August 22, 2003 -- More and more vendors are working hard to develop products to shave time from the supply chain cycle.
CodeLab Technology Group in Wakefield, Mass., for example, has developed a new solution to integrate back office and front office functions and help move cargo more efficiently through container freight stations. According to company officials, CFS Management Systems provides an enterprise-wide solution to help track both inbound and outbound cargo. The system uses workflow and stopgaps to ensure all cargo has authorization from U.S. Customs to leave a facility.

CFS Management Systems also addresses rate issues as all cargo passing through a container freight station has a myriad of fees associated with its movement. This solution works to allow rates to be configured on a customer-by-customer basis while providing a standard set of rates all customers adhere to, if not configure themselves.

David Ritchie, president of CodeLab Technology Group, said CFS Management Systems provides a number of benefits to port operations and shippers alike. For terminal operators, he said the solution provides "easy access to information needed to process container loads and outbound loading. And it provides current status on all scheduled outbound shipments while the reports generated provide personnel with the necessary information needed for the loading and offloading of customer cargo."
For shippers, he said the solution provides visibility so they can keep track of cargo at the terminal. And it provides their customers with remote access to view shipment status, allowing both parties a detailed shipment history.

The aim in the long run is to help the port; shippers and customers "capture more revenue through fewer miss-shipments and better cargo monitoring," he said. "The system is designed to flow with cargo movement. It streamlines data entry and allow for remote access anywhere, and that adds up to more efficient billing."

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