QuestaWeb Offers Electronic Proof-of-Delivery Functionality

Logistics Insight Asia - New Products, 3/7/2008

QuestaWeb has released a new functionality that enhances the global visibility capabilities of its TradeMaster Global Trade Management System. A new ePOD feature, which stands for electronic proof of delivery, enables any supply chain participant to use any mobile device with Internet access to record worldwide pickups and deliveries in real time.

Current and accurate proof-of-delivery information is important to both consignees and transporters, as the receipt of confirmation data often concludes a physical transaction and triggers the initiation of the financial settlement process. Shipment information also affects inventory and distribution management decisions as well as logistics-related operations. Until now, most shippers and carriers shared the frustration of not receiving timely input on container pickup or delivery. These “unknowns” in the first and last miles of a container’s journey prevented updates to computerized shipment status postings until receipt of documentation, which often was well after the actual pickup or delivery time.

QuestaWeb’s ePOD overcomes this limitation by enabling any supply chain member with a mobile device possessing access to the Internet, such as a cellular phone, PDA or tablet, to report information in real time. Its intuitive design and easy-to-use features make ePOD readily deployable worldwide and offer reporting on three separate transportation levels: manifests, containers and delivery orders. Notably, data posted via ePOD are immediately available for real-time shipment tracking in all TradeMaster modules, including both the Track and Trace and the Global Trade Visibility modules. Once entered, a firm’s overall shipment information can be consolidated and analyzed for purposes of improving outbound load planning.

QuestaWeb, www.QuestaWeb, Inc.