Regulatory Compliance Manager

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