The Need For Shipping Software Solutions

Shipping management is one of the most important aspects of any business involving product transportation of any kind. By choosing to rely on traditional methods of shipping management, companies not only incur huge costs on labor, but also put themselves at a huge risk of errors during the shipping process. This highlights the importance of shipping software solutions for companies. The reasons why most companies are choosing to employ these solutions include- 

• Most of the shipping software solutions are customizable, which means that companies can invest in 
• software that is specific to their needs. This eliminates features that are not needed by a particular business, hence leading to long-term savings. 
• By effectively managing their shipping processes, companies can have a positive effect on their bottom line, since better management means increased productivity, and also a competitive edge in their industry. 
• Most of the shipping software employed nowadays is equipped with cost management, which further brings down transportation costs by at least 15%. 
• Providers of shipping software solutions provide timely and cost-effective technical support whenever needed, which is a major assistance to companies using this software. In addition to this, these providers also help by providing regular updates for the software whenever needed, further decreasing botheration for the company. 
• The role of shipping software solutions is not just limited to the actual shipping process, but also extends to the processes leading up to it. This includes the entire paperwork, logistics, finances, data management, and streamlining of the processes for cost and time effectiveness. 
• Since these software are driven by information technology, they nearly eliminate the probability of errors, which are rampant when relying on manpower. They contribute significantly to increasing customer satisfaction by ensuring timely and accurate deliveries. In addition to this, the database is updated in real time and is easily accessible to everyone involved, making the entire process more transparent, and making it easier to spot any errors that might occur. 
• Finally, since shipping software providers update their software constantly, this means that the customers benefit from the latest technology for shipments, giving the company a constant competitive edge at no additional cost. 

Before availing the services of any shipping software provider, it is advisable to carry out a research on their reputation in the industry, and also request quotes from different providers to end up with the most cost-efficient services. 

Functions Of Warehouse Management System

The advent of warehouse management systems has completely revolutionized the functioning of warehouses like inventory control. Warehouses in modern SMEs are no longer reliant on cumbersome paperwork and thick registers, but have gone on to become a ready solution destination, where the required information is just a single click away. What's more, this information is easily accessible to all concerned persons in the supply chain, via a transparent interface, which streamlines the functions of the warehouse, leading to increased accuracy and productivity.

The major functions that are performed by a warehouse management system include-

• Scheduling and planning- The key to successful warehouse management lies in effective planning, which is made possible through modern warehouse management software. This software utilizes advanced technology to perform vital functions like reserving dock time for different trailers. This is done by taking into account important data such as the availability of the trailer, delivery time, availability of products, etc. 
• Supervision- One of the most important functions of a WMS is to supervise the products during material handling. In the absence of such a system, a large amount of manpower is required to effectively monitor in-process tasks. Not only does a WMS cut down on the cost required to employ these personnel, but it also eliminates the chance of human error. 
• Warehouse tracking- The task of tracking items in the warehouse is greatly simplified by the presence of modules in a WMS which make it possible to perform a quick search for the required item. This function can further be expanded by making use of features like multiple location search, and replenishment alerts. 
• Inventory picking- This is a function that needs to be performed with immense accuracy to ensure that there is no scope left for error. Inaccuracies during inventory picking can amount in great losses in the long run. Using a WMS makes sure that no scope is left for error, by ensuring that the amount of items picked at every stage of the supply chain are accurate. 
• Shelf-life alerts- A WMS is an invaluable asset for organizations dealing with perishable items. Features in the WMS enable it to keep track of the shelf-lives of different items, ensuring complete customer satisfaction and company goodwill. 

These are just some of the functions performed by a WMS. SMEs can choose from a wide range of additional features such as report generation, inventory counts, database updating, etc. depending on their requirements.

The Warehouse Management System provided McLane Logistics Technology allows you to manage your inventory in a more productive and economic manner. To order, visit them at Central Pointe, Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call at 1-800-989-7568.

Managing Your Logistics As You Grow Your Business

Logistics management is central to the efficient and smooth functioning of any business. With every progress that you make in your organization, you must also ensure that you upgrade your logistics management simultaneously. Logistics starts from the very first stage of product flow, extending till the final delivery, spanning every step and process in this supply chain. The key to successful logistics lies in ensuring smooth progress at every step, by minimizing any sort of interruptions, while still being ready for unanticipated problems. The following tips guide you on how to manage the growing logistics needs of your business-

• Lay down a fool-proof plan- The biggest challenge of a logistics manager lies in ensuring that a sturdy plan is laid down well in time, to ensure that the entire process is streamlined beforehand. With an efficient plan in place, the risk of errors and delays is reduced significantly. 
• Have contingency plans- A common mistake made by logistics managers of expanding businesses is that of believing that they have mastered the skills of logistics management, and nothing can go wrong. As your business grows, so do its risks, and this is something that logistics managers must never overlook. It is important to have a clear perspective on the possible problems that might arise, and have a backup plan on how to tackle them. 
• Efficient communication- At the center of any logistics management strategy is the supply chain, and it is called a “chain” for a reason. All that it takes to jeopardize the entire process is one weak link in the supply chain. It is the role of the logistics manager to ensure that every person involved in the supply chain, right from the manufacturer to the customer, is a part of the communication loop.
• Proactive attitude- As you take on the role of managing the logistics requirements of a growing company, it becomes more important than ever to hone your managerial skills to the level where you are able to devise instant solutions in case of unforeseen circumstances. Keeping a cool head under all circumstances and remaining unflustered are benchmarks of an efficient logistics manager. 
• Make use of logistics management software- This helps you to maintain real-time records in a transparent interface, and also to involve top-level management in the basic proceedings of logistics management.

For customized logistics management software for your business, visit McLane Logistics Technology at 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504. You can also call them at 1-800-989-7568.

Key Processes Of Transportation Management

Transportation management is a key element of logistics management, the key focus of which is on revenue generation and customer satisfaction. The three key goals of any transportation management strategy are to reduce cost, minimize time, and increase profit. Even though transportation management is a highly elaborated part of the supply chain, it can be better understood by dividing it into the following key processes that constitute it- 

• Generating a prospective report- The first step that needs to be undertaken in the process of transportation management is planning major aspects such as transport costs, routes to be followed, number of stops on each route, vehicle load, carrier selection, service quality, lead time, etc. You can make use of a transport management system to deduce the cost that shall be incurred by adopting different strategies in terms of these aspects. At the end of this step, you should generate a report of the final prospective schemes to be followed, and the cost that is expected to be involved in the process. 
• Up-to-the-minute customer communication- A key feature of an efficient transport management system is the ability to track on-road merchandise within seconds. If a customer wishes to know the status of his delivery, being able to provide an accurate answer without wasting any time can give you a significant competitive advantage. Making use of cutting-edge GPS navigation systems to track vehicles makes this a fully automated process. In addition to this, customer communication also includes sending alerts of transport delays, and viewing and acting upon customer feedback. 
• Detailed post-implementation analysis- Undertaking a follow up of the transportation strategies adopted by your business is just as important as doing the initial groundwork is. Once you have put your initial plan to action, you must generate a detailed report of how the process actually worked. Was everything executed as per the plan, or did any unexpected issues arise in the field? Looking into these details can help you to further tweak your transport management strategies, finally arriving at a dynamic plan that optimizes cost, time, and efficiency. 

With transportation being one of the most essential parts of logistics, managing your company’s transportation services efficiently will not just improve customer satisfaction, but will also significantly cut down on the cost incurred during transportation. The money thus saved can then be invested in other revenue-generating areas of your business for a higher ROI. 

McLane Logistics Technology provides reliable and customized transportation management software and transportation management systems to give your business an edge over competition. For more details visit them at 4001 Central Pointe Parkway, Temple, TX 76504 or call them at 1-800-989-7568.