Descartes eBookings™ for Ocean Shipment Management

The Descartes eBookings™ solution provides end-to-end ocean shipment management and ocean shipment visibility. The solution is powered by the Descartes Global Logistics Network™ (Descartes GLN™), which brings multiple parties and processes together from the contract to booking phase, through to the tracking and financial settlement lifecycle. The core functionalities of the Descartes eBookings software are: 

• Rate and Contract Management including profitability analysis and quote management capabilities 
• Standardized Ocean Transactions to all global carriers and Non-Vessel Operators (NVOs) through various solutions, using a single Standard Message Format (SMF) for bookings, shipping instructions and status events 
• Data and Document Repository allows for the sharing of transaction data and documents between all parties of the supply chain, including the port community 
• Shipment Visibility provides the ability to track real-time status updates, generate alerts and create reports. Commercial, regulatory and logistics statuses can be easily integrated with this process 

Key Features: 

• Electronic bookings with carriers, shipping agents, and NVOCCS 
• Multiple integration options to internal and external systems 
• Connectivity with Descartes’ rating solutions for full rate contracting and surcharge management 
• Re-use of booking data for commercial shipping instructions, inland transport orders, and terminal pre-notifications  
• Communication of booking confirmations and updates to customers or third-parties  

Benefits: 

• Better analyze procurement and make better booking decisions 
• Reduce administration time required to make and check bookings 
• Increase customer service with automated communications 
• Streamline operations with a single point of access to all carriers 

• Eliminate duplicate data entry and minimize errors 
• Re-use information for logistics and compliance-related documents 
• Improve timeliness and quality of status information