Smarter. Stronger. Faster. Better

Transcription

1 A Powerful Tool to Supercharge Your Company In today s fast-paced business environment, successful freight brokerage companies are Smarter, Stronger, Faster, Better than the competition. They are supercharged businesses that broker their clients LTL, TL and Intermodal loads through the use of a single, affordable, easy-to-use solution in the cloud MercuryGate TMS. Smarter Stronger Faster Better

2 Quickly Enter Loads Configure Customer Profiles Configure customer profiles that contain default shipping, billing, and delivery locations. Commodity and item information can be specified as part of the profile, which is used to automatically determine the type of equipment needed such as reefer, flat bed, step-deck, etc. Customer profiles and configurations can apply to other areas as well including rating behavior, tendering, and invoicing. Customer templates Set up customer templates to create default profiles, then use these templates to create new customers with similar profiles. Quote templates Create quote templates for repetitive, complex moves such as multi-leg and international shipments. Don t have a template set up? That s OK, just copy existing information. If you have prepared a quote for a customer in the past, just look up the quote and copy it. View customer data from your CRM The CRM Lite feature within MercuryGate TMS keeps track of important prospect and customer information so you always have the most current information available. If you maintain customer data in an enterprise CRM such as Salesforce.com, MercuryGate TMS offers an easily accessible transportation view of those records. Simplify Data Entry and Retrieval Don't have all the information? Create a quote using what you have, such as origin city/state and destination city/state, weight, and fill in the rest later. Only see what matters. Set up your own pick list values so they only contain data applicable to a specific customer or to your business. Item catalogs and address books can be set up at a customer level so you only see what applies to that customer. Create multiple copies of a quote. Just type in the number of quotes to create. Use any type of reference to find a quote. Whether the user knows a quote number, purchase order number, shipper number, etc., the system can be used to find the information from that reference. Don't want to create quotes manually? Quotes can be pulled electronically from another system or spreadsheet. Save keystrokes. Some text boxes, such as city name, progressively narrow down a list of choices as you type. Locate Capacity Source Capacity Internally and Externally Use external load boards Link to external load boards including DAT 360, Internet Truckstop, and Direct Freight Services to expedite sending load information to find trucks. Use a private capacity board MercuryGate s FreightFriend online application expedites the matching process. FreightFriend is a social media application that allows carriers and brokers to share information with their friends. The application automatically matches loads with an identified friend s available trucks making it easy to find capacity. Solution Highlights MercuryGate TMS provides a modern solution that supports the needs of the complex brokerage world by offering: Affordable, scalable, and configurable solutions in the cloud Single platform support for brokerage, managed services and freight forwarding businesses Support for all modes, including truckload, LTL, parcel, rail, intermodal, air, and ocean Easy-to-use screens to quickly enter and execute loads Complete workflow control and automation Easy access to current rate information Access to validated carrier data to match with client requirements Management of buy-side and the sell-side rates Control Tower end-to-end visibility and decision support

3 Validate Carriers & Rates Manage Carrier Information Validate carrier compliance with your minimum requirements Tender loads with confidence knowing that you have fully vetted your carriers for current insurance coverage, hazmat credentials, safety ratings and much more. Manage the process to collect data, approve carriers, analyze carriers capabilities, and create alerts when conditions require your attention. You can implement and modify your processes as the business grows. Search historical data MercuryGate TMS makes it easy to see the carriers you used in the past and what you paid carriers on similar lanes across all clients. Communicate With Carriers Send quote requests and receive replies Select carriers to service a given lane based on history, service areas, or preferred lanes. Then, send an quote request to one or more carriers. Carriers may respond to the quote directly from the by clicking on a link and entering their quote amount. The user can review the responses to determine which carrier is awarded the load. Quotes may be sorted by cost, ranking, performance, or routing guide. Allow carriers to bid on loads Establish a private bid board and invite a list of carriers to view loads and enter their prices to cover them. The Book It Now feature gives the carrier the opportunity to accept a predetermined low-cost rate. Send rate confirmations and receive replies Once a carrier has been selected, the ezclick process moves the user to the next step automatically. Send the selected carrier a rate confirmation based on the process defined for that carrier. Communicating with Customers Allow customers to book & track their shipments Customers can enter their shipment information, tender the shipment to the carrier, book the shipment, and display and print a bill of lading. The document displayed is based on the user s profile and the mode selected (for example, parcel shipments print labels with tracking numbers). Once the customer selects a rate, a confirmation screen is displayed which contains a configurable disclaimer indicating that the rates provided are only as good as the information they entered. Determine What to Quote Use historical lane averages Easily consider backhauls and look up industry-wide lane averages that are based on quotes and/or secured loads. Provide Quotes to Customers Allow your customers to get their own quotes MercuryGate TMS supports brokerage of any mode. The LTL brokerage process, although similar to the truckload and intermodal brokerage processes, has some variations. Often, the LTL brokerage has contracted rates for each LTL carrier. These rates are loaded into the system and allow the LTL customer to receive quotes automatically online, book the quote, and tender to the carrier without intervention by the brokerage organization. The customer s profile determines the default location and item information (customers only see their information and load history). References may be entered as desired or made mandatory where required.

4 Tender & Track Loads Execute Loads Select the best method Use the best method to load tenders and receive status updates from each carrier. MercuryGate TMS supports EDI, s, web portals, web services, or manual entry to manage the dialog with the carriers. Automate the process An automated process lets you do more with less. The entire process of quoting, executing and settling a load can be automated so that only exceptions are managed. The TMS can select the best carrier for the client, execute the tender request and track the load to delivery. Mobile Communication Use the best available mobile technology to track loads In today s world of smartphones and electronic messaging, MercuryGate users have powerful technology at their fingertips. The current location of a carrier can be easily tracked with any mobile phone. MercuryGate TMS allows brokerage groups, carriers, and customers to leverage the best available method to communicate tracking messages, proofs of delivery, and more. Leverage mobile phones to collect status messages MercuryGate TMS accepts status messages via traditional means such as EDI but also includes an application that can be utilized on mobile devices. This application allows the driver to enter status messages indicating where he currently is on his trip. He can also enter check calls. The application will prompt him to utilize the geocoding features of his phone to automatically pull his current location. Once the carrier marks the load delivered, the carrier may upload a proof of delivery or use the mobile application to capture a signature. The mobile application displays a page allowing the consignee to sign for the goods. When saved, that signature is stored directly onto the load. Regardless of how the information is gathered, the TMS stores the information and reacts predictably to the identified triggers.

5 Settlement and Analytics Carrier Payments and Customer Invoices As invoices come into the TMS they are attached to loads. If the invoice is within your designated variance, general ledger codes can be automatically applied to the charge-level detail and the payable and receivables sent to accounting for processing. If the invoice amount is not within tolerance, the invoice is presented to a user for resolution. To dispute a charge by the carrier, the user can open a dialog with the carrier to explain the disputed amount. Once approved, any variations to the original payable are processed as designated in the customer profile, allowing the charge to be absorbed, passed through, or uplifted as desired. The charge to the customer depends on the process for the client but could be added to their current invoice or passed on as a supplemental invoice. When invoicing a customer, the user may print a packet that contains supporting documents such as proofs of delivery, pickup receipts, etc. Cash Advances A cash advance might cover fuel costs, spot labor or services, or other en route expenses prior to the final settlement of a load. Once a TMS user approves an advance, it is transmitted to a third-party processor (Comdata or EFS), which makes the funds available to the carrier via electronic transfer, credit card, a pin code used at truck stops, or even a check. TMS users control the amount allowed, with or without approvals, as a fixed amount or as a percentage of the total freight cost. The threshold is configurable by each carrier and can be set to require management approval or as automatically approved. Determine Commissions Once the settlement process begins, the system can consider the payables and the receivables to determine what commissions will be paid. Commissions often are distributed among multiple parties based on their role in the brokerage process. Quite often account managers, operations personnel, and other parties share in the profits. The percentages typically vary and the different parties are rewarded for the work they did to win the business. The customer profile determines how commissions are calculated and distributed. Data Analytics Built as a data warehouse, the robust data warehouse capabilities of MercuryGate TMS gather and maintain all transactional data and user interaction in your transportation network. It is stored and made available for analysis by MercuryEdge, the most powerful analytics application available today for transportation related data. MercuryEdge has immediate access to every field in the TMS and can also import data from outside sources (e.g. accounting systems) giving you a comprehensive and complete view of your transportation. Measure carrier KPIs, perform complete lane analysis, simulate network changes and capture total landed costs within a single, intuitive application.

6 Manage Workflow with ezclick Process Guidance Using Custom Workflows New users can learn the system quickly. When they drill into a quote or load, they not only see what step is next, but an ezclick button can take them directly to a screen to complete the next step. The ezclick button may complete an activity for them, such as in the case of a "send carrier confirmation" step, which automatically s or faxes the rate confirmation sheet to the carrier. Use Dashboards for Process Automation MercuryGate TMS with ezclick can be configured to any set of processes. Users may be segmented into teams and different process steps can show up for each team to complete. The dashboard shows each user what they need to focus on, allows them to see the status of each load or quote, and highlights what needs attention. Additional notifications such as , texts, and system pop-ups can also be used to focus attention or notify of exceptions. Dashboards are highly configurable with drag-and-drop functions and customizable save features. Each window is configured to display whatever is deemed appropriate for each functional step in a process. ezclick Guides Users Through the Process Quotes move from one dashboard window to another based on their status in the customized process flow. Each activity is monitored based on rules and configurations, enabling a truly customizable system for each client. Based on team assignment, customer needs, and process enforcement, each quote moves through a process that ensures all customer and business requirements are adhered to. Plan & Execute Client and carrier quotations Carrier data management Multi-shipment consolidation Multi-leg shipment templates Automated load tendering Track & Trace Detail level tracking Track with any known reference Status updates Control tower visibility Client access to tracking Proof of delivery Settlement & Analytics Carrier invoice reconciliation Client invoice generation Item level cost allocation Built-in analytics Real time data access

7 With MercuryGate s Carma, you can tender loads with confidence knowing that carriers have been fully vetted. Today s new realities force anyone seeking safe, reliable carriers to carefully consider many important factors. These factors include safety ratings, insurance coverage and limits, authorities, equipment quality, financial strength, contract terms, certifications, hazmat qualifications, lanes served, and diversity qualifications among others. Carma is more than a data management tool. It permits the creation of manual and automatic processes that ensure that every carrier is fully vetted, on-boarded, and maintained consistently in keeping with your own requirements and process. Carma makes it easy to manage 100,000 carriers as it is to manage 100 carriers. Bottom line Carma automates the details of carrier data management so you can focus on managing your growing business. Carma s Primary Functions Manage Workflow Process and Events Manage unique business processes in response to events. For example: Setting a carrier as inactive when a conditional safety rating is received Providing proactive notification prior to carriers insurance expiration Revoking load tenders in response to a change in carriers status Manage tasks assigned to users across the entire carrier base and keep track of the current workflow by capturing: The type of task (i.e. monthly carrier reporting) Task assignment (i.e. assigned to account rep) Current status of the task (i.e. in process) Planned date and completion date Administrator access to configure workflows and communication methods, such as: Sending an or report (which can be based on admin-configurable templates) Synchronizing data with external systems (i.e. TMS) Updating a carrier s status Adding a review note Consolidate Carrier Information from Multiple Sources Enter data directly into Carma via a web interface Use web portals for carriers to enter & edit data Import data using a standard XML loader format Integrate with RMIS, Transcore and Carrier411 to update insurance data in real time Synchronize carrier data with the TMS Mitigate liability by limiting carrier selection to fully-vetted companies Monitor the changing status of carrier qualifications Automatically update the TMS with audited carrier data Centrally manage a large carrier database with minimal resources Save required carrier documentation securely in a central location Access detailed carrier information from anywhere with a browser

8 Mojo Transportation Optimization The magic of Mojo starts with the data you use every day to move freight. Actual current rates, approved carriers, specified capacities, transit times, and other available data are fed into Mojo to produce realistic and executable load plans. Orders from anywhere in the world, from multiple customers, locations or vendors can be consolidated into multi-pick/drop movements, continuous move shipments (milk runs), backhauls, and pooling scenarios. Get Rapid Results Mojo will analyze all the possible ways to optimize loads while you wait. It will provide you with a thorough explanation of how it organized your shipments in the optimal way given the parameters you defined. Mojo will show the cost, mileage and CO 2 emissions reduction for the planned shipments compared to point-to-point loads. Each load itinerary will be described in detail and you will have the opportunity to make detailed adjustments if necessary. To perform some 'what-if' analysis on the plan, adjust an optimization parameter and re-run the optimizer to view the difference. Mojo will save the initial run and show the effect of the change(s). Import Current Shipments and Rates into Mojo Easily import current shipments to Mojo from the TMS, an ERP, WMS or from a spreadsheet. Mojo will automatically determine the most cost effective way to consolidate and route the loads. Configure Optimization Parameters Easily establish parameters for Mojo so it will optimize according to your business practices across all modes, including parcel, LTL, TL, rail, intermodal, air freight, ocean and multimodal. For example, Mojo allows consideration of pooling points and backhaul opportunities. Mojo will optimize across multiple modes and international shipments. Mojo will identify shipments that should be a parcel shipment or consolidated with others onto a multi-stop truckload. It will also determine the optimal ship dates and delivery appointments based on carrier resources, available docks and delivery windows. Upload Optimized Results to the TMS When the loads are optimized, one click sends them to the TMS to be distributed to operational personnel throughout the network. Mojo is integrated with the MercuryGate TMS but is also available as a stand-alone application. It can be easily configured to share information with any transportation management system.

9 MercuryTouch Touch Pad Application Users of MercuryGate s enterprise TMS have MercuryTouch for access to reports and maps from their touch pad devices. Using the finger touch interface of touch pads, MercuryGate TMS users can view real-time data coming from their transportation operations. Executive Dashboard MercuryTouch is the ultimate information dashboard. Its high resolution display shows charts, reports and maps in stunning clarity for easy viewing. All reports are just a touch-click away. Touch the item on the menu for the information you want to view and it s updated and displayed in real time. You can configure your own dashboard. Any report created in the TMS, including those developed using MercuryEdge, can be part of the MercuryTouch dashboard. Now you can keep your finger on the pulse of your transportation processes, no matter where you are. Common Uses for MercuryTouch Because MercuryTouch can view any report from MercuryGate TMS, including MercuryEdge reports, the possibilities are limitless. The screen shots to the right illustrate some of the common uses for MercuryTouch. Of course, you can configure it to show the information you need - the way you want to view it. One Size Fits All Touch pad devices come in a variety of sizes. While this presents a problem for some touch pad applications, MercuryTouch automatically adjusts to displays of all sizes. Regardless of what hardware and operating system you are using, MercuryTouch has you covered.

10 TMS for Freight Forwarders An International TMS to Bring Simplicity to a Complex World Freight forwarders work in an extremely complex, manual, paper-driven environment that involves multiple languages and currencies. Further, freight forwarders often rely heavily on localized knowledge in order to move shipments through the maze of international trade. MercuryGate TMS delivers the tools to automate unique processes while sharing data easily with partners and agents, bringing simplicity to a complex world. Comprehensive Trade Compliance Restricted party screening, license determination and management, duty and tax calculation, and document determination must happen early in the planning cycle so all appropriate governmental regulations are met. This eliminates avoidable delays that would otherwise be encountered further downstream in the process. Complex, End-to-End Multi-leg Shipments Planning for shipments that span multiple countries can be complex and often require multiple legs, such as rail, dray, ocean and air. MercuryGate TMS seamlessly optimizes all legs, enabling you to maintain control over costs and single-system visibility to the entire transaction. Consolidate LCL shipments into full containers using MercuryGate s transportation optimization software to further reduce costs. Carrier Schedule Planning Rail, ocean and air modes bring an additional level of complexity to transportation planning schedules. MercuryGate TMS takes advantage of leading schedule data providers to ensure shipments depart on time and for the right price. Shipment Execution Life Cycle Generating and uploading documents, booking with carriers, tracking shipments while in transit, and settling invoices are all vital components of the shipment execution process. MercuryGate TMS provides a customizable workflow engine that can create, assign and track activities at the user or group level. Managing these activities in a single system minimizes delays, and measures carrier performance with the same toolset used for compliance, optimization and scheduling. Localization of the User Interface Multi-lingual, multi-currency, multi-uom are required for global trade transactions. MercuryGate TMS, operating in the cloud, offers user-level localization so all parties can communicate in their own language or currency. Financial Management Toolkit Accurately tracking the buy/sell financials for a given shipment is difficult due to currency conversions, unexpected accessorials and unidentified charges. A quoting portal provides clients with a self-service quote request application as well as a bid request and management tool for carriers. The client invoicing module provides ultimate flexibility in covering true shipment costs while the carrier invoicing module provides visibility and control over questionable charges. The cost allocation module enables you to capture fully-landed cost and to allocate all appropriate costs to the item level. The toolkit enables commission and margin calulation on a shipment-by-shipment or office-by-office basis.

11 TMS for 3PLs Deliver Results for Big Companies and Small At the very core of the TMS is the ability to rapidly on-board new clients. Through extensive use of templates and data inheritance, set-up and data entry tasks are kept to a minimum. This allows you to focus on the unique aspects of each client s transportation requirements. You can cost effectively serve all of your clients with MercuryGate TMS including those with low monthly volumes. And, because all client data is in one place, there is greater opportunity for optimization and analysis in the business. Support Any Mode Whether you use LTL, truckload, parcel, air, ocean, rail or intermodal carriers to move your freight, MercuryGate TMS will plan and execute it for you. Select the best mode, the best carrier and the best route for every shipment. Take Advantage of the Powerful Rating Engine When it comes time to assign a rate to a customer s inquiry, count on MercuryGate TMS to deliver. Depending on carrier and mode, rates can come from anywhere and everywhere. Find rates in carrier contracts housed within the TMS, as a tariff-based calculation, on a remote server via a web services look-up, on a load board, or entered manually. Search across all of these methods to find the best mode, carrier, and rate for your customer every time. Plan & Execute Consolidate Shipments Quickly plan hundreds or even thousands of shipments across customers into the optimal combination of consolidated loads, continuous moves, pooled shipments, and backhauls - even utilizing multiple modes. When you're confident you have minimized your transportation costs and carbon footprint, one mouse click prepares the plan for execution. Use a National Sales Force or Agency Model Your company has a sales model that works for you. Don t change it! The adaptable MercuryGate TMS will work whether you employ a sales force or an extensive network of agencies. The built-in CRM Lite tracks sales data from all across the enterprise. CRM Lite can be integrated to automatically transmit and share data to an existing CRM tool. Regardless of which sales model you use, MercuryGate TMS provides the tools to track sales activity, calculate commissions, and monitor sales force success. Leverage Multiple Margin Calculation Methods The difference between the carrier rate and the customer rate determines profitability. MercuryGate TMS provides the flexibility you need to succeed. You can use buy/sell calculations, percent uplift, management fees, or gain share methods of calculation at any time. Need to offer special terms to win new business? Not a problem. Construct terms the customer will accept and let the MercuryGate TMS do the rest. Client and carrier quotations Carrier data management Multi-shipment consolidation Multi-leg shipment templates Automated load tendering Track & Trace Detail level tracking Track with any known reference Status updates Control tower visibility Client access to tracking Proof of delivery Settlement & Analytics Carrier invoice reconciliation Client invoice generation Item-level cost allocation Built in analytics Real time data access

12 TMS in the Cloud Working with third-parties is a necessity in global trade transactions. Don t be limited by your software s installation boundaries. MercuryGate TMS operates in the cloud, enabling all agents and partners to collaborate in the screening, execution and clearance process in the most efficient, effective manner possible. SaaS or Local Deployment The choice is yours. Most customers choose MercuryGate s SSAE 16, SOC 1 Type II certified data centers for hosting. You can choose to install the enterprise TMS in your own data center. Regardless of hosting location, buyers can choose between a subscription agreement and a traditional perpetual license. You will receive the same first-class support no matter which options you choose. Rapid Implementation Means Rapid Time to Value Most new implementations of MercuryGate TMS are operational in four to six weeks. Templates and inherited objects such as carriers, contracts, locations, vendors, and customers enable you to phase in business operations at your convenience while giving you the quickest deployment options in the industry. MercuryGate TMS is a proven, rapid means of achieving real return on investment. Carbon Footprint Tracking In today s business environment, cost and service are no longer the only consideration for choosing modes, carriers or services. MercuryGate s TMS enables you to track and report CO 2 emissions to help you make more informed decisions while delivering the best service at the best possible cost. To learn more about MercuryGate solutions for Freight Brokers, sales@mercurygate.com or call Request an online demo! MercuryGate International, Inc. 200 Regency Forest Drive Suite 400 Cary, NC USA sales@mercurygate.com