Load Builds

When you build a load, you consolidate shipments onto a vehicle. You can wait until the end of the day to approve all of the loads that you create. This ensures that every load is filled to capacity and is sent out in the most efficient way.

When you build a load, you define the attributes of loads. This consists of specifying planning depot, load date, shift, vehicle or vehicle type, mode of transport, and various other information. The system assigns each load a specific number using the next numbers function.

You can include the depot from which the load originates and the final destination. You can specify that the load originates at one depot, but is to be loaded at another. Similarly, you can specify the final destination for the load, but specify another destination point to which the vehicle returns.

You add shipments to a load by selecting them from the Work With Shipments form. Shipments are placed on loads only if they follow the criteria of the load header and the vehicle or vehicle type. For example, a shipment with packaged products cannot be placed on a load that uses a vehicle with bulk compartments. The system verifies that the products in a load are compatible. As shipments are added to the load, they are assigned a stop sequence in the order that they were added. The last stop of the load is the final destination.

You can maintain options and equipment information for a load. You can assign options and equipment at the load level, but not at the shipment level. For example, if a load requires a signature or the collection of payment from a particular person, you assign that information to the load, but not to the individual shipments.

On the Work With Loads form, you can access other forms that contain additional detailed information. For example, you can enter specific compartment assignments, review load charges, or review rates for a load.

You can create loads that have one final destination, or you can create a load with several destinations that might include unscheduled deliveries. To create a load with unscheduled deliveries, you must set up an unofficial order. This unofficial order is sometimes called a dummy or phantom order. When you create a load, you assign the dummy order to the load. Later, when completing the delivery confirmation steps, you enter the actual customers that were services and the quantities and products that were delivered.