We are pleased to inform you that we have successfully launched a new version of our Control Tower, 5.2
New Features
Visibility hub integration
Time-Slot Management integration
Automated Package Identifier Creation
Handling Guidelines specific for Customers
Create Empty Container Pick up Transport Orders
Feature Improvements
Register and get incidents via API
Create Pre-carriage Transport Orders
Container Information in the Transport Order Grid
New Stop Type: Full Container Gate In for Pre-carriage Orders
Export all signers names into excel from material order grid
🚀 New features
Visibility hub integration
Goal
Users will now be able to access the details provided by our Visibility hub solution directly from Control Tower
How to Use:
Make sure you have subscribe to the Visibility hub service (get in touch with your Key account manager)
A new Visibility Hub tab will appear as soon as you open the transport order details
Time-Slot Management integration
Goal
Users will now be able to see the status coming from Time-Slot Management in the transport order grid.
How to Use:
Make sure you have subscribe to the TSM service (get in touch with your Key account manager)
Ensure to enable the user rights to display the new TSM column
A new TSM status column will display the latest updated status coming from TSM in the transport order grid
Automated Package Identifier Creation
Goal
In the current workflow users some users manually add package identifiers (PIs) to Material Orders (MOs) via the user interface (UI). To streamline this process and reduce manual effort, we are introducing a feature that automates the creation of PIs based on predefined conditions in the MO settings.
How to Use:
Enable on Control Tower Roles > Features > Material orders the feature "Package Identifier Settings" for the Role you are assigned, if not able to access the Control Tower Roles contact your admin or customer success representative.
Access the Material Order Settings window in the CT interface.
Configure the settings to enable automatic creation of package identifiers.
Select the desired logic option for package identifier creation.
One PI with all shipping units: Choose this option if you want a single PI to be created for all shipping units associated with the MO.
One PI for each shipping unit type: Select this option if you prefer separate PIs to be created for each type of shipping unit associated with the MO.
Save the changes and verify that the automatic creation feature is enabled.
Create a new Material Order or update an existing one to trigger the automatic creation of package identifiers based on the configured settings.
Check the generated package identifiers to ensure they meet the specified criteria and are correctly linked to the associated shipping units.
This feature enhances efficiency in the MO workflow by automating PI creation, providing users with flexibility and saving time in manual data entry tasks.
Handling Guidelines specific for Customers
Goal
Customers often have specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or handling guidelines tailored to their requirements. However, the current system only allows for the creation of handling guidelines for locations and/or parts. To address this limitation and enhance customer-specific SOP management, we are introducing a feature to set up handling guidelines per customer via the Handling Guidelines Masterdata. These guidelines will be automatically added or updated to orders when the respective customer is selected.
How to Use:
To utilize the Handling Guidelines for Customer-Specific SOPs feature, follow these steps:
Set Up Customer-Specific Guidelines:
Access the Handling Guidelines Masterdata window and navigate to the new section titled "Customer - Specific Guidelines."
Select the customer from the dropdown menu and provide a description for the specific handling guidelines.
Associate Handling Guidelines with Customers:
Access the Customer Masterdata window and locate the new select box labeled "Handling Guidelines" in the Profile section.
Choose the relevant handling guidelines for the division, ensuring that the "Customer - Specific Guidelines" checkbox is selected.
Utilize Customer Handling Guidelines in Orders:
Navigate to MO and SO forms to verify that the "Customer Handling Guideline" field displays the relevant handling guidelines for the selected customer.
Update or insert customers via MO/SO UI forms to trigger the automatic refresh of the "customer handling guidelines" fields based on the defined Handling Guideline setup.
This feature enhances operational efficiency by automating the integration of customer-specific handling guidelines into orders, ensuring adherence to SOPs and improving customer satisfaction.
Create Empty Container Pick up Transport Orders
Goal
Users can now initiate Empty Container Pick up road orders directly from the main haul transport order within the application. That will offer the
Therefore also new stop types where enriched:
Empty container gate out
Empty container delivery
Benefits
Benefits
Streamlined Workflow: Users can initiate Empty Container Pick up road orders directly from the main haul transport order, eliminating the need for separate processes or systems.
Efficiency: By enabling creation within the application after defining the structure of the Pre-carriage Transport Order (TO), users can efficiently manage all aspects of container logistics in one place.
Time-Saving: The ability to create orders for one or multiple shipping containers and material orders in a single step saves time and reduces manual effort.
Improved Visibility: Users have enhanced visibility into the container logistics process, with container information displayed directly in the Transport Order (TO) grid. This allows for better tracking and monitoring of container movements.
Ease of Use: The creation of Empty Container Pick up orders based on container-level information provided in the UI simplifies the process for users, reducing the likelihood of errors or oversights.
Enhanced Coordination: By integrating Empty Container Pick up Transport Orders into the main haul transport order workflow, users can better coordinate container movements with other transportation activities, leading to smoother operations overall.
Overall, the Empty Container Pick up Transport Orders feature contributes to a more efficient, streamlined, and organized container logistics process, ultimately benefiting users by saving time, reducing errors, and improving visibility and coordination.
How to use
How to use
The creation of Empty Container Pick up orders can be done after defining the structure of the Pre-carriage Transport Order.
Supports creation for one or multiple shipping containers and material orders.
Creation is facilitated based on container-level information provided. The address of the Empty Container Pick Up has to be given to initiate the process.
If the transport order will be separated it will apply as single transport with depending stops.
🌈 Feature improvements
Register and get incidents via API
Goal
Currently, incidents within the system are exclusively created through the user interface (UI). However, there is a growing demand for integration capabilities, particularly from customers seeking to connect their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with the platform eliminating the need for manual data entry.
How to Use:
Users can leverage the new functionalities in the "Public Shipper API" by
Retrieve Incidents: Utilize the "GET Incidents" method to retrieve all incidents associated with a specific transport order, enhancing visibility into incident history and details.
Create Incidents: Utilize the "POST Incident" method to create new incidents related to specific transport orders via the public API. Specify parameters such as Transport Order Code, Occurrence Timestamp, Reason Code, Description, and AORType for comprehensive incident documentation.
These enhancements empower users to effectively manage incidents within CT, facilitating seamless integration with external systems and improving operational efficiency in incident handling processes.
Create Pre-carriage Transport Orders
Similar to On-carriage Transport Orders, users can initiate Pre-carriage road orders from the main haul transport order by using the drayage order creation dialog.
That will supports creation for one or multiple shipping containers and material orders.
For examples, please follow Release notes of 5.0 "Drayage creation"
Container Information in the Transport Order Grid
Enhanced visibility for customers by displaying container information directly in the transport order (TO) grid.
Displays container details including Container Type, Number, Seal Number, PIN, TIN, VGM, POL Quay, POD Quay, and key dates.
That allows quick access to container details via clickable links.
For multiple containers within a TO, displays relevant information as comma-separated values or "Multiple" where applicable.
Ensures search and sorting functionalities remain intact.
New Stop Type: Full Container Gate In for Pre-carriage Orders
New stop types were introduced "Full Container Gate In," for Pre-carriage orders, allowing users to create these orders based on specific incoterm and booking type combinations.
Therefore if the Pre-carriage is a separated transport order following stops apply:
New
Collect
Full Container Gate In
Old
Collect
Deliver
Export all signers names into excel from material order grid
Goal
Provide an export excel document which combines all data available for material orders, including all signer names we may receive.
How to Use:
Include the signer columns in the material order grid (assuming you have access to this data point)
Use the Export to Excel button from the material order grid