Use Case: Enhancing Moving & Storage Operations with Freight Ops
Industry Overview
The Moving & Storage industry faces unique challenges, particularly in international household relocations, where precision and efficiency are critical. Service members, expatriates, and civilians relocating to different parts of the world rely on seamless transportation of their belongings. Any mistakes in planning, loading, or tracking shipments can lead to costly errors, delays, and damage to customer trust.
Freight Ops is designed to optimize this process by ensuring the correct items are received, planned, and shipped to the right destination terminals. It provides a structured approach to inventory management, reconciliation, and order traceability, reducing operational risks and improving overall efficiency.
Key Challenges in International Moving & Storage
Ensuring items are accurately received, labeled, and tracked within facilities.
Avoiding shipment errors that can cause costly international delays.
Managing the splitting of shipments for optimized container usage while maintaining traceability.
Preventing premature scheduling of final mile deliveries before shipments are fully processed.
Identifying and reconciling orphaned freight or discrepancies before shipments leave the facility.
How Freight Ops Solves These Challenges
Regimented Receiving & Item-Level Tracking
When shipments arrive at a facility, Freight Ops creates a structured receiving mechanism:
- Each item is barcoded and entered into the system.
- The barcode links to a tracking database, allowing full visibility from receipt to delivery.
- Items are stored based on predefined rules, ensuring organized and efficient handling.
This process minimizes human errors, ensures all items are accounted for, and prevents misplacements that could delay shipments.
Real-Time Status Updates: From Receiving to Scheduling
Freight Ops automates status updates for each item as it moves through the supply chain:
- Received: The item has entered the facility and is accounted for.
- Ready to Schedule or Route: Only when all necessary steps are completed does the order move to the Final Mile Delivery Queue.
By preventing premature scheduling, Freight Ops eliminates the common issue of attempting to route shipments that aren’t actually ready for delivery.
Shipment Splitting with Full Traceability
To maximize container space, international household moves often require splitting shipments.
Freight Ops:
- Allows shipments to be split while maintaining full order traceability.
- Ensures all split portions are tracked and linked back to the original order.
- Reduces the risk of lost or delayed items during transshipment.
Orphaned Freight & OSD (Over, Short, Damaged) Resolution
Mistakes in receiving or missing items can lead to major issues in international shipping. Freight Ops provides tools to reconcile each bill and order upfront, preventing costly delays:
- Orphaned Freight Management: Items that don’t match any existing order are flagged and placed into quarantine until they can be properly assigned.
- OSD Handling: Any overages, shortages, or damages are logged immediately, allowing for proactive resolution rather than post-delivery disputes.
This front-end reconciliation saves significant time and money compared to trying to resolve issues after the shipment has already moved.
Seamless Integration with MoveStar
Freight Ops integrates with MoveStar, providing:
- End-to-end shipment visibility from initial order intake to final delivery.
- Automated updates to ensure all stakeholders have real-time shipment status.
- Improved customer satisfaction by reducing errors and increasing transparency.
Key Benefits for Moving & Storage Companies
- Reduced Errors: Accurate receiving, barcode tracking, and shipment reconciliation prevent costly mistakes.
- Improved Efficiency: Automated updates and scheduling workflows streamline operations.
- Enhanced Shipment Traceability: Split shipments retain full order history and tracking.
- Proactive Issue Resolution: OSD and orphaned freight management prevent problems before they escalate.
- Seamless Integration: Works with MoveStar and other logistics platforms for a connected supply chain.
Conclusion
Freight Ops transforms international moving and storage operations by providing a structured, automated, and error-proof approach to freight management. By ensuring accurate receiving, seamless shipment tracking, and proactive issue resolution, Freight Ops enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and strengthens customer trust in the moving industry.
