In today’s competitive environment, tracking the shipment of goods from suppliers in real time is crucial. Customers are also concerned about on-time deliveries from suppliers and third-party vendors. This is because delays could lead to a breach of order commitments made to their customers. Real-time data transfer is becoming increasingly important to prevent pilferage, delay, and unwanted waste of goods during shipment and delivery. To ensure the timely delivery of goods and prevent any losses during transit, it is essential to prioritize real-time tracking and data transfer in the supply chain.
What is Oracle Transportation Management Mobile Application
The Oracle Transportation Management Mobile Application is a software tool designed to enhance logistics operations by providing real-time visibility and control over transportation processes. It allows businesses to track shipments, monitor delivery schedules, manage carriers, and access real-time transportation data, all from a mobile device. The application is part of the Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) system, which is a comprehensive transportation and logistics platform used by businesses to optimize their transportation operations. The mobile application enables logistics managers and personnel to stay connected and make informed decisions while on the move, resulting in improved efficiency, reduced costs, and increased customer satisfaction.
Oracle Transportation Management Cloud (OTM)
The OTM Mobile Application supports dedicated fleet drivers and third-party carriers to view and confirm the assigned shipments. Once the driver/carrier logs into the mobile web application, they can view the shipments organized by status. This information flows into the OTM application, which is integrated into the corresponding company’s ERP system. Hence, the suppliers and the customers get a real-time picture of the shipments.
General Process Overview
There is a distinct user login that is provided for each of the shippers. The OTM mobile application provides two workflows; the fleet drivers use one of the workflows, and the other is for the third-party carriers. Hence, when the username is created for a fleet driver or a carrier, the corresponding user is assigned to the respective workflow to view the events accordingly. The application shows the assigned and future shipments to the driver/carrier, as shown below.
A fleet driver may be assigned multiple shipments to deliver over the day, for example, in Walmart’s milk runs, the fleet driver must follow a certain route to deliver multiple shipments to different Walmart retail stores to ensure the fastest delivery and avoid LTL (Less Than Truckload) loads. Typically, organizations with a huge logistic networks, catering to customers worldwide, need to ensure that their shipments reach the distributors/wholesalers in time, while keeping an eye out that the goods coming from their suppliers aren’t delayed. This real-time tracking is effectively possible through OTM mobile application.
The carriers and drivers can view their shipments in the application setup on their mobile phones. The application provides a view of their assigned, future, and currently active shipments. They can also view a history of the shipments completed in the last week or a month. The driver can see all the stops in the shipment, including the first and last stops and the other trips he needs to make. The application provides a view of the trip’s total distance, including the time and distance between each stop.
Once the driver clicks on any of the ‘Shipment Details’ button, he can get more information, like the type of goods in the shipment and the weight and volume of the goods. Also, the contact details of the suppliers/customers are available in the ‘Shipment Details,’ which helps the drivers to send an SMS or even call the respective contact.
To start the shipment, the driver/carrier can click on the shipment and then click the start button. This will ensure that the shipment trip has started and relay this information in the Oracle fusion application. Similarly, once the driver has reached a stop, clicking the ‘Arrived’ button will relay the information that the shipment has arrived at a particular destination. The driver can then click submit, and their arrival at the pickup location will be logged against the shipment. The driver can also click photos of the shipment and enter their signatures.
The application also allows users to log events corresponding to shipments and trips. The user can log events offline, and this data will be synced to the OTM once the user is online. This helps with better tracking and visibility and captures events that may have led to delays, so that these could be avoided.
For third-party carriers, this is a useful app for small carriers or in cases where the carriers don’t have the latest onboard devices. The carriers can view shipments in real-time and can also accept the same. This provides enormous savings, as the carrier can receive and deliver the shipment if the shipment is close to the actual place where the carrier is currently shipping the goods. Once the carrier accepts the shipment, the data flows to OTM, intimating to the shipping team of the organization that the shipment has been received and is ready for shipping. The OTM mobile application can be easily linked to various carriers, thus, providing ease and flexibility of pick up and drop off of orders involving multiple stops.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the OTM Mobile Application is an essential tool that can significantly enhance logistics in today's fast-paced business environment. Its real-time tracking and data transfer capabilities can help prevent pilferage, delay, and unwanted waste of goods during shipment and delivery. By prioritizing real-time tracking and data transfer, businesses can ensure timely deliveries, meet customer commitments, and maintain a competitive edge in the market. Therefore, adopting the OTM Mobile Application is a smart investment for any business looking to optimize its logistics operations and stay ahead of the competition.