Optimize your Container Management Operations on Cloud

Container Management appears simple, yet it could be a complicated process. Fundamentally, it is the process of providing containers on “loan” to customers so that they can transport their goods via rail, road, sea or air. For this NVOCCs (Non Vessel Operating Common Carriers) need to closely track all transactions that involve containers. These cargo service providers continue to maintain ownership of these containers when they loan them to customers. The outgoing and incoming transactions, in which containers are actually not sold, present two main challenges for NVOCCs -

a) The containers are of high value. NVOCC retains responsibility for them while they are in their customer's possession. It is imperative that they are able to always track and account for these containers.

b) Their customer pays a deposit fee or rental fee for each container. These fees must be tracked separately from the invoicing for the product that is transported in the container.

Functions in Cargo Management

i) Recording the Container Receipt -

A container receipt has to be filled along with purchase orders. As soon as this is done the general ledger accounts have to be updated to keep a tab on the inventory & cost movements.

ii) Filling the Container -

Once the container is filled three things happen -

a) Reduction in the inventory of empty containers.

b) Reduction in the inventory of bulk product.

c) Increase in the inventory of full containers.

iii) Processing Sales Orders -

The full container is entered on the sales order made out for a specific customer. If the customer is returning empty containers at the same time as taking delivery of full container, there is an entry for a credit for the number of empty containers on the sales order.

Container management enables the NVOCC to interact with other systems and extract container transaction information and maintain it in tables that are specific to the same container.

iv) Other Business Considerations -

To provide flexibility to accommodate the full range of business considerations, container management addresses the following business considerations.

a) Types of containers.

b) Deposit and rental fee accounts.

c) Deposit layers.

d) Billing methods.

How Cloud Computing facilitates Container Management

a) Cloud computing allows the different players involved to co-ordinate & co-relate their processes more efficiently.

b) All aspects of leased/rented containers can be managed by ensuring optimum utilization of resources through –

i) Total Asset Management

ii) Purchase to Scrap

iii) Booking, Allocation, and Tracking

iv) Own/Lease Containers

v) Container-Wise Profitability

vi) Utilization Summary

c) Total Asset Management right from purchase of containers to scrapping can be handled. Container Booking, Allocation, Tracking and all other aspects of client’s operations can be managed effortlessly.

d) Cloud computing can completely integrate Freight Forwarding and other Logistics Operations and allows you to track and manage containers.

e) Detention and Damages can be handled along with maintenance of containers. Various tests, examinations and repairs required for containers can be managed and monitored.

f) A good container management software on cloud is capable of container-wise Revenue Matrix and Job Profitability, and complete Container Utilization Summary.

g) Cargo Management Software is an integral part of any NVOCC ‘s business. Cloud computing helps in better alignment of different functions involved & ease of access of all relevant data.