EP0996878A2 - Systeme de transport informatise defini partiellement par l'utilisateur - Google Patents

Systeme de transport informatise defini partiellement par l'utilisateur

Info

Publication number
EP0996878A2
EP0996878A2 EP98931520A EP98931520A EP0996878A2 EP 0996878 A2 EP0996878 A2 EP 0996878A2 EP 98931520 A EP98931520 A EP 98931520A EP 98931520 A EP98931520 A EP 98931520A EP 0996878 A2 EP0996878 A2 EP 0996878A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
data
field
user
shipment
computer system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98931520A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
David S. Stukel
Doug H. Malick
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TraffiCop Inc
Original Assignee
TraffiCop Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TraffiCop Inc filed Critical TraffiCop Inc
Publication of EP0996878A2 publication Critical patent/EP0996878A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Definitions

  • This invention concerns a digital electrical apparatus and methods involving the same, applied to the field of transportation More particularly, this invention relates to managing cargo shipments with a computer system especially adapted to preparing, processing, and transmitting quotes, bookings, documentation and/or orders (and tracking thereof, in a system of coordinated support for the transportation industry
  • the invention includes automated aspects of shipment and delivery for air freight, sea freight, trucking, customs, warehouse, inventory, customer, supplier, banking, insurance, export, and other providers, including processing, documentation, storage, and transmission of data for all of the foregoing
  • the third general category of centrally managed systems can be characterized as provider-defined external networks
  • a provider sets up a centrally managed database system which receives user data and then distributes the pertinent data (or permits distribution) to various entities in the business supply chain
  • the system includes, but is not limited to, order processing, job costing, freight tracking, etc
  • EDI Electronic Data Interchange
  • the United States can be viewed as model of the present invention, _ e_, a partially user-defined network
  • users operate individually in accordance with a generally structured system
  • This present invention permits efficient transactions involving users doing business without the centralized control or completely disorganized chaos that is presently the state of the art
  • a method implemented on a first user computer machine for processing an order for a service to be used in a segment of a future cargo shipment the first user computer machine including a digital electrical computer having a processor programmed to electrically process input data to produce output data, the digital electrical computer being electrically connected to an input device, an output device, and a memory
  • the method including the steps of for a first cargo shipment, processing an order for a service in a segment of the first cargo shipment to produce first cargo shipment order data in a database in the memory, for a second cargo shipment, second processing an order for the service in the second cargo shipment, the second processing including if the price is not already in the data in the memory, then entering price data as a portion of the input data at the input device for processing by the first user computer, entering an other portion of the input data at the input device for processing by the first user computer, the other portion characterizing a beginning and an end for the future use of the service in the future cargo shipment, and carrying out
  • the method can also involve displaying on a monitor electrically connected to the processor a map for guiding management of the future cargo shipment
  • the step of generating the output data can include generating documentation by determining what documentation is required for the segment, retrieving text for the documentation from the memory, and inserting some of the output data in the text for the documentation
  • the step of second processing can include displaying, on a monitor electrically connected to the processor, a scheduler for scheduling events corresponding to the segment
  • the step of second processing can include displaying, on a monitor electrically connected to the processor, work-in-progress for monitoring scheduled activities corresponding to the segment
  • the step of second processing can include rating air and sea freight services for the future cargo shipment
  • the step of second processing can include rating insurance and transport services for the future cargo shipment
  • the step of second processing can include scheduling a booking
  • the invention includes a method of using a computer system in managing a future cargo shipment, the method including the steps of electrically processing input data to produce output data with a digital electrical computer having a processor programmed to carry out the processing, the digital electrical computer being electrically connected to an input device and an output device, entering a first data portion of the input data at the input device for processing by the computer, the first data portion characterizing a future shipment of cargo, including an origin, a destination, for the shipment, entering a second data portion of the input data at the input device for processing by the computer, the second data portion representing shipping alternatives, each of the alternatives including cost, routing, and mode, entering a selection data portion of the input data at the input device for processing by the computer, the selection data portion representing at least one criteria for selecting among the alternatives for the future shipment of the cargo, and engaging the processor to process the input data to produce the output data, the output data representing a selection of a best shipment alternative corresponding to the selection data for the future cargo shipment
  • the step of entering the second data portion of the input data can
  • the invention includes an article of manufacture including a means for storing a computer program, and on the a means for storing a computer program, a means for programming a digital electrical computer processor electrically processing input data to produce output data, the digital electrical computer being electrically connected to an input device and an output device, wherein the means for programming controls entering a first data portion of the input data at the input device for processing by the computer, the first data portion characterizing a future shipment of cargo, including an origin, a destination, for the shipment, entering a second data portion of the input data at the input device for processing by the computer, the second data portion representing shipping alternatives, each of the alternatives including cost, routing, and mode, entering a selection data portion of the input data at the input device for processing by the computer, the selection data portion representing at least one criteria for selecting among the alternatives for the future shipment of the cargo, and engaging the processor to process the input data to produce the output data, the output data representing a selection of a best shipment alternative corresponding to the selection data for the future cargo shipment 17
  • the means for programming controls entering
  • FIG 1 is a diagram that provides an overview of the present invention
  • FIG 2 is a diagram that an overview of a method of the present invention
  • FIG 3 is a depiction of a Security Clearance computer screen
  • FIG 4 is a depiction of an Opening computer screen
  • FIG 5 is a depiction of a Shipments in Progress computer screen
  • FIG 6 is a depiction of a Daily Cut-offs List computer screen
  • FIG 7 is a depiction of a Daily Arrivals List computer screen
  • FIG 8 is a depiction of a Cargo Available List computer screen
  • FIG 9 is a depiction of a User-scheduled Events List computer screen
  • FIG 10 is a depiction of an Inter-office Mail List computer screen
  • FIG 11 is a depiction of a Memo Send computer screen
  • FIG 12 is a depiction of a Revised Inter-office Mail List computer screen
  • FIG 13 is a depiction of a Main Map computer screen
  • FIG 14 is a depiction of a Comments computer screen
  • FIG 15 is a depiction of a systems administrator's Comment Access computer screen
  • FIG 16 is a depiction of an Expressway On Ramp computer screen
  • FIG 17 is a depiction of a Revised Expressway On Ramp computer screen
  • FIG 18 is a depiction of an Agent Broker Table computer screen
  • FIG 19 is a depiction of an Undelete Agent computer screen
  • FIG 20 is a depiction of a Broker Table computer screen
  • FIG 21 is a depiction of an Undelete Broker computer screen
  • FIG 22 is a depiction of an Expressway Inland computer screen
  • FIG 23 is a depiction of a Revised Expressway Inland computer screen
  • FIG 24 is a depiction of an Expressway Port-to-port computer screen
  • FIG 25 is a depiction of a Revised Expressway Port-to-port computer screen
  • FIG 26 is a depiction of a further Revised Expressway Port-to-port computer screen
  • FIG 27 is a depiction of a still further Revised Expressway Port-to-port computer screen
  • FIG 28 is a depiction of a Terminal Location computer screen
  • FIG 29 is a depiction of a Country Code Table computer screen
  • FIG 30 is a depiction of a Three Letter Port Code computer screen
  • FIG 31 is a depiction of a Carrier Rates Expressway computer screen
  • FIG 32 is a depiction of a Carrier Routing computer screen
  • FIG 33 is a depiction of a Carrier Schedule computer screen
  • FIG 34 is a depiction of an Insurance Class List computer screen
  • FIG 35 is a depiction of a Special Vendor computer screen
  • FIG 36 is a depiction of a Transit Type computer screen
  • FIG 37 is a depiction of a Consol Vendor Add computer screen
  • FIG 38 is depiction of a Rate Table Entry computer screen
  • FIG 39 is a depiction of a Client Manager computer screen
  • FIG 40 is a depiction of a Revised Client Manager computer screen
  • FIG 41 is a depiction of a Billing Info Add Edit computer screen
  • FIG 42 is a depiction of a Further Revised Client Manager computer screen
  • FIG 43 is a depiction of a Location Edit computer screen
  • FIG 44 is a depiction of a Still Further Revised Client Manager computer screen
  • FIG 45 is a depiction of an Even Further Revised Client Manager computer screen
  • FIG 46 is a depiction of a Revised Rate Table Entry computer screen
  • FIG 47 is a depiction of a Master Bill Manager computer screen
  • FIG 48 is a depiction of a Revised Main Map computer screen
  • FIG 49 is a depiction of a Booking Pop-up computer screen
  • FIG 50 is a depiction of a Booking Look-up computer screen
  • FIG 51 is a depiction of a First Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 52 is a depiction of a Second Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 53 is a depiction of a Third Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 54 is a depiction of a Fourth Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 55 is a depiction of a Fifth Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 56 is a depiction of a Sixth Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 57 is a depiction of a Shipper Inventory computer screen
  • FIG 58 is a depiction of a Revised Sixth Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 59 is a depiction of an Edit Phrases screen
  • FIG 60 is a depiction of a Seventh Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 61 is a depiction of a Revised Seventh Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 62 is a depiction of a Second Revised Seventh Shipment Details computer screen
  • FIG 63 is a depiction of a Save Record computer screen
  • FIG 64 is a depiction of a HouseBill Number Assign computer screen
  • FIG 65 is a depiction of a Billing Creation computer screen
  • FIG 66 is a depiction of a Booking Assign To Flight computer screen
  • FIG 67 is a depiction of a revised Booking Assign To Flight computer screen
  • FIG 68 is a depiction of a Booking Assign View Master computer screen
  • FIG 69 is a depiction of an Open MasterBill computer screen
  • FIG 70 is a depiction of a Revised Main Map computer screen
  • FIG 71 is a depiction of a View HouseBill computer screen
  • FIG 72 is a depiction of a HouseBilling computer screen
  • FIG 73 is a depiction of a revised House Billing computer screen
  • FIG 74 is a depiction of a View HouseBill Lookup computer screen
  • FIG 75 is a depiction of a Generate Documents computer screen
  • FIG 76 is a depiction of a Warehouse Pieces Received computer screen
  • FIG 77 is a depiction of a Revised Warehouse Date Received computer screen
  • FIG 78 is a depiction of a Pending Masters computer screen
  • FIG 79 is a depiction of a MasterBill Table computer screen
  • FIG 80 is a depiction of a Bookings Not Assigned To Masters computer screen
  • FIG 81 is a depiction of a Process Master Change Carrier computer screen
  • FIG 82 is a depiction of a Process Master Populate New computer screen
  • FIG 83 is a depiction of a Revised MasterBill Table computer screen
  • FIG 84 is a depiction of a Process Master Cost Analysis computer screen
  • FIG 85 is a depiction of a Loose Rate Enter computer screen
  • FIG 86 is a depiction of a Generate Master Documents computer screen
  • FIG 87 is a depiction of a Revised Mam Map computer screen
  • FIG 88 is a depiction of a Confirmed On Board computer screen
  • FIG 89 is a depiction of an Option To Fax computer screen
  • FIG 90 is a depiction of a Proof Of Delivery computer screen
  • FIG 91 is a depiction of a Time And Signature Entry computer screen
  • FIG 92 is a depiction of a Further Revised Main Map computer screen
  • FIG 93 is a depiction of a Cass Report computer screen
  • FIG 94 is a depiction of a Consolidation Schedule computer screen
  • FIG 95 is a depiction of a Consolidation Exists Warning computer screen
  • FIG 96 is a depiction of a Revised Consolidation Schedule computer screen
  • FIG 97 is a depiction of a Monthly Detail computer screen
  • FIG 98 is a depiction of a Billing Lookup computer screen
  • FIG 99 is a depiction of a revised House Billing computer screen
  • FIG 100 is a depiction of a flow chart diagram of the International Shipping Process
  • FIG 101 is a depiction of tables containing International Shipping information
  • FIG 102 continues the depiction the of tables Containing International Shipping information
  • FIG 103 continues the depiction of the tables Containing International shipping information
  • FIG 104 continues the depiction of the tables Containing International Shipping information
  • FIG 105 is a depiction of the Temporary Storage Workspace relationships
  • FIG 106 is a depiction of Quotation Storage relationships
  • FIG 107 is a depiction of Housebill Storage relationships
  • FIG 108 is a depiction of MasterBill Storage relationships
  • FIG 109 is a depiction of Routing and Rating relationships
  • FIG 110 is a depiction of User Utility relationships V DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • FIG 1 is a diagram that provides an overview of the present invention (contrast with the subsequently discussed FIG 100)
  • FIG 1 shows a Partially User-defined Computer Transportation System 1 , which represents a community of user computer systems that are adapted to communicate data, the user systems genencally illustrated as User Computer System 2
  • User Computer System 2 can be made with an IBM- compatible digital electrical computer having a CPU 4, which is electrically connected to at least one Data Input Device 5, such as Keyboard 6, Scanner 8, Modem 10, CD-ROM System 12, or Other Input Devices 14
  • Output Device 15 can include, for example, Computer Monitor 16, the Modem 10, Printer 18, Facsimile Machine 20, the CD-ROM System 12, or an Other Output Device 22
  • allowance is made for Future Devices 24 to handle data
  • Computer Program 26 (in whole or a standardized output part), for example one written in Microsoft Access Ver 2 and Other Programs 28, which may include Windows 3 1 , Windows 95, Novell 3 0, and other types of operating systems and computer programs Computer Program 26 would be particularly suitable for a Java application
  • the user's version of Program 26 manipulates data stored in Database 30, which is a master database that contains at least some of other databases that pertain to the particular user
  • These other databases can include an Air Freight Database 32, a Sea Freight Database 34, a Trucking Database 36, a Customs Database 38, an Inventory Database 40, a Customer Database 42, a Supplier Database 44, a Banking Database 46, a Insurance Database 48, a Export Regulations Database 50, a Warehouse Database 52, and Other Database's 54
  • the aforementioned Computer Programs 26 and 28, and the Databases 30-54 are stored in a Memory System 23
  • the Memory System 26 can be comprised of any machine-readable media and means for reading the media, for example, any of the Computer Programs 26-28 and Databases 30-54 could be stored on a diskette (or other means for storing any of the Computer Programs 26-28 and Databases 30-54) along with the means for reading the diskette being a disk drive electrically connected to the Computer System 2, particularly the CPU 4
  • the Memory System 23 could also include a hard disk, etc
  • the present invention permits the preferable approach of computerized communication of this information Accordingly, to the extent that the needs of a particular user so requires, the data for subordinate Databases 32-54 can be obtained from other users (directly or via an intermediary, such as a central repository) (Only data pertinent to the particular user and/or kind of user are taken and stored on the user's Database 30 )
  • the data obtained by the Computer System 2 from other users can be screened by a Filter 15 which would allow only information that exists in the Database 30 to be accessed or updated if the user provides authorization
  • Air Freight Provider's Computer 57could transmit a complete flight schedule to all of the pertinent users
  • that user's Filter 15 is directed to allow only the data required to be received into Database 30 The extraneous data would be discarded and two way communication would be prevented
  • the data involved in the above-described updating of Database 30 also can be encrypted so the data cannot be intercepted and used by parties outside the transaction
  • the data is encrypted with an encryption system such as, for example, a double-key system which is a system where a sender encrypts the code with his private key and a public key of the receiver (public keys would be stored in fields in records storing information about the receiver in tables such as Shippers Table and Vendor Directory Table in the Database 30) and a receiver decrypts the data with the receiver's private key and a public key of the sender
  • a double-key system which is a system where a sender encrypts the code with his private key and a public key of the receiver (public keys would be stored in fields in records storing information about the receiver in tables such as Shippers Table and Vendor Directory Table in the Database 30) and a receiver decrypts the data with the receiver's private key and a public key of the sender
  • PGP Public Key
  • a particular user can obtain data for Export Regulations Database 50 by linking to another user's computer system that provides this data, _ ⁇ e_, Export Regulations Providers Computer System 72 If only part of the Export Regulations Database 50 is downloaded by a particular user, the part would be that which is applicable to that specific user Similarly, air freight providers (airlines) are a good source of information about air freight data, ⁇ ____, general flight schedules, rates, etc
  • the User Computer System 2 has an Air Freight Database 32, which contains information pertinent to the users of air freight services This data is particularly useful to the Air Freight Provider's Computer System 57 Air Freight Providers Computer System 57, includes analogous Providers' hardware, software, and databases, all handled by methods analogous to those of the User Computer System 2 Linking Device 78 can facilitate compatibility between the various user's computer systems
  • a primary distinguishing characteristic is that the data contained in the Air Freight Providers Computer System 57 is pertinent to a provider of air freight services This data could include such information as rates,
  • the Sea Freight Provider's Computer System 56 includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and employs the analogous methods described for the User Computer System 2, except that Database 34 is tailored or tailorable to the needs of a sea freight provider Similarly, a distinguishing characteristic is that the data used and/or generated by the Sea Freight Providers Computer System 56 is pertinent to provider of sea freight services This data could include such information as rates, schedules, tracking, delivery status, billing information, documentation, and all other information necessary and useful to this facet of the industry
  • the Trucking Database 36 in User Computer System 2 contains information pertinent to users of trucking services This information is for/from Trucking Providers Computer System 58, which includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods described for User Computer System 2 A difference is that the data contained in the Trucking Providers Computer System 58 is pertinent to the providers of trucking services This data could include such information as rates, schedules, tracking, delivery status, billing information, documentation, and all other information necessary and useful to this facet of the industry
  • the Customs Database 38 of User Computer System 2 contains information pertinent to users of Customs services This information is for/from the Customs Providers Computer System 60, which includes analogous hardware, software, databases and methods as described for User Computer System 2 but the data is pertinent to the providers of Customs services These providers could be Customs Brokers or Customs agencies world-wide This data could include such information as commodity classifications, harmonized code information, duty rates, handling/processing fees, regulations, documentation, and all other necessary and useful information
  • the Inventory Database 40 in User Computer System 2, contains information pertinent to the users of inventory This information is for/from the Inventory Provider's Computer System 62, which includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods as described for User Computer System 2 except that the data is pertinent to the providers of inventory This data could include such information as part numbers, descriptions, unit prices, harmonized codes, item numbers, back-orders, inventory management procedures and all other information that is necessary and useful to this facet of the industry
  • the Customer Database 42 in Users Computer System 2, contains information pertinent to the User's customers This information is for/from the Customer's Computer System 64, which includes of analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods for User Computer System 2, except that the data contained is pertinent to the User's Customer This data could include such information as billing addresses, pricing information, delivery instructions, contact information, payment terms, product information and any other information that is necessary and useful
  • the Supplier Database 44 in User Computer System 2, contains information pertinent to the User's suppliers This information is for/from the Supplier's Computer System 66, which includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods for User Computer System 2, except that the data is pertinent to the User's supplier This data could include such information as billing addresses, pricing information, delivery instructions, contact information, payment terms, product information and any other information that is necessary and useful
  • the Banking Database 46 in User Computer System 2, contains information pertinent to users of banking services This information is for/from the Banking Provider's Computer System 68, which includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods for User Computer System 2, except that the data is pertinent to the provider of banking services This data could include such information as letter of credit details, currency values, payment processing fees, interest rates, payment terms, financing, and any other information that is necessary and useful for this facet of the industry
  • the Insurance Database 48 contains information pertinent to users of insurance services This information is for/from the Insurance Provider's Computer System 70, which includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods for User Computer System 2, except that the data is pertinent to the provider of insurance services This data could include such information as a schedule of rates, which could correlate with the value of the goods, the country of origin/destination, and the mode of transport Additional information might include marine cargo policy limits, regulations and legal issues, documentation, and any other information that is necessary and useful for this facet of the industry
  • the Export Regulations Database 50 in User Computer System 2, contains information pertinent to users of export regulations This information is for/from the Export Regulations Providers Computer System 72, which includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods for User Computer System 2, except that the data is pertinent to the provider of Export Regulations services This data could include such information as all rules, regulations, documentation requirements, import restrictions, inspection requirements, any other trade-related conditions that foreign countries might impose and any other information that is necessary and useful to this facet of the industry
  • the Warehouse 52 in User Computer System 2, contains information pertinent to the users of warehouse services This information is for/from the Warehouse Providers Computer System 74, which includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods for User Computer System 2, except that the data is pertinent to providers of warehouse services This data could include such information as on-hand reporting, package details (e g , shipping unit weight, dimensions, etc ), in/out reporting, location id's, and any other information that is necessary and useful
  • the Other Database 54 in User Computer System 2, contains information pertinent to any other types of goods and services pertinent to another user This information is for/from the Other Providers Computer System 76, which includes analogous hardware, software, and databases, and corresponding methods for the User Computer System 2, except that the data is pertinent to the providers of other goods and services This data could include information that is necessary and useful that relates to providing any other goods or services
  • the User Computer System 2 is preferably structured in a manner that permits a wide range of users in the transportation industry to pursue their specific needs, while communicating (when necessary) in an efficient, compatible manner While there is commonality to a degree, there is flexibility to adapt the User Computer System 2 to the specific needs of different types of users
  • the particular user would employ the Linking Device 78 Examples of these types of devices are as follows an Internet Appliance 80, the Internet 82, a Phone Line 84, a Wireless Connection 86, a Java Script Device 88, an Intranet 90, a Centrally Managed Provider Network 92, a Webcasting Device 94 (such as a web-browser), Other Linking Devices 96, and Future Linking Device 98
  • a Linking Device 78 would preferably facilitate both the input and output of data
  • Each of the user's computer systems is partially user-defined The individual user's systems are partially user-defined on several levels
  • the entire shipping process from order-placement to delivery is modularized into blocks of code, individual programs, or applets (herein referred to as modules) used or called upon by a particular kind of the user to perform a shipping procedure as needed
  • a shipper might use an order processing module (which could access an order processing module in a Customer's Computer System 64) to receive and process orders, an inventory module (which could access an inventory module in an Inventory Provider's Computer system 62) to monitor the shipper's inventory, rating module (which could access rating modules in various carriers' computer systems 55-58) to calculate shipping charges, a documentation module (which could access a documentation requirement module in an Export Regulations Provider's Computer System 72) to generate required documentation, a payables module (which could access billing modules of various service providers' computer systems 55-76) to approve and possibly electronically settle vendors' billings, a tracking module (which could access tracking modules in various carrier's computer systems 55-58) to track shipments, or an analysis module to generate business or market analysis reports
  • modules may reside in the User'
  • the systems are partially user-defined in that the composition of an individual user's Database 30 would include essentially only what that user would need So, for example, if the user is only engaged in trucking, it would be wasteful to include data corresponding to AirFreight Database 32 or SeaFreight Database 34, or to waste time downloading it for local processing This is advantageous over the prior art approach of attempting to centrally manage data that a particular user would not need
  • a particular user's computer system is partially user-defined by a setting of system defaults
  • system defaults would be arbitrarily set, but in the present invention, data used for a first shipment (or transportation transaction) automatically sets the defaults for the next shipment (or transaction)
  • This approach is implements an assumption that the handling of one shipment is an efficient predictor of the handling of the next shipment, and implementing the assumption is greatly preferable over the user setting defaults one by one This is especially true where the handling of a shipment or other activity is so complicated that the prior approach of individually entering data (ore even individually setting defaults) is cumbersome
  • the present invention is not totally centrally managed and not totally user defined Users share some common ground, as needed
  • the software can be designed to reflect certain symmetries in the transportation industry so that customizing the software for a particular kind of user can be kept to a minimum
  • One aspect of the design is the use of a single format for multi-modal international cargo handling This generic format allows essentially the same monitor screen design to be used by different kinds of users, e g , air and sea transportation service providers, and importers and exporters (See again the subsequently discussed FIG 100 )
  • a map through the cargo transport morass is provided This map is gene ⁇ cally usable in tracking and managing cargo shipments, even very different kinds of users
  • An "information expressway" is used to control obtaining, managing, and conveying data
  • the map is used herein genencally to subsume equivalents such as a chart, face, plot, or other such representation, each of which can be employed to guide a user through the transport morass
  • a generic documentation and communication functionality preferably has two features First, there is a "no-key” approach that permits documents to be generated with little or no human intervention ( ⁇ _e_, to avoid having to type the same information more than once) Second, the particular user's transaction is computer-processed to determine what documentation is required and what additional documentation could be useful (No-key customs clearance and no-key load planning and pallet building are also provided ) Automated Cass Reports and Profit-loss ledger are features of this funcitonality
  • a generic AutoCalc functionality permits different kinds of users to automatically determine what services are required to move a cargo shipment from origin to destination, what vendors perform the services, and what costs are associated with the vendors providing the services
  • the AutoCalc functionality applies a "sell rate" (based on a sell tariff for a shipper), a default tariff for the type of shipment, or a percentage markup over cost
  • the AutoCalc functionality facilitates the providing of quotes to customers and the storing of the quotes Further, AutoCalc is preferably written in a language compatible with accounting software (e g , for a Windows application such as PeachTree) to permit seamless additional accounting without errors or wasted time from re-entering data
  • a generic Profit Check functionality permits a standardized data entry, viewing, searching, and payable-approval mechanism for cost-base accounting
  • a generic shipper scheduler (e g , flight scheduler) permits automated determination of the "best" routing - including consideration of cost -- for shipping parameters This functionality reveals the importance of a relational database approach, which facilitates efficiently searching by the maximum criteria applicable to the data fields in the relational database (e g , Database 30)
  • a generic COB (Confirmed On Board) manager functionality tracks shipments not yet confirmed on flights (ships, etc ), and provides notice to all associated with such shipments
  • Direct connection to shippers such as airlines (with EDI if necessary), preferably automatically each hour, can provide fresh data con COB's, schedules, and rate changes
  • a generic "help” system uses a “bug trap” to catch "bugs" in the computerized system This permits central handling of problems and means for correcting them, including distribution of improvements Additionally, there is automated security for the user's systems
  • FIG 2 shows an Overview of a Representative Method carried out in accordance with the present invention Computer System 2, using Computer Program 26 displays an in progress List of Scheduled Events 100 (see FIG's 5-12, subsequently discussed) The user reviews a displayed list and options that are displayed by the Monitor 16 and enters data in International Shipping Information Field 102 (FIG's 16-49) via Keyboard 6
  • a booking involves Scheduling 122 (FIG's 64-69), which can include evaluating routing options and schedules on file (e g . using an Air Freight Providers Computer System 57) The user then chooses A Carrier 124 (also FIG's 64-69) to book the cargo ), ⁇ _e_, make an order for a shipment)
  • FIG 3 Security Clearance, is a security computer screen encountered when logging on one of the User Computer Systems 2 and a Computer Program 26 A password is entered so that the respective System 2 allows only authorized users to operate the respective Computer Program 26 The user enters a name in Name Field 140, and clicks an OK Button 142 If the user's name is not recognized, the User System Computer 2 cannot be accessed
  • Opening Screen 4 is an Opening screen that presents the user with a greeting Opening Screen 4 signals that the user has been allowed access to the Computer Program 26 and that the User Computer System 2 has stored the user's name "Doug" in Field 144 (In the present example, the respective User Computer System 2 is one of the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55, and the user's name is "Doug" )
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays the Date 146 and Time 148, and allows the user to click Proceed Button 150 to proceed on to the next screen
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays several columns that allow the user to see at a glance a list of shipments that are in progress and need attention that Date 146 in Date Field 154
  • the screen FIG 5 displays the list by shipment, a shipment being comprised of at least one shipment segment - usually many segments For example, transport on a vessel or airplane could be a segment, storage in a warehouse could be another, transport by truck still another, customs clearance still another, etc
  • Each column shows a status of progress Shipment Column 156 identifies the shipments in progress, Pickup Date Column 158, Whse In Column 160, indicates the date that a shipment was received in the warehouse, All?
  • FIG 5 shows that Shipment No GC1ORD-000 was picked up on 2/23/97, received in the warehouse on 2/24/97, and all the cargo was present, this shipment was assigned to a master bill of lading on 2/25/97, and was removed from the warehouse on 2/24/97 for a flight departing on 2/26/97 which requires the user to confirm the cargo On Board on the flight that arrives at its destination on 2/28
  • FIG 6 Daily Cut-Offs List is a computer screen listing all master bills that are scheduled to be closed or finished in the next 5 days House bills are assigned to master bills d e . to a "master"), then on a certain date that a master is closed ( ⁇ _e_, house bills are assigned to the master), a permanent record of the master is formed, and the next scheduled consolidations are closed or "locked out "
  • the cut-off date in Cut-off Date Column 174 shows the dates that a representative master is scheduled to be closed
  • the MasterBill Column 176 shows the identifying numbers for consolidations Origin Column 178 shows the port codes for the places that consolidations are being put together Destination Column 180 shows the port codes for the final place that the consolidations are going to
  • FIG 7 Daily Arrivals List is used for import cargo This screen is used to show what cargo (if any) is scheduled to arrive at respective destinations within the next 5 days Preferably, a corresponding origin would also be shown
  • the displayed information includes ETA Date Column 182, which is the estimated date of arrival, Master No Column 184, which identifies the number of the import consolidation, Port of Destination Column 186, which shows the destination of the user services, and Destination Terminal Column 188, which shows where the cargo would be available
  • Cargo Available List is a screen which lists cargo scheduled to be available When cargo comes into an airport that would be shown on the previous screen, there is a certain amount of time that certain processes have to be done before the cargo is actually available for pick up Columns shown on the screen FIG 8 include Avail Date Column 190, which shows a date that the cargo is scheduled to be available to pick up, Breakdown Warehouse Column 192, which shows a location for cargo, Consignee Name Column 194, which shows a person to whom the cargo is to be delivered, and City And State Column 196
  • FIG 9 User Scheduled Events List is a computer screen that shows Doug 144 is the user recognized by Computer System 55, as shown in Name Field 191
  • the screen displays a listing of events that Doug has scheduled on that day, 03/22/97, in Date 146
  • the events represent the user's "to-do list," and can include memos or notes, for example notes regarding scheduled shipments or segments of shipments in progress (e g .
  • the user can look at previous daily scheduled events or future scheduled events by using Back Arrow 202, and Forward Arrow 204 Underneath the Arrows 202 and 204, the user can type in a date in Date Search Field 206, to search for the scheduled events for that particular day
  • the user can click ADD Button 208 to add a new event in Field 212 for the displayed day
  • the user can click Today Button 210 to display scheduled events for today's date, if he or she has been scrolling through other days
  • FIG 9 lists Previous Not-done and Next Not-done, showing in this example that the user has an event Not-done in Box 216 on 3/21/97, and that the user did not mark off as completed with Done Button 260
  • the next date that the user has something that needs to be done is 3/25/97, shown in Field 220
  • There is also a Mail Message Box 222 which notes whether or not the user has E-mail that has not marked off as having been read
  • FIG 10 Inter-office Mail List the screen displays the user's name, j_e_, "Doug", in Field 144
  • the screen FIG 10 displays the name of the person who sent the message in Field 228, the date that the message was sent in Field 230, and displays the message in Field 232
  • the user can mark off the E-mail as having been read by marking Box 234
  • the user can delete the message with Button 236, forward the message to someone else with Button 238, reply with Button 240 or print the message with Button 242
  • the user can click on Button 244 to display any messages that have not been deleted but have been marked as being read
  • the user can click Button 246 to get a new screen FIG 11 to send a new message to another user
  • FIG 11 Memo Send is a screen used for responding to a current message or creating a new message
  • the user inputs to whom the message will be sent in field 248, writes the message in the Text Box 250, clicks Button 252 when the user intends to send the message, and clicks Exit Button 254 to leave the screen FIG 11
  • FIG 12 Revised Inter-office Mail shows a version of FIG 10 modified after the user has clicked Button 244
  • the message that was sent to the user on 3/24/97 256 has been marked off as read at Box 234, but was not displayed until the user clicked the Button 244 Exit Button 256 leads to a display of FIG 13
  • FIG 13 is a Main Map screen that displays a "Tf AFFICOP" version of the present invention
  • the various features the user can select are as follows A Daily Scheduler Button 264 for returning to FIG 5, Exit TraffiCop Button 266 to end running of Computer Program 26, police Box Button 268 for reporting problems and suggestions to a system administrator via FIG 13, etc , Work with Individual Shipments Button 270 for handling individual shipments via FIG 48, Work with Masters and Consolidations Button 272 for handling masters via FIG 78, Tracking Button 274 for tracking shipments via FIG 87, Reports Button 276 for generating reports via FIG 92, and Input Expressway Button 278 for inputting international shipping information 102 via FIG 16
  • FIG 14 the screen illustrated in FIG 14 (Comments) is displayed to allow the user to advise the User Computer System 2 administrator of any bugs in the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 57 or any corrections or suggestions the user might have for improving the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • the user inputs his or her name in Name Field 280, indicates where the bug/required improvement exists in Field 282, what action caused the error or needs to be improved in Field 284, and completes a detailed explanation Field 286
  • the user clicks on a Return to Program Button 288 and the message is logged for reading by the system administrator
  • FIG 15 Comment Access is solely for use by the system's administrator
  • This screen displays all messages users have entered via FIG 14
  • the user Doug in Field 144 shown in Box 290 was entered on 3/22/97 as shown in Field 292 Text input in Field 282 is shown in Field 294
  • Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 57 also has a "bug trap" that automatically notices some errors (what, when, who) and creates a record of information about the error for reading by the system's administrator
  • the bugs are reported in a code-specific manner, e_g_, a location in the code where the error developed
  • the record has messages that a particular one of the users might not see, and might not even be aware occurred, but the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 57 automatically informs the system's administrator with a Field 296 about the bugs so that they can be fixed
  • the first illustrative message in FIG 15 indicates that an error occurred on 3/21/97, as shown in Date Field 298, in the Expressway Inland Field 300
  • FIG 13 displays a map used to find a way through the process of managing international transportation
  • a Car 263 marks the user's location and progress In FIG 13, the Car 263 is not yet positioned along the map or highway but compares FIG 39, FIG 40, etc
  • An Input Expressway Button 278 marks the "On Ramp" for Car 263
  • a plurality of clocks show time around the world, which corresponds to subsequently discussed cut-off times encountered as the Car 263 indicates its progress also subsequently discussed are signs and flags designating significant events along the mapped route of Car 263
  • the user inputs the type of vendor to modify in a Service To Modify Field 312
  • a drop down box option for Service To Modify Field 312 shows six types of vendors Agent 322, Broker 344,
  • FIG 18 is a screen titled "Existing Agents on File”
  • a Box 324 displays a listing of agents known to Computer System 55 (It should be understood that the present example involves a freight forwarding provider, such that an equivalent listing is provided as appropriate for another kind of provider )
  • the Computer System 55 loads data pertaining to the corresponding agent into Editing Box 326
  • the user can then change any information that is displayed in the Editing Box 326
  • the user can also click on a Delete This Agent Button 328 to remove data corresponding to the agent from the screen FIG 19
  • Clicking on an Undelete Agent Button 330 displays FIG 19 (Undelete Agent)
  • FIG 19 in turn displays a listing of the agents that have been "deleted” so that the user is able to choose an agent to "undelete", ⁇ _e_, make the agent data visible to the screen of FIG 18
  • the user can click on a Add New Agent Button 332 to clear the Editing Box
  • this screen allows the user to enter brokers that will be performing the Custom clearance on a particular shipment
  • the user can access this screen FIG 20 by the System Information Expressway, FIG's 16-17, by choosing from the Service To Modify Field 312 and highlighting Broker 344 as one of the services
  • the Computer System 55 will fill an Editing Box 350
  • the functionality is similar to that of the Editing Box 326
  • the user may also click on Add New Broker Button 352 to blank out the Editing Box 350, for entering a new broker into the Computer System 55 or changing any information as may be desired
  • the cost charged by the broker for clearance services is entered in Clearance Cost Field 351
  • the user can click on the Delete This Broker Button 354, which "deletes" the broker information from display or use Undelete A Broker Button 356 to restore the display of the broker information
  • FIG 22 (Expressway Inland) allows the user to enter data corresponding to those performing inland carriage for a particular shipment
  • the user data could be derived from other user's systems, e_g_, the Trucking Providers Computer System 58 or Other Providers Computer System 76
  • the user can access FIG 22 from the Information Expressway, FIG 17, by choosing the Service to Modify Field 312 and by highlighting and clicking Inland Carrier 360
  • FIG 22 is a Country Location ID Box 386 that the user can click to display all country locations known to the Computer System 55
  • the user countries are designated by a two-letter ISO country code
  • FIG 22 also displays specific delivery areas where the Computer System 55 does not have complete data
  • the additional data pertains to Loose Carton Rates Column 366, Air Container Rates Column 368, and Sea Container Rates Column 370
  • the Computer System 55 determines the needed rates by cross-referencing the two-letter ISO country code and the first three digits of an inland location postal code of that country The results are displayed in columns below
  • the Loose Carton Rates Column 366 is needed for HK shown at Field 372 (there are no significant postal digits in Hong Kong, and thus Field 372 is partially blank), Air Container Rates Column 368 is needed for US479 (United States and part of a Zip Code beginning with "479") shown at Field 374, and Sea Container Rates Column 370 for US658 shown at Field 376
  • the user can click any highlighted two-letter ISO country code, and the Computer System 55 will automatically display screen FIG 23 (Revised Expressway Inland)
  • FIG 23 (Revised Expressway Inland) is a screen which allows the user to view and enter the data discussed in FIG 22
  • the user can enter a two-letter ISO country code in Country Location ID Box 386 and a three digit Postal Code in Postal Code Field 390, and the Computer System 55 will merge the data from Country Location ID Box 386 and Postal Code Field 390 to produce the data displayed in Postal Code ID Field 392
  • the Computer System 55 displays vendor-related data in FIG 23 from left to right, and uses this data to determine the cost of using the services when making subsequently described computations
  • FIG 23 has been used to display a Vendor in Loose Cargo Vendor Field 394 (which could be an air or a sea freight trucker), a Vendor in Air Container Vendor Field 396 and a Vendor in Dray Vendor Field 398, which is for sea container truckers
  • e_g_ Transonic Logistic the Computer System 55 loads corresponding data for the vendor into Editing Box 400
  • a box for the standard loose sea freight charges displayed as W/M Rate Field 416 (discussed subsequently in FIG 27, Field 463)
  • the standard air container types are displayed in Fields 414, ⁇ _e_, for an LD3 container, an LD7 container, etc
  • the related cost Air Container Drop Charge Field 412 displays data if the vendor has to "drop" the container for loading and then return to pick-up the container
  • the Dray Container Vendor Field 398 displays corresponding vendors
  • the Dray Terminal Field 418 is for sea freight terminal data
  • a 20' Container Rate Field 420, a 40' Container Rate Field 427, etc are for dray rates data for corresponding container sizes
  • a "drop" charge is shown in Sea Container Drop Charge Field 422, which is similar to the air container "drop” charge mentioned previously
  • Transonic in Loose Cargo Vendor Field 394 may assign the same rates to US601 , US602, US603, and US604 in the Postal Code ID Field 392
  • the user can create duplicate the rates and corresponding vendor by clicking a Create Duplicate Button 424 to show a pop-up field for entering a postal code for the duplicate
  • the user can click Generate Rate Request Button 426 to generate a rate request for the postal code id's shown in Postal Code ID Field 392 This is accomplished by highlighting a displayed vendor and clicking Generate Rate Request Button 426
  • the Computer System 55 then generates a rate request to the highlighted carrier by means of the output device 15
  • FIG 24 (Expressway Port-to-port) allows the user to enter and manipulate data that the Computer System 55 uses to determine port-to-port rates
  • the user data could be derived, for example, from Air Freight Providers Computer System 57, Sea Freight Providers Computer System 56, or Other Providers Computer System 76 as shown in FIG 1
  • the user can then access this screen FIG 24 by the System Information Expressway, FIG 17, by choosing the Service To Modify Field 312, highlighting Port-To-Port Carrier 362, and clicking thereon
  • This screen FIG 24 displays a carrier in Carrier List 429, which includes all the carriers known to the Computer System 55 The user may choose an existing carrier by highlighting and clicking on a carrier name in Carrier List 429
  • the Computer System 55 will then display a FIG 25 (Revised Expressway Port-to-port) screen The user can then highlight a carrier to view, e g .
  • Northwest Airlines The corresponding information will appear in Editing Box 434, which includes Carrier ID Field 435, which is a unique identifier for an airline - e g .
  • NW MAWB Prefix Field 436, which is a unique three digit number for each airline as a prefix for all master air waybills
  • a Check Box 437 checked to indicate an air carrier rather than a sea carrier
  • a Check Box 438 to indicate IATA carrier ( ⁇ _e_, a member of the International Air Transport Association)
  • Carrier Commission Percentage Field 439 which is for sales commission that generally is paid to a sales agent for the carrier
  • Carrier Payment Terms Field 440 for the carrier's terms
  • Carrier Name And Address Field 441 for the corresponding information, including the carrier's phone number and fax number
  • Carrier Surcharge Per Kilo Field 449 which would be applicable for surcharge data for all carrier routes (discussed in FIG 27)
  • the user can then click Add a Carrier Button 430 which will clear the Editing Box 434 and allow the user to enter new carrier data
  • a list of Airports in Origin Port Column 433 having a corresponding three letter port code will also appear once a carrier is highlighted
  • FIG 26 (Further Revised Expressway Port-to-port) screen displays the result of the user's selecting ORD in Origin Port Column 433 in FIG 25
  • the Computer System 55 displays a list of destination ports in Dest Column 451 Items in Dest Column 451 are displayed with a solid Check Box 452 for ports with rates on file
  • the Computer System 55 displays FIG 27
  • FIG 27 shows the screen updated after the user chose destination HKG in Destination Column 453 of FIG 26 Rates on file corresponding to the carrier (NW Airlines), Origin (ORD, j_e_, O'Hare), and destination HKG (_ ⁇ _e_, Hong Kong) are displayed in Rate Tariff 455 pertaining to the carrier chosen In this case the user has selected Northwest Airlines in Rate Tariff Box 455 The user may click Update Rates Button 458, and the Rate Tariff Box 455 becomes available for updating If the user selects a port code from the Dest Column 451 where there are no rates on file, for example BEI, the Rate Tariff Box 455 displays only empty fields The user may then click on the Update Rates Button 458 to enter the rates that are required A minimum charge in Field 460 shows a simple minimum amount of $55 00 that the carrier NW Airlines will charge for handling this shipment Charges for loose cargo as shown in Fields 461 which is for cargo tendered loose to the airline is rated on a per kil
  • Field 463 For example, ocean carriers generally will charge the user for loose cargo based on the weight or measure and this charge is shown in a W/M field of Fields 463
  • the generally accepted standard for comparison is 1000 kilos to 1 cubic meter, whichever is greater, and the standard is used by Computer System 55 as the rating basis Ocean carriers also handle various types of containers shown in the Fields 463 as 20' Std(standard), 20 ⁇ Q(h ⁇ -cube), 20'OT(open-top), 20'Refer(refr ⁇ gerated), 40'Std(standard), 40 ⁇ Q(h ⁇ -cube), 40'OT(open-top), and 40'Refer(refr ⁇ gerated)
  • the user can click Exit Expressway Button 431 to exit screen FIG 27
  • FIG 28 (Terminal Location) is a screen that allows the user to enter and manipulate information that the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 for terminals
  • the user data could be derived from FIG 1 , Warehouse Providers Computer System 74 or Other Providers Computer System 76
  • the user can access this screen FIG 28 by the System Information Expressway, FIG's 16-17, choosing Service to Modify Field 312, and highlighting Terminal 364
  • FIG 28 is a Box 465 that displays a listing of terminal locations on file
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 loads data pertaining to the corresponding terminal into Editing Box 466 Editing Box 466 has delete and undelete functions analogous to those detailed with respect to FIG 18 and FIG 19
  • the present screen has unique data entry fields, such as Contact Name Field 469 and hours of operation defined by Open Time Field 470 and Close Time Field 471 , and User Notes Field 472
  • the user can click Add New Terminal Button 468 to clear
  • FIG 29 is the screen displayed after the user enters a country name in the Country To Modify Field 314 in FIG 16
  • This user data could be derived from FIG 1 , the Export Regulations Providers Computer System 72, Customs Provider Computer system 60, or Other Providers Computer System 76
  • the user enters the country name as it is to appear on documents in Country Name Field 483 the two-letter ISO country code in ISO Field 484 (this data is reused in FIG 23 in FieldCountry Location ID Box 386, for example) and the number of significant digits that country requires to determine local delivery or pick up rates in Rate Field 485 (refer to FIG 23 at Postal Code Field 390)
  • Documentary requirements for the country are entered by the user for sea shipments in a row of Fields 486 and air/land shipments in a row of Fields 487 (thus, each document is listed twice in parallel rows)
  • Below an abbreviated name in Fields 486 and 487 is a check box to indicate whether a corresponding document is needed for the service and
  • FIG 30 is a screen that allows the user to view and enter data pertaining to international ports
  • the user data could be derived from FIG 1 , the Export Regulations Provider Computer System 72, the Customs Provider Computer System 60, or Other Providers Computer System 76
  • the user has chosen to display Hong Kong
  • FIG 30 shows a three-letter airport code HKG in Field 497 for the Hong Kong Airport named fully in Field 498 and Hong Kong sea port named fully in Field 499 with a schedule K number 58201 shown in Field 500
  • the insurance class 1 in Field 501 for the country of Hong Kong
  • the three-letter airport code in Field 497 is an internationally recognized identification for a specific airport
  • For U S Customs purposes each foreign port has been given a Schedule K number, and each U S Customs port has been given a Schedule D number
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 uses this information to generate U S Customs related documents
  • Each country is assigned an insurance class in Field 501 , an insurance provider, e g .
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 uses the insurance class entered in Field 501 to determine insurance rates for shipments between the user's country selected shown in Drop Down Box 502 and the country displayed
  • the screen FIG 30 displays additional information which may be useful to the user such as how many carriers' rates are on file covering service from ORD to Hong Kong, in Field 503, and how many carriers' rates are on file from Hong Kong to ORD in Field 504
  • Both the Fields 503 and 504 relate to user data entered in FIG 27 (Still Further Revised Port-to-port), which the user can either view or enter by clicking Star Button 505 (rates from the user's port) or a Star Button 506 (rates to the user's port)
  • the user can also set up carrier schedules between a selected port in the Drop Down Box 502 and the destination ports in Field 497, and Field 499 by clicking Set up Schdl Button 507, which will bring up screen FIG 31 (discussed later) Next the user can enter special charges that are applicable
  • Color-coded Fields 514 on screen FIG 30 are colored throughout the screens displayed by Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 in the following manner Yellow fields (such as the port code Field 497, the airport name Field 498, the seaport name Field 499, the schedule D/K code Field 500, and the insurance class Field 501 ) are required to be completed, and the user cannot leave any screen unless the yellow fields have been completed, White fields (such as the surcharge name Field 508, the surcharge vendor Field 509, and the fields making up the Special Charges Column 510) is a default for use only when applicable, e g_, when a special charge applies, And the dark blue fields (such as the surcharge vendor Field 509) can be double clicked by user to obtain a drop down box to data "on the fly" while progressing through the screens The Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 will then display the corresponding data input screen, such as appears in FIG 28, so the user can proceed to enter required data
  • the insurance class data in Field 501 is determined by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer
  • FIG 31 Carrier Rates Expressway is displayed when a user clicks on the Star Buttons 505 or 506 shown in FIG 30, which correspond to the number of rates on file in the Fields 503 and 504
  • the user in this example selected the Star 505 corresponding to rates for HKG '"FROM ORD"
  • the present screen FIG 31 displays all carriers with rates on file in Carrier Box 520 from the origin ORD in Field 518 to the destination of HKG in Field 519
  • a Carrier to Display Box 521 shows a carriers in the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 that the user selected to display
  • the user may, if the carrier desired is not displayed and therefore not in the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System, double click the blue field in Carrier To Display Box 521 to be taken to Expressway Port-to-port FIG 24 where the new carrier may be entered
  • the Rate Tariff Box 455 is displayed (see FIG 27) If the carrier Box 521 shows no record of rates on file for the route displayed, an empty record is created by the Freight
  • the user has two options when finished with entering carrier's rates click the Schedule Button 524 or click the Return Button 525 By clicking the Return Button 525 FIG 30 is displayed If the user clicks the Schedule Button 524 a new screen FIG 32 is displayed to allow the user to enter data corresponding to carrier routings
  • the user data would preferably be derived from FIG 1 Air Freight Providers Computer System 57, Sea Freight Providers Computer System 56, or Other Providers Computer System 76
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 loads the corresponding code for a selected carrier in Field 526, the code for the origin port in Field 527, and the code for the destination port in Field 528 into the present screen in FIG 32 If the code in Field 526 indicates a carrier that will move the cargo via air transport, then the user checks air transport Box 529 Otherwise, the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 will know that the user intends to use a sea carrier In the case of air transport, the user enters the flight numbers in fields 530 - 533 that will be used
  • FIG. 33 Carrier Schedule
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 has loaded certain details from Carrier Routing screen FIG 32, such as a flight number in Field 537, the flight origin in Field 538, and the flight destination in Field 539
  • the effective date of the flight in Field 540 and the ending date in Field 541 may be entered by the user for flights or schedules that are temporary Otherwise, the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 keeps the record active indefinitely
  • the present screen FIG 33 displays the cut off time, which is the latest time that the carrier will accept cargo for the flight in Field 537; the cut off date in Field 543, which is in number of days relative to departure d e .
  • the days on which the flight specified in Field 537 operates are indicated by the user marking an appropriate day box in a Days Of The Week Row 547 of check boxes that correspond to days of a week
  • the types of shipper-loaded containers accepted for carnage on the flight designated in Field 537 are indicated by the user marking the appropriate Check Box Column 548
  • the user may enter a sea freight sailing schedule by clicking the Activate Sailing Schedule Button 549.
  • Sea Freight Providers Computer System 56 in FIG 1 publish sailing schedules on a monthly or bimonthly basis, and if the information from those schedules is not computerized, the information can be user- entered here (up to 7 sailings) Again, the Carrier Schedule screen FIG 33 will display the origin in Field 538 and the destination in Field 539 from the previous screen FIG.
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays a List of insurance classes and the corresponding countries and regions The insurance class is in Row 517 and the countries and regions covered are in Columns 516 The data for Row 517 and Columns 516 are entered by the user However, it would be preferable to obtain the data from the Insurance Providers Computer System 70 or Other Providers Computer System 76, as shown in FIG 1 countries and regions where the user cannot receive insurance coverage are listed as class zero in Column 515 When finished the user returns to the screen displayed in FIG 30
  • the user may double click on dark blue fields displayed on any screen to load a drop down screen corresponding to the selected dark blue field
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays a Special Vendor screen FIG. 35
  • a Vendor ID Number 495 is automatically assigned by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • the user enters a descriptive name of a special service that the vendor is going to provide in Field 494
  • the user enters the special vendor's name in Field 493 and corresponding address information in Field 522.
  • the rates that the vendor will charge the user for providing the named service can be entered on a basis of per shipment in Field 489, a per kilo in Field 490, and/or a per weight/measure in Field 491 , subject to a minimum charge in Field 492
  • the special vendor rates in Fields 489-492 are used by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 to calculate costs of the special service for shipments moving to and from a country
  • the user then clicks a Return Button 488 on the screen FIG 35 to return to FIG 30
  • FIG 36 Transit Type
  • Each service has a numerical designation, for example from ORD to HKG, Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 has assigned for ocean freight the number zero, consol air freight the number one, direct air freight the number two, and urgent air freight the number three
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 has designated ocean freight the number four, consol air freight the number five, direct air freight the number six and urgent air freight the number seven
  • the user would select the appropriate service to edit by entering the corresponding number into Field 512 and then clicking OK Button 51 1
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 would then load the screen displayed in FIG 37
  • the screen (Consol Vendor Add) FIG 37 allows the user to select default vendors and carriers for the service and route chosen in the previous screen FIG 36 In this example, when the user chooses number one for Field 512 in FIG 36, the screen FIG 37
  • the user can enter a sell tariff by clicking a Sell Tariff Button 456
  • the sell tariff entered by the user will be applied to shipments routed as specified, e g . ORD to HKG (unless the customer has an overriding tariff on file, as discussed later) If a sell tariff for the routing ORD to HKG is recognized by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55, the Button 456, is marked "View Sell Tariff' If a sell tariff is not recognized by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55, then the Button 456 is marked "Sell Tariff Needed"
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays the Rate Table Entry screen FIG 38
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 loads data from the origin port, the destination port and the service type displayed in FIG 37 into FIG 38
  • the sell tariff entered by the user will be applied to all user-entered shipments moving from the origin port to the destination port via the service type, unless there is an overriding customer tariff recognized by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • the user enters a selling tariff for the displayed origin terminal charges in Fields 554, Origin Terminal Transfer Charge Fields 560, Origin Services Fees Fields 566, Insurance Charges Fields 567, Special Charges Fields 572, Port-to-port Charges Fields 578, Destination Service Fees Fields 579, Destination Terminal Charges Fields 584, and Destination Terminal Transfer Charges Fields 585 All charges displayed by the screen FIG 38 have been discussed previously with the exception of Origin Handling Services Fields 567, which are usually fixed fees charged by a provider for documentation services and processing activities As displayed
  • FIG 39 (Client Manager) is the first screen the user sees after selecting the desired client in the Client To Modify Field 316 in FIG 16 Note that Car 263 is positioned at a $ Sign Post 615 (Special Charges, FIG 39) Also shown are the following B Sign Post 616 (Bill-to Party FIG 40), W Sign Post 634 (Warehouse Location FIG 42), S Sign Post 657 (Shipping Partner FIG 44), T Sign Post 663 (Rate Tariff FIG 45), and I Sign Post 708 (Inventory Items FIG 45)
  • the user data for FIG 39 could be derived from FIG 1 , the Customer's Computer System 64 If the user enters a client that is recognized by Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55, then the present screen FIG 39 displays all the relevant information for that client If the user enters a new or unrecognizable client in the Client To Modify Field 316, then the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays a blank Client Manager screen FIG 39 for the user to enter information for a new client In this example, the Client Manager FIG
  • An ID number in Field 593 for internal use is automatically generated by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • the user can enter data for a new client into the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 beginning with the client name in Field 594 and address information in Fields 595, and the client's federal employer's identification number (FEIN), which is required for some U S documentation
  • the FEIN is stored in Field 601
  • Fields 602 which includes the clients primary contact name, phone number, extension, a secondary contact name, the corresponding telephone number, the client's fax number and E-mail address Handling Comments in Field 603 are user-entered handling instructions for a particular client that are displayed whenever the client's record is displayed by Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 will search to determine whether the client has a rate on file matching the origin, destination, and transit type requirements of the particular shipment If the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 does not find a client rate on file, Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 will search for a default sell tariff (FIG 38) If Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 finds no default sell tariff matches the origin, destination, and transit type of the particular shipment, then the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 will compute
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 loads the relevant data entry screens into Editing Box 605 The user clicks the Done Entering Button 611 when entry is completed
  • the first data entry screen displayed is for information pertaining to special charges applicable to every shipment for this client
  • the user to enter data pertaining to a special charge in Field 606 in similar fashion to the previously discussed handling of special charges (see FIG 35, in Field 494) If the special charge in Field 606 has underlying vendor costs, the user can select from a vendor list in Box 610 or double-click to enter a new vendor The user clicks a Done Entering Special Charges Button 61 1 when finished.
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays FIG 40 (Revised Client Manager), which allows the user to enter data relating to a client bill-to party Note in FIG 40 that Car 263 has advanced to B Sign Post 615, thereby marking progress to handling a bill-to party
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 defaults to the current client record in Field 617 because most client charges are for the client's account
  • the present screen FIG 40 allows the user to select a new address in Field 617 To see all customers that share the bill-to address displayed in Field 617, the user can click Button 619 When the user clicks an edit-this-address Button 618, the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays a Billing Info Add Edit screen FIG 41 , which allows the user to view and edit billing information.
  • Company information is displayed in Editing Box 620 as the information is to appear on the user's billing invoice, past due notices, and any other such documentation generated by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • the data used in the Editing Box 620 could include company and/or division name, billing address, the accounting person's name, the accounting department's phone number, phone extension, and any notes specific to accounting issues regarding the client
  • the user can quickly complete this screen FIG 41 with information already entered and displayed above by clicking on the As Per Above Button 631 When the data entry is completed the user may click on a Return Button 632 to return to the Client Manager screen as shown in FIG 42.
  • FIG 42 (Further Revised Client Manager) shows that this Car 263 has advanced to the W Sign Post 634, to mark that the user now needs to handle the warehouse location for the shipment. Every user client will have a location where cargo is stored The user now enters client warehouse location data in Field 635 The Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 defaults to the client address for warehouse location in Field 636 The present screen FIG 42 displays analogous functions as those discussed in FIG. 40, except that the user is entering data for warehouse locations rather than billing information A difference is displayed when the user selects an existing warehouse in Field 636 to view and possibly edit by clicking Button 637.
  • FIG. 43 (Location Edit) screen is displayed
  • the present screen FIG 43 displays analogous data entry fields and functionality as those of FIG 41
  • An exception is the OPS details Fields 639, which permit the user to enter data relating to the hours of operation, the terminal of service and the transit time to the port of service
  • the user can quickly complete the present screen FIG 43 with information that duplicates the client information already entered and displayed above by clicking on the As per Above Button 654.
  • FIG 43 is completed, the user may click a Return Button 655, which leads to FIG. 44.
  • FIG 44 (Still Further Revised Client Manager) screen now shows the Car 263 advanced to the S Sign Post 657 which is marked with an "S" for shipping partner
  • a shipping partner is a default company that a client is most likely to ship to or from, in view of a prior business transaction or transactions
  • the user now enters client shipping partner data in Field 659
  • the present screen displays analogous functionality to that of FIG 40, except that there is no edit button
  • FIG 45 (Even Further Revised Client Manager) screen (compare with FIG 40) where the Car 263 has advanced to the T Sign Post 663
  • the user now enters client tariffs for specific origin/destination routings in Box 664
  • a routing is defined as an origin warehouse in Field 665 (a warehouse location on file), a destination warehouse in Field 666 (also a warehouse location on file), and a transit type in Field 667
  • an export tariff sold to DSX is entered by the user Because the present screen FIG 45 displays an export tariff, the origin warehouse is the warehouse of "DSX", which is entered in Field 665 (Contra ⁇ ly, if the present screen FIG 45 displayed the user entry of an import tariff, the destination warehouse would be DSX's warehouse ) The warehouse used by DSX is selected
  • FIG 46 (Rate Table Entry) is for use in entering client rate tariffs
  • the functionality and data structures of this screen FIG 46 are analogous to those of FIG 38, with two exceptions pick-up charges Fields 678, and delivery charges Fields 705, which have a functionality and data structure analogous to those of FIG 23
  • FIG 46 Another version of the Client Manager screen(not shown) displays the Car 263 at the final I Sign Post 708 Final Sign Post 708 marks that the user must now handle inventory items This is accomplished by clicking a button (not shown) to go to FIG 58 (Revised Sixth Shipment Details screen)
  • the user can click a Return Button 704 to go to FIG 45 From FIG 45, the user can click a Return to Expressway Button 698 to go to FIG 16 Next, the user can click Master Airway Bill Pool Button 320 to go to FIG 47 (Master Bill Manager) screen
  • Master air waybills are transport documents that are accountable and must either be used and recorded, or voided and returned, to the carrier In the days before computers, master air waybills were issued on pre-pnnted multi-part forms that were uniquely numbered Now air carriers just issue numbers that can be used in a computer system to generate master air waybills However, the numbers are still accountable to the air carrier
  • a master air waybill management function in Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 tracks the used master air waybill numbers and will assign the next unused master air waybill number to each consolidation generated (discussed later) When a consolidation is canceled leaving the master air waybill number un-used, that un-used number becomes available to the next consolidation
  • FIG 47 shows a screen that allows the user to view and enter master air waybill numbers
  • An Add Bills Box 710 allows the user to enter new master air waybill numbers into the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 displays a screen FIG 48 (Revised Mam Map) with three buttons (first) Book and Ship Button 701 , (second) Billings and Payables Button 702, and (third) Generate Documents Button 703 Billings and Payables Button 702 is discussed later in FIG 72 The Generate Documents Button 703 is discussed later in FIG 75
  • Book and Ship Button 701 displays FIG 49 (Booking Pop-up) when selected by user
  • FIG 49 the user can edit, view, and enter data pertaining to individual shipments being managed by Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • FIG 50 Booking Look-up screen displays The screen in FIG 50 displays a variety of data input fields for the user to use in searching for an existing booking or quote on file
  • the fields include Booking Number 690, mode of transport Field 691 , the shipper name Field 692, the shipper reference number Field 693, origin Field 694, consignee name Field 695, the consignee reference number Field 696, the destination Field 697, a date search Field 699, and a search now Button 700
  • the user can enter any relevant data in these fields displayed and then click the search Button 700 to locate the booking or quote, if it exists in the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • Quotes are shipments that the user has entered into Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 to determine pricing for a particular future shipment Bookings, are quotes that a customer has accepted, but the shipment has not departed Housebills are shipments that the user has entered into the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 which are in transit or have been delivered to the consignee (discussed later in FIG 71 )
  • FIG 51 Clicking Enter New Shipment Button 716 causes a display in FIG 51 (First Shipment Details) Across the top of the screen FIG 51 are Shipper Button 722, Consignee Button 723, Bill-to Button 724, Transit Button 725, Pkg Details Button 726, Invoice Button 727, Auto Calc Button 728, each of which is for signifying sets of user-input data regarding a shipment The user can select a Button 722-728 and the corresponding set of information is displayed On the right is Done Button 729 At the bottom of the screen FIG 51 are notes Fields 730 and 731 , for data entered by the user pertaining to the displayed shipment A light colored note field with black writing, Field 730, is for information regarding the user's customer The dark colored note field with light colored writing, Field 731 , is for internal notes
  • FIG 51 displays a set of shipper information
  • the time and date the file was generated is displayed in Field 732
  • the current time and date in Field 732 will be displayed
  • the quote or booking is assigned a number in Field 733 (The example here being a new shipment, the quote or booking number Field 733 is dark )
  • the shipper name and address are displayed in Field 734, and in the case of previously saved shipments, the shipper name and address are chosen from a list of clients on file If the required shipper is not displayed in the list of clients on file, then the user may either enter a name of a new client in Field 734 or click an Enter a New Customer Button 735 to go to the Client Manager FIG 39 Any handling notes in Field 603 are displayed in Field 737 If the user finds any of the information displayed about the shipper in Box 734 to be inaccurate, the user may click an Edit Customer Details Button
  • buttons 722-728 are updated by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 to reflect the status of the corresponding information sets Shaded buttons (e g . Consignee Button 723 in FIG 52) signify that the corresponding information set is currently displayed, yellow buttons (e g . Shipper Button 722 in FIG 52) signify that the corresponding information set is completed, and black buttons (e g , Bill-To Button 724 in FIG 52) signify that the corresponding information is not completed
  • FIG 52 displays a set of consignee information If the shipper selected in Box 734 has a default shipping partner, assigned the Default Shipping Partner data would be displayed in Field 752 Otherwise the Consignee is chosen from the list of existing clients on file If the required consignee is not displayed in the list of clients on file, then the user may either enter a name of a new client in Field 752 or click an Enter New Customer Button 753 to go to the Client Manager FIG 39 Any handling notes in Field 603 are displayed in Field 754 If the user finds any of the information displayed about the consignee in Field 752 to be inaccurate, the user may click an edit customer details Button 755 to bring up the consignee's data in the Client Manager FIG 39 for editing The default warehouse location as entered in the Further Revised Client Manager FIG 42 Field 636 is displayed in Field 756 If the location displayed in Field 756 is not the correct delivery location for this shipment, the user may select another location from the list of locations on file for Field 756 If the required location is not on file, the user may enter the name of a
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 determines the estimated delivery date by adding the estimated transit time to the pick up date entered in Field 742
  • the estimated transit time is calculated by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 by adding the following the transit time from the pick-up location to the port of service as entered in Fields 639 of FIG 43, the estimated port-to- port transit time entered in Field 450 of FIG 37, and the transit time from the port of service to the consignee's warehouse location as entered in Fields 639 of FIG 43
  • FIG 53 (Third Shipment Details) which is a set of bill-to party information
  • the pre-paid bill-to party information is displayed in Field 764 Any pre-paid charges would be billed by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 to the party displayed
  • the collect bill-to party is displayed in Field 765 Any collect charges would be billed by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 to the party displayed
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 determines the bill-to party based on information previously entered by the user in Field 617 of FIG 40 If the bill-to party other than the default bill-to party's displayed is to be billed, then the user can select another from the l ⁇ st(s) on file in Field 764 and Field 765
  • FIG 54 Clicking the Transit Button 725 causes a display of FIG 54 (Fourth Shipment Details) which is a set of information pertaining to transit details
  • Field 771 the origin terminal port is displayed from shipper information entered by the user in Fields 639 of FIG 43
  • Field 772 the destination port is displayed from consignee information entered by the user in Fields 639 of FIG 43
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 can automatically determine the "eta" (estimated time of arrival) at port of departure by adding the transit time from the shipper's warehouse to the origin terminal port as entered in Fields 639 of FIG 43 to the pick-up date
  • the user can override the ports displayed in Field 771 and Field 772 with other port codes on file if necessary
  • Information regarding insurance is displayed in Box 778
  • the user may click mark for insurance Button 779 to indicate that insurance is required for the value of goods shipped
  • the user may also choose to insure the cost of the freight by marking the Box 780
  • the user may also add an additional ten percent coverage by marking the Box 781
  • the value of the goods to be insured is displayed in Box 782
  • the value may be entered manually or the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 will determine the value based on information entered in FIG 56 (discussed later)
  • the freight charges displayed in Box 783 can be entered manually or the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 will determine the amount based on calculations performed in FIG 61 (discussed later)
  • the insured amount to be displayed in Field 784 is the value of the goods plus the freight charges (if Box 780 is marked) increased by 10% (if Box 781 is marked)
  • the commodity class displayed in Field 785 is determined in FIG 58 (discussed later) and the country class as displayed in Field 786 is entered in Field 501 in FIG
  • buttons 774 are marked In Box 777 a column of buttons is displayed which correspond with various modes of transportation
  • the buttons displayed are as follows Scheduled Air Consolidation Button 766, Direct Air Button 767, Urgent Air Button 768, and Ocean Button 769
  • Scheduled Air Consolidation Button 766 Direct Air Button 767
  • Urgent Air Button 768 Urgent Air Button 768
  • Ocean Button 769 By clicking one of these buttons the user selects a mode of transport for the shipment and therefore designates which type of tariff applies to the current shipment
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 uses this information to determine carriers, to determine documentary requirements, and to calculate freight charges (in FIG 61 discussed later)
  • Box 787 displays a description of the corresponding mode
  • buttons 788 a column of buttons is displayed which correspond with methods of payment for freight- related charges
  • PPD prepaid
  • CSS collect
  • Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 has default buttons for each of these alternatives
  • a letter of credit (LC) is used to portion the shipping charges in accordance with the particular terms of a shipment
  • Prepaid Per Terms of the Letter of Credit Button 749 and Prepaid Collect Per Terms of the Letter of Credit Button 750 can be used as defaults for these letter of credit shipments
  • buttons displayed are Door-to-Terminal Button 680, Door-to- Door Duties Unpaid Button 681 , Door-to-Door Duties Paid Button 682, Terminal-to-Terminal Button 683, Terminal-to-Door Duties Unpaid Button 684, and Terminal-to-Door Duties Paid Button 685
  • Door-to- Termmal Button 680 is for designation that the transport company (user/freight forwarder) picks up the shipment at the shipper's door and transports the shipment to a terminal Door-to-Door (DDU) Duties Unpaid Button 682 is for the user to transport the shipment from the shipper's door to the consignee's door without the shipper arranging for payment of duties
  • Door-to-Door (DDP) Button 682 is for the same except that the shipper pays the duties Terminal-to-terminal Button 683 is for the shipper moving
  • FIG 55 Clicking a Pkg Details Button 726 causes a display of FIG 55 (Fifth Shipment Viewer screen) which is a set of packing details information Packing pertains to how a shipper packages merchandise for shipment Generally, individual ⁇ tems(entered in FIG 56) would be packed together in a master carton for ease of handling Details of each master carton are entered in the screen displayed in FIG 55 in the following fields A length, in Field 795, a width, in Field 796, a height, in Field 797, a weight of the master carton, in Field 798, a number of cartons shipped matching these details, in Field 794, and marks printed on these cartons, in Field 799 The user may opt to enter weight information in pounds or kilos by choosing an appropriate Button 809 Clicking an Add-to-Total Button 800 causes the details entered in Fields 794-799 to be displayed in Box 801 along with any previously entered details in Fields 794-799 Clicking Button 800 also causes the following fields to be updated A Total-Piece Count Field
  • a Button 810 displays the number of packages that have been received to date at the user's warehouse Q_e_, "on-hand") The user may click Button 810 to revise the number of pieces on hand
  • the Colored Background 811 Behind Button 810 remains red until the number of pieces on hand matches the number of pieces shipped, in which case the Colored Background 811 becomes green
  • FIG 56 Shownth Shipment Details
  • FIG 56 Shownth Shipment Details
  • FIG 56 Shownth Shipment Details
  • FIG 56 Shownth Shipment Details
  • FIG 56 Shownth Shipment Details
  • FIG 56 shows that this transportation data electrically between any of the aforesaid users to replace at least one, and preferably more or all of those standardized documents with electronic communication Shipper details are displayed in Field 813 as they were
  • a detailed list of the goods being shipped is displayed in Box 817
  • the items displayed in Box 817 are pulled from an inventory shown in FIG 57 (Shipper Inventory) screen which is specific to each client
  • the user may click an inventory item edit and add Button 818 to access the screen displayed in FIG 57 in order to view and edit the inventory (discussed later)
  • For each item being shipped the user enters in Field 819 the carton numbers in which the goods were packed
  • the user then enters in Field 820 the appropriate item from a list of item numbers on file
  • the item's description is displayed in Field 821 and unit price is displayed in Field 822
  • the user enters the quantity ordered in Field 823 and quantity shipped in Field 824
  • the cost of the goods is calculated as the unit price in Field 822 multiplied by the quantity shipped in Field 824
  • the cost of the goods is displayed in Field 825
  • the enter Shipper Inventory screen FIG 57 is displayed when the inventory item edit and add Button 818 is clicked
  • the screen FIG 57 allows the user to add and edit all of the inventory on file for the shipper
  • a shipper's unique item number used to identify the goods is entered in Field 826
  • a description of each item is entered in Field 827
  • the unit description for each item is entered in Field 828
  • the price per unit is entered in Field 829
  • Goods are classified by insurance providers for the purpose of determining insurance premiums
  • the insurance class for each item is entered in Field 830
  • the user may double click on Field 830 to display a list of commodities and their corresponding classes
  • the country of origin is entered in Field 831 from the list of countries on file
  • the customs-assigned Schedule B Number is entered in Field 832.
  • the user may click an Add Button 833 to add a new item, or the user may click a Return Button 834 to return to a Revised Sixth Shipment Details screen FIG. 58.
  • FIG. 58 shows a Revised Sixth Shipment Details screen.
  • a subtotal (FOB) is calculated as the sum of the cost of the goods displayed in Column 836.
  • the subtotal (FOG) is displayed in Field 835.
  • the invoice total is calculated as the sum of the subtotal FOB displayed in Field 835, the total freight charge displayed in Field 840 (if Box 839 is marked), and the amount of an additional charge entered in Field 842 (if entered) The invoice total is displayed in Field 843.
  • an AutoCalc routine or function computes billing and costing details which are displayed in FIG. 60 screen (Seventh Shipment Details).
  • Billing pertains to the user's charges for providing transportation services.
  • Costing pertains to the costs paid by the user to the vendors for providing transportation services.
  • AutoCalc is a routine used by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 The AutoCalc routine determines the cost to the user for providing the services sold, the AutoCalc routine also determines the price at which these services are sold to the user's clients.
  • the AutoCalc routine determines (based on transit details entered in FIG. 54) which service components are applicable to the shipment entered. In FIG. 37 Fields 443-447 the user has specified default vendors for each service component. The AutoCalc routine refers to these vendors and their tariffs (entered in FIG.'s 18, 20, 23, etc.) to determine the cost for the various components. These costs are stored as estimated payables linked to the shipment record.
  • the AutoCalc routine determines the price at which these services are sold in one of three ways. If the tariff sell rates has been entered for the customer in FIG. 45-46, this is applied. Otherwise, if a default sell tariff has been entered for the routing in FIG. 38, this is applied. Otherwise, the cost is increased by the client's default profit margin as entered in FIG. 45.
  • the charge to the client will be determined. As described previously, the charge to the client is done one of three ways. First, the AutoCalc function will determine if the primary bill-to party FIG. 45 has a tariff in FIG. 46 applicable to the shipment entered FIG 's 51 - 59 and, if applicable, calculate the charge based on the tariff.
  • the primary bill-to party for a prepaid shipment is the shipper's bill-to record FIG 53, Field 764, while the primary bill-to party for collect shipments is the consignee's bill-to party FIG 53, Field 765
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 recognizes that there is not a primary bill-to-party and a secondary bill-to party If the primary bill-to party does not have a tariff entered in FIG 46, the AutoCalc function will check whether the secondary bill-to party has a tariff entered in FIG 46 and, if there is such a tariff, calculate the charges, the charges are displayed in Column 853, and in Field 854 informs the user that a tariff was used
  • the AutoCalc function determines whether there is an applicable default sell tariff entered in FIG 38, and there is such a tariff the AutoCalc routine calculates the charges based on the tariff
  • the AutoCalc routine will utilize a third method of calculating charges
  • the third method entails increasing the cost by set profit margin FIG 39, Field 604, on file for the client in FIG 39, Box 589, corresponding to the shipper FIG 51 , Box 734, if the shipment is prepaid or corresponding to the consignee FIG 52, Field 752, if the shipment is collect
  • FIG 61 (Revised Seventh Shipment Details) screen shows Button 855 and a caption on the Button 855 changes to "Spot Quote Applied" to signify that the charges calculated by the AutoCalc routine indicated in Column 853 have been (or are being) overridden In spot quote mode, Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 permits editing the charges displayed in Field 857 As changes are made, the total charge in Field 858 is automatically revised
  • FIG 62 displays costs in Column 853, the total cost in Field 861 , the profit margin in Field 862 (the difference between the charges Column 860 and the Column 860) If the default port-to-port carrier (in FIG 37, Carrier Commission Percentage Field 445) on whom the cost in Column 860 was based offers a commission in FIG 25, Field 439, then the calculated commission amount determined as the port-to-port cost in Field 863 times the commission percent The resulting commission amount is displayed in Field 864
  • the caption on Button 865 changes to "Hide Costs" when Button 865 is clicked When the Button 865 is displaying the caption "Hide Costs", the costs in Column 860, the total cost in Field 861 , the profit margin in Field 862, and the commission amount in Field 864 are hidden, j_e_, not displayed in screen FIG 62 A profit-loss report for this
  • Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 has been described as being used by a freight forwarder, but as previously mentioned, in a preferred embodiment there are analogous versions of Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 for other users (See FIG 1 )
  • Another approach is a version for a shipper
  • Each such version would most efficiently not be identical to another, but due to the generic organization of the logic of the invention, different versions would require minimal changes So, for example, for a shipper version, freight forwarding costs and "sells" would not be appropriate
  • the invention is made by components that can be readily modified to be suitable for different kinds of users, for example, by changing the output so that the shipper will instead have "buy” rates, which would be the rates shown in a white color in Column 853, etc
  • the shipper will have an option to use as many carriers as desired for entry into the corresponding shipper version
  • the shipper version will permit clicking on buttons to use different carriers - but still follow the same logic as in the freight forwarder version
  • the shipper will thus have access to various rates
  • FIG 63 Save Record
  • the user may mark a Print Confirmation Box 868 to generate a printed confirmation of the details entered FIG 's 51 - 62
  • the user may mark a Fax Confirmation Box 869 to send a confirmation of the details entered FIG 's 51 - 62 to another user's fax Device 20
  • the user may mark an Exit After Save Box 870 to exit the screen FIG 62 Leaving this Box 870 unchecked will return to the Shipment Details screen (FIG 51- 62) that was displayed before entering FIG 63
  • a "Quote" Button 871 can be used to save the information as entered or edited in FIG 's 51 - 62 in the Database 30 as a quote
  • a Booking Button 872 is selected to save the information as entered or edited in FIG 's 51 - 62 in the Database 30 as a booking
  • a Do Not Save Button 873 does not save the information entered or the edits made in FIG 's 51 - 62
  • a quote is merely a rate presented to a client, and no further processing of quote data is done other than subsequently editing and/or saving the quote as a booking
  • a booking is a quote that has been accepted by the client and is processed further by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 The further processing of a booking is discussed with reference to following FIG 's , apply to bookings
  • the first operation is to assign a house bill number to the shipment
  • the house bill number is a unique number that identifies the booking
  • the user is presented with an automatically generated number at Location 874, which the user may accept via Button 875 or may override with a number entered in Field 876
  • billing in FIG 65 (Billing Creation) is handled such that, if a "Yes" Option Button 877 is chosen, billing is generated automatically by Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 If the user wants manual control over which charges (FIG 60, Column 853) are billed prepaid and which are collect, or if the user wants to generate a third-party invoice for some of the charges (FIG 60, Column 853), the "No" Option Button 878 is selected.
  • a masterbill (master) is a collection of bookings going to the same destination, as indicated in Field 772, which are scheduled to move together as one unit Bookings can be assigned to a master in one of three ways Bookings can be assigned to a flight, bookings can be assigned to masters that have already been generated, and bookings can be assigned "unscheduled"
  • FIG 66 (Booking Assign to Flight) allows the user to assign the booking to a flight
  • This screen FIG 66 would be used if the booking needs to be shipped via a particular air carrier and/or needs to arrive by a particular date
  • the housebill number in Field 879 of the booking being processed is displayed
  • the carriers in Box 880 that have flight schedule details (entered in FIG 32) covering service between the booking's origin in Field 881 and destination in Field 882 and FIG 33 on file are displayed
  • FIG 66 When the user selects a carrier from the list of carriers in Box 880, the screen FIG 66 is updated to produce FIG 67 (Revised Booking Assign to Flight) to display the next available routing in Box 883 for the carrier chosen highlighted in Box 880
  • a carrier code in Field 885 is displayed, as is a cutoff date in Field 886 Details for each of the flights used to transport the goods to a final destination in Field 882 are listed These details include the carrier code Column 887, the flight number or vessel name and voyage identifier in Column 888, the departure date in Column 889 of the flight/vessel corresponding to the identifier in Column 888, and the destination in Column 890 of each flight, and the estimated time in Field 892 and date in Field 891 of the arrival at the final destination in Field 882
  • the Master Field 893 would show the masterbill number of the master created for the transit displayed in Box 883 if one was created Otherwise, no master exists for this transit in Box 883
  • the user may click an Assign to this Routing Button 894
  • the user may at any time decide to book the shipment according to a second method of booking ( ⁇ e . book on an existing master) by clicking a View Button 897 adjacent to a Field 898 displaying the next existing master (Masters are discussed here chronologically by cut-off date Masters are also commonly referred to as "consolidations" )
  • a FIG 68 (Booking Assign View Masters) screen displays all the masters in Box 899 that currently exist between the origin in Field 900 and the destination Field 901 of this house bill displayed in Location Box 902 Displayed are the masterbill number in Field 903, origin and destination of the master in Field 904, the origin agent in Field 905, the destination agent in Field 906, the cutoff date in Field 907 and the time in Field 908, the estimated departure date in Field 909, the arrival time in Field 910, and the estimated buy rate or cost per kilo in Field 911
  • the user selects the master in Box 899 that is most appropriate for the booking at Location Box 902 Generally, the first available master is the most appropriate
  • the user assigns the Booking at Location Box 902 to the Master in Box 899 by clicking a Button 912 marked "Book this Consol"
  • a Button 913 marked "Return to Schedule” displays the Booking Assign To Flight FIG 67
  • Another screen -- Open MasterBill FIG 69 -- allows the user to book the shipment according to a third method of booking d e . book unscheduled
  • This method is generally used for bookings that must move independent of any other bookings, or for bookings that must be shipped on a carrier which does not have a flight schedule on file entered in FIG 32
  • the carrier name is entered in Field 916
  • a masterbill number is entered in Field 917
  • an AutoAssign Button 918 is used to display in Field 917 the next available masterbill on file for the carrier name in Field 916
  • the user is required to contact the carrier named in Field 916 in order to get scheduling information, either in electronic form or manual form for data entry In cases where electronic data such as carrier scheduling information is voluminous and is not all needed, a filter is used to weed out unneeded data
  • the scheduling information the carrier will provide may include a booking number in Field 919, a cut-off time in Field 920 and a date in Field 921 ,
  • the Revised Main Map FIG 70 displays a warning Sign 936 if ever a booking is not assigned to a master The user may click on the warning Sign 936 to view the book ⁇ ng(s) that need to be assigned to masters in View House Bill screen FIG 71
  • Much of the information for a booking cannot be edited without completely regenerating the booking (Alternately, choosing Housebills Button 719 from the Booking Pop-up screen FIG 49 or clicking a View Button 173 in the Shipments in Progress Screen FIG 5 leads to this screen FIG 71 )
  • the masterbill number assigned to the booking is displayed in Field 939
  • the booking number GCI-454 displayed in Field 914 is not assigned to any master, therefore no masterbill number appears in Field 939
  • the name, address, telephone and fax numbers and contact person for the shipper are displayed in Box 937
  • Corresponding information for the consignee is displayed in Box 938
  • the airport of departure is shown in Field 940, and the airport destination is displayed in Field 941
  • a prime example is a shipment governed by a letter of credit, the terms of which must be followed precisely in order to secure payment to the seller
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 allows the user to create and store details that will override the previously entered default details on printed documents Entry fields for these override details are shaded and correspond to the previously entered default details displayed in FIG 71 For example, when the house bill for the booking displayed in FIG 71 is printed, the previously entered default's details in shipper Box 937 will be overridden by the override details entered in Box 942 Similarly, consignee override details would be entered in Box 943, origin port override details would be entered in Field 944, destination override details would be entered in Field 945, and handling override details would be entered in Field 946 This override capability preferably is available for all documents generated by the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55
  • the Internal notes are displayed in Field 947 as entered in the Field 731 in the shipment screen FIG 51 and are available for editing Fields 948 would show each flight or vessel used in the booking, including the number/name, departure date and destination If the cargo is confirmed on board, Boxes 951 are rechecked If the cargo has been delivered to the consignee, the date of delivery is shown in Field 956, and the name of the person who signed for the cargo is displayed in Field 957 Package details are displayed in Box 958 including the number of cartons, the dimensions of the cartons in inches, the weight of each carton in kilos, the total cubic feet of the cartons, and the sum totals for pieces, weight, cubic feet, and chargeable weight for the booking
  • the number of pieces confirmed as received in the user's warehouse are displayed in Field 966
  • the number of pieces received in the warehouse can be entered by clicking Button 1026 (discussed later)
  • the cargo has not yet been received, and therefore has not yet been exported Options to the user are displayed in buttons along the right side of the present screen FIG
  • FIG. 72 shows accounting details for the booking.
  • the house bill number assigned to the booking in Field 971 is displayed along with the shipper's reference number Field 972 (as entered in Field 741 in FIG. 51) and the consignee's reference number in Field 973 (as entered in Field 759 in FIG. 52).
  • An invoices issued summary is displayed in Box 974. This invoices issued summary includes the invoice number, the date the invoice was issued, the bill-to party to whom the invoice was issued, the amount of the invoice. If the invoice is still active Box 979 is checked. Cancel Option Button 980 appears for each invoice (discussed later). Each service item or charge in Field 981 , with the corresponding cost details and the invoice number.
  • Field 981 shows a description of the service item or charge for each item, the amount billed to the bill-to party, the estimated cost to be paid, the vendor providing the service, the vendor's reference number for this transaction (used at a later date when the vendor's invoice is received in order to locate this transaction), the vendor's invoice number used (when received by the user), and the actual amount paid. Only the vendor reference number are editable. Totals for the amount billed in Field 990, the estimated amount to pay in Field 991, and the actual amount paid to date in Field 992 are also displayed.
  • the revision capabilities available to the user include a Cancel Option Button 980 and a Generate Additional Billing Option Button 993.
  • the corresponding invoice is negated by reversing each charge on the invoice in Field 981, resulting in a zero total.
  • the invoice is then made inactive in Field 979.
  • the Generate Additional Billing Option Button 993 allows the user to create an additional invoice for the booking.
  • T e Revised House Billing Updated screen FIG. 73 permits generating an additional bill, which in this example has resulted in the generation of a new active invoice in Box 995.
  • the user enters in Box 995 a bill-to party for the new invoice, each service item, the service item description, the amount billed to the bill-to party, the estimated cost to be paid, the vendor providing the service, and the vendor's reference number for this transaction.
  • Other options in the House Billing screen FIG. 73 include Print Invoice Button 1004 which generates hard copy invoices, View House Bill Button 1005 which displays the booking, and Return Button 1006 which returns to the previous screen.
  • FIG. 74 View House Bill Lookup screen is a search tool to find one of many house bills.
  • FIG.74 can be reached by clicking the Edit House Bill Button 719 in FIG.49.
  • a search is carried out by entering search criteria in Box 1008 and clicking Search Button 1007. If the search results in only one match, that matching house bill data is displayed in the View House Bill screen FIG.71. Otherwise, the user is presented with a summary list of matches from which a match is chosen. The user may abort the search at any time by clicking Button 1009 to return to FIG.49.
  • the user may be brought to this screen FIG. 75 after assigning a booking to a master in FIG. 69 by clicking the Button 935, or by selecting the Print Button 968 from the View House Bill FIG. 71.
  • the Delivery Order is an import document used by an inland vendor to obtain goods from a bonded warehouse in order to deliver them to the customer ITs and TE's are documents used by US Customs to move cargo from one customs port to another customs port in bond
  • the Delivery Pro is a document used by an inland vendor as instructions for delivering goods
  • the System 55 will generate documents required for custOoms clearance in the various countries involved in the shipment Such forms include, for example, U S Customs form 7501 (also known as an entry summary) and U S Customs form 3461 (also known as an immediate release) To produce such documents, fields for storing certain data such as duty classifications, exchange rates, and
  • the electronic data communication can be electronic versions of these kinds of routine transportation documents, but better still is the data in a different format, to be less repetitive
  • tracking details for bookings need to be updated Updating may also be done automatically utilizing a Linking Device 78, or (as shown here) the updating may be done manually
  • the "on-hand” status refers to how much of the cargo under a particular booking is on hand at the user's cargo facility
  • this status may be updated by the user by clicking Button 810 in FIG 55, or by clicking Button 1026 in the View House Bill FIG 71
  • the Button 810 or Button 1026 is clicked, the user is prompted in (Warehouse Pieces Received) screen FIG 76 to enter the number of pieces being reported as received in Field 1027
  • the user enters the number of pieces that were confirmed received in the warehouse and clicks an OK Button 1028
  • the on-hand status is then updated to include the additional pieces reported in Field 1027, and FIG 77 (Revised Warehouse Data Received) screen is displayed The user is next prompted in FIG 77 to enter a date
  • a list of open masters is shown in Box 1029 A master is open until the cut-off time, at which point the master is closed, processed, and tendered to the carrier Recently closed masters are shown in Box 1030 and these masters have not been confirmed on board any flight or voyage These masters may be reopened and re-manipulated until a carrier confirms that the master is on a flight or voyage When the user clicks on a Recently Closed Master in Box 1030, the master is re-opened and becomes listed as an Open Master in Box 1029 When the user selects an open master from the Open Master Box 1029, the selected master is displayed in the (Master Bill Table) screen FIG 79 The masterbill number
  • Box 1042 shows an estimated buy rate, a vessel or flight name/number, a departure date, and a destination port for each flight/voyage
  • the information displayed in Box 1042 was determined when the master was created in FIG 's 67, 69, or 96 (discussed later)
  • the user may override details that are inaccurate
  • the user may opt to change the carrier of the consolidation by clicking a New Carrier Button 1045
  • the user may also opt to use a Delete the Master Button 1046 which will delete the consolidation record from the Database 30 and, if the masterbill number came from the Masterbill Manager FIG 47, return the masterbill number to masterbill manager to be used in the future
  • the user has five options First, the user may click a Cancel Button 1064 to cancel processing the master, leave the master open, and return to the Main Map FIG 13 Second, the user may highlight one of the bookings in Box 1047 and click a View House Bill Button 1060 to view the complete housebill details in the View Housebill FIG 71 Third, in FIG 79, the user may click a Manifest Button 1061 to confirm the list of bookings assigned in Box 1047 to close the master (discussed later) Fourth, the user may highlight one of the bookings with Box 1047 and click the Remove Button 1062 to remove the booking from the master (In this case the user is prompted to enter a reason for the removal, the reason becomes part of the internal notes in FIG 71 , Field 947, the removed booking no longer has a master assigned, thereby causing the warning in FIG 70, Sign 936, to be displayed ) Fifth, the user may click a Search Button 1063 to view a summary of all bookings not assigned to masters in FIG 80 (Bookings Not As
  • Box 1065 shows the housebill number, a shipper name, a consignee name, a transit type, a port of origin, an estimated time of arrival at port of origin, and a port of destination code
  • the user may click one of the respective Assign Buttons 1073 to have the corresponding booking assigned to the master displayed in FIG 79 and to proceed to the Master Bill Table FIG 83
  • the user may instead click a Return Button 1074 to return to FIG 79 without assigning any of the bookings to the master
  • the New Carrier Button 1045 in FIG 79 allows the user to change the carrier for a consolidation
  • Each carrier issues different masterbill numbers to the user, therefore to changing carriers requires changing the masterbill number to a masterbill number issued by the new carrier (FIG 81 (Process Master Change Carrier))
  • the new carrier is chosen from a list of carriers in Field 1075 If a carrier in the list of carriers in Field 1075 has masterbills in the MasterBill Manager, FIG 47, the user can click an AutoAssign MAWB Button 1076 which will cause a display of the next available masterbill in Box 1077 Otherwise, the user is required to manually enter the masterbill number in Box 1077 Only valid masterbill numbers are accepted (see FIG 47) The user may proceed by clicking the Proceed Button 1070, or by clicking Cancel Button
  • the information from Box 1079 are the default values for the information in Box 1080
  • the user may update the record by clicking an Accept Button 1081 , or may cancel the change by clicking a Cancel Button 1082
  • FIG 83 shows an updated after the addition of the booking information from FIG 80 and the change of carrier in FIG 's 81 - 82
  • a new list of bookings is shown in Box , which now shows two housebills
  • the masterbill number in Fields 1031 shows the masterbill revised number
  • the user is required to update the flight details accordingly, in Box 1042
  • FIG. 84 lists the following- a carrier code in Field 1087, a masterbill number in Field 1088, the number of pieces in the consolidation in Field 1089, an actual weight in kilos of the consolidation in Field 1090, a volume weight in kilos of the consolidation in Field 1091 , and a total cubic feet of the consolidation in Field 1092
  • the user will, based on that information in fields 1087 - 1092, enter override information in a Detail Box 1093 concerning how the cargo specifics are to be displayed on the printed masterbill
  • These specifics include the number of loose pieces in Field 1094, the actual weight of the loose pieces in Field 1095, the volume weight of the loose pieces in Field 1096 and information about any containers including the container type in Field 1097, container number in Field 1098, container seal number in Field 10
  • a Calculate Now Button 1104 when clicked, will cause a display of the masterbill cost in Field 1105 based on the cargo specifics in Detail Box 1093 and the Tariff on file in FIG. 27 for the carrier in Field 1087 If the carrier does not have a tariff on file in FIG. 27, or if the user is moving the cargo at a rate other than the standard carrier tariff on file in FIG. 27, the user may have the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 determine cost based on manually entered rating details in FIG. 85, with the result displayed in Field 1005
  • FIG 85 is a pop-up screen used to enter information regarding the loose cargo buy rate, and similar pop-up screens are used to enter other information needed to compute the costs displayed in Field 1005
  • pop-up screens not shown
  • FIG 84 displays the calculated masterbill cost in Field 1105 Also displayed on the Process Master Cost Analysis screen FIG.
  • 84 is a summary m Box 1108 of all the bookings assigned to the master, the freight revenue generated by each booking, and the summed ([_ ⁇ _., total revenue) for the master
  • a comparison between the total revenue of the master and the total cost in Field 1105 gives the user an accurate understanding of the profitability of the consolidation
  • the user may click a Cancel Button 1112 to cancel processing the master (save the master open and return to the Mam Map FIG 13 Otherwise the user may proceed by clicking an Assign Costs Button 1113 which distributes the cost of the master in Field 1105 based on the chargeable weight of each house bill thereby overriding any previous estimates
  • FIG 86 is similar to the Generate Documents FIG 75, except that FIG. 86 generates documents based on closed masters as opposed to individual bookings. Displayed is the masterbill number in Field 1114, which the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 uses to determine which documents will/should be generated Each of the documents available for generation are represented by a respective Buttons Again, the buttons are color coded based on the need for the document as previously discussed: black being not required, red being required and not printed, and green being required and having been printed.
  • buttons for documents include a master Bill Button 1116, which is for the main shipping document and tendered to the carrier, a manifest document Button 1117 which is for summarizing all of the bookings assigned to the master and is tendered with the masterbill, master bill labels Button 1 118 which is for labels that contain master bill information affixed to the cartons, a pre-alert document Button 1119 which is a notification to the destination agent with information about the shipment, (sent to the destination agent), a Warehouse Instruction Document Button 1120 which is for instructing the warehouse on handling the consolidation, a Transfer Manifest Document Button 1121 which is a document used by the inland carrier transferring the consolidation from the origin terminal to shipside, a Security Endorsement Document Button 1122 which is for endorsement required by the FAA that endorses that nothing in the consolidation is hazardous or dangerous (tendered with the masterbill), an Arrival Notice Document Button 1123 which is similar to the house bill Arrival Notice in FIG 75, Button 1021 for covering a consolidation rather than a single
  • the Revised Main Map FIG 87 displays buttons 1129 - 1131 which replace the Tracking Button 274 (now not shown) after the Tracking Button 274 has been clicked
  • a Pending Shipments Button 1129 causes a display of shipments in progress, screen FIG 5
  • a Confirmed on Board Button 1 130 and a Proof of Delivery Button 1131 are each discussed subsequently
  • a Confirmed on Board screen FIG 88 is displayed after the Confirmed on Board Button 1130 is clicked
  • the screen FIG 88 lists all the masters in Box 1132 that have been closed but are not confirmed on board all the flights to the final destination Box 1132 shows the masterbill number, each flight number/vessel name on which the master is booked, the date of departure for each flight/vessel on which the master is booked, and a carrier to which the master cargo was tendered
  • Highlighting a flight in the Box 1132 displays various details about the master in the Display Box 1 137
  • the Display Box 1137 shows the masterbill number chosen, the flight number/vessel name on which the master is booked, the date and time of departure for each flight/vessel booked, the destination for each flight vessel, whether or not the master was confirmed on board (in Check Boxes 1142), each flight/vessel, an arrival date and time at final destination, a carrier to which the master was tendered, and a phone number to use to reach the carrier in order to obtain COB information
  • the user
  • a Proof of Delivery (POD) screen FIG 90 is displayed after a Proof of Delivery Button 1131 is clicked in FIG 87
  • the screen Fig 90 shows all the bookings that need to be confirmed as arrived at the final destination
  • a summary of each booking is displayed in Box 1 152, including the house bill number, a shipper name, a consignee name, a master bill number, an arrival date at final destination, and a name of the destination agent handling the master bill
  • the user has an option for each individual booking to Fax a P O D request to the destination agent by clicking Button 1158, or to print a request to the destination agent by clicking Button 1159
  • the user also has an option to click a Fax Button 1160 to fax (or to click a Print All Button 1161 to print) POD requests for every pending booking to each respective destination agent in Box 1152
  • the user receives a response to the P O D request, ]____, a response from a destination agent the user enters a date in Fields 1151
  • the Further Revised Main Map FIG 92 displays the Buttons 1164 - 1166 which replace the Reports Button 276 (now not shown) when the Reports Button 276 has been clicked
  • Clicking a CASS Report Button 1164 causes a display of a CASS Report screen FIG 93 (discussed later)
  • a Consol Schedule Button 1165 causes a display of the Consol Schedule screen FIG 94 (discussed later)
  • a Monthly Sales Button 1166 causes a display of the Monthly Sales screen FIG 98 (discussed later)
  • the CASS Report screen FIG 93 is used to generate and confirm the CASS report As previously discussed, masterbill numbers issued by carriers are accountable and must either be used and reported, or voided and returned In a preferred embodiment this report electronic funds transfer is employed for payment handling An electronic signature, encryption, or another such security system is used to protect the integrity of such electronic communication and electronic funds transfers Due to the Masterbill Manager FIG 47, there is never a need to void a bill because unused numbers are automatically returned to the Masterbill Manager FIG 47 for later use CASS is a freight payment clearing house for all but a small number of air carriers The user does not report to the carriers directly, but instead reports to this clearing house by means of a standardized report in any case, the CASS Report screen FIG 93 generates a report of all the master bills used during the report period The user enters the report ending date in Field 1167 Report periods are the first through the fifteenth of each month, and the sixteenth through the end of each month Every masterbill issued during the period is listed in Field 1168 Details of the masterbills (a
  • the Monthly Detail (FIG 97) screen lists all the shipments for a selected Month entered in Field 1201
  • the Monthly Detail (FIG 97) screen displays each masterbill number in Column 1202, each housebill number in Column 1203, the freight revenue in Column 1204 for each housebill, other revenue in Column 1205 for each housebill, the freight cost in Column 1206 for each housebill, other costs in Column 1207 for each housebill, the profit in Column 1208 on each housebill, and the commission in Column 1209 paid by the carrier on each of the housebills
  • the user may click Button 1210 to print via the Output Device 15
  • Return Button 1194 causes a display of the Revised Mam Map FIG 48, where the user can click Button 702 to display FIG 98
  • the Billing Lookup screen (FIG 98) is similar to the screen used to view house bills (FIG 74) in that the user may complete as much criteria as possible to narrow a search through records in the Database 30
  • the result of using the Billing Lookup screen FIG 98 is a list of matching billing records from which the user may choose a record to view If only one record fits the criteria entered, the matching billing record is displayed in FIG 99
  • This screen FIG 98 is particularly useful for accounting activities that are prompted by vendor invoices
  • the user will enter a vendor reference number in Field 1211 and click a Show Matches Button 1212 to view the record to which the vendors invoice belongs
  • the Freight Forwarding Providers Computer System 55 receives the invoice data electronically via FIG 1 , the criteria in FIG 98 will automatically be matched to the data, for a matching reference, a comparison is made between the estimated payable and the invoice data, and (if the amount is within a predefined variance) payment is automatically carried out electronically, via FIG 1 Auditing Reports are also automatically generated
  • FIG 100 illustrates the high level logic of System 2
  • FIG 100 reflects how imports and exports are always related Although the relationship is not quite perfect, there is somewhat of a mirror image between of each other The inventor's observation of this mirror image was critical to inventing a generic computerized approach that meets the needs of users on both the export and the import sides of a transaction
  • FIG 's 101-104 show a summary of the tables of data stored in the Relational Database 30
  • the data items in tables of data in FIG 's 101-104 were obtained from a user working through the screens previously discussed
  • FIG 's 105-110 show details of each table from FIG 's 101-104, along with a graphic depiction of how the data in the Databases 30 is related Generally, FIG 's 105-110 show relationships between temporary storage areas and relationships between the tables used to store information temporarily while being manipulated by the user There are links among tables of data to efficiently use the same data in more than one application
  • Quotation Storage FIG 106 is permanent storage for the information temporarily stored in the Temporary Storage Workspace 105
  • the quote data is stored in Quotation Storage FIG 106 for permanent storage
  • the design of the Quotation Storage FIG 106 is nearly identical to the Temporary Storage Workspace FIG 105
  • the House Bill Storage FIG 107 is set up very similar to the Temporary Storage Workspace FIG 105 and Quotation Storage FIG 106, but some additional information is stored in House Bill Storage FIG 107 House Bill Storage FIG 107 stores information about bookings which require additional information for example tracking and billing information
  • the Master Bill Storage Table is based on the Master Bill Table 1224 which includes a collection of pointers to tables containing specific information
  • Routing and Rating Determination is based primarily on information from the shipment forms store until saved in a table But rather than diagramming storage of information about the shipment, this FIG 109 shows the relationships that are used to determine routing information (which flights or vessels a shipment will use to get from one origin to destination) and rating information (the tables and relationships used to determine costs and also to determine sell charges for shipments)
  • FIG 110 User Utilities shows other user related utilities and how they are linked to the User Table 1127
  • the relational Databases 30 can be viewed as being comprised of tables of data fields that are linked to make multiple uses of the data
  • the tables of data fields can be organized to be topically related
  • the tables can include the following Shippers Table 1300, which generally involves fields of data pertaining to clients, Billing Info Table 1301 , which generally includes fields of data pertaining to billing details of clients, Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302, which generally includes fields of data pertaining to warehouse details of clients, Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303, which generally is used to temporarily store fields of data pertaining to shipments while the user views and edits the details, Country Code Table 1304, which generally includes fields of data pertaining to country details, Shipment Forms Cartons Store Til Save Table 1305, which generally is used to temporarily store fields of data pertaining to carton details of shipments while the user views and edits the details, Transit Type Table 1306, which generally includes fields of data pertaining to the types of transit, Service Type Table 1307, which generally includes fields of data pertaining to the types of service, Terms Table
  • Link 1400 links matching shipper ID Fields between Shippers Table 1300 and Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1400 allows the data in Shippers Table 1300 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to shipper details) in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 without the user having to reenter shipper related details
  • Link 1400 allows the system direct access to all records in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 based on a selected record in Shippers Table 1300
  • Link 1401 links a consignee ID Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching shipper ID Field in Shippers Table 1300 allowing the data in Shippers Table 1300 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to consignee details) in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 without the user having to reenter consignee related details
  • Link 1401 allows direct access to all records in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 based on a selected record in Shippers Table 1300
  • Link 1402 links matching location ID Fields between Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 and Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1402 allows data in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to pickup location) in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 without the user having to reenter pickup location related details
  • Link 1402 allows the system direct access to all records in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 based on a selected record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1403 links a primary bill to Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching billing customer ID Field in Billing Info Table 1301 allowing data in Billing Info Table 1301 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to prepaid bill-to details) in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 without the user having to reenter prepaid bill-to details Additionally, Link 1403 allows direct access to all records in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 based on a selected record in Billing Info Table 1301
  • Link 1404 links a consignee location ID Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching location ID Field in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 allowing data in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to delivery location) in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 without the user having to reenter delivery location related details
  • Link 1404 allows direct access to all records in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 based on a selected record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1405 links a secondary bill to ID Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching billing customer ID Field in Billing Info Table 1301 allowing data in Billing Info Table 1301 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to collect bill-to details) in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 without the user having to reenter collect bill to details
  • Link 1405 allows the system direct access to all records in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 based on a selected record in Billing Info Table 1301
  • Link 1406 links a country Field in Shippers Table 1300 with a matching country two-letter code field in Country Code Table 1304 allowing data in Country Code Table 1304 to become part of the record in Shippers Table 1300 without the user having to reenter country related details
  • Link 1407 links a billing ID Field in Shippers Table 1300 with a matching billing customer ID Field in Billing Info Table 1301 allowing data in Billing Info Table 1301 to become part of the record in Shippers Table 1300 without the user having to reenter billing related details
  • Link 1408 links a matching location ID Fields between Shippers Table 1300 and Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 allowing data in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 to become part of the record in Shippers Table 1300 without the user having to reenter location related details
  • Link 1409 links a shipper special charge vendor ID Field in Shippers Table 1300 with a matching special vendor ID Field in Special Vendors Base Table 1312 allowing an automated determination of which record in Special Vendors Base Table 1312 contains information about the vendor providing a special service for each record in Shippers Table 1300
  • Link 1410 links matching broker ID Fields between Shippers Table 1300 and Brokers Base Table 1313 allowing an automated determination of which record in Brokers Base Table 1313 contains information about the broker providing brokerage service for each record in Shippers Table 1300
  • Link 1411 links a billing address country Field in Billing Info Table 1301 with a matching country 2 letter code Field in County Code Table 1304 allowing data in Country Code Table 1304 to become part of the record in Billing Info Table 1301 without the user having to reenter country related details
  • Link 1412 links a location country Field in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 with a matching country 2 letter code Field in Country Code Table 1304 allowing data in Country Code Table 1304 to become part of the record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 without the user having to reenter country related details
  • Link 1413 links a terminal of service Field in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 with a matching port three-letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the port servicing the location detailed in each record of Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1414 links an inland service provider Field in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 with a matching vendor ID Field in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 allowing an automated determination of which records in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 contain information about the vendor providing inland service for the location detailed in each record of Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1415 links matching store ID Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and Shipment Form Cartons Store Til Save Table 1305 which allows an unlimited amount of carton information stored in records in Shipment Form Cartons Store Til Save Table 1305 to become part of the record in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1416 links a transit requirements Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching transit type ID Field in Transit Type Table 1306 allowing screen displays of user-friendly information about the transit type assigned to a Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 record
  • Link 1417 links a type of service Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching service type ID Field in Service Type Table 1307 allowing screen displays of user-friendly information about the service type assigned to a Shipment From Store Til Save Table 1303 record
  • Link 1418 links a payment terms Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching terms ID Field in Terms Table 1308 allowing screen displays of user-friendly information about the payment terms assigned to a Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 record
  • Link 1419 links an origin port Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching port 3 letter code field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the origin port of the shipment detailed in each record of the Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1420 links a destination port Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching port three letter code field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the destination port of the shipment detailed in each record of the Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1421 links an insurance commodity class Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching insurance class Field in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 allowing an automated determination of the commodity classification for insurance purposes based on the goods shipped (i e . each record in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 that is linked to the Shipment Form Store Til Save Table via Link 1430 and Link 1431 )
  • Link 1422 links a country Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 with a matching country 2 letter code Field in Country Code Table 1304 allowing the data in Country Code Table 1304 to become part of the record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 without the user having to reenter country information
  • Link 1423 links a vendor country Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 with a matching country 2 letter code Field in Country Code Table 1304 allowing the data in Country Code Table 1304 to become part of the record in Vendor Directory Table 1319 without the user having to reenter country information
  • Link 1424 links matching store ID Fields between Table Shipment Form Containers Store Til Save Table 1310 and Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 which allows an unlimited amount of shipper loaded carrier issued container information stored in records in Shipment Form Containers Store Til Save Table 1310 to become part of the record in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1425 links a container type Field in Shipment Form Containers Store Til Save Table 1310 with a matching container type ID number Field in Container Type Table 131 1 allowing the data in Container Type Table 1311 to become part of the record in Shipment Form Containers Store Til Save Table 1310 without the user having to reenter information about the container type
  • Link 1426 links matching store ID Fields between Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 and Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 allowing an automated determination of which record in Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 contains detailed information about the goods constituting a shipment detailed in each record of Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1427 links a phrasel Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrasel Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1428 links a phrase2 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrase2 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1429 links a phrase3 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrase3 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1430 links matching store ID Fields between Commercial Invoice Line Items Store Til Save Table 1316 and Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 allowing details of an unlimited number of items to be stored in records in Commercial Invoice Line Items Store Til Save Table 1316 and become part of the record in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1431 links matching shipper inventory item record number Fields between Commercial Invoice Line Items Store Til Save Table 1316 and Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 allowing the data in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 to become part of the record in Invoice Line Items Store Til Save Table 1316 without the user having to reenter inventory details
  • Link 1432 links matching shipper ID Fields between Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 and Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 allowing entry options only those records in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 belonging to the shipper noted in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1433 links matching shipper ID Fields between Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 and Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 allowing entry options only those records in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 belonging to the shipper noted in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1434 links matching quote ID Fields between Shipment Form Store Charges Til Save Table 1321 and Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 allowing an automated determination of which record in Shipment Form Store Charges Til Save Table 1321 contains billing and costing information about a shipment detailed in each record of Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1435 links a special vendor ID Field in Special Vendors Base Table 1312 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing data in the Vendor Directory Table 1319 to become part of the record in Special Vendors Base Table 1312 without the user having to reenter duplicate vendor information
  • Link 1436 links a broker ID Field in Brokers Base Table 1313 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing data in the Vendor Directory Table 1319 to become part of the record in Brokers Base Table 1313 without the user having to reenter duplicate vendor information
  • Link 1437 links a vendor ID Field in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing data in the Vendor Directory Table 1319 to become part of the record in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 without the user having to reenter duplicate vendor information
  • Link 1438 links a vendor table source field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 with a matching table Field in Vendor Type List Table 1320 allowing the System 55 to group and display records in Vendor Directory Table 1319 in a user-friendly manner
  • Link 1439 links matching shipper ID Fields between Quote Table 1322 and Shippers Table 1300 allowing data in Shippers Table 1300 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to shipper details) in Quote Table 1322 without having to duplicate shipper related details, and also Link 1439 allows the System 55 direct access to all records in Quote Table 1322 based on a selected record in Shippers Table 1300
  • Link 1440 links a consignee ID Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching shipper ID Field in Shippers Table 1300 allowing data in Shippers Table 1300 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to consignee details) in Quote Table 1322 without having to create duplicate consignee related details, and also Link 1440 allows direct access to all records in Quote Table 1322 based on a selected record in Shippers Table 1300
  • Link 1441 links matching location ID Fields between Quote Table 1322 and Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 allowing data in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to pickup location details) in Quote Table 1322 without having to create duplicate pickup location related details, and also Link 1441 allows direct access to all records in Quote Table 1322 based on a selected record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1442 links a primary bill to party ID Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching billing customer ID Field in Billing Info Table 1301 allowing data in Billing Info Table 1301 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to prepaid bill-to details) in Quote Table 1322 without having to create duplicate prepaid bill-to details, and also Link 1442 allows direct access to all records in Quote Table 1322 based on a selected record in Billing Info Table 1301
  • Link 1443 links a consignee location ID Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching location ID Field in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 allowing data in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to delivery location details) in Quote Table 1322 without having to create duplicate delivery Location related details
  • Link 1443 allows direct access to all records in Quote Table 1322 based on a selected record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302.
  • Link 1444 links a secondary bill to party ID Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching billing customer ID Field in Billing Info Table 1301 allowing data in Billing Info Table 1301 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to collect bill-to details) in Quote Table 1322 without having to create duplicate collect bill-to related details
  • Link 1444 allows direct access to all records in Quote Table 1322 based on a selected record in Billing Info Table 1301
  • Link 1445 links matching quote ID Fields between Quote Carton Details Table 1323 and Quote Table 1322 which allow an unlimited amount of carton information stored in records in Quote Carton Details Table 1323 to become part of the record in Quote Table 1322.
  • Link 1446 links a transit requirements Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching transit type ID Field in Transit Type Table 1306 allowing screen displays of user-friendly information about the transit type assigned to a Quote Table 1322 record
  • Link 1447 links a type of service Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching service type ID Field in Service Type Table 1307 allowing screen displays of user-friendly information about the service type assigned to a Quote Table 1322 record
  • Link 1448 links a payment terms Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching terms ID Field in Terms Table 1308 allowing screen displays of user-friendly information about the payment terms assigned to a Quote Table 1322 record
  • Link 1449 links an origin port Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching port 3 letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the origin port of the shipment detailed in each record of the Quote Table 1322.
  • Link 1450 links a destination port Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching port three-letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the destination port of the shipment detailed in each record of the Quote Table 1322
  • Link 1451 links an insurance commodity class Field in Quote Table 1322 with a matching insurance class field in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 allowing an automated determination of the commodity classification for insurance purposes based on the goods shipped each record in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 is linked to the Quote Table 1322 via Link 1455 and Link 1461 )
  • Link 1452 links matching quote ID Fields between Containe ⁇ zation Table 1324 and Quote Table 1322 which allow an unlimited amount of shipper loaded carrier issued container information stored in records in Containenzation Table 1324 to become part of the record in Quote Table 1322
  • Link 1453 links a container type Field in Containenzation Table 1324 with a matching container type ID number Field in Container Type Table 1311 allowing the data in Container Type Table 131 1 to become part of the record in Containenzation Table 1324 without the user having to reenter information about the container type
  • Link 1454 links matching quote ID Fields between Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 and Quote Table 1322 allowing an automated determination of which record in Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 contains detailed information about the goods constituting a shipment detailed in each record of Quote Table 1322.
  • Link 1455 links a commercial invoice/SED record number Field in Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1326 with a matching quote ID Field in Quote Table 1322 allowing details of an unlimited number of items to be stored in records in Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1326 and become part of the record in Quote Table 1322
  • Link 1456 links matching shipper ID Fields between Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 and Quote Table 1322 allowing entry options only for those records in Shipper Inventory Phrase Tale 1317 belonging to the shipper noted in Quote Table 1322
  • Link 1457 links a phrasel Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrase 1 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1458 links a phrase2 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrase2 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1459 links a phrase3 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrase3 Field in Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1460 links matching shipper ID Fields between Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 and Quote Table 1322 allowing entry options only for those records in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 belonging to the shipper noted in Quote Table 1322
  • Link 1461 links matching shipper inventory item record number fields between Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1326 and Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 allowing the data in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 to become part of the record in Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1326 without the user having to reenter inventory details
  • Link 1462 links matching quote ID Fields between Quote Charges Table 1327 and Quote Table 1322 allowing an automated determination of which record in Quote Charges Table 1327 contains billing and costing information about a shipment detailed in each record of Quote Table 1322
  • Link 1463 links matching shipper ID Fields between HouseBill Table 1328 and Shipper Table 1300 allowing the data in Shippers Table 1300 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to shipper details) in HouseBill Table 1328 without having to duplicate shipper related details
  • Link 1463 allows direct access to all records in HouseBill Table 1328 based on a selected record in Shippers Table 1300
  • Link 1464 links a consignee ID Field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a matching shipper ID field in Shippers Table 1300 allowing the data in Shippers Table 1300 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to consignee related details) in HouseBill Table 1328 without having to duplicate consignee related details
  • Link 1464 allows direct access to all records in HouseBill Table 1328 based on a selected record in Shipper Table 1300
  • Link 1465 links matching location ID Fields between HouseBill Table 1328 and Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 allowing the data in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to pickup location details) in HouseBill Table 1328 without having to duplicate pickup related details
  • Link 1465 allows direct access to all records in HouseBill Table 1328 based on a selected record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1466 links a primary bill to party ID Field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a matching billing customer ID Field in Billing Info Table 1301 allowing the data in Billing Info Table 1301 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to prepaid bill-to details) in HouseBill Table 1328 without having to duplicate pickup related details
  • Link 1466 allows direct access to all records in HouseBill Table 1328 based on a selected record in Billing Info Table 1301
  • Link 1467 links a consignee location ID Field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a matching location ID Field in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 allowing the data in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to delivery location details) in HouseBill Table 1328 without having to duplicate delivery location related details
  • Link 1467 allows direct access to all records in HouseBill Table 1328 based on a selected record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1468 links a secondary bill to party ID Field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a matching billing customer ID Field in Billing Info Table 1301 allowing the data in Billing Info Table 1301 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to collect bill-to details) in HouseBill Table 1328 without having to duplicate collect bill-to details
  • Link 1468 allows direct access to all records in HouseBill Table 1328 based on a selected record in Billing Info Table 1301
  • Link 1469 links a transit requirement Field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a matching transit type ID Field in Transit Type Table 1306, which allows screen displays of user-friendly information about the transit type assigned to a HouseBill Table 1328 record
  • Link 1470 links a type of service Field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a service type ID Field in Service Type Table 1307 allowing screen displays of user-friendly information about the service type assigned to a HouseBill Table 1328 record
  • Link 1471 links a payment terms field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a matching terms ID Field in Terms Table 1308 allowing screen displays of user-friendly information about the payment terms assigned to a HouseBill Table 1328 record displayed
  • Link 1472 links an origin port Field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a matching port three letter code field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the origin port of the shipment detailed in each record of the HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1473 links a destination port Field in HouseBill Table 1328 with a matching port 3 letter code Field in Table 1309 allowing an determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the destination port of the shipment detailed in each record of the HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1475 links matching HouseBill Fields between HouseBill Carton Details Table 1329 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing an unlimited amount of carton information stored in records in HouseBill Carton Details Table 1329 to become part of the record in HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1476 links matching HouseBill Fields between HouseBill Containenzation Table 1330 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing an unlimited amount of shipper loaded carrier issued container information stored in records in HouseBill Containenzation Table 1330 to become part of the record in HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1477 links a container type Field in HouseBill Containenzation Table 1330 with a matching container type ID number Field in Container Type Table 1311 allowing data in Container Type Table 131 1 to become part of the record in HouseBill Containenzation Table 1330 without the user having to reenter information about the container type
  • Link 1478 links matching Hill fields between HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing an automated determination of which record in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1322 contains detailed information about the goods constituting a shipment detailed in each record of HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1479 links a house bill commercial invoice/SED record number Field in HouseBill Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1334 with a matching Hill Field in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332 allowing details of an unlimited number of items stored in records in HouseBill Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1334 to become part of the record in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332
  • Link 1480 links matching shipper ID Fields between Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing the entry options only for those records in Shipper Inventory Phrase Table 1317 belonging to the shipper noted in HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1481 links a phrasel Field in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Inventory Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrasel Field in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1482 links a phrase2 Field in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrase2 Field in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1483 links a phrase3 Field in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332 with a matching phrase ID Field in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 allowing the user to make an entry in phrase3 Field in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table from an existing record in Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317
  • Link 1484 links matching shipper inventory item record number Fields between HouseBill Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1334 and Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 allowing the data in Shipper Inventory Item Tale 1318 to become part of the record in HouseBill Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1334 without the user having to reenter inventory details
  • Link 1485 links matching shipper ID Fields between Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing entry options only for those records in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 belonging to the shipper noted in HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1486 links matching Hill Fields between HouseBill Print Override Table 1338 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing an automated determination of which record in HouseBill Print Override Table 1338 contains print override information for a shipment detailed in each record of HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1487 links matching Hill Fields between HouseBill Forms Printed Table 1339 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing an automated determination of which record in HouseBill Forms Printed Table 1339 contains information about which forms have been printed for each record in HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1488 links matching Hill Fields between HouseBill Transit Record Table 1340 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing an automated determination of which record in HouseBill Transit Record Table 1340 contains transit information for a shipment detailed in each record of HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1489 links matching Hill Fields between Billing Invoice Table 1335 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing an automated determination of which record(s) in Billing Invoice Table 1335 contain billing and costing information for a shipment detailed in each record of HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1486 allows direct access to all records in Billing Invoice Table 1335 based on a selected record in HouseBill Table 1328
  • Link 1490 links a bill to party Field in Billing Invoice Table 1335 with a matching billing customer ID Field in Billing Info Table 1301 allowing the data in Billing Info Table 1301 to become part of the record in Billing Invoice Table 1335 without the user having to reenter bill-to information
  • Link 1491 links matching invoice number Fields between Billing Invoice Items Table 1336 and Billing Invoice Table 1335 allowing details of an unlimited number of billing and costing items stored in records in Billing Invoice Items Table 1336 to become part of the record in Billing Invoice Table 1335
  • Link 1492 links a cost item code Field in Billing Invoice Items Table 1336 with a matching description number Field in Charge Description Table 1337 allowing an automated determination of which record in Charge Description Table 1337 contains a description of the charge noted in each record of Billing Invoice Items Table 1336
  • Link 1493 links a description Field in Charge Description Table 1337 with a matching charge description Field in Billing Invoice Items Table 1336 allowing an appropriate description for each charge noted in each record of Billing Invoice Items Table 1336 as a default entry
  • Link 1494 links a vendor ID Field in Billing Invoice Items Table 1336 with a matching directory ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing the data in Vendor Directory Table 1319 to become part of the record in Billing Invoice Items Table 1336 without the user having to reenter vendor details
  • Link 1495 links a terminal ID Field in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing data in the Vendor Directory Table 1319 to become part of the record in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 without the user having to reenter duplicate vendor information
  • Link 1496 links a transfer carrier ID Field in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing an automated determination of which record in Vendor Directory Table 1319 contains vendor information about the transfer carrier assigned to the terminal location stored in each record of the Terminal Location Base Table 1333 without the user having to reenter vendor information
  • Link 1497 links an agent broker ID Field in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing data in the Vendor Directory Table 1319 to become part of the record in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 without the user having to reenter duplicate vendor information
  • Link 1498 links a record number Field in Carrier Specification Base Table 1342 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing data in the Vendor Directory Table 1319 to become part of the record in Carrier Specification Base Table 1342 without the user having to reenter duplicate vendor information
  • Link 1499 links matching country Fields between Country Code Table 1304 and Doc Regs Table 1341 allowing an automated determination of which record in Doc Regs Table 1341 contains documentation regulation information for the country listed in each record of the Country Code Table 1304 (Link 1499 in conjunction with Link 1422, which links a country record to a port code record, and Link 1473, which links a port code record to the destination field of a shipment record allows an automated determination of documentary requirements for each shipment )
  • Link 1500 links a broker Field in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 with a matching broker ID Field in Brokers Base Table 1313 allows data in Brokers Base Table 1313 to become part of the record in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 without the user having to reenter duplicate broker information
  • Link 1501 links a carrier Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching carrier ID Field in Carrier Specification Table 1342 allowing an automated determination of which record in Carrier Specification Table 1342 contains information about the carrier assigned to the consolidation stored in each record of the MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1502 links a carrier Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 with a matching carrier ID Field in Carrier Specification Base Table 1342 allowing an automated determination of which record in Carrier Specification Table contains information about the carrier to whom the flight detailed in each record of Carrier Schedule Table 1347 belongs
  • Link 1503 links a MBLShipper Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching agent/broker ID Field in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 allowing the data in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to shipper details) in MasterBill Table 1343 without the user having to reenter shipper related details
  • Link 1503 allows direct access to all records in MasterBill Table 1343 based on a selected record in Agent Broker Table 1331 (In a preferred embodiment, a link would also exist linking a MBLShipper Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching shipper ID Field in Shippers Table 1300 allowing the same functionality described above to exist between the MasterBill Table 1343 and the Shippers Table 1300 )
  • Link 1504 links a MBLConsignee Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching agent/broker ID Field in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 allowing the data in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to consignee details) in MasterBill Table 1343 without the user having to reenter consignee related details
  • Link 1504 allows direct access to all records in MasterBill table 1343 based on a selected record in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 (In a preferred embodiment, a link would also exist linking a MBLConsignee Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching shipper ID Field in Shipper Table 1300 allowing the same functionality described above to exist between the MasterBill Table 1343 and the Shippers Table 1300 )
  • Link 1505 links an issuing agent Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching agent/broker ID Field in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 allowing the data in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to issuing agent details) in MasterBill Table 1343 without the user having to reenter issuing agent related details
  • Link 1505 allows direct access to all records in MasterBill Table 1343 based on a selected record in Agent Broker Base Table 1331
  • Link 1506 links an origin terminal Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching terminal ID Field in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 allowing data in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to origin terminal details) in MasterBill Table 1343 without the user having to reenter origin terminal details
  • Link 1506 allows direct access to all records in MasterBill Table 1343 based on a selected record in Terminal Location Base Table 1333
  • Link 1507 links a freight location Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching terminal ID Field in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 allowing data in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 to become part of the record (specifically in regards to destination terminal details) in MasterBill Table 1343 without the user having to reenter destination terminal details
  • Link 1507 allows direct access to all records in MasterBill Table 1343 based on a selected record in Terminal Location Base Table 1333
  • Link 1508 links an origin Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching port three-letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the origin port of the shipment detailed in each record of the MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1509 links a vessel/voyage/flightl Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching record number Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 allowing an automated determination of which record in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 contains details about the flight/vessel noted in the vessel/voyage/flightl Field of each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1510 links a destmationl Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching port 3 letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the destination port noted in the destmationl Field of each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1511 links a fl ⁇ ght2 Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching record number Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 allowing an automated determination of which record in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 contains details about the flight vessel noted in the fl ⁇ ght2 Field of each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1512 links a dest ⁇ nat ⁇ on2 Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching port three-letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the destination port noted in the dest ⁇ nat ⁇ on2 Field of each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1513 links a fl ⁇ ght3 Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching record number Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 allowing an automated determination of which record in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 contains details about the flight/vessel noted in the fl ⁇ ght3 Field of each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1514 links a destinations Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching port three-letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the destination port noted in the destinations Field in each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1515 links a fl ⁇ ght4 Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching record number Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 allowing an automated determination of which record in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 contains details about the flight vessel noted in the fl ⁇ ght4 Field of each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1516 links a dest ⁇ nat ⁇ on4 Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching port 3 letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the destination port noted in the dest ⁇ nat ⁇ on4 Field in each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1517 links a final destination Field in MasterBill Table 1343 with a matching port three-letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the destination port of the consolidation detailed in each record of the MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1518 links a vendor country Field in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 with a matching country two-letter code Field in Country Code Table 1304 allowing data in Country Code Table 1304 to become part of the record in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 without the user having to reenter country related details
  • Link 1519 links matching carrier ID Fields between MasterBill Containenzation Table 1344 and MasterBill Table 1343 (Link 1519 works only in conjunction with Link 1520 )
  • Link 1520 links matching MBLNumber Fields between MasterBill Containenzation Table 1344 and MasterBill Table 1343 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1519) an unlimited amount of user loaded carrier issued container information stored in records in MasterBill Containenzation Table 1344 to become part of the record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1521 links a container number Field in MasterBill Containenzation Table 1344 with a matching container type ID number Field in Container Type Table 131 1 allowing the data in Container Type Table 131 1 to become part of the record in MasterBill Containenzation Table 1344 without the user having to reenter information about the container type
  • Link 1522 links matching carrier Fields between MasterBill Forms Printed Table 1345 and MasterBill Table 1343 (Link 1522 works only in conjunction with Link 1523 )
  • Link 1523 links matching carrier Fields between MasterBill Forms Printed Table 1345 and MasterBill Table 1343 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1343) an automated determination of which record in MasterBill Forms Printed Table 1345 contains information about which forms have been printed for each record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1524 links matching carrier Fields between MasterBill Print Override Table 1346 and MasterBill Table 1343 Link 1524 works only in conjunction with Link 1525
  • Link 1525 links matching carrier Fields between MasterBill Print Override Table 1346 and MasterBill Table 1343 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1524) an automated determination of which record in MasterBill Print Override Table 1346 contains print override information for a shipment detailed in each record of MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1526 links matching carrier Fields between HouseBill Table 1328 and MasterBill Table 1343 Link 1526 works only in conjunction with Link 1527
  • Link 1527 links a masterbill Field in HouseBill table 1328 with a matching MBLNumber Field in MasterBill Table 1343 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1526) an unlimited number of shipments stored in records in HouseBill Table 1328 to become part of the record in MasterBill Table 1343
  • Link 1528 links an origin Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 with a matching port three-letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the port noted in the origin Field of each record in Carrier Schedule Table 1347
  • Link 1529 links a destination Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 with a matching port three- letter code Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 allowing an automated determination of which record in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 contains information about the port noted in the destination Field of each record in Carrier Schedule Table 1347
  • Link 1530 links matching quote ID Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and Quote Table 1322 allowing automated recreation of records from Quote Table 1322 in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303, which in turn allows the user to edit a temporary version of the record without effecting the original version of the record
  • Link 1530 allows the user to trigger an automated replacement of the original version of the record located in Quote Table 1322 with the temporary version of the same record located in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1531 links matching Hill Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and HouseBill Table 1328 allowing creation of records in the HouseBill Table 1328 from records in the Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 without the user having to reenter shipment details
  • Link 1532 links a location ID Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching origin warehouse ID in Customer Rate Table 1349
  • Link 1532 works only in conjunction with Link 1533 or Link 1535, Link 1534, and Link 1536
  • Link 1533 links a primary bill to party Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching bill to ID Field in Customer Rate Table 1349
  • Link 1533 works only in conjunction with Link 1532, Link 1534 and Link 1536
  • Link 1534 links a consignee location ID Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching destination warehouse ID Field in Customer Rate Table 1349
  • Link 1534 works only in conjunction with Link 1532, Link 1533 or Link 1535, and Link 1536
  • Link 1535 links a secondary bill to party Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching bill to ID Field in Customer Rate Table 1349
  • Link 1535 works only in conjunction with Link 1532, Link 1534, and Link 1536
  • Link 1536 links a type of service Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching service type Field in Customer Rate Table 1349 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1523, Link 1533 or Link 1535, and Link 1534) an automated determination of which rate tariff stored in a record in Customer Rate Table 1349 applies to a shipment stored in each record of Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1537 links a type of service Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching service type Field in Default Rate Table 1353 Link 1537 works only in conjunction with Link 1540 and Link 1541
  • Link 1538 links a transit requirements Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching transit type Field in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 Link 1538 works only in conjunction with Link 1544 and Link 1545
  • Link 1539 links an "eta" at port of origin Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with an estimated port to port transit time Field in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 based on matching criteria mentioned in regards to Link 1538, Link 1544, and Link 1545 allow calculation and entry of an "eta" at port of origin Field in each record of the Shipment Forms Store Til Save Table 1303 of an appropriate estimated date of arrival
  • Link 1540 links matching origin port Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and Default Rate Table 1353. Link 1540 works only in conjunction with Link 1537 and Link 1541
  • Link 1541 links matching destination port Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and Default Rate Table 1353 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1537 and Link 1540) an automated determination of which rate tariff stored in a record in Default Rate Table 1353 applies to a shipment stored in each record of Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1542 links matching origin port Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and Carrier Rate Table 1354 Link 1542 works only in conjunction with Link 1543 and Link 1567 - see Link 1567
  • Link 1543 links matching destination port Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and Carrier Rate Table 1354
  • Link 1543 works only in conjunction with Link 1542 and Link 1567 - see Link 1567
  • Link 1544 links matching origin port Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and Consolidation Vendor Table 1350
  • Link 1544 works only in conjunction with Link 1538 and Link 1545
  • Link 1545 links matching destination port Fields between Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 and Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 allowing the System 55 (in conjunction with Link 1538 and Link 1544) to determine which record in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 contains a listing of user assigned default vendors that match the criteria set forth by a shipment stored in each record of the Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1546 links an origin port Field in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 with a matching origin Field in Carrier Routing Table 1348 Link 1546 works only in conjunction with Link 1547 and Link 1548
  • Link 1547 links a destination port field in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 with a matching destination Field in Carrier Routing Table 1348 Link 1547 works only in conjunction with Link 1546 and Link 1548
  • Link 1548 links a carrier ID Field in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 with a matching carrier Field in Carrier Routing Table 1348 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1546 and Link 1547) an automated determination of which record in Carrier Routing Table 1348 contains a listing of user assigned default flights/vessels that match the criteria set forth by each record of the Consolidation Vendor Table 1350
  • Link 1549 links an insurance commodity class Field in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 with a matching commodity class Field in Insurance Rate Table 1351 Link 1549 works only in conjunction with Link 1550
  • Link 1550 links an insurance class Field in 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 which is linked to the Shipment Form Store Til Save Table via Link 1420 with a matching country class Field in Insurance Rate Table 1351 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1549) an automated determination of which record in Insurance Rate Table 1351 contains a tariff of insurance rates that match the criteria set fourth by a shipment stored in each record of Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • Link 1551 links a special vendor ID Field in Insurance Rate Table 1351 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendor Directory Table 1319 allowing an automated determination of which record in Vendor Directory Table 1319 contains information about the vendor providing insurance service
  • Link 1552 links matching special vendor ID Fields between Insurance Rate Table 1351 and Special Vendors Base Table 1312 allowing an automated determination of which record in Special Vendors Base Table 1312 contains information about the vendor providing insurance service
  • Link 1553 links a transit record 1 Field in Carrier Routing Table 1348 with a matching record number Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 allowing the data in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 to become part of the record in Carrier Routing Table 1348 without the user having to reenter flight details
  • Link 1554 links a transit record2 Field in Carrier Routing Table 1348 with a matching record number Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 allowing the data in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 to become part of the record in Carrier Routing Table 1348 without the user having to reenter flight details
  • Link 1555 links a transit record3 Field in Carrier Routing Table 1348 with a matching record number Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 allowing the data in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 to become part of the record in Carrier Routing Table 1348 without the user having to reenter flight details
  • Link 1556 links a transit record4 Field in Carrier Routing Table 1348 with a matching record number Field in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 allowing the data in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 to become part of the record in Carrier Routing Table 1348 without the user having to reenter flight details
  • Link 1557 links matching terminal ID Fields between Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 and Terminal Location Base Table 1333 allowing the data in Terminal Location Base Table to become part of the record in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 without the user having to reenter origin terminal information
  • Link 1558 links matching carrier ID Fields between Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 and Carrier Specification Base Table 1342 allowing the data in Carrier Specification Base Table 1342 to become part of the record in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 without the user having to reenter carrier information
  • Link 1559 links a destination agent/broker ID Field in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 with a matching agent/broker ID Field in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 allowing the data in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 to become part of the record in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 without the user having to reenter destination agent information
  • Link 1560 links a destination terminal ID Field in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 with a matching terminal ID Field in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 allowing the data in Terminal Location Base Table 1333 to become part of the record in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 without the user having to reenter destination terminal information
  • Link 1561 links an origin agent/broker ID Field in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 with a matching terminal ID Field in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 allowing the data in Agent Broker Base Table 1331 to become part of the record in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 without the user having to reenter origin agent information
  • Link 1562 links a postal code significant digits Field in Country Code Table 1304 with a location postal code Field in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 allowing an automated extraction from the location postal code Field in each record of Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 for only the significant digits as noted in the postal code significant digits Field of the record in Country Code Table 1304, as linked by Link 1412 to said record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1563 links a country two-letter code Field in Country Code Table 1304 appended with the location postal code Field of the same record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 reduced to its significant digits via Link 1562 with a matching postal code ID Field in Inland Rate Table 1352 allowing an automated determination of which record in Inland Rate Table 1352 contains an inland tariff applicable to a location based on the location country Field and the location postal code Field of each record in Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302
  • Link 1564 links an LTL vendor ID Field in Inland Rate Table 1352 with a matching vendor ID Field in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 allowing the data in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 to become part of the record in Inland Rate Table 1352 without the user having to reenter vendor details
  • Link 1565 links an air container vendor ID Field in Inland Rate Table 1352 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendors Base Table 1314 allowing the data in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 to become part of the record in Inland Rate Table 1352 without the user having to reenter vendor information
  • Link 1566 links a drayman vendor ID Field in Inland Rate Table 1352 with a matching vendor ID Field in Vendors Base Table 1314 allowing the data in Inland Vendors Base Table 1314 to become part of the record in Inland Rate Table 1352 without the user having to reenter vendor information
  • Link 1567 links matching carrier ID Fields between Carrier Specification Base Table 1342 and Carrier Rate Table 1354 allowing (in conjunction with Link 1542 and Link 1543) an automated determination of which rate tariff stored in a record in Carrier Rate Table 1354 matches the criteria set forth in a shipment stored in each record of Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 (and by other Links the appropriate record in Carrier Specification Base Table 1342)
  • Link 1568 links a user Field in User Scheduled Events Table 1357 with a matching user name Field in User Table 1359 allowing screen displays of events stored in User Scheduled Events Table 1357 to the appropriate authorized user(s)
  • Link 1569 links matching user name fields between User Schedule Memos Table 1358 and User Table 1359 allowing screen displays of memos stored in User Schedule Memos Table 1358 to the appropriate authorized user(s)
  • shipper ID is a System 55-generated unique ID number displayed in Field 593, current? Field 1600 is set as "yes” until the user clicks Buttons 590 or 591 , which causes the value of Field 1600 to change to "no"
  • shipper name is entered by the user in Field 594
  • address, address I ⁇ ne2 city, state, postal code, and country are entered by the user in Fields 595
  • contact name, shippers telephone, telephone extension, contacts name, contact2 telephone, fax number, and e-mail address are entered by the user in Fields 602
  • billing ID is entered by the user in Field 617
  • EIN# is entered by the user in Field 601
  • profit margin is entered by the user in Field 604
  • handling comments are entered by the user in Field 603
  • location ID is entered by the user in Field 636, consignee ID in entered by the user in Field 659, shipper special charge name, special charge per shipment, special charge per kilo, special charge per w/m, special
  • Billing Info Table 1301 contains the following elements billing customer ID Field 1602 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, bill to company name, billing address, billing address city, billing address state, billing address postal code, billing address country, billing contact name, billing contact telephone, billing contact telephone extension, and billing notes are entered by the user in Editing Box 620
  • Pickup Delivery Location Table 1302 contains the following elements location ID Field 1603 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, current? Field 1604 is set by the System 55 as 'yes' until a future functionality causes the system to change the value of Field 1600 to 'no', location name, location contact name, location address, location city, location state, location postal code, location country, location telephone, location telephone extension, location fax, location e-mail address, location open time, location close time, location terminal of service, and location transit time to terminal are entered by the user in Fields 639, inland service provider Field 1605 allows future functionality of assigning a default inland service provider to a location
  • Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303 includes the following elements store ID Field 1606 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, quote ID Field 1607 is a System 55- generated entry which stores the contents of a quote ID Field 1675 designating a preexisting record in hTable 1322 of which the record in Table 1303 is a copy, Hill is entered by the user in Field 876 or is assigned by the System 55, shipper ID is entered by the user in Field 734, location ID is entered by the user in Field 736, primary bill to party ID is entered by the user in Field 764, consignee ID is entered by the user in Field 752, consignee location ID is entered by the user in Field 756, secondary bill to ID is entered by the user in Field 765, request date is the date the record is created as recorded by the System 55 and displayed in Field 733, request time is the time the record is created as recorded by the System 55 and displayed in Field 733, transit requirements are entered by the user in Box 777, type of service is entered by the user in Box 788, payment terms is entered
  • Country Code Table 1304 includes the following elements country name is entered by the user in Field 483, country two-letter code is entered by the user in Field 484, postal code significant digits is entered by the user in Field 485
  • Shipment Form Cartons Store Til Save Table 1305 includes the following elements carton ID Field 1612 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, store ID Field 1613 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Shipment Form Cartons Store Til Save Table 1305 to a record in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303, quote ID field 1614 is a System 55-generated entry which stores the contents of a quote ID Field 1707 in a preexisting record in Table 1323 designated by the quote table carton ID Field 1615, quote table carton ID Field 1615 is a System 55-generated entry which stores the contents of an ID Field 1707 designating a preexisting record in Table 1323 of which the record in Table 1305 is a copy, piece count is entered by the user in Field 794, marks is entered by the user in Field 795, length is entered by the user in Field 796, wide is entered by the user in Field 797, height is entered by the user in Field 798, weight per piece is entered by the user in Field 799, container ID number Field 1616 is for future functionality where
  • Transit Type Table 1306 includes the following elements transit type ID Field 1617 is a preprogrammed ID number for each record in Table 1306, transit type Field 1618 is a preprogrammed name for each transit type available in the System 55, description Field 1619 is a preprogrammed description for each transit type available in the System 55
  • Service Type Table 1307 includes the following elements service type ID Field 1620 is a preprogrammed ID number for each record in Table 1307, service type Field 1621 is a preprogrammed name for each service type available in the System 55, description Field 1622 is a preprogrammed description for each service type available in the System 55
  • Terms Table 1308 includes the following elements terms ID Field 1623 is a preprogrammed ID number for each record in Table 1308, terms Field 1624 is a preprogrammed name for each payment term available in the System 55, description Field 1625 is a preprogrammed description for each payment term available in the System 55
  • 3 Letter Port Code Table 1309 includes the following elements port three- letter code is entered by the user in Field 497, airport name is entered by the user in Field 498, seaport name is entered by the user in Field 499, customs port code is entered by the user in Field 500, insurance class is entered by the user in Field 501 , port special charge name is entered by the user in Field 508, special charge minimum, special charge per shipment, special charge per kilo, and special charge per w/m are entered by the user in Special Charge Column 510, port charge vendor is entered by the user in Field 509, country is entered by the user in Country Name Field 483
  • container ID number 1626 is a System 55-generated unique ID number
  • store ID Field 1627 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Shipment Form Containers Store Til Save Table 1310 to a record in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303
  • quote ID field 1628 is a System 55-generated entry which stores the contents of a quote ID Field 1717 in a preexisting record in Table 1324 designated by the quote table container ID number in Field 1629
  • quote table container ID number Field 1629 is a System 55-generated entry which stores the contents of a container ID number Field 1716 designating a preexisting record in Table 1324 of which the record in Table 1310 is a copy
  • container type Field 1630 is reserved for user entry in future functionality
  • container number Field 1631 is reserved for user entry in future functionality
  • Container Type Table 1311 includes the following elements container type ID number Field 1640 is a preprogrammed ID number for each record in Table 1311 , container type air sea flag Field 1641 is a preprogrammed flag signifying if the record pertains to and air container (flag 'yes') or a sea container (flag 'no'), container type name Field 1642 is a preprogrammed name for each container type available in System 55, max eft Field 1643 is a preprogrammed value reflecting the maximum volume in cubic feet able to be loaded in each container type available in System 55, max weight Field 1644 is a preprogrammed value reflecting the maximum amount of weight in kilos able to be loaded in each container type available in System 55, tare weight Field 1645 is a preprogrammed value reflecting the empty weight of each container type available in System 55, container picture Field 1646 is a preprogrammed picture image of each container type available in System 55, max internal length Field 1647 is a preprogrammed value reflecting the internal length at the longest point
  • Special Vendors Base Table 1312 includes the following elements special vendor ID displayed in Vendor ID Number Field 495 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, description of special service is entered by the user in Field 494, special vendor rate minimum is entered by the user in Field 492, special vendor rate per shipment is entered by the user in Field 489, special vendor rate per kilo is entered by the user in Field 490, special vendor rate per w/m is entered by the user in Field 491
  • Brokers Base Table 1313 includes the following elements broker ID Field 1652 is a System 55- generated unique ID number, clearance cost is entered by the user in Field 351 , active Field 1653 is set initially by System 55 as 'yes' and is reset to 'no' when the user clicks the Delete This Broker Button 354 or 'yes' when the user clicks the Undelete A Broker Button 356
  • vendor ID Field 1654 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, vendor name, vendor address, vendor city, vendor state, vendor postal code, vendor country, vendor phone, vendor fax are entered by the user in Editing Box 400
  • Til Save Table 1315 includes the following elements store ID Field 1655 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Commercial Invoice/SED Store Til Save Table 1315 to a record in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303, quote ID Field 1656 is a System 55-generated entry which stores the contents of a quote ID Field 1728 of a preexisting record in table 1325 of which the record in Table 1315 is a copy, invoice date is entered by the user in Field 672, invoice* is entered by the user in Field 671 , PO number is entered by the user in Field 673, other shipper references is entered by the user in Field 674, sold to name, sold to address, sold to city, sold to state, and sold to zip code are entered by the user in Field 675, terms of sale is entered by the user in Field 676, currency of sale is entered by the user in Field 812, phrasel , phrase2, and phrase3 are entered by the user in Fields 847, current rate of exchange (ROE) is entered by the user in Field
  • commercial Invoice Line Items Store Til Save Table 1316 includes the following elements commercial invoice item record number Field 1657 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, store ID Field 1658 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Commercial Invoice Line Items Store Til Save Table 1316 to a record in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303, quote commercial invoice item record number Field 1659 is a System 55-generated entry which stores the contents of a commercial invoice item record number Field 1747 designating a preexisting record in Table 1326 of which the record in Table 1316 is a copy, commercial invoice/SED record number Field 1660 is a System 55-generated entry which stores the contents of a commercial invoice/SED record number Field 1748 in a preexisting record in Table 1326 designated by the quote commercial invoice item record number Field 1659, shipper inventory item record number is entered by the user in Field 820, quantity ordered is entered by the user in Field 823, quantity shipped is entered by the user in Field 824, B-units shipped is reserved for future functionality which will allow the user to enter the
  • Shipper Invoice Phrase Table 1317 includes the following elements phrase number Field 1662 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, shipper ID is a System 55-generated entry which links each record to a shipper (record) in Table 1300, phrase ID is entered by the user in Field 845, phrase is entered by the user in Field 846
  • Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 includes the following shipper inventory item record number Field 1664 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, shipper ID is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Shipper Inventory Item Table 1318 to a record in Shippers Table 1300, item # is entered by the user in Field 826, item description is entered by the user in Field 827, item unit description is entered by the user in Field 828, item unit price is entered by the user in Field 829, country of origin is entered by the user in Field 831 , schedule-B number is entered by the user in Field 832, insurance class is entered by the user in Field 830
  • Vendor Directory Table 1319 includes the following directory ID Field 1666 is a System 55- generated unique ID number
  • vendor table source Field 1667 is a System 55-generated entry recording in which table (1312, 1313, 1314, 1331 , 1333, or 1341 ) a linked record (via vendor ID Field 1668) is located
  • vendor ID Field 1668 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Vendor Directory Table 1319 to a record in the table noted in vendor table source Field 1667
  • vendor name, vendor address, vendor city, vendor state, vendor post code, vendor country, vendor phone, and vendor fax Fields 1669 are entered by the user in one of the following ways depending on the table noted in vendor table source Field 1667 if Field 1667 notes Table 1312, Fields 1669 are entered by the user in Edit Box 326, if Field 1667 notes Table 1313, Fields 1669 are entered by the user in Edit Box 350, if Field 1667 notes Table 1314, Fields 1669 are entered by the user in Edit Box 400, if Field 16
  • Vendor Type List Table 1320 includes the following elements type name Field 1670 is a preprogrammed name for each type of vendor stored in System 55, table Field 1671 is a preprogrammed entry which identifies to which table the type name Field 1670 applies
  • Til Save Table 1321 includes the following elements quote ID Field 1672 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Shipment Form Store Charges Til Save Table 1321 to a record in Shipment Form Store Til Save Table 1303, container delivery charge , container pickup charge, destination clearance charge, destination DDP outlay charge, destination delivery charge, destination handling charge, destination terminal charge, destination transfer charge, handling charge, hazardous charge, insurance charge, L/C charge, pickup charge, port to port charge, special consignee charge, special destination charge, special origin charge, special shipper charge, terminal charge, and transfer charge are calculated by the System 55 and displayed in Column 853, port to port rate Field 1673 is a System 55-generated entry which stores the value used to determine a port to port charge, special consignee charge name, special destination charge name, special origin charge name, and special chipper charge name Fields 1674 are System 55-generated entries which stores names of applicable special charges
  • Quote Table 1322 includes the following elements quote ID Field 1675 is a System 55- generated unique ID number, shipper ID Field 1676 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 734, location ID Field 1677 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 736, primary bill to party ID Field 1678 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 764, consignee ID Field 1679 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 752, consignee location ID Field 1680 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 756, secondary bill to party ID Field 1681 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 765, request date and request time Field 1682 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 733, transit requirements Field 1683 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 777, type of service Field 1684 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 788, payment terms Field 1685 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 790, pickup date Field 1686 is
  • Field 1688 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 744
  • "eta" at port of origin Field 1689 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 773
  • delivery date and delivery time Field 1690 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 761 , delivery drop?
  • Field 1691 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 760
  • origin port Field 1692 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 771
  • destination port Field 1693 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 772
  • hazard Field 1694 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 774
  • insurance Field 1695 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data related to Button 779
  • insurance amount Field 1696 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 782
  • insurance to cover freight Field 1697 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 780
  • insurance +10% Field 1698 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 781
  • insurance commodity class Field 1699 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 785
  • shippers reference # Field 1700 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 741 consignees reference # Field 1701 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 759
  • notes Field 1702
  • Quote Carton Details Table 1323 includes the following elements id Field 1707 is a System 55- generated unique ID number, quote id Field 1708 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Quote Carton Details Table 1323 to a record in Quote Table 1322, piece count Field 1709 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 794, marks Field 1710 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 795, length Field 171 1 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 796, wide Field 1712 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 797, height Field 1713 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 798, weight per piece Field 1714 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 799, container ID Field 1715 number is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1616
  • Containenzation Table 1324 includes the following elements container ID number Field 1716 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, quote ID Field 1717 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Containenzation Table 1324 to a record in Quote Table 1322, container type Field
  • Commercial Invoice/SED Table Field 1325 includes the following elements quote ID Field 1728 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1325 to a record in Quote Table 1322, invoice date Field 1729 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 672, invoice # Field 1730 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 671 , PO number Field 1731 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 673, other shipper reference Field 1732 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 674, sold to name, sold to address, sold to city, sold to state, sold to zip Fields 1733 are used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 675, terms of sale Field 1734 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 676, currency of sale Field 1735 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 812, phrasel , phrase2, and phrase3 Fields 1736 are used to permanently store the data entered in Fields 847, current rate of exchange Field 17
  • Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1326 includes the following elements commercial invoice item record number Field 1747 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, Commercial invoice/SED record number Field 1748 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1326 to a record in Table 1325, shipper inventory item record number Field 1749 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 820, quantity ordered Field 1750 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 823, quantity shipped Field 1751 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 824, B-units shipped Field 1752 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1661 , carton number marks Field 1753 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 819
  • Quote Charges Table 1327 includes the following elements quote ID Field 1672 is a System 55- generated entry which links each record in Quote Charges Table 1327 to a record in Quote Table 1322, container delivery charge , container pickup charge, destination clearance charge, destination DDP outlay charge, destination delivery charge, destination handling charge, destination terminal charge, destination transfer charge, handling charge, hazardous charge, insurance charge, L/C charge, pickup charge, port to port charge, special consignee charge, special destination charge, special origin charge, special shipper charge, terminal charge, and transfer charge Fields 1755 are used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Column 853, port to port rate Field 1756 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1673, special consignee charge name, special destination charge name, special origin charge name, and special chipper charge name Fields 1757 are use by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Fields 1674 HouseBill Table 1328 includes the following elements Hill Field 1758 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, quote ID Field 1759 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in
  • Field 1772 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 744
  • "eta" at port of origin Field 1773 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 773
  • delivery date and delivery time Field 1774 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 761 , delivery drop?
  • Field 1775 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 760
  • origin port Field 1776 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 771
  • destination port Field 1777 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 772
  • hazard Field 1778 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 774
  • insurance Field 1779 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data related to Button 779
  • insurance amount Field 1780 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 782
  • insurance to cover freight Field 1781 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 780
  • insurance +10% Field 1782 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Box 781
  • insurance commodity class Field 1783 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 785
  • shippers reference # Field 1784 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 741
  • consignees reference # Field 1785 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 759
  • Housebill Carton Details Table 1329 includes the following elements ID Field 1794 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, Hill Field 1795 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in HouseBill Carton Details Table 1329 to a record in HouseBill Table 1328, piece count Field 1796 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 794, marks Field 1797 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 795, length Field 1798 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 796, wide Field 1799 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 797, height Field 1800 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 798, weight per piece Field 1801 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 799
  • Housebill Containenzation Table 1330 includes the following elements container ID number Field 1802 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, Hill Field 1803 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in HouseBill Containenzation Table 1330 to a record in HouseBill Table 1328, container type Field 1804 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1630, container number Field 1805 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1631 , seal number Field 1806 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1632, total weight loaded Field 1807 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1633, actual tare Field 1808 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1634, total eft loaded Field 1809 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1635, total piece count loaded Field 1810 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1636, base rate Field 1811 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1637, pivot Field 1812
  • Agent Broker Base Table 1331 includes the following elements agent/broker ID Field 1814 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, clearance cost is entered by user in Clearance Cost Field 340, turnover fee Field 1815 is reserved for future functionality, clearance per $ additional Field 1816 is reserved for future functionality, agent handling fee is entered by the user in Agent Handling Field 336, cost? flag is set initially to "no” and may be set to 'yes' by the user by marking Box 338, broker is entered by the user in Broker Drop Down Box 334, active Field 1817 is set initially by System 55 as ' yes” and is reset to "no" when the user clicks the Delete This Agent Button 328 or "yes” when the user clicks the Undelete Agent Button 330
  • HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332 includes the following elements Hill Field 1818 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332 to a record in HouseBill Table 1328, invoice date Field 1819 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 672, invoice # Field 1820 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 671 , PO number Field 1821 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 673, other shipper reference Field 1822 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 674, sold to name, sold to address, sold to city, sold to state, sold to zip Fields 1823 are used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 675, terms of sale Field 1824 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 676, currency of sale Field 1825 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 812, phrasel , phrase2, and phrase3 Fields 1826 are used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Fields
  • Terminal Location Base Table 1333 includes the following elements terminal ID Field 1837 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, terminal contact is entered by the user in Field 469, terminal open time is entered by the user in Field 470, terminal close time is entered by the user in Field 471 , terminal notes are entered by the user in Field 472, terminal minimum is entered by the user in Field 478, terminal cost per shipment is entered by the user in Field 474, terminal cost per pound is entered by the user in Field 475, terminal cost per "cbm" is entered by the user in Field 476, terminal cost per w/m is entered by the user in Field 477, free days Field 1838 is reserved for future functionality, transfer carrier ID is entered by the user in Field 479, transfer minimum, transfer cost per shipment, transfer cost per pound, transfer cost per CBM, and transfer cost per w/m are entered by the user in Column 480, active Field 1839 is set initially by System 55 to "yes” and is reset to "no" when the user clicks the Delete This Terminal Button 481 or 'yes
  • HouseBill Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1334 includes the following elements commercial invoice item record number Field 1840 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, housebill commercial invoice/SED record number Field 1841 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in HouseBill Commercial Invoice Line Item Table 1334 to a record in HouseBill Commercial Invoice/SED Table 1332, shipper inventory item record number Field 1842 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 820, quantity ordered Field 1843 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 823, quantity shipped Field 1844 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 824, B-units shipped Field 1845 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 1661 , carton number marks Field 1846 is used by System 55 to permanently store the data entered in Field 819
  • Billing Invoice Table 1335 includes the following elements invoice number Field 1847 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, invoice date Field 1848 is used by System 55 to record the date on which the record was created, Hill Field 1849 is used by System 55 to link each record in Table 1335 to a record in housebill table 1328, bill to party Field 1850 is used by System 55 to link each record in Table 1335 to a record in Table 1301 , date last amended Field 1851 is used by System 55 to record the latest date on which the record was edited, active field 1852 is set initially by System 55 to 'yes and is reset to 'no' when the user clicks Option Button 974, invoice note field 1853 is reserved for future functionality where notes generated by the user or by System 55 will be stored
  • Billing Invoice Items Table 1336 includes the following elements invoice line item number Field 1854 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, invoice number Field 1855 is used by System 55 to link each record in Table 1336 to a record in Table 1335, charge description, charge amount, and cost amount estimate are determined by the System 55 and displayed in Box 981 , cost item code Field 1856 is used by the System 55 to link each record in Table 1336 to a record in Table 1337, vendor ID Field 1857 is used by the System 55 to link each record in Table 1336 to a record in Table 1319, vendor reference, vendor invoice number, and vendor invoice amount are entered by the user in Box 981 , vendor invoice received Field 1858 is set initially by the System 55 to "no" and is reset to "yes" when the user enters information in Box 981 , date vendor invoice received Field 1859 is used by the System 55 to record the date the user enters vendor invoice information Charge Description Table 1337 includes the following elements description number Field 1860 is a preprogrammed ID number, description Field 1861 is a preprogramm
  • HouseBill Print Override Table 1338 includes the following elements Hill Field 1862 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in HouseBill Print Override Table 1338 to a record in HouseBill Table 1328, shipper override is entered by the shipper in Field 942, consignee override is entered by the user in Field 943, notify party, for delivery apply to, arks and numbers, number of packages override, Lbs/Kgs, gross weight override, chargeable weight override, cubic meter override, rate charge override, description override, laden on board date override, other charges text override, due agent override, and due carrier override Fields 1863 are for future functionality which will store user entered information to override System 55-determ ⁇ ned information on printed documents, origin override is entered by the user in Field 944, destination override is entered by the user in Field 945, handling information is entered by the user in Field 946
  • HouseBill Forms Printed Table 1339 includes the following elements Hill Field 1864 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in HouseBill Forms Printed Table 1339 to a record in HouseBill Table 1328, pickup request Field 1865 is a System 55-generated entry which records if a pickup request document is required and, if so, how many times it has been printed, warehouse advise Field 1866 is a System 55-generated entry which records if a warehouse advise document in required and, if so, how many times it has been printed, booking confirmation Field 1867 is a System 55-generated entry which records if a booking confirmation document is required and, if so, how many times it has been printed, housebill Field 1868 is a System 55-generated entry which records if a housebill document is required and, if so, how many times is has been printed, proforma Field 1869 is a System 55-generated entry which records if a proforma invoice document is required and, if so, how many times it has been printed, SED Field 1870 is
  • IT/T&E Field 1876 is a System 55-generated entry which records if an IT or if a T&E document is required and, if so, how many times it has been printed
  • delivery pro Field 1877 is a System 55-generated entry which records if a delivery pro document is required and, if so, how many times it has been printed
  • HouseBill Transit Record Table 1340 includes the following elements Hill Field 1878 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Housebill Transit Record Table 1340 to a record in HouseBill Table 1328, pickup date is displayed in Field 158 and is used by System 55 to record the date a pickup request document was generated, warehouse in is entered by the user in Warehouse In Column 160 and is displayed in * ? * Button 1026, number of pieces on hand is entered by the user in Field 1027, complete is displayed in All ?
  • Doc Regs Table 1341 includes the following elements mode of transport Field 1885 is a System 55-generated entry which notes whether the record pertains to air shipments (1 ) or sea shipments (0), one record for each being created by the system for each record in Country Code Table 1304, country Field 1886 is a System 55-generated entry which links each record in Doc Regs Table 1341 to a record in Country Code Table 1304, pickup request, pickup request at, warehouse advice, warehouse advice at, booking confirmation, booking confirmation at, HouseBill, HouseBill at, house bill of lading, house bill of lading at, proforma invoice, proforma invoice at, SED, SED at, certificate of origin, certificate of origin at, HouseBill labels, HouseBill labels at, arrival notice, arrival notice at, delivery notice, delivery notice at, IT/T&E, IT/T&E at, delivery pro, delivery pro at, commercial invoice, commercial invoice at, inland pro, inland pro at, packing list, packing list at, segregation, segregation at, SGS request, SGS request at,
  • Carrier Specification Base Table 1342 includes the following elements carrier ID is entered by the user in Carrier ID Field 435, record number Field 1887 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, carrier IATA is entered by the user in Check Box 438, carrier commission percent is entered by the user in Carrier Commission Percentage Field 439, carrier terms are entered by the user in Carrier Payment Terms Field 440, air?
  • MasterBill Table 1343 includes the following elements Carrier Field 1889 is either entered by the user in Field 916 if the user clicks Button 935, or is a System 55-generated entry from the value displayed in Field 903 if the user clicks Button 894 or Button 912, MasterBill Number Field 1890 is either entered (manually by the user or by the system when the user clicks Button 918) in Field 917 if the user clicks Button 935, or is a System 55-generated entry from the value displayed in Field 903 if the user clicks Button 894 or Button 912, carrier booking number is entered by the user in Field 919, MasterBill shipper Field 1891 is either entered by the user in List Box 927 if the user clicks Button 935, or is a System 55- generated entry based on an origin agent broker ID Field 443 of a record in Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 with an origin port Field 1923 matching the origin Field 1897 in Table 1343, a destination port Field 1924 matching the final destination
  • Field 1904 is either entered by the user in Box 934 if the user clicks button 935 or is set by the System 55 to 'yes' by default if the user clicks Button 894 or Button 912, and is in either case confirmed by the user in Checkbox 1039; express B/L?
  • Field 1906 is set initially by System 55 to 'no' and revised by System 55 to 'yes' when the user clicks Button 1128; notes are entered by the user in Field 1146 and is also used by the System 55 to store for display to the user information about the processing of the record; MasterBill date Field 1907 is used by the System 55 to record the date the record was created; reported freight amount is calculated by the system and displayed in Field 1105; report due carrier amount Field 1908 is a System 55-generated entry based on the chargeable weight Field 1096 multiplied by the surcharge per kilo Field 449 of the record linked by Link 1501 ; report due agent amount Field 1909 is reserved for future functionality which will allow the user to instruct the carrier on the MasterBill to collect charges on the user's behalf.
  • Master Containerization Table 1344 includes the following elements: carrier Field 1910 (in conjunction with Field 1855) is used by System 55 to link each record in Master Containerization Table
  • MasterBill number Field 1911 (in conjunction with Field 1854) is used by System 55 to link each record in Master Containerization Table 1344 with a record in MasterBill Table 1343; container number is entered by the user in Field 1098; container type is entered by the user in Field 1097; seal number is entered by the user in Field 1099; total weight loaded is entered by the user in Field 1101; actual tare is entered by the user in Field 1102; total cubic feet loaded is entered by the user in Field 1103; total piece count loaded is entered by the user in Field 1100; base rate, pivot weight, and overpivot rate Fields 1912 are entered by the user in prompts analogous to the prompt displayed in Fig 85.
  • MasterBill Forms Printed Table 1345 includes the following elements: carrier Field 1913 (in conjunction with Field 1858) is used by System 55 to link each record in MasterBill Forms Printed Table
  • MasterBill number Field 1914 (in conjunction with Field 1857) is used by System 55 to link each record in MasterBill Forms Printed Table 1345 with a record in MasterBill Table 1343; MasterBill, manifest, MasterBill labels, pre-alert, warehouse instructions, transfer manifest, security endorsement, arrival notice, segregation, warehouse transfer Fields 1915 are initially set by the System 55 to a value of 0 and are increased by a value of "1" each time the user clicks Button 1 1 16, Button 1 1 17, Button 1118, Button 11 19, Button 1 120, Button 1121 , Button 1 122, Button 1123, Button 1 124, or Button 1 125 respectively
  • MasterBill Print Override Table 1346 includes the following elements carrier Field 1916 (in conjunction with Field 1861 ) is used by System 55 to link each record in MasterBill Print Override Table 1346 with a record in MasterBill Table 1343, MasterBill number Field 1917 (in conjunction with Field 1860) is used by System 55 to link each record in MasterBill Print Override Table 1346 with a record in MasterBill Table 1343, shipper override is reserved for future functionality of user entry in Field 1032, consignee override is reserved for future functionality of user entry in Field 1033, notify party, for delivery apply to, handling information, marks and numbers, pounds/kilos, cubic meter override, rate charge override, description override, laden on board date override, other charges text, due agent override, and due carrier override Fields 1918 are reserved for future functionality where the user will enter values into these fields, origin override is reserved for future functionality of user entry in Field 1035, destination override is reserved for future functionality of user entry in Field 10
  • Carrier Schedule Table 1347 includes the following elements record number Field 1919 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, origin as displayed in Field 538 is a System 55-generated entry based on choices made by the user in the screens displayed prior to the screen displayed in Fig 33, destination as displayed in Field 539 is a System 55-generated entry based on choices made by the user in the screens displayed prior to the screen displayed in Fig 33, carrier as displayed in Field 526 is a System 55-generated entry based on choices made by the user in the screens displayed prior to the screen displayed in Fig 32, flight is entered by the user in Field 537, cut off time is entered by the user in Field 542, cut off date is entered by the user in Field 543, departure time is entered by the user in Field 544, arrival time is entered by the user in Field 545, transit time is entered by the user in Field 546, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are set by the user in Days of the Week Row 547, effective date is entered by the user in Field 540, end date is entered by the
  • Carrier Routing Table 1348 includes the following elements carrier as displayed in Field 526 is a System 55-generated entry based on choices made by the user in the screens prior to the screen displayed in Fig 32, origin as displayed in Field 527 is a System 55-generated entry based on choices made by the user in the screens prior to the screen displayed in Fig 32, destination as displayed in Field 528 is a System 55-generated entry based on choices made by the user in the screens prior to the screen displayed in Fig 32, air?
  • Rate Table 1349 includes the following elements rate table ID Field 1921 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, bill to ID is entered by the user in Field 617, origin warehouse ID is entered by the user in Field 665, destination warehouse ID is entered by the user in Field 666, service type is entered by the user in Field 667, date updated Field 1922 is used by the System 55 to
  • Consolidation Vendor Table 1350 includes the following elements origin port Field 1923 is a System 55-generated entry based on entries made by the user in the screens displayed in Fig 30 and Fig 36, destination port Field 1924 is a System 55-generated entry based on entries made by the user in the screens displayed in Fig 30 and Fig 36, transit time Field 1925 is a System 55-generated entry based on the entry made by the user in Field 512 in Fig 36, estimated port to port transit time is entered by the user in Field 450, terminal ID is entered by the user in Field 444, carrier ID is entered by the user in Field 445, destination agent broker ID is entered by the user in Field 446, cut-off date and cut-off time are entered by the user in Fields 448, destination terminal ID is entered by the user in Field 447, origin agent/broker ID is entered by the user in Field 443
  • Insurance Rate Table 1351 includes the following elements commodity class Field 1926 is a preprogrammed entry used to establish the commodity class to which each record applies (future functionality will allow user entry of this data), country class Field 1927 is a preprogrammed entry used to establish the country class to which each record applies (future functionality will allow user entry of this data), future functionality will include a transport class Field which will be a preprogrammed and/or user entry used to establish the mode of transport to which each record applies, rate Field 1928 is a preprogrammed insurance rate covering goods under the commodity classification stored in Field 1926 being shipped to or from countries covered under the country classification stored in Field 1927 (future functionality will allow user entry of this data), special vendor ID Field 1929 is a preprogrammed entry used to link each record in Insurance Rate Table 1351 to a record in Special Vendors Base Table 1312 (future functionality will allow user entry of this data)
  • Postal Code ID Field 392 is a combination of the data entered by the user in the Country Location ID Box 386 and the information entered by the user in the Postal Code ID Field 390
  • LTL vendor ID is entered by the user in the Loose Cargo Vendor Field 394
  • LTL port of service is entered by the user in the Terminal Field 402
  • transit time to port is entered by the user in the Time Field 404
  • LTL rates stored in the Inland rate Table 1352 are entered by the user in the user in FIG 23 as discussed previously, for example a minimum charge is entered and stored in the Minimum Charge Field 406, a +100 pound rate is entered and stored in the +100 Pound Rate Field 408, a +500 pound rate is entered and stored in the +500 Pound Rate Field 410, etc
  • air container vendor ID is entered by the user in the Air Container Vendor Field 396, LD3, LD7, LD11 , and MD1 rates are entered by the user in Fields 414
  • air container drop charge is entered by the user in Field
  • Default Rate Table 1353 includes the following elements rate table ID Field 1930 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, origin port Field 1931 is a System 55-generated entry based entries made by the user in the screens displayed in FIG 30 and Fig 36, destination port Field 1932 is a System 55-generated entry based on entries made by the user in the screens displayed in FIG 30 and FIG 36, service type Field 1933 is a System 55-generated entry based on entries made by the user in the screen displayed in Fig, 36, date updated Field 1934 is used by System 55 to record the date on which the record was last updated, all the remaining data in Default Rate Table 1353 are entered by the user in the fields displayed in FIG 38, for example terminal minimum, terminal per shipment, terminal per pound, terminal per cubic meter, and terminal per w/m are entered in Fields 554
  • Carrier Rate Table 1354 includes the following elements carrier ID Field 1935 is entered by the user either in Carrier List 429 or Carrier To Display Box 521 , origin port Field 1936 is either entered by the user in Origin Port Column 433 or is a System 55-generated entry based on entries made by the user in the screen displayed in FIG 30, destination port Field 1937 is either entered by the user in Destination Column 451 or is a System 55-generated entry based on entries made by the user in the screen displayed in Fig 30, all the remaining data in Carrier Rate Table 1354 (for example minimum charge, +1 k, +45k, +100k, +300k, +500k, etc ) are entered by the user in the Rate Tariff Box 455
  • Consol Schedule Table 1355 includes the following elements cutoff is entered by the user or determined by the System 55 and displayed in Field 1193, origin is entered by the user in Field 1 177, destination is entered by the user in Field 1178, carrier is a System 55-generated entry based on the information entered by the user in Fields 1198, MasterBill prefix and MasterBill number are entered by the user in Fields 1198, flightl , fl ⁇ ght2, fl ⁇ ght3, and fl ⁇ ght4 are entered by the user in Fields 1195, datel , date2, date3, and date4 are entered by the user in Fields 1196, destmationl , dest ⁇ nat ⁇ on2, destinations, and dest ⁇ nat ⁇ on4 are System 55-generated entries based on destination Field 539 of a record in Carrier Schedule Table 1347 which has a flight Field 537 matching the respective flight field (flightl /desmtationl , fl ⁇ ght2/dest ⁇ nat ⁇ on2, etc )
  • MasterBill Number Pool Table 1356 includes the following elements carrier is entered by the user in Field 71 1 , MasterBill number Field 1938 is an entry generated by System 55 based on an entry made by the user in Field 712, an entry made by the user in either Field 713 or Field 714, and a programmed method for determining valid MasterBill numbers (as discussed earlier in the text), used Field 1939 is set initially by the System 55 to "no” but is set by the System 55 to '"yes" for a record when the value in a MasterBill number Field 1890 of a record in MasterBill Table 1343 has the same value as the MasterBill number Field 1938 of said record
  • User Scheduled Events Table 1357 includes the following elements user is entered by the user in Name Field 140, event date is a System 55-generated entry based on the value of Date 146, event time, description, and notes are entered by the user in Fields 212, done is entered by the user in Done Button 260
  • User Scheduled Memos Table 1358 includes the following elements user name is a System 55- generated entry the value of Name 144, from user is entered by the user in Field 228, date is a System 55-generated entry the value of the current date as displayed in Field 230, memo is entered by the user in Field 232, read is entered by the user in Box 234
  • User Table 1359 includes the following elements user name Field 1940 is a preprogrammed entry which stores the name of each user allowed access to System 55, password Field 1941 is a preprogrammed entry which stores the password of each user allowed access to System 55, (future functionality will allow manipulation of these fields by authorized users)
  • Comments Table 1360 includes the following elements comment number Field 1942 is a System 55-generated unique ID number, user name is entered by the user in Field 280, date Field 1943 is used by the System 55 to record the date on which the record was created, where is entered by the user in Field 282, what is entered by the user in Field 284, comments are entered by the user in Field 286, read? Field 1944 is available to individuals who have access to the code of Program 26 to mark records in 1360 as read for future reference
  • Such representative documents include those listed in the following Document Table Arrival Notice, Billing Invoice, Booking Request, Cass Report, Certificate Of Origin, COB Confirmation (Agent), COB Confirmation (Client), COB Request, Commercial Invoice, Consolidation Schedule, Cut Off Report, Shipments In Progress Report, User Scheduled Events Report, House Air Waybill, (House Bill of Lading), HouseBill Labels, Inland Pro, Inland Rate Request, Manifest (Long), Manifest (Short), Master Air Waybill, Monthly Profit Loss Report, NAFTA Certificate, Packing List, Pickup Request, POD Request, Pre-Alert, Proforma Invoice, Quote, Shippers Export Declaration, Shipment Activity Report, Shipment Profit/Loss, Shipper Profile, Tariff, Transfer Manifest, Warehouse Advice, Quote Request, Ca ⁇ com Invoice, Francisco Invoice, Spanish Invoice, South Africa Invoice, Portuguese Invoice,
  • the System 55 will use Programmed Logic 25, such an artificial intelligence override, to make many of the decisions and to initiate many of the tasks which have been left to the user - even in a partially user-defined default approach, such as that otherwise discussed herein
  • the extent to which the Programmed Logic 25 will override to take control of the System 55 is specified by the user
  • the Programmed Logic 25 performs or assist the user in performing virtually every task included in the Computer Program 26
  • the Programmed Logic 25 can be directed to assign shipments to masters (FIG 67 & FIG 68) without user intervention based on user-defined criteria and to notify any other of the Computer Systems 55 - 76 via the Output Device 15 and the Linking Device 78 that the assignment has been done in the form of a service request or a pre-advice,
  • the Programmed Logic 25 can be directed to determine which services are required to execute the shipment as entered in the screen displayed in FIG 54 (as discussed in FIG 60), to select which carriers to use based on user-defined criteria, to get current rate and route schedule from carriers, and to send shipping instructions to the chosen carriers via the Input Device 5 and/or the Output Device 15 and the Linking Device 78,
  • the Programmed Logic 25 can be directed to obtain current documentary requirements from the Expert Regulations Provider's Computer System 72 via the Input Device 5 and/or the Output Device 15 and the Linking Device 78, to determine which documents are required (as discussed in FIG 75), and to set parameters automatically for generating these documents without use intervention via the screen displayed in FIG 75
  • the Programmed Logic 25 can, according to user-set parameters, initiate any communication with any other of the Computer Systems 55 - 78 via the Input Device 5 and/or the Output Device 15 and the Linking Device 79, such as is done when the user clicks Generate Rate Request Button 426, Button 1 148, Button 1158, Button 1 159, Button 1160, or Button 1161
  • the Programmed Logic 25 can, according to user-set parameters, analyze the business aspects of the user's operations and run regular reports such as is done when the user clicks Button 1166 or can present the user with business-related warnings based on parameters set by the user (e g . credit limits, unprofitable transactions, projected goals, etc )
  • the Programmed Logic 25 can also be directed to update inventory based on the processing carried out by the Program 26, receive and send updated inventory status from the Inventory Provider's Computer System 62 via the Input Device Linking Device 78, warn the user of low inventory, and perform other such inventory control tasks
  • the Programmed Logic 25 can receive requests for payment from vendors, locate applicable files as discussed regarding FIG 98, determine if the payment requested is within user-defined parameters of the amount estimated and, if so, record the payment as illustrated in FIG 99 and arrange with the Banking Provider's Computer System 78 via the Output Device 15 and the Linking Device 78 to electronically transfer funds to settle the debt, (conversely for users who are vendors, the Programmed Logic 25 can send requests for payment to a Customer's Computer System 64 via the Output Device 15 and the Linking Device 78, receive electronic payment from clients via the Input Device 5 and the Linking Device 78, locate applicable user files, and determine if the payment requested is within user-defined parameters of the amount requested, send account statements and past due notices to Customer's Computer System 64 via the Output Device 15 and the Linking Device 78, and run the required module
  • the Programmed Logic 25 can additionally be directed to have decision-making control of the user improved based on learning experiences from prior shipments That is, the default parameters will be adjusted based on the artificial intelligence learning, as controlled by user-defined parameters

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Abstract

L'invention porte sur un procédé, un appareil et un article manufacturé mettant en oeuvre un système de transport informatisé défini partiellement par l'utilisateur. Ce procédé est mis en oeuvre sur un premier ordinateur utilisateur pour traiter un ordre concernant un service devant être utilisé dans un segment d'une future expédition de marchandises, ce premier ordinateur utilisateur comprenant un ordinateur dont le processeur est programmé pour traiter des données d'entrée de façon à produire des données de sortie, l'ordinateur étant connecté à un dispositif d'entrée, un dispositif de sortie et une mémoire. Le procédé de l'invention consiste à: concernant une première expédition de marchandises, traiter un ordre pour un service dans un segment de cette première expédition, effectuer un second traitement d'un ordre pour le service de la seconde expédition de marchandises, ce second traitement consistant à: si le prix n'est pas déjà en mémoire, introduire alors les données de prix sous forme d'une partie des données d'entrée au niveau du dispositif d'entrée pour que celles-ci soient traitées par le premier ordinateur utilisateur; introduire une autre partie des données d'entrée au niveau du dispositif d'entrée pour qu'elles soient traitées également par le premier ordinateur utilisateur, cette autre partie caractérisant un début et une fin de l'utilisation future du service dans la future expédition de marchandises; et effectuer le traitement des données d'entrée au moyen d'au moins certaines données issues du premier traitement sous forme implicite dans le second traitement de l'utilisation future du service de la future expédition de marchandises de façon à produire les données de sortie, et générer la documentation du second traitement incluant certaines des données de sortie. Ce procédé peut être réalisé de sorte que les opérations d'introduction soient effectuées en obtenant, à partir d'un second ordinateur, l'une ou l'autre partie des données d'entrée.
EP98931520A 1997-06-17 1998-06-16 Systeme de transport informatise defini partiellement par l'utilisateur Withdrawn EP0996878A2 (fr)

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US89948597A 1997-06-17 1997-06-17
US899485 1997-06-17
PCT/US1998/013063 WO1998058303A2 (fr) 1997-06-17 1998-06-16 Systeme de transport informatise defini partiellement par l'utilisateur

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US6064981A (en) * 1999-06-17 2000-05-16 Barni; Neil A. Method for online display and negotiation of cargo rates
EP1242931A2 (fr) * 1999-07-01 2002-09-25 Houssam Salloum Systeme informatise de transport de marchandises
US7711646B2 (en) 1999-09-10 2010-05-04 Transurety, Llc Methods and apparatus for providing coverage for receiver of transmission data
CA2384436C (fr) 1999-09-10 2010-06-29 Portogo, Inc. Systeme et procede d'assurance de la bonne transmission de donnees sur internet
AUPR105300A0 (en) * 2000-10-27 2000-11-23 Electronic International Trade Services Pty Ltd Electronic international trading
DE10120369A1 (de) * 2001-04-25 2002-11-07 Axit Ag Verfahren zur Verarbeitung von Daten über das Internet
GB2381884A (en) 2001-07-16 2003-05-14 Pablo D Cappellini A search engine of flexibly-defined paths applicable to the search of transportation-related routes
US8732093B2 (en) 2011-01-26 2014-05-20 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Systems and methods for enabling duty determination for a plurality of commingled international shipments
TWI627599B (zh) * 2014-12-12 2018-06-21 Method of purchasing multinational cargo transportation methods and computer program products
WO2019083890A1 (fr) * 2017-10-25 2019-05-02 Klearexpress Corporation Livraison d'articles expédiés à l'échelle internationale
US11348055B2 (en) * 2017-11-28 2022-05-31 KlearNow Corporation Clearing internationally shipped items through government customs agencies

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US4831526A (en) * 1986-04-22 1989-05-16 The Chubb Corporation Computerized insurance premium quote request and policy issuance system
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