Software solutions for delivery problems

f\ONTINUALLY increasing cus\-rtomer service demands, shortened lead times and higher quality expectations are difficult problems for transportation managers. For solutions, they are increasingly looking to computers.

Logistics management software is now available to improve and streamline delivery operations, while reducing costs. The programs offer many services, from optimum route planning to load management. Some multi-component, integratable systems attempt to totally manage the supply chain, from the moment the order is placed to the delivery of the finished goods to the customer.

"Proper equipment utilization lowers direct costs as effectively as managing the operating expenses to prevent runaway budgeting," said Tadmis Inc.'s Stuart Miller.

Forget the maps, books and magnifying glasses. One mileage determination program not only instantly calculates distances but also rates, having been approved by the ICC for tariffs. Century Business Systems' Mile-Finder PC-based software package contains over 149,000 points, with both pre-determined miles and calculated miles, providing over ll.l billion point-to-point mileage combinations within the continental U.S.. Canada and Mexico.

Its database contains the city name, state abbreviation, Standard Point Location Code number.. latitude and longitude of each point, the five-digit zip code and FIPS county code for each point. Nearly 1,500 of these places are designated as principal

Story at a Glance

New transportation management sottware improves'routing, tracking, even payment.

transportation centers, with over one million mileages between every combination of these keypoints pre-determined and stored in the database. Mileages for all other destinations can be easily calculated using ICCapproved formulas and algorithms.

A single inquiry can display the mileages between as many as l0 different points to reflect an actual route.

Any inquiry can be stored in the route catalog and recalled by its route-ID for future inquiries. Users may also store their own mileages between any pairs of points in the database.

Routing programs can furnish data on the best available routes, taking into account mountains, bridges and other obstacles; match daily orders with each customer's preferred delivery times; sequence and time each stop, and recommend how many trucks will be needed to complete the deliveries.

Some software companies, including Tadmis, Inc., have developed compatible packages that cover nearly every facet of logistics management, placing each under central control. Components include:

O Forecasting software coordinates the materials management activities of the supply chain to ensure the customer receives a quality product, in the right quantity, on time. Functions include forecasting, distribution requirements planning, inventory management, order management, deployment, warehouse control and purchasing.

O Ttunrportation management systems manage the movement of materials. Using key components such as inventory, customer demand, equipment availability, freight cost, delivery requirements, mode and carrier selection, they calculate a selection of the most cost-effective transportation coordinates.

Full systems handle dispatching, routing, equipment optimization, shipment tracing, fleet dispatch, equipment utilization and forecasting, on-line real-time information, inventory reduction, carrier mode and selection, and multiple report configurations.

@ Reservation programs provide a direct link between shippers, carriers and banks for instant data on carrier availability, routing, freight charges and payment terms. Using Electronic Data Interchange, trading partners may advertise availability and need, identify resources, agree on terms, monitor performance, track and trace shipments.

With Tadmis' VL RouteMaster. carriers and shippers identify available space needs and geographic locations, then make a "bid and ask" contract. An on-line contract is established and, through on-line banking connections, the software transfers the agreed-upon funds and details.

@ Freight pre-rating, audit and payment packages can reveal hidden transportation costs, improve freight accuracy and develop a historical database that can be used to streamline cash flow and reduce unnecessary freight costs. Systems are said to offer cash flow maximization, up-todate tracing information, on-line inquiry, freight cash asset management, and multiple report configurations.