TMS Mobile Applications Get Us Closer to Meeting the Rubber on the Road

by ChemLogix
http://blog.chemlogix.com/2010/11/tms-mobile-applications-get-us-closer-to-m
eeting-the-rubber-on-the-road/

Mobile applications for iPhone/iPad and other devices are emerging in
ways that can finally close or reduce many of the information gaps
between Transportation Planning, the Shipping/Receiving dock, your
customers, and even Accounts Payable.  Such applications are enabling
shippers to: interface directly and more effectively with logistic
partners; access logistics information in non-traditional business
settings; and enhance communications where access to a computer is not
readily available.

A Sterling (now IBM) Transportation Management System (TMS) Carrier
Mobile App already available for the Apple iPhone/iPad gives carriers
the ability to communicate directly with a shipper's TMS, even from
the cab of their truck, to respond to shipment tender requests and to
report shipment status in real-time.

For one ChemLogix client, this is especially important when it comes
to communicating with smaller carriers who do not have EDI systems,
including for those owner/operators whose dispatch offices ride in the
passenger seats of their tractors.  Trained on the iPhone application,
these carriers now are able to immediately respond to tender requests,
and once booked on a load to provide pickup, delivery and ETA status
updates. Tying these information feeds directly into their TMS system
our client is now more frequently using their number one carriers, and
gains greater visibility to in-transit inventory status from pickup to
delivery.  It's a win-win situation as carriers are able to respond to
tender requests in real time, while on the other side shippers are
able to provide enhanced communications to customers for improved
service, and fewer surprise calls from customers asking where their
shipments are.

Mobile Applications at the Plant/Warehouse

The iPad and other emerging tablet devices create additional
opportunities to bring transportation information quickly and easily
to its point of greatest impact.  TMS mobile applications currently in
development will enable sales reps to retrieve real-time reports and
updates on shipment delivery performance.  Rather than rely on last
month's performance reports, sales reps will access the latest data on
delivery stats for loads while buying a coffee at Starbucks on their
way into a client meeting.  A week-old performance report showing 99%
on-time delivery means nothing to the client if three shipments in the
past two days were late or missed.  Nothing ruins a sales call faster
than bad surprises.

At the plant, on the loading dock, at the guard shack, or in the cab
of the pup-truck moving trailers to the dock for loading, iPad/tablet
applications will provide real time information and process feedback
from workers regarding shipping and receiving appointments, trailer
assignments, and guard shack-monitored in-gate/out-gate dates/times.

When it comes down to it, supply chain and transportation optimization
and management systems are only as good as the timeliness and accuracy
of information delivered to the right place at the right time.  Mobile
apps for phones and tablet PC's now available and in development offer
supply chain management the next opportunity to leap forward.