Shipment transaction system and an arrangement thereof6697702Abstract A computer processing system for a shipment transaction involving shippers and carriers. The system is particularly suited to efficiently and automatically audit and effect payment of a shipment transaction and to efficiently provide access to relevant shipment information. According to one example embodiment, the system includes a processor arrangement that monitors shipper credit data and processes shipment transaction information in response to control data from a user identified from a database of shippers and carriers. Validated users of the shippers and carriers are assigned varying communication access levels authorizing transactions, such as payment to carriers. In response, the processor arrangement audits shipment transactions, issues reports on the audits, assists in resolving discrepancies and effect payments. Claims What is claimed is: Description RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS
TABLE 1
Transaction Information
Data Element Length Type DESCRIPTION
Shipper ID 10 N Record ID
Dock ID 3 N Record ID
Bill of 15 AN Record ID
Lading #
Ship Date 8 N Record ID, reporting
SCAC 4 A Standard Carrier Alpha Code, a national
standardized carrier identification code.
Carrier 10 N Alternate index, allows Shipper 20 to
Vendor specify its vendor number for a given
Number carrier 22
Customer 10 N Alternate index, allows shipper 20 to
Number specify it's customer number for a
given receiver
Customer PO # 15 AN Alternate index, reporting
Shipper 15 AN Alternate index
Order #
Vendor Order 15 AN Reporting, alternate locator, carrier 22
Number PO associated with shipment
Shipper Name 35 AN
Shipper 20 A
Contact
Person
Shipper 15 AN
Phone #
Origin 10 AN
Designator
City 20 AN
State 2 A
ZIP Code 9 N
Division Code 2 AN
Reference 15 AN Consolidated Shipments
B/L #1
Reference 15 AN Consolidated Shipments
B/L #2
Reference 15 AN Consolidated Shipments
B/L #3
Bill of 1 AN Reporting
Lading Type
Shipment 3 AN Less than Truck Load (LTL), Truck
Mode Load (TL), Rail (RAI), AIR
Inbound, AN
Outbound
Flag
Prepaid, 1 AN
Collect Flag
COD Flag 1 N
COD Amount 9.2 N
Shipment 9.2 N
Value
Driver Name 20 AN
Trailer/Car # 15 AN
Trailer/ 15 AN
CarSeal #
Import, 1 AN
Export Flag
# Stops 2 N
Stop Off 7.2 N
Charges
Rated Freight 9.2 N
Charges
Cube 5 N
Dimensions
Shipment 7.2 N
"as weight"
Accessorial 7.2 N
Charges
Total Freight 9.2 N
Chgs
Destination 25 AN
Name
Destination 20 AN
City
Destination 2 A
State
Destination 9 N
Zip Code
Destination 3 N
Area Code
Destination 3 N
Prefix
Destination 4 N
Phone
Mileage 5 N
The data processing device 34 sends the transaction information to a central processor 40. In one embodiment, the data processing device 34 is implemented using a conventional personal computer programmed to operate under the control of an operating system stored in the memory. These types of computer arrangements are not presently programmed to conventionally interface with a central processing center and a processing device located at a shipper's premises. One advantage of interfacing the central processor 40 with shipper access terminal 32 is that the shipper access terminal 32 can control the quantity, quality, and timing of information that is transmitted between the shipper processor 24 and the central processor 40. The access terminal 32 can also control the communication sessions between the shipper processor 24 and the central processor 40. The shipper access terminal 32 is designed so that the shipper 20 may directly access the transaction information. The shipper 20 will not be allowed to make changes to the transaction information, but is able to add additional information. This ensures the integrity of the transaction information. An additional advantage of the access terminal 32 is that the data processing device 34 can receive real-time information from the shipper processor 24 regarding the shipment transaction. In an alternative embodiment, the shipper access terminal 32 is linked to a magnetic stripe card reader. The card reader accepts a card and transmits the data contained therein to the data processing device 34 of the shipper access terminal 32. The magnetic stripe card reader accepts an identification card from a user of the system. The identification card contains relevant user information. In an alternative application, the access terminal 32 is linked to a bar code reader which is designed to receive information from a bar code and input the bar code information into the data processing device 34. The bar code is printed on the BOL or on a carrier identification card. The data processing device 34 sends 318 the transaction information to the central processor 40. The design of the central processor 40 is dictated by the desired speed, the number of users, and the amount of data to be processed. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example flowchart for programming the central processor 40 of FIG. 1 to manipulate the transaction information according to the present invention. The central processor 40 receives 402 the transaction information and performs 404 an integrity check on the incoming information to ensure that the information is correctly formatted and contains no errors. If the integrity check is unsuccessful, the transaction information is stored in a suspense file in a data storage unit 42. Once the error is corrected, the corrected transaction may be sent into the normal process flow. If the integrity check is successful, the central processor 40 retrieves 406 authorized user profile lists from the data storage unit 42. The data storage unit 42 is essentially a memory unit which stores information relevant to the shipping transaction. The design of the data storage unit 42 is dictated by the amount of data needed to be stored. The authorized user profile lists represent the users and combination of users that are authorized to use the system. Authorized user profile lists include a shipper profile list, a carrier profile list, a carrier/shipper profile list, and a shipper access terminal profile list. The profile lists provide the cross reference between the payment ID (assigned by central processor 40), an account ID (assigned by an issuing processor 45), and a merchant number (assigned by a paying processor 54). An authorized shipper profile list identifies information regarding the shipper and the shipment as can be seen below in Table 2.
TABLE 2
Shipper Profile
DATA ELEMENT WIDTH TYPE DESCRIPTION
Shipper ID 10 N Uniquely identifies a legal
entity using a single BOL
system, assigned by the CP 40.
Account ID 16 N Account # assigned to
shipper 20 by issuing
processor 54.
Shipper Name 32 A/N
Shipper Address 1 32 A/N Headquarters Address
Shipper Address 2 32 A/N
Shipper City 28 A/N
Shipper 3 A/N
State/Province
Shipper Country 3 A/N
Shipper Contact 32 A/N
Shipper Phone 10 N
Open Date 8 N Supplied by CP 40 when
record is built.
YYYYMMDD format
Date of First 8 N Automatically supplied by
Activity CP 40 when first BOL
record is received by
CP 40-YYYYMMDD format
Date of Last 8 N Automatically updated by
Activity CP 40 every time a BOL
record is processed
Current Status 4 A Valid values are OPEN,
CLSD, HOLD. Automatically
updated on effective date if
effective date was pre-entered
or as part of on-line transaction
when effective date is set to
today.
Current Status Date 8 N Automatically updated by
system when current status
field is updated, YYYYMMDD
format
Pending Status 4 A User will key status,
valid values are OPEN,
CLSD, HOLD
Effective Date 8 N Default to today's date with
user ability to override to a
future date. YYYYMMDD
format
Last update date 8 N Automatically stamped by CP 40
Last update time 4 N Automatically stamped by
CP 40. HHMM format
Last Update User 8 A/N Automatically pulled from
user profile by CP 40.
An authorized carrier profile list identifies information regarding the carrier 22 and the shipment transaction as can be seen below in table 3. Included in the carrier profile is a merchant number which a paying processor 54 assigns to the carrier 22. Each carrier 22 can have multiple merchant numbers if desired. This allows carrier flexibility to assign different merchant numbers for different regions or different shippers. This flexibility facilitates the carrier's business management process. It is not known of existing systems which provide such flexibility.
TABLE 3
Carrier Profile
COLUMN DATA DATA
NAME WIDTH TYPE DESCRIPTION
SCAC 4 A/N 4 character code that uniquely identifies
a Carrier 22.
Merchant 10 N Paying processor 54 assigns to each
Number carrier.
Carrier 22 32 A/N DBA name of Carrier HQ
Name
Carrier 32 A/N
Address 1
Carrier 32 A/N
Address 2
Carrier 28 A/N
City
Carrier 3 A/N
State/
Province
Carrier 3 A/N
Country
Carrier 32 A/N Name of primary contact at Carrier HQ
Contact
Carrier 10 N Phone number of primary contact at
Phone Carrier HQ
Open Date 8 N Automatically supplied by CP 40 when
record is built. YYYYMMDD format
Date of First 8 N Automatically supplied by CP 40 when
Activity first BOL record is received by system
on this Carrier 22-YYYYMMDD
format
Date of Last 8 N Automatically updated by system every
Activity time a BOL record is processed for this
Carrier 22
Current 4 A Valid values are OPEN, CLSD, HOLD.
Status Automatically updated on effective date
if effective date was pre-entered or as
part of on-line transaction when
effective date is set to today.
Current 8 N Automatically updated by CP 40 when
Status Date current status field is updated,
YYYYMMDD format
Pending 4 A User will key status
Status
Effective 8 N Default to today's date with user ability
Date to override to a future date.
YYYYMMDD format
Last update 8 N Automatically stamped by CP 40
date
Last update 4 N Automatically stamped by CP 40
time HHMM format
Last Update 8 A/N Automatically pulled from user profile
User lists by CP 40
An authorized shipper/carrier profile list identifies information regarding valid shipper carrier combinations as can be seen below in table 4
TABLE 4
Shipper/Carrier Profile
COLUMN DATA DATA
NAME WIDTH TYPE DESCRIPTION
Shipper ID 10 N
Carrier SCAC 4 A/N
Merchant Number 10 N Assigned by Paying processor 54.
If blank, use default value from
carrier profile.
Proof of Delivery 1 A "Y" for POD to be
(POD) required, "N" for POD
not required
Type of POD 4 A Identifies in what manner
the POD is to be received.
Auto close 2 N Number of days after which
days the transaction will close and be
paid to the Carrier 22
regardless of whether or
not POD has been posted.
Open Date 8 N Automatically supplied by
CP 40 when record is
built. YYYYMMDD format
Date of First 8 N Automatically supplied by
Activity CP 40 when first BOL record
received by system-YYYYMMDD
format
Date of Last 8 N Automatically updated by
Activity CP 40 every time a BOL record is
is processed
Current Status 4 A Valid values are OPEN,
CLSD, HOLD. Automatically
updated on effective date
if effective date was pre-entered
or as part of on-line transaction
when effective date is set
to today.
Current Status 8 N Automatically updated by
Date CP 40 when current status
field is updated, YYYYMMDD
format
Pending 4 A User will key status
Status
Effective 8 N Default to today's date with
Date user ability to override to a
future date. YYYYMMDD format
Last update 8 N Automatically stamped by CP 40
date
Last update 4 N Automatically stamped by CP 40
time HHMM format
Last Update 8 A/N Automatically pulled from
User user profile lists
An authorized shipper access terminal profile identifies the shipper 20 as well as the shipping dock. A shipper has a separate shipper access terminal profile for each dock. The central processor 40 assigns a different dock ID for each dock. The information included in the access point profile is listed below in table 5
TABLE 5
Access Terminal Profile
COLUMN
NAME WIDTH TYPE DESCRIPTION
Shipper 10 N Uniquely identifies a legal entity using a
ID single BOL system
Dock ID 3 N Uniquely identifies a particular physical
dock location with a shipper ID.
Account 16 N Issuing Processor 54 assigns. Defaults
ID from shipper profile, can be overridden
by shipper.
Dock Name 32 A/N DBA name of dock originating BOL
Dock 32 A/N Street address of dock originating BOL
Address 1
Dock 32 A/N
Address 2
Dock City 28 A/N
Dock 3 A/N
State/
Province
Dock 3 A/N
Country
Dock 32 A/N
Contact
Dock Phone 10 N To be used for reporting against
completion transaction
Open Date 8 N Automatically supplied by CP 40 when
record is built. YYYYMMDD format
Date of 8 N Automatically supplied by CP 40
First when first BOL record is received
Activity by system-YYYYMMDD format
Date of 8 N Automatically updated by CP 40 every
Last time a BOL record is processed
Activity
Current 4 A Automatically updated by CP 40 on the
Status effective date if effective date was pre-
entered or as part of the on-line
transaction if the effective date
is changed to today.
Valid values are OPEN, CLSD, HOLD
Current 8 N Automatically updated by CP 40 when
Status Date current status field is updated,
YYYYMMDD format
Pending 4 A User will key status
Status
Effective 8 N Default to today's date with user
Date ability to override to a future date.
YYYYMMDD format
Last update 8 N Automatically stamped by CP 40
date
Last update 4 N Automatically stamped by
time CP 40 HHMM format
Last Update 8 A/N Automatically pulled from user
User profile lists
The central processor 40 authenticates 408 the transaction information by comparing elements of transaction information with the authorized user profile lists. The elements of the transaction information used for authentication include; the identity of the shipper, the identity of the shipper's dock, and the identity of the carrier. If the authentication is successful, the central processor 40 assigns 410 a payment identification number (payment ID) to the transaction information and stores 412 the transaction information in the data storage unit 42. The payment ID is a unique key for the transaction record which the central processor 40 uses to centrally track the transaction. The payment ID includes specific information regarding the shipment transaction including; the shipper identification number, the BOL number, and the shipping date. The advantage of the payment ID is that it allows the central processor 40 to more efficiently and accurately track the different actions occurring within the system. The payment ID can be referenced to the specific identification numbers which any of the users may assign. The payment ID is now considered "open". Open is a term used to signify that the shipper 20 has transferred the goods to the carrier 22, and the carrier 22 has not yet completed the shipment. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the central processor 40 stores 414 the invalid transaction in a suspense file in the data storage unit 42. When an invalid transaction is stored, a notification is sent which indicates that an error has occurred and is in need of further review and correction. Once the error is corrected, the corrected transaction may be sent into the normal process path. The central processor 40 sends the authenticated transaction information, including the shipper identity and the cost of the shipment, to an issuing institution 44 for authorization. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example flowchart for programming the issuing processor 45 of FIG. 1 to perform an authorization check according to the present invention. The issuing institution 44 contains an issuing processor 45. The issuing processor 45 maintains accounts for one or more shippers. Each account includes information regarding credit limits, open authorizations, unpaid balances, and the resulting open-to-buy. Open-to-buy measures the unused credit limit. The issuing processor 45 receives 502 the authorization request from the central processor 40. The issuing processor 45 compares 504 the authorization request to the open-to-buy of the shipper and attempts to approve 506 the request. If the shipper 20 has enough open to buy, the issuing processor 45 approves the authorization request. The issuing processor 45 stores 507 the approved authorization request and decreases 508 the open-to-buy. The issuing processor 45 sends 510 the authorization approval to the central processor 40 and the central processor 40 updates the records in the data storage unit 42. If the authorization is successful, the payment ID is considered "authorized". If the authorization is unsuccessful, the issuing processor 45 sends 512 an authorization decline to the central processor 40. After the goods are delivered to a receiver, the payment ID must be "closed". Closed refers to providing proof of delivery (POD) of the shipment in order to complete the shipment transaction. POD includes the identity of the shipper, the BOL number, the carrier invoice number, the delivery date and time, the person acknowledging receipt, and the condition of the shipment. A carrier processor 46 receives the POD and sends the information to the central processor 40. In one embodiment, the carrier processor 46 is a conventional bar code reader. The bar code reader is used by the carrier 22 to read a bar code on the shipment. The bar code reader sends the POD information to the central processor 40. In an alternative embodiment, the carrier processor 46 is a voice response unit 48 (VRU). FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example flowchart for programming the VRU 48 according one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the central processor 40 extracts an open payment ID from the data storage unit 42. The central processor 40 sends information relating to the open payment ID, including the BOL number and the shipper ID, to the VRU 48. The VRU 48 receives 602 the open BOL number. A standard touch-tone telephone is used to access the VRU 48. While the location of the telephone is not critical, locating it at the receiver's premises promotes efficiency, convenience, and accuracy. It is convenient and efficient because the carrier 22 can call the VRU 48 at the exact time the shipment is delivered. It is accurate in that the phone number of the receiver, automatically captured by the VRU 48, will identify where and when the call was made. The VRU 48 prompts 604 the carrier 22 for the shipper ID. The VRU 48 receives 606 the shipper ID and attempts to match 608 the entered shipper ID with a open shipper ID. If the shipper ID is matched, the VRU 48 prompts 610 the carrier 22 for the BOL number. The VRU 48 receives 612 the entered BOL number and attempts to match 614 the combination of the entered BOL number and shipper ID with an open BOL number and Shipper ID. If the BOL number and shipper ID combination is matched, the VRU 48 prompts 616 the carrier 22 for condition of shipment. The VRU 48 receives 618 the condition of shipment and sends 620 the POD information which includes BOL number, the shipper ID, and the condition of the shipment to the central processor 40. If the VRU 48 cannot match either the shipper ID and the BOL number, the VRU 48 prompts 622 the carrier 22 to either try again or routes 624 the carrier 22 to customer service where the problem can be resolved. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example flowchart for programming the central processor 40 of FIG. 1 generating a deposit file according to the present invention. The central processor 40 receives 702 the matched BOL number, the shipper ID, and the condition of the shipment from the carrier processor 46. The central processor 40 validates 704 the incoming data to ensure that it is error free and properly formatted. The central processor 40 extracts 706 the open payment ID from the data storage unit 42. The central processor 40 authenticates 708 the matched BOL number with an open payment ID. If the BOL number and payment ID are authenticated, the payment ID is considered complete. The central processor stores 710 the completed transaction and corresponding payment ID in the data storage unit 42. If authentication is unsuccessful, the central processor 40 stores 712 the information in a suspense file where the problem can be manually resolved as discussed above. A payment ID can be completed by the above manner, or a payment ID can expire. A payment ID expires when a pre-programmed number of days has elapsed since the shipping date. This pre-programmed number of days is defined as auto close days in the data storage unit 42. A particular transaction is identified by the shipper and carrier to expire on a specific date, the effective date, whether or not the proof of delivery is received. On the effective date, the payment process begins. This has the advantage that the carrier 22 will be paid for every shipment carried. Payment to the carrier 22 is expedited if proof of delivery is received. The central processor 40 periodically extracts 714 from the data storage unit 42 the transactions that are listed as "completed and authorized" or "expired and authorized." The central processor 40 sorts and batches 716 the transactions by the merchant number. The central processor 40 generates 718 a deposit file 50 for those authorized transactions which are completed or expired and which have not been previously extracted. In a particular application, one deposit file 50 is created for all transactions completed by each carrier. The deposit file 50 is formatted so that it is compatible with the paying processor's 54 format. The deposit file 50 includes the payment ID, the account ID, the carrier identity, the BOL number, the destination city, the destination state, the destination zip code, and the cost of shipment. The cost of the shipment represents the amount that is owed by the shipper 20 and payable to the carrier 22. The central processor 40 performs 720 a general integrity check on the deposit file 50. The integrity check includes: ensuring that the payment ID has been authorized, ensuring that the BOL is completed or expired, and ensuring that payment has not yet occurred for the particular payment ID. If the central processor 40 validates the deposit file 50, the processor 40 sends 722 the deposit file 50 to a paying processor 54 of a paying institution 52. In a particular application, the deposit file 50 is conventionally sent via a telephone transmission. The paying institution has a paying processor 54 which processes financial information and maintains financial accounts for the carrier 22. The paying processor 54 is generally designed to process financial information. The paying institution 52 maintains one or more accounts for each carrier 22. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example flowchart for programming the paying processor 54 of FIG. 1 according to the present invention. The paying processor 54 receives 802 the deposit file 50 and sends 804 a confirmation message to the central processor 40 that the deposit file 50 was received. The paying processor 54 validates 806 the incoming deposit file and generates 808 payment to the carrier 22. The paying processor 54 tenders 810 payment to the carrier 24 and sends 812 this information to the central processor 40 so that the central processor 40 can update the data storage unit 42. In a particular application, the paying processor 54 tenders payment by directly paying the carrier 22. In an alternative embodiment, the paying processor 54 sends the payment to the carrier's bank conventionally through the Federal Reserve's Automated Clearing House. One advantage associated with the generation of payments to the carrier 22 is that the carrier 22 is paid relatively soon after the carrier 22 has completed the shipment. This provides the carrier 22 with improved cash flow and reduces the carrier's working capital requirements. Another advantage is that the carrier 22 does not have to audit or rate the payment which saves time and money. This streamlined approach reduces the carrier's administrative costs associated with processing a payment. The paying processor 54 generates 814 a systems bill for the carrier 22. This systems bill represents the amount the carrier 22 owes for the service provided by the system of the present invention. The paying processor 54 sends 816 the systems bill to the carrier 22. The paying processor 54 sends 818 the systems bill information to the central processor 40 where the information is stored in the data storage unit 42. The paying processor 54 delivers 820 the paid shipment transactions to the issuing processor 45 of the issuing institution 44. The issuing institution 44 maintains one or more accounts for the shipper 20 and extends and manages credit to the shipper 20. The issuing processor 45 maintains the amount paid to each carrier 22 on behalf of each shipper 20. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example flowchart for programming the issuing processor 45 of FIG. 1 to credit a transaction according to the present invention. The issuing processor 45 receives 902 the paid transactions from the paying processor 54. The issuing processor 45 retrieves 904 the approved authorization list and compares 906 the authorization list with the paid transactions. The issuing processor 45 attempts to match 908 the paid transactions with an authorized transaction. If a match is made, no change is made to the open to buy. If a match is not made, the issuing processor 45 decreases 910 the open to buy. The issuing processor 45 posts 912 the cost of shipment for all paid transactions to the shipper's account thereby increasing the balance due from the shipper 20. The issuing processor 45 periodically bills 914 the shipper 20 for the posted financial transactions paid on behalf of the shipper 20 and periodically receives 916 payment from the shipper 20. When the issuing processor 45 receives payment, the processor 45 posts payment to the shipper's account and increases 918 the open-to-buy. The issuing processor 45 communicates with the central processor 40 and sends information regarding shipper 20 payment and billing. The central processor 40 updates the data storage unit 42 with this information. In an alternative embodiment, the paying institution 52 is incorporated into the issuing institution 44. This results in one processor performing the functions of the issuing processor 45 and the paying processor 54. A further advantage of the computer processing system for a shipment transaction involving a shipper and a carrier is that the data storage unit 42 and central processor 40 interface to store and provide value-laden information to the users of the system. The central processor 40 provides a security check for all information entering and leaving the data storage unit 42. The central processor edits incoming files and provides on-line alarms for duplicate files, stale dated files, out of balance files, and files with corrupt data. The central processor 40 maintains a suspense file in the data storage unit 42 where incoming invalid transaction information and unmatched proof of delivery information are stored. With a centrally located suspense file, the problem resolution process is more efficient. The central processor 40 maintains data views and tables and stores this information in the data storage unit 42. The central processor 40 maintains a BOL Header Table for each BOL number which generally includes a summary of all information relating to that shipment transaction. This information is shown in the table 6 below. The source of the particular data element is indicated in column four of table 6.
TABLE 6
BOL Header Data Elements
Data Element Length Type Source Purpose
Shipper ID 10 N CP 40 Record ID
Dock ID 3 N CP 40 Record ID
Account ID 16 N CP 40 Record ID; reporting
Bill of Lading # 15 AN Shipper Record ID
Ship Date 8 N Shipper Record ID, reporting
SCAC 4 A Shipper Alternate index,
identifies Carrier
Merchant # 10 N CP 40 Alternate index,
for CP 40 usage
Vendor # 10 N Shipper Alternate index, allows
Shipper to specify its
vendor number for a
given carrier
Customer Number 10 N Shipper Alternate index, allows
Shipper to specify it's
customer number for a
given receiver
Customer PO # 15 AN Shipper Alternate index,
reporting
Shipper Order # 15 AN Shipper Alternative Index
Vendor Order 15 AN Shipper Reporting, alternate
Number locator
Shipper Name 35 AN Shipper Reporting
Shipper Contact 20 A Shipper Claims
Person
Shipper Phone # 15 AN Shipper Claims
Origin Designator 10 AN Shipper Reporting
City 20 AN Shipper reporting
State 2 A Shipper reporting
ZIP Code 9 N Shipper reporting
Division Code 2 AN Shipper reporting
Reference B/L #1 15 AN Shipper Consolidated Shipments
Reference B/L #2 15 AN Shipper Consolidated Shipments
Reference B/L #3 15 AN Shipper Consolidated Shipments
Bill of Lading Type 1 AN Shipper Reporting
Shipment Mode 3 AN Shipper LTL, TL, RAI, AIR.
Inbound, Outbound 1 AN Shipper reporting
Flag
Prepaid, Collect 1 AN Shipper reporting
Flag
COD Flag 1 AN Shipper reporting
COD Amount 9.2 AN Shipper reporting
Shipment Value 9.2 AN Shipper reporting; claims
Driver Name 20 AN Shipper Reporting; Claims
Trailer/Car # 15 AN Shipper reporting; claims
Trailer/Car Seal # 15 AN Shipper reporting; claims
Import, Export Flag 1 AN Shipper reporting
# Stops 2 N Shipper reporting
Stop Off Charges 7.2 AN Shipper reporting
Rated Freight 9.2 AN Shipper payment, reporting
Charges
Cube Dimensions 5 N Shipper reporting
Shipment "as 7.2 N Shipper reporting; claims
weight"
Accessorial Charges 7.2 AN Shipper payment, reporting
Total Freight Chgs 9.2 AN Shipper payment, reporting
Destination Name 25 AN Shipper reporting
Destination City 20 AN Shipper reporting
Destination State 2 A Shipper reporting
Destination Zip 9 N Shipper reporting
Code
Destination Area 3 N Shipper reporting, verification
Code
Destination Prefix 3 N Shipper reporting, verification
Destination Phone 4 N Shipper reporting, verification
Mileage 5 N Shipper reporting
Voucher/Check # 12 AN CP 40 inquiry
Ship Date 8 N Shipper Life cycle tracking
CP 40 Receipt Date 8 N CP 40 Life cycle tracking
Storage Insert Date 8 N CP 40 Life cycle tracking
VRU Extract Date 8 N CP 40 Life cycle tracking
Authorization Date 8 N CP 40 Life cycle tracking
Authorization # 6 AN Issuing From authorization
Proc.45 response feed
Auth Response 2 AN Issuing From authorization
Code Proc.45 response feed
Delivery Date 8 N CP 40 Life cycle tracking
In addition, the central processor 40 maintains BOL line item details from the transaction information. The BOL line item details generally consist of information relating to the goods of the shipment as can be seen below in table 7.
TABLE 7
BOL Line Item Detail Data Elements
Data Element Length Type Source Purpose
Shipper ID 16 N CP 40 Record ID
Bill of Lading # 15 AN Shipper Record ID
Ship Date 8 N Shipper Record ID
Product Description 28 AN Shipper reporting, claims
Product ID 8 AN Shipper reporting, claims
Product Value 7.2 $N Shipper claims
Haz Mat Flag 1 AN Shipper reporting, claims
Item Weight 7.2 N Shipper reporting, claims
Total Pcs 5 N Shipper reporting, claims
Item "as weight" 7.2 N Shipper reporting
Unit of Measure 4 AN Shipper reporting, claims
Accounting Code 25 AN Shipper reporting
Item Freight 7.2 N Shipper reporting, claims
Charges
In the example system application of FIG. 1, the carrier 22 will not have access to the BOL line item product value, but will be able to see the line item freight charges. A further advantage of the shipment transaction system of FIG. 1 is that the system allows multiple users to obtain information about the same shipment from the same source. Since the system supplies information from the same source, all users will obtain the same information at the same time. This advantage of timeliness does not exist in current systems. Existing systems are not known to provide a single source of up-to-date information regarding multiple shipment transactions. In an alternative embodiment, multiple users access the shipment information via the central processor 40. The shipment information is stored in the data storage unit 42. The central processor 40 is electronically linked to a multitude of user stations. The link between the central processor 40 and a user station allows for conventional two way communication. The user station is a standard personal computer comprising of a video display, a keyboard, a central processor, and a modem link. A user initiates a request for information by accessing the central processor 40 using the personal computer. When the user is logged into the central processor 40, the central processor 40 prompts the user to enter a password. The central processor 40 provides a security check on all information requests. The security check is programmed such that the shipper 20 and carrier 22 are restricted to accessing only their own data. In addition, the processor 40 is programmed such that unauthorized parties are denied access. The central processor 40 receives informational requests from the user. The central processor 40 accesses the data storage unit 42 and extracts the requested information and transmits the information to the user's station. The advantage of such an information service is clear. Users will be able to obtain current information regarding a shipment transaction. In a particular application, once a user has access to the system, the central processor 40 will prompt the user for a range of dates of interest including the current day, the previous day, monthly total, yearly total, or a specified date range. The central processor 40 displays the transaction information, freight amounts, shipment costs, total weight, and cost per pound for various types of transactions including: transactions added to the data storage unit, transactions with proof of delivery, transactions that have expired, transactions in the suspense file, transactions paid to carrier, transactions in transit, transactions declined, and transactions approved. The central processor 40 allows user's to request a particular transaction by entering any one of a multitude of transaction elements. The central processor 40 identifies a particular transaction with reference to the BOL number, the shipper's customer number for the receiver 22, the payment ID, the carrier's customer number for the shipper 20, the merchant number, the account ID, the receiver's order number for the shipper 20, the shipper's order number for the BOL number, or the shipping date. This ensures compatibility between the user reference numbers such that the user can access information using their unique reference number assigned to the transaction. The example application has additional advantages. The central processor 40 provides to all authorized users the ability to generate custom analysis of their own data. This has the advantage of giving the carrier 22 the ability to extract payment data needed to automatically post his accounts receivable system. This is an advantage over existing systems which rely on manual distribution of payment against the account receivable system. Similarly, the shipper can extract payment data and automatically post his accounts payable which closes out the individual accounts payable due to each carrier. An advantage stemming from this automated system is that the shipper 20 does not need a paper invoice in order to have proof of delivery. The shipper 20 accesses the central processor 40 and verifies which shipments have been delivered by a particular carrier 22. Similarly, the carrier 22 accesses the central processor 40 to find out which transactions have been paid out by the shipper 20. This informational system removes much uncertainty from the shipment process which promotes more efficient use of available resources such as working capital, transportation, and personnel. In a particular application, the central processor 40 generates standard shipment transaction summary reports and provides appropriate access to the reports by various users. These reports include a transaction inventory control report, an open aging summary report, a suspense inventory control by source report, and a suspense inventory aging summary report. The central processor 40 uses the security profiles to determine which subset of transaction records will be summarized for each user. For example, the shipper 20 has access only to that shipper's reports. The inventory control report provides control totals of BOL numbers, merchandise value, and freight value. There are key control points including: starting inventory position, new BOL's from shippers, BOL's closed since the last report by the different methods discussed for closing BOL numbers, BOL's re-opened since the last report by manual proof of delivery override via customer service, BOL's canceled since the last report, and the ending inventory position. The open aging summary report contains those BOL numbers that have not been delivered. In addition, the freight value and merchandise value for each shipper ID and Dock ID are supplied for distinct age groups. The age groups include groupings by consecutive days since the shipping date and one group for 10 days past the shipping date. The suspense inventory control by source report includes merchandise and freight value amounts of transactions in the suspense file. Several control points for the suspense inventory control include: starting inventory position, new inventory added since last report, inventory cleared since last report, inventory deleted since last report, inventory undeleted since last report, and ending inventory position. The suspense inventory aging summary report provides an aged summary of suspense files including the merchandise and freight value of items that are in the suspense file by original receipt date. The central processor 40 generates detailed reports including: the inventory aging detail report, the suspense inventory aging detail report, and the declined item aging detail report. The detail reports are viewed by either the shipper ID/Dock ID/ account ID combination or by the carrier ID/merchant number combination. The inventory aging detail report lists the open BOL numbers sorted by the days in inventory, the shipper ID combination, and the BOL number. The inventory detail report lists the merchandise and freight value associated with each open BOL number. The suspense inventory aging detail report lists open BOL numbers by source and receipt date. Several fields are displayed including: shipper ID, dock ID, account ID, BOL number, carrier ID, freight value, and the merchandise value. The declined item aging detail report allows users to research the cause of exception items and lists the shipper ID combination, ship date, authorization time, BOL number, shipper invoice number, merchant number, and freight value. The declined item aging detail report is viewed by either shipper ID/dock ID/account ID combination, or by carrier ID/merchant number combination. The central processor 40 generates two reports that reference declined authorizations. These reports include the declined item summary report and the declined item aging report. The declined item summary report summarizes information regarding the declined authorization. The declined item aging report summarizes the information regarding the declined authorization by the shipping date. Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10C, according to the present invention, example transactional processes for implementing ship transactions are shown in the form of flow diagrams. FIG. 10A illustrates a manner in which accounts for shippers and carriers can be set up in a database for processing shipment transactions by the main CPU system running the operations. The approach shown in FIG. 10A includes five levels, with each level applicable to both the shipper and the carrier. At level 1010, an account is merely established for the shipper/carrier. Setting up the account and defining the company profile is administered by the central operators. For instance, if a credit institution, such as a bank with a credit division, owns and/or is operating the main CPU and defining communication access to the system, an agent of the credit institution administers these tasks. At level 1014, a company profile is established on the main CPU for the shipper/carrier. A typical company profile includes, among other particulars, contact information, facility locations, invoicing/debit/credit agreements for system use, and security information. Defining a company profile permits the shipper/carrier to be a user of the system with access to information processed by the main CPU for the shipper/carrier. At level 1016, a profile for the system administration is established to refine the shipper/carrier's access to the information associated within its company (the shipper or carrier) and organizational unit. At levels 1020 and 1024, the shipper/carrier's administrator defines operational profiles to define how the company will use the shipment transaction system. According to a more specific implementation, there are specific operational profiles and specific user profiles used by the main CPU to execute operations. These specific operational profiles fall into five categories: approval policies to define the monetary limits for each particular approver of bills; floor limits to define any rule for automatic approval of bills; G/L charts of accounts that are used in the process of allocating freight expenses to particular accounts within the company's general ledger system; operational filters to define characteristics of the rights of each user of the system within the company; and data filters that define business rules that are used to limit the transactions such a user can see. The specific user profiles, which are issued and managed by the company using the system, are used by the system to enforce business rules with the company. These rules may include, for example, that every user ID: be unique, associated with only one organizational unit within only one company, and have only one operational filter and only one data filter associated with it. Examples of other such business rules include establishing that actions performed by the company are binding and that updates to the company's profiles be made regularly. At levels 126 and 128, the main CPU uses the previously defined information to establish the user relationships (depicted at level 126) and to define carrier vendors or shipper customers, respectively, for the shipper-type company or the carrier-type company. Using the above information, the main CPU then begins to define trading partners and trading parameter data for each shipper and for each carrier. This is depicted at level 1034 of FIG. 10A. For additional examples of ways to implement the above-characterized levels, as well as other aspects and examples of the various example embodiments, reference may be made to the attached Appendix A (Training Guide) and to the attached Appendix B (Users Guide). For example, for information relating to the example setup information of FIG. 10A, reference may be made to Chapter 1 of attached Appendix B (Users Guide). FIG. 10B illustrates an example relationship that may be used in the shipment transaction system for processing freight payments. As discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1, 2 and 2A, upon receipt of the BOL (block 1040), the main CPU receives notification of delivery (block 1042) and the creditor (e.g., financial institution or bank) authorizes payment (block 1046). Payment is then made to the carrier as indicated in block 1048. FIG. 10C illustrates example processes for transactional flow, between a carrier and a shipper, in an example shipment transaction system referred to as "PowerTrack"..RTM. As illustrated in FIG. 10C, work transactions 1050 occur in response to activity input to the system from equipment, such as computers or other data input/output devices, operated by the shipper and the carrier. Such equipment is depicted as shipper items 1052a, 1052b and carrier items 1054a, 1054b. The main CPU 1056 processes the data via Internet communication links, and interfaces with a payment-center CPU 1058 operated by the creditor/bank. As illustrated, the main CPU 1056 and the paymentcenter CPU 1058 exchange data with each other and the items 1052a, 1052b, 1054a, 1054b to effect proper payment in response to cleared shipment transactions. FIG. 11 illustrates an example communication path from an architectural perspective in which an array of computers and data routers are used in an example implementation of a system and method, according another aspect of the present invention. The computers include gateway-implemented firewalls 1064, 1066 and 1068, and data routers in the form of hubs H1-H6 (available from 3Com). Each of the firewalls 1064, 1066 and 1068, and data routers H1-H6, along with other accessible stations in FIG. 11, have unique Internet addresses. The operators controllers 1076 of the main CPU 1078 access tier II, which is used to maintain databases for the system, via a path through the firewall 1066 and directly back through hub H3, or via a path out toward hub H2 and back through hub H3. The financial institutional (not shown) accesses the system, along with access by the shippers and carriers, via the Internet at block 1080. An outside entity, for example, an auditor can also be setup and authorized by the system to access information, and this typically occurs via a path through the Internet or the firewall 1064. Within tier II, database/servers are maintained in a dual manner to permit for execution of programs for actual system use and for user acceptance testing. Business logic database/servers 1081 and 1083 store an object oriented program that is used to execute the processing in the actual system (1081) and for user acceptance testing (1082). Also for the actual system (1082) and for user acceptance testing (1084), database/servers 1082 and 1084 provide web server functions for the Internet access at block 1080. Database/server 1085 is used as a background tool and is useful, for example, for sending and receiving information between tier II components and the main CPU 1078. Database/servers 1089 and 1090 store shipment transaction information for processing in the actual system (1089) and for processing the same data for analytical purposes, for example, in response to inquiries made by the shipper, the carrier, the bank, or an outside entity (e.g., an auditor). Database/servers 1088, 1089 and 1090 can be used to duplicate the functionality of database/servers 1085, 1086 and 1087 for testing purposes. Database/servers 1091 and 1092 can be used as interactive voice response units adapted to be used by carriers to receive information such as delivery notification, as discussed previously. As mentioned above, for additional details concerning example implementations and aspects, and alternative embodiments of the present invention, reference may be made to the attached Appendix A (Training Guide) and to the attached Appendix B (Users Guide), each of which forms part of the instant patent application. Accordingly, the present invention provides, among other aspects, a computer processing system for a shipment transaction involving a shipper and a carrier. Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and illustrated embodiments be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
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