15 Define Common SCM Configuration: Manage Carriers

This chapter contains the following:

Shipping Methods: Explained

Inbound Tracking Rules: Explained

Creating Tracking Rules: Points to Consider

Shipping Methods: Explained

A shipping method is defined for every carrier. You must define and activate a shipping method after creating a carrier. After a shipping method is created, it is assigned to one or more organizations. The organization can then use the carrier and shipping method combination to deliver shipments to and from its warehouses. The active status of the shipping method indicates that it is in use by the selected carrier in all assigned organizations.

You can define a shipping method by selecting the following:

Service Level
Mode of Transport

Service Level

Service Level is the priority of transportation that affects how quickly goods are transported. For example, Next day, Overnight, Express, Door to Door.

Mode of Transport

Mode of transport refers to the means used to deliver shipments to the customer. For example, Rail, Air, Road.

Inbound Tracking Rules: Explained

Inbound tracking rules enable you to view the status of your shipments through the use of your carrier's Web site. When you click on a tracking number, you are directed to the carrier's Web site to view the tracking details associated with that shipment.

The following aspect of Inbound tracking rules can assist you in viewing shipment information:

Associating the carrier and the carrier's Web site

Associating the carrier and the carrier's Web site

Associating the carrier and carrier's Web site enables you to track your shipments by viewing all of the current tracking numbers for a given carrier and shipment.

Creating Tracking Rules: Points to Consider

Tracking rules enable you to configure the carrier's Web site within the application. After you configure the carrier's Web site, you will be able to view the tracking information via the carrier's Web site when you select a tracking number.

Before creating tracking rules consider:

What base URL to enter?
Which request method to select?
What parameters to select?

Base URL

You must contact your carrier to obtain the Web site URL used to track shipments.

Request Method

You must contact your carrier to determine the request method to be selected; GET or POST. You can use the GET method if the parameters can be shown in the URL. You can use the POST method if the parameters are processed in the backend.

Parameters

You must contact your carrier to determine the parameters for the carrier. Consider if you require any constant value for the carrier's Web site for tracking shipments. Consider the most frequently used search value while tracking a shipment in the carrier's Web site. For example, if you frequently track shipments using the tracking number, then tracking number should be your lookup parameter.