What is PodToday?
The system allows for a full setup of all aspects of a route based management system.
Pod Today, is a routing and electronic pod system that is aimed at small to medium size transport companies that have set delivery routes and that perform delivery services for multiple clients, such as in the food industry.
Getting Jobs into the System
The system allows your clients to either send you their job information in a delimited text file that can be imported into the system or they can enter individual job details over the web. The system allows CODs and for job types such as (delivery, return and pickups) as well as priority types (normal and special).
Automatic Allocation to Routes
Once in the system jobs are allocated to default routes based on the following criteria, customer name and address, client route number, and next delivery day available. Jobs that are marked as Specials (urgent delivery) have to be allocated manually so that cost charges can be applied on an individual basis and one off transport arranged.
Balancing and Manifesting of Routes
Distribute delivery workload via the Manifest Planner on the Operations Tab.
Jobs are grouped for manifesting by route, truck and driver (default trucks and drivers are allocated to default routes). If a specific route is overloaded then the route can be split into two and done by multiple carriers. Once the days deliveries are balanced to transport available then the pre-manifest can be printed and used as a load sheet as deliveries are shown in drop order. If all are accounted for and loaded then the pre-manifest is converted in to a manifest and the delivery information is made available for download into drivers PDAs.
Drivers PDAs
All the days drops are grouped by customer and are listed in drop order on the drivers PDA, the PDAs are synchronized at either end or beginning of the day via a cradle attached to a PC with internet access. Drop management on the PDAs allows for COD collections, partial deliveries and the notation of delivery shortages, damages etc and sign off by the customers receiving officer. Once entering a drop point the PDAs can also record demurrage time (i.e. time in and time out on all jobs).
Electronic PODs
Full range of custom reports available on-line.
Clients can access proof of delivery information including the customers receiving officers name and signature over the web. Imply by logging into the systems web site and then typing in the jobs reference number (i.e. invoice number etc).
Automated Client Billing
Pricing books can be setup based on individual client and route, and all billing information for a period can be generated via a simple report. Also if using subcontractors to handle jobs cost books can be setup for individual carriers.