Software for Rail Transport Managers

Advanced software enables rail managers to view freight charges, shipper data, railcar movements, and shipment records. There are capabilities for equipment management that allow managers to store and view maintenance records, track and monitor maintenance costs, and schedule repair works. Software solutions also come with functionalities to help keep managers updated on fuel surcharges and charges, tariff changes, and contracts. Additional capabilities make it possible to store and access historical transit times, track shipments, and view logs and jeopardized deliveries. Rail software also helps monitor for off-route cars, bad orders, delayed and stationary railcars, and invoice errors.

Software solutions are also available to factory rail operators and intermodal linear service operators to help with scheduling and planning, rail logistics, train switching, and train disposition and formation.

Software for Logistics Services Providers

Freight forwarders throughout Europe increasingly use software that enables them to plan and process shipments. They benefit from solutions that help them to keep track of assignments and check container and wagon capacity. Advanced functionalities allow businesses to monitor deadlines, equipment usage, and dates.

Many businesses also use multi-transport software for rail, sea, truck, and air freight and roundtrip tracking. Services providers are offered multiple functionalities for truckload management, export and import management, customer management, and shipment tracking. Added functionalities help businesses with load optimization, routing and scheduling, driver management, and dispatch management. Integrated software systems can be used on different mobile and desktop platforms, including Windows, web app, and Android. They are used by enterprises, agencies, small and medium enterprises, and startups.

Other multifunctional software systems feature capabilities for statistical evaluations, freight billing, transport planning, and order management. Advanced functionalities enable services providers to track intermodal transportation, monitor vehicle utilization, and record freight data. Users have access to details such as tour structures, messages, status feedbacks, shipping times, orders, and plenty more.

Intermodal solutions have multiple functionalities for rail and road transport that help businesses control the entire supply chain. Integrated transport solutions for rail and road shipments, for example, feature functionalities such as digital claim and order management, multi-country and inter-company support, and route intelligence. Additional capabilities allow for route optimization, real-time traffic monitoring, and intercity retail logistics. Logistics services providers also benefit from advanced features for capacity and load management, multi-modal planning, and carbon dioxide calculation based on maut, height, and other truck properties.

There are also features for packing exchange, including exchange and administration and registration of packings. Multimodal transport software solutions also feature finance functionalities for credit and debit checks, automated e-billing and invoicing, revenue calculation, and profit and loss pre-calculation. Finally, intermodal software comes with capabilities for quality and service management, control delegation, and dossier and data sharing. These features help improve event and workflow management, minimize supply chain costs, and improve cost visibility and transparency and risk management.

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So, what is logistics, and what makes it so important for almost all other businesses?

Logistics as a term first originated in the military and was used as a term to describe the process of supplying equipment and other army supplies to the different troops and military bases and zones.

As a business concept, “Logistics” was first introduced as a term in the 1950s as the international trade began blooming following World War II.

In modern days, the different businesses use the term “Logistics” to describe the movement of goods from their point of origin to the end point of consumption. The European logistics network provides services such as international freight services, storage and distribution, contract logistics and other similar services which are an integral part of the overall supply chain.

The main types of logistics services offered by the International Forwarding Association

There are various types of logistics services offered by the list of logistics companies from IFA, but there are a few main types which are worth mentioning first, including:

• Procurement logistics. These include all of the processes necessary for selecting the appropriate suppliers, negotiating contracts, choosing the best offers, ordering and management of the orders for the goods and services in demand.
• Production logistics. This type of logistics focuses on the control and streamlining of the supply chain flow from the beginning to its end. Production logistics includes layout planning, production planning, organizing and controlling all processes in the supply chain.
• Distribution logistics. This is the most common type of logistics service offered by the freight forwarders from the European network of transportation. It is the process of actually delivering the ready product to the end consumer. The companies from the International Forwarding Association offer efficient order processing, storage and distribution and international freight forwarding and transportation of the products to the final consumer. Many of the European logistics companies specialize in contract logistics which is an irreplaceable service to many producers and businesses.

Distribution logistics also includes the management and control of the actual air freight in Europe, Sea freight in Europe, railroad and truck transportation, as well as the intermodal transport in Europe, the information, inventory, packaging, fleet management and so on.

• Disposal logistics. The other term for disposal logistics used by many of the companies from the international freight forwarders association is reverse logistics. This specific type of logistics service offered by many of the forwarders throughout Europe includes the processes related to the return, reuse, and repair and recycling of the materials and products being shipped and sold. The main goal of all international freight forwarding companies from IFA is to reduce the costs for logistics, improve their service, save resources, save money and offer Green logistics services to all customers.

As you can see, the freight forwarders Europe who are members of the European logistics network play a crucial role in the overall economic development of the region and in the prosperity of both the manufacturers and businesses, but the customer and the end clients too.

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Benefits of the freight consolidation

By combining smaller cargo into one load, the prices for transport decrease drastically, and at the same time, the safety levels remain the same because the groupage cargo is well packed and the cargo compartment is properly locked at all times during the transport. It is opened only when required for inspection by the relevant local services or by the accompanying shippers form the member company of the network of freight forwarders.

Consolidation for import and export of trade samples

Given the high intensity of import and export of goods among the different European countries, the need for regular and intensive forwarding of small packages and loads is growing rapidly. This is why the member companies of the European network for transportation offer a regular Europe-wide groupage transport service to various European destinations, with groupage lines in both directions – suitable for both import and export.

You can rely on IFA for the forwarding of small volumes of goods, as well as of commercial samples which are consolidated with other loads for the same destination, after which they are de-consolidated so that they can be forwarded to their final destination in the country.

The possibility for consolidation of various goods and cargo

The European logistics companies have various transport vehicles available which allows them to consolidate smaller cargos of various types into one consolidated load for the destination required by the customers. When they are consolidated, the goods and consignments are combined in a way which prevents any risk of damage or deterioration of their qualities due to the other goods being transported in the consolidated shipment. All small shipments are packed separately which keeps them safe from such risks as well as from them damaging the other shipments in the groupage load.

Services which we offer along with our freight consolidation services

Along with the freight consolidation services as well as their de-consolidation at the final destination, the companies from the European logistics association offer the following additional services as well:

• loading
• unloading
• picking up the consignment from the office or warehouse of the sender
• delivery to the office or warehouse of the receiver
• packing and labeling
• insurance
• storage of the de-consolidated goods at the intermediate destinations

Consolidation and de-consolidation sites – the warehouses of the forwarders throughout Europe

The warehouses of the member companies of the international freight services can ensure all necessary conditions for the consolidation and the de-consolidation of various types of shipments around Europe. Regardless of which European destination you are forwarding your cargo to and from which European country you are sending it from, our warehouses are equipped with all necessary tools, equipment and materials for processing the smaller shipments.

Information about the cargo during the forwarding service

Our logistics companies work in close cooperation in order to ensure that the customers have access to real time tracking information regarding their cargo throughout the entire forwarding service via modern tracking systems.

Combining of the logistics network provides various advantages for the companies of IFA

By combining the resources and personnel of the member companies of the European network for logistics services we are able to offer shorter terms for consolidation and de-consolidation, delivery as well as various routes within Europe and multiple storage options whenever such is required by our customers.

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The contribution of logistics to the wide variety of flowers available in the different European countries

Thanks to the logistics services for the flower industry provided by freight forwarders Europe, every European country can enjoy flowers from other countries. For example, the Netherlands is a renowned manufacturer of tulips. The international freight services make it possible that these amazing flowers are available in the other countries too. The countries with a colder climate which is unsuitable for the cultivation of flowers can have access to all the flowers they want and need for any event.

Europe is among the top consumer of flowers

The Old Continent is one of the places with the biggest consumption of flowers in the world.  The European logistics companies ensure that the demands by the flower industry are being met.

The Netherlands is one of the biggest producers and exporters of flowers

The land of the tulips, the Netherlands are among the best known flower producers and exporters of flower bulbs and cut flowers. The export of these goods from the Netherlands is done with the active participation of the European logistics association.

Import of flowers from other regions of the world

The USA, Colombia and other countries are among the biggest flower producers worldwide. The member companies of IFA provide deliveries from these countries as well.

The logistics services for the flower industry

The forwarders throughout Europe provide regular transport of seeds, flower bulbs and fresh flowers to cover the needs of numerous flower shops in the different European countries. They use the suitable packages and transportation means with the appropriate temperature regime and cooling systems. This is necessary especially for the transportation of fresh flowers which are perishable goods. This allows for the flowers, flower bulbs and flower seeds being transported to maintain their attractive appearance and qualities.

Packing fresh flowers for transport – with or without water

The cut fresh flowers are packed in several different ways for transportation. The most common packaging is boxes in which the flowers are placed horizontally. For the transportation of flowers which cannot survive for long without water (orchids, gerberas and others) are packed with their stems in water containers or buckets. Transportation in buckets of water is called “Procona”.  But the transport of flowers with water, the weight of the freight increases. This is why the international freight forwarders do not recommend that air transportation is used, because of the significant increase of the transportation cost.

The use of air transport for quick shipments of fresh flowers

Since cut fresh flowers are perishable, the member companies of the freight forwarding association provide air transport for them, so that they reach their destination looking appealing and fresh.

Storing flowers for the needs of the flower industry

Storage services which provide the appropriate cooling systems and temperature regime are needed for the distribution logistics services for the flower industry to ensure that the flowers remain in good condition and appearance.

Thanks to the European network for logistics services, the member companies of the network have numerous storage warehouses suitable for this type of storage before the flowers are distributed to be delivered to the end customers.

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The convenience of e-commerce

The companies in Europe which produce various types of goods can now advertise and sell their products online – in stores or via other websites in English. These goods are delivered to the country and area by the local partner companies of the European network for transportation.  This allows an increasing number of European customers to choose to shop online, without leaving their homes.

Apart from the quick and easy ordering and online payment, the other benefits include the possibility for returning a product, if it doesn’t adhere to the requirements. Plus there are quick delivery terms and free delivery for bigger orders too.

The evolution of the logistics services

The logistics services for e-commerce demonstrate a very rapid evolution from brick and mortar shops to online stores.  Following the practice to distribute goods through centralised distribution centres, today more traders prefer to sell their goods online only through their online stores.  Their goods are stored in warehouses, and it is from there that they are transported to the buyers by the member companies of the European logistics network.

The role of logistics for the increasing popularity of e-commerce

The delivery of the goods to the customers is a basic component of e-commerce. In order to ensure quick delivery of the goods to the buyers, the traders rely on the freight forwarding services of the European network for logistics which help the customers receive the purchased goods quickly and safely.

The warehouses of the logistics companies – solutions for the owners of online stores

The logistics companies in the freight forwarders network, not only deliver to the customers.  They also offer warehouse and storage solutions with all necessary storage conditions for different types of goods. When it is necessary, the logistics company can deliver the purchased goods to the customer who have ordered and purchased the goods online to the country and end destination.  The cooperation between the member companies of IFA allows for a combined groupage transport service which is used for smaller packages to various destinations of Europe.

The advantages of the storage solutions offered by the logistics companies for maintaining the prices of the products offered online low

In order to keep the prices of the goods offered online, the merchants save money from not having to maintain brick and mortar stores. Also, the modern principles for logistics storage operations of the Europe-wide groupage transport service add to the advantages which lead to the ability to maintain the prices low, including:

• Maintaining a database for the implementation of optimisation methods
• Replenishing the stock through cooperation between warehouses, whenever that is necessary
• A large part of the personnel of each logistics warehouse has a higher education allowing them to maintain and manage the databases, and to optimise the storage process and the other services provided
• The software used in the logistics warehouses allows for the visualisation, simulation, analysis and optimisation of the storage flow and for the reduction of the operation costs.

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The advantages of contract logistics with the help of the European network for logistics services

By organizing regular deliveries to storages and stores of the companies, the freight forwarders enable each company to concentrate on its main activities, and not to lose time and efforts for organizing the deliveries. Contract logistics is a modern solution for companies, which offers to provide them with the organization of all kinds of logistics services: transport, storage, customs brokerage, etc.

Components of contract logistics

Contract logistics includes:

• Managing delivery chains
• Providing solutions for the delivery chains
• Loading the goods
• Transporting the goods
• Processing the goods in the different logistical platforms in the different European countries and cities with international freight services
• Customs clearance and duty
• Storing
• Cross-docking
• Delivery to the final destination

Benefits of cross-docking in contract logistics

The cross-docking offered by the Еuropean network for transportation, includes the reception and dispatch of goods in storage without being stored for long periods of time.  It is part of the delivery chain, in which the European network for logistics services harmonize the loading and delivery time of the goods with maximum precision. This allows for minimum delivery times.

The cross-docking can be offered as a one or two stage service:

• One stage – through a storage as regular separate orders
• Two stages – the unloaded lot is re-formed, like in two or more groups

In both cases, the cross-docking done by the forwarders throughout Europe the storage of the goods in a warehouse is excluded.  This is another advantage, because it decreases the need for storage space, as well as warehouse staff for it.

Types of goods which can be transported with cross-docking in contract logistics

• Mass consumption goods
• Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG)
• Products for promotional events

Multimodal transport solutions in contract logistics

In order to achieve timely deliveries at optimal prices, the member companies of the freight forwarders network offer multimodal transport solutions.  They allow them to keep the delivery terms and the transport combinations in order to achieve the most optimal price for the route.  Apart from that, multimodal transport leads to lesser pollution because the distance to the final destination is shortened.

Additional services in contract logistics

• Collecting goods
• Packing goods
• Repackaging goods
• Re-labeling

Others.

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Within the European network for logistics, the member companies carefully prepare the basics for the contract services. The experts in our companies and experts in contract logistics analyze their customers’ businesses  Based on that, the storage needs, as well as the transport and other services which will be needed are all estimated.  This allows for building optimal solutions for each customer. When they choose to sign a contract for freight forwarding, the customers receive the optimal solutions which meet their specific needs and comply with all their requirements.

Full service of customers’ chain stores with the logistics network of the forwarders throughout Europe

Through the establishment of systematic deliveries for all customers to all the necessary European destinations, freight forwarders Europe can make sure that there is a constant flow of deliveries of adequate supplies of goods.  This allows each of our customers to focus on their business and to know that with contract logistics provided by forwarders throughout Europe, their trade with every single destination in Europe will carried out smoothly.

Additional services – customs, storage and others

Transporting goods in Europe based on contracts with the freight forwarders network often requires the implementation of additional services, such as: customs, storage and others.  The member companies of the European network for logistics offer to provide all of the additional services needed for the contract forwarding for our customers. Leave the entire forwarding to us and you won’t have any problems and you can have full control over your business, instead of wasting your time and efforts for organising the forwarding of your goods to any destination in Europe.

The additional services which we offer along with the forwarding done based on contracts include:

• Loading your goods regardless of the European destination
• Customs service
• Storage in warehouses in different European destinations
• Sorting, palletising, labelling
• Delivery to the final recipients anywhere in Europe

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