Special software caters for groupage market

You must have key strengths in a software system if you are intending to match the needs of the consolidator market, according to J-L Koekemoer, systems architect/developer at Ship- Shape Software. This, he told FTW, means that a package has to be designed that complies with all the speciality requirements of the NVOCCs, and gives them a comprehensive record of each step along the supply chain. “Our software gives an across-the-board cover,” said Koekemoer, “producing professional-looking quotations/estimates, then integrated all the way to doing the pre-alert, the final shipment and then the handover and invoicing.” This allows the consolidator to print various forwarding, breakbulk and groupage-related documents – branded with such crisp titles and acronyms as SOB details, DROs, ANFs, release letters, indemnity letters, transport instructions and delivery instructions. “The software is also designed to fit into the paper-free environment,” Koekemoer added. “It is fully SA Revenue Service (Sars) EDI-compliant with regards to the manifest acquittal system, and allows the client to have his manifests electronically submitted to Sars without the need for paper. “Also, should the consolidator be doing customs clearing as well, the seamless link between the forwarding and clearing file eliminates any duplicate capturing of information.” Fulfilling another basic industry requirement is the comprehensive and fully automated sales representative reporting system. “This allows you to assign multiple sales reps to a client,” said Koekemoer, “define different commission percentages for different types of shipments, and indicate for each individual charge which revenue codes are commissionable, and which are not.” The system then allows the user to view the sales representative commission report in four different formats ranging from a very detailed to a completely summarised format. Said Koekemoer: “The bane of most business owners’ lives is to manually calculate commissions using spreadsheets, and then still have to fend off the usual disputes when your reps challenge your figures. This system makes compiling and auditing your sales commissions a walk in the park.” It also has a feature that is a valuable tool in a consolidator’s marketing strategy. According to Koekemoer, choosing a report on volumes per route or per carrier, for example, gives the consolidator leverage in negotiations – allowing him to rank his clients and suppliers in business volumes. “You can, for instance, at the click of a button, see how many 20-foot and 40-ft containers you shipped with a particular shipping line over a given period from a certain port of loading. “It’s the type of comparative data that gives a consolidator that extra edge in negotiating the best rates.”