How Shipwell Enhances Shipment Visibility
Shipwell offers a variety of tracking methods to provide shippers with real-time shipment visibility and automated status updates. Our platform supports API, EDI, Telematics, Mobile, and Manual tracking, ensuring seamless integration with carriers, third-party providers, and in-house logistics teams. Whether leveraging automated data feeds from ELDs and APIs, receiving scheduled status updates via EDI, or utilizing mobile and manual entry options, Shipwell provides flexible and reliable solutions tailored to your tracking needs.
Tracking Methods Supported in Shipwell
Shipwell provides various tracking methods to offer flexibility in managing shipments. Below is an overview of the available tracking methods, their functions, and the scenarios in which they are most beneficial.
Tracking Method | How It Works | Best For |
Telematics | Uses IoT devices and GPS Data for real-time tracking updates. | Real-time tracking across multiple providers |
API | Direct integration with carriers and third-party platforms for automated tracking, real-time status updates, and document management. | Automated status updates & document management |
EDI | EDI 214 In-Transit Check Calls provide scheduled status updates on shipment progress. | Traditional FTL carriers with EDI workflows |
Mobile | Shipwell Mobile App enables breadcrumb tracking and driver status updates for real-time visibility and location information. | Carriers without automated tracking |
Manual | Providers can manually input status updates through the Carrier Portal, ensuring visibility for shippers without automated tracking. | Backup tracking when automation isn’t available |
How to Setup Tracking in Shipwell
Configuring tracking in Shipwell involves specific setup steps and carrier integrations tailored to the chosen method—Telematics, API, EDI, Mobile, or Manual updates. Each method has unique requirements, including carrier connectivity, system permissions, data-sharing agreements, or manual data entry processes. This section details the configuration steps for each tracking method to ensure accurate shipment visibility and smooth status updates.
Tracking Method | Required Setup | Supported Documentation |
Telematics | Provider Activation | ELD Integration (External documentation coming soon) |
API Carrier Direct Integration | Carrier setup in Shipwell for direct API Integration | |
EDI | Carrier & Shipwell Authorization & Data Sharing Agreement | |
Mobile | Driver Mobile Number and Shipwell Application Download | |
Manual | Shipwell User Profile Creation |
How to Start Tracking in Shipwell
Each tracking method in Shipwell has specific requirements to ensure accurate shipment visibility. Below is a breakdown of what’s needed to start receiving tracking data based on the method used.
Tracking Method | Requirements for Getting Tracking Data |
Telematics | Power Unit # or Driver Phone# must be provided and linked to an active ELD or telematics device. |
API | Shipper must request Instant Rating via the Shipwell platform in order to initiate the rating call to the FTL provider. |
EDI | Carrier must accept the shipment via EDI 990, and the shipment status must be updated to “Tendered”. |
Mobile | Driver’s Mobile Number must be entered, and the driver must download the Shipwell Mobile App to enable tracking. |
Manual | A user or carrier representative must manually enter dispatch details and update the shipment status in the system. |
Once these requirements are met, tracking data will start flowing into Shipwell’s compass, and shipment dashboards, shipment details, as well as automated alerts to ensure real-time visibility throughout transit.
Tracking Update Frequency by Method
Tracking update frequency in Shipwell varies based on the tracking method used and the carrier's data-sharing capabilities. Some methods, like Telematics and API integrations, provide real-time or frequent automated updates, while others, such as EDI and Manual tracking, rely on scheduled status updates or user input. Understanding the frequency of tracking updates helps shippers set the right expectations for visibility and ensure proactive shipment management. The table below outlines the update intervals for each tracking method.
Tracking Method | Update Frequency | Notes |
Telematics | Every 1-5 minutes | Real-time updates from GPS-enabled devices |
API | Hourly | Direct data from carriers |
EDI | Status-driven updates | Updates based on shipment progress |
Mobile | Varies by provider | Driver-triggered or set intervals |
Manual | User-dependent | Entered as updates are received |
How to Access Tracking Data in Shipwell
Shipwell provides a centralized and intuitive platform for tracking shipments in real time. Whether you need high-level visibility across multiple shipments or detailed tracking for a single load, Shipwell offers multiple ways to access and interact with tracking data. Users can monitor shipments through customizable dashboards, interactive maps, automated alerts, and detailed shipment views, ensuring seamless logistics management from pickup to delivery.
Tracking data in Shipwell is available in the following key areas:
Compass Dashboard- Provides a comprehensive solution for managing and resolving supply chain disruptions, offering real-time tracking, customizable alerts, and interactive tools to quickly identify, address, and act on exceptions, delays, and shipment issues.
Feature | Description |
Tracking Event & Customized Alert Tile | Allows users to create personalized alerts for specific events and shipment delays, focusing on critical exceptions. |
Shipment Card | Provides a high-level view of Shipment ID, Status, Alert, and Driver's last known location. |
Quick View Links | Access Shipment Notes, Documents, and Contacts directly for fast reference. |
Corrective Actions Panel | Enables users to take immediate action on tracking exceptions, such as updating stop status, adjusting appointment times, adding location events, or sending “Not Tracking Notification Emails” to customers and carriers. |
Interaction Map & Breadcrumb Trail | Displays a breadcrumb trail with enhanced visibility, including traffic, weather, and satellite data for improved decision-making. |
Shipment Dashboard- Offers users a real-time, customizable view of shipment status, ETAs, and delays with color-coded indicators and automated alerts.
Feature | Description |
Customizable Filters | Filters for shipment status, ETAs, and tracking updates to tailor the view. |
Color-Coded Indicators | Highlights On-Time (Green), At Risk (Yellow), and Late (Red) shipments for easy tracking. |
Automated Alerts | Notifications for delays or key milestone tracking events to keep users informed. |
Milestone Tracking Dashboard- Provides real-time updates on critical shipment milestones, with interactive maps, breadcrumb tracking, and geofencing alerts for proactive issue management.
Feature | Description |
Key Event Updates | Real-time updates for critical milestones like pickup, departure, en route, and delivery. |
Interactive Map | Displays real-time location, estimated ETAs, and overlays for weather, traffic, and satellite data. |
Geofencing Alerts | Notifies when shipments enter or exit specific zones (e.g., ports, terminals, warehouses, delivery locations). |
Geofencing and Breadcrumb Tracking Capabilities- The table below summarizes Shipwell's Geofencing and Breadcrumb Tracking capabilities. It highlights key aspects like geofencing alerts, real-time tracking, route insights, and proactive issue detection, all designed to improve shipment visibility and transit efficiency.
Feature | Details |
Geofencing Radius | Default 1,000 meters, non-configurable |
Geofencing Notifications | Driver notified 2 hours before stop time |
Geofencing Alerts | Alerts when entering or exiting specific zones |
Breadcrumb Tracking | Real-time driver location and historical route insights |
Enhanced Predictability | Dynamic ETAs based on GPS and external conditions |
Issue Mitigation | Immediate awareness of route deviations or stops |
Shipment Details Page- Offers a comprehensive view of each shipment, providing key information to efficiently manage and track shipments.
Feature | Description |
Detailed Tracking History | Timestamps provide a complete view of the shipment journey. |
Event-Driven Tracking Updates | Real-time updates from carriers to keep users informed of critical milestones. |
Document Storage | Easy access to proof of delivery (PODs), invoices, and tracking records. |
Workflow Management | Streamlines tendering and routing freight through routing guides. |
Bid Management | Manages shipments submitted to the spot market for competitive pricing and visibility. |
Financials | Tracks freight costs, bill-to party details, and invoices for auditing and settlement. |
Automated Alerts & Notifications – Keep users informed in real-time about key shipment events, delays, and exceptions, ensuring proactive management throughout the delivery process.
Feature | Description |
Status Change Notifications | Notifies when a shipment progresses through key milestones (e.g., dispatched, picked up, in transit, delivered). |
Exception Alerts | Alerts for unexpected delays, missed pickups, or geofence deviations. |
Geofencing Alerts | Triggered when a shipment enters or exits a predefined geofence (e.g., terminal or delivery location). |
Predictive ETA Updates | Automatic recalculations of estimated delivery times based on real-time tracking data. |
Delivery Window Tracking and Responsive ETAs- Offers real-time tracking with dynamic ETAs that adjust based on external factors like traffic, weather, and road closures.
Mode-Specific Predictive ETAs:
Full Truckload (FTL): ETAs are calculated using PC Miler, providing accurate estimates based on the shipment’s route.
Other Modes: ETAs are sourced from tracking updates specific to the carrier (e.g., LTL updates).
Dashboard Visibility:
A color-coded column on the Shipment Dashboard simplifies monitoring by highlighting shipment statuses. The ETA column (enabled by default) provides visibility into expected delivery times.
Status | Color | Description | Additional Info |
On Time | Green | Shipment is on track to arrive within the expected delivery window. | No action needed. |
At Risk | Yellow | Shipment is facing potential delays but may still be delivered on time or within an acceptable range. | Monitor for further updates. |
Late | Red | Shipment has missed its expected arrival time. | Includes expected delay time for new ETA. |
By leveraging Shipwell’s advanced tracking tools and real-time visibility, shippers can anticipate delays, proactively manage exceptions, and optimize delivery schedules, ultimately ensuring smoother operations, improved customer satisfaction, and greater control over their freight management.