Dispatchers Become More Efficient with EDI

TMW EDI Automation

The TMW Systems enterprise transportation software products have proven themselves to be leaders for many years since 1983 in the very competitive transportation arena.  With the increase demand by shippers to do business with their carriers electronically, carriers have found that EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is becoming more and more a requirement to do business even with small- and medium-sized shippers.  EDI typically is used between carriers and shippers for orders, confirmations and invoices. Data Communication Solutions (DCS) EDI Specialists can help you fine tune your TMW EDI capability.

Benefits

As a TMW user, you can move economically to a higher level of customer service by ensuring dispatchers’ time is not wasted. For example, load tenders arrive and are pre-populated by an EDI process. Dispatchers avoid tedious and error prone data entry while focusing on rapid approval or correction of load tenders, improving service and increasing loads.

Another improvement (a sales booster) is to continually provide pick-up and delivery times directly to your customers’ logistics system, saving them time looking at your web site. Your higher level of service will be more visible and your relationship will become more permanent and profitable.

Third, moving to secure internet (AS2) data transmission reduces pricey network fees. Using your existing, time-tested tools and DCS’ in-depth knowledge of TMW System’s TMWSuite; plus Kleinschmidt’s EDI VAN and Encomium Data International’s Pro EDI systems, ensures your process automation or pick-up/delivery status initiative will be completed thoroughly, quickly, and economically.

Overview

TMW users have an ample and suitable capacity for each type of customer and their emerging demands. The usual snag is too little time or experience to move to the next level.

With EDI, savings can be achieved through:

• Smoothing processes by reducing manual steps,
• Loading all Tenders to provide dispatchers more time to review, correct, and fill,
• Providing pick-up and delivery times directly into your customers’ logistics systems, improving ease and productivity for them,
• Moving to a server grade system.

Server grade systems usually replace Windows 7 32 bit systems because TMW Suite has been re-engineered for tighter integration and even more reliable processing.

If you are considering a server grade system, you are encourage to shop carefully. Popular brands of Windows Server systems are:

1. IBM’s Sterling Commerce Gentran:Server
2. OpenText BizLink
3. Cleo Business Integrator
4. Microsoft’s BizTalk
5. 1 EDI Source

Investment

The cost of a server grade EDI system is determined on the system you choose.  In addition, there is additional costs for configuration (mapping) which typically includes the four popular documents:

• Inbound Tender (EDI 204)
• Outbound Acceptance (EDI 990)
• Shipment Status (EDI 214)
• Freight Invoice (EDI 210)

After the first customer is approved, subsequent customers usually take less time to implement if using the same documents.  After this investment, there is NO per customer, per document, or per month cost.  The Return on Investment for a purchased system usually is 50%.

Alternatively, if you keep your existing system or network (VAN), smoothing processes typically costs significantly less and can be repaid rapidly from more efficient and happier dispatchers and customers.

While the savings from linking to Trading Partners is apparent, the chronic shortage of budget and staff often leaves this opportunity largely lost. DCS can help you set the first customers and train your staff to meet the new service level.

Conclusion

TMW has unused capability that can economically raise customer satisfaction. More integration with key customers means more loads and better retention. Having DCS develop the first few Trading Partners and communication parameters lowers the cost of implementation and hastens payback.

• Most of the US companies requiring X12 or EDIFACT EDI specifications are well known to us.
• Popular EDI Transaction Sets such as Inbound Load Tender (204), Outbound Acceptance (990), Bills of Lading (211), Trailer Manifest (212), Shipment Status (214), Invoice (210), and E-payment Remittance Advice (820) have been implemented at many of our customers.
• You may also consider 3PL EDI (94x series) for your logistics service.
• Finally, connections using EDI INT AS2 or FTP over a VPN reduces cost by elimination of pricey Value Added Networks (VANs)

With experienced professionals, you can avoid common pitfalls and headaches when implementing EDI. Your first step is easy, e-mail DCS for your no-cost EDI assessment.

Data Communication Solutions

If you’re looking for an EDI partner with a decades-long record of helping businesses succeed, look no further than DCS Since 1991, our team of experienced and knowledgeable EDI specialists has been providing services such as development, managed services, support and training for a variety of EDI systems and industries. Check out our list of clients to see the hundreds of companies we’ve worked with and consider reading some of our case studies to learn how we help organizations find the best EDI solutions. To learn more about how we can help your business, contact us today!

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