Managing and tracking partial shipments ensures that the warehouse service provider is ready to receive additional shipments if a purchase order (PO) is only partially-received. It also means having a system in place to track and manage direct-to-site shipments.
Five Benefits of Tracking and Managing Shipments:
- Ensures timely and accurate deliveries
- Manages inventory and maximizes efficiency
- Reduces costs and maintains good relationships with vendors
- Prevents losses and resolves issues efficiently
- Utilizes technology for effective shipment management
Use of Receivers for Efficient Shipments
Most warehouses receive items passively after a project is set up. For optimal results, receivers should be sent to your warehouse in advance. The receiver allows the warehouse to understand what should be expected on each PO delivery. A receiver, partially completed with known information, also minimizes documentation burden for the warehouse and increases likeliness of correct completion. Expected receivers should be provided to the warehouse one to two weeks in advance of inbound deliveries.
Importance of Complete Shipment Documentation
For each delivery, the warehouse completes minimal information on the receiver, including received quantities, date/time of receipt, number of cartons/pallets, any comments, and a signature. Paired with a packing list and Bill of Lading, the receiver summarizes and verifies the shipment documentation quickly. There are many complexities of managing and tracking shipments. Receivers help keep documentation for each shipment straight and clear.
Tracking and Managing Shipments
It is important to use systems that capture each shipment, keeping track of remaining items that still need to be shipped. It’s not uncommon for a single PO to arrive as five or more shipments, so having coordinated and tracked all shipments under the same PO is necessary. This ensures that you have a complete view of your inventory and can make adjustments if necessary. For optimal results, updated receivers should be sent to the warehouse with remaining expected quantities reflected.
Ensuring Timeliness of Documentation
Finally, timeliness of documentation is often overlooked. When finding a warehouse to manage inbound shipments, it is important that they have a process in place to ensure that all shipment documentation is managed effectively. This can help reduce delays, avoid confusion, and maintain good relationships with vendors. They should also have a team that is equipped to manage all types of shipments, regardless of the source or destination. This can help ensure that all shipments are tracked and managed properly, reducing delays, and avoiding confusion.
At GWS, we have the expertise to manage shipments effectively and work closely with our clients to ensure that all shipments are delivered on-time and to the proper ShipTo location. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide comprehensive logistics solutions that meet the unique needs of each of our clients. Contact us today to learn more about how we help you manage and track your shipments.