McCollister’s Technology
Our Technology Capabilities
Leveraging the latest technology and best industry practices, McCollister’s provides Transportation, Project Management, Logistics Management, Distribution and Warehousing Management solutions that enhance distribution control and allow for operational flexibility leading to overall cost reduction and a decrease in inventory lag time.
Warehouse Management Systems
McCollister’s warehouse management systems (WMS) use radio frequency (RF) and bar code technology to track inventory at accuracy rates exceeding 99.99%, using smartphone and wifi:
- Product Storage and Configuration – Multiple attributes like dimension, weight, cube, configuration, and storage requirements, including the capability to scan 1D and 2D barcodes.
- Flexible Bar-Coding – Use of McCollister’s custom labels for precise tracking and tagging.
- Order Management – Matching specific products to specific customers, allocating products in a certain way, and triggering extra functions such as additional product labeling, EDI/API integrations to other carriers for inbound and outbound milestone notifications.
- Reporting – Flexibility on data and reporting for analytics and real-time decision making.
Transportation Management Systems
Integration with transportation companies and trading partners is critical to ensuring accurate and timely logistics and distribution. McCollister’s systems offer many TMS capabilities in this area, including:
- Advance Shipment Notifications – Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) provides advanced shipment notifications containing detailed order structure to streamline receiving and shipping activities.
- Load Planning and Management – Both inbound and outbound orders can be grouped into trailer loads to accommodate delivery needs, and loads can be loaded and unloaded in particular ways to optimize trailer capacity and weight distribution – TL/ CLIMATE or other modes.
- Yard and Fleet Management – McCollister’s utilizes Skybitz® tractor-trailer tracking, trailer inventory tracking in yards at distribution center facilities, and on the highways. SkyBitz is a remote asset tracking and information management service provider, specializing in real-time decision-making tools for companies with unpowered assets such as tractor-trailers, heavy-haul equipment, and other assets.
- Transportation Management System Integration – McCollister’s can use API/ EDI to integrate with various transportation management systems or direct carrier systems to tender and re-tender loads and transmit and receive appointment times and statuses.
- Carrier Notifications – Notifications can be sent via API/ EDI or automated reporting directly to carriers containing the shipment information
- Reporting – Flexibility on data and reporting for analytics and real-time decision making
Data and EDI (Electronic Data Interface)
We Support Multiple Methods and Formats of Electronic Message Exchange
We have the capability for integration messages in various types (ex. Ship Order-inbound, Ship Confirm-outbound, Goods Receipt, ASN, etc.) and support and handle all communication methods – API, XML, EDI, FTP (JSON) Some of our standard Messages: 204 – Load Tender 214- Shipment Status – Ship confirm 210 – Invoice 856 – ASN – advance ship notification 861 – Goods receipt 940 – Warehouse pick / goods movement 945 – Warehouse shipped 997 – Ack 888 – Item Master We can configure any other transactions that you need with Implementation guide and our Agile methodology