We probably all have heard of 3PL’s and 4PL’s in the logistics industry, but what on earth is a 10PL?

In the world of modern logistics we probably all have heard of 3PL’s and 4PL’s. A 3PL (abbreviation for Third Party Logistics Provider) is a firm that provides service to its customers of outsourced logistics services for part, or all of their supply chain management functions. 3PL’s typically specialize in integrated operation, warehousing and transportation services that can be scaled and customized to customers' needs based on market conditions. Whereas a 3PL service provider targets a single function, a 4PL targets management of the entire process. Some have described a 4PL as a general contractor that manages other 3PLs, truckers, forwarders, custom house agents, and others, essentially taking responsibility of a complete process for the customer.
 

Now some logistics providers have further increased their services and are calling themselves 10PL’s. Here is pyramid chart of the services and functions offered by a 10PL:

 

At B2BGateway we provide cloud-based, fully integrated EDI and automated supply chain solutions that will directly link you to your logistics provider, be they a 1PL, 2PL, 3PL, 4PL……..10PL. For further information on how your organization can communicate seamlessly with your logistics provider please call +1 401-491-9595 or email Sales@B2BGateway.Net



 

3PL's: Automate, Automate, Automate.....

 

In Real Estate we are always told the key to success is all about Location, Location, Location! I would like to try and bring this maxim to the world of Third Party Logistics (3PL), where I believe the key to success should be Automate, Automate, Automate! Having a smooth, successful supply chain operation can be achieved by automating as many tasks as possible. At B2BGateway we can help 3PL's achieve this by automating the entire business document flow between the 3PL, their clients and their trading partners. By introducing B2BGateway’s cloud-based EDI solutions, 3PL's can eliminate the need to re-key data into their ERP/WMS systems, giving seamless communication between all trading parties. Eliminating the need to re-key data will increase efficiencies, dramatically decrease errors and help contribute to a greater overall bottom line.

 

B2BGateway has been providing cloud-based, fully integrated EDI solutions since 1999 and we are highly proficient in the EDI X12 200 and 900 transaction sets. As a global organization we can also handle all international recognized data standards (X12, EDIFACT, Tradacoms, Eancom, Odette, XML, etc.) and all communication protocols (VAN, FTP, FTPs, AS2, etc.). For further details on B2BGateway's EDI solutions and services for 3PL’s please visit http://www.b2bgateway.net/flipbook/3pl/3pl_prospectus.html

Most common EDI transaction sets used by Third Party Logistics providers (3PL’s).

 

Most common EDI transaction sets used by Third Party Logistics providers (3PL’s).
ANSI X12 Transaction	Transaction Name	Transaction Description
940	Warehouse Shipping Order	Data contents of the Warehouse Shipping Order Transaction Set (940) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. This transaction set can be used to enable the depositor to advise a warehouse to make a shipment, confirm a shipment, or modify or cancel a previously transmitted shipping order.
943	Warehouse Stock Transfer Shipment Advice	Data contents of the Warehouse Stock Transfer Shipment Advice Transaction Set (943) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The transaction set can be used by a depositor or an agent of the depositor to advise the recipient that a transfer shipment has been made. This transaction set provides a receiving location with detail information concerning product being shipped to that location.
944	Warehouse Stock Transfer Receipt Advice	Data contents of the Warehouse Stock Transfer Receipt Advice Transaction Set (944) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The transaction set can be used by a receiving location to advise a depositor or an agent of the depositor that a transfer shipment has been received. This transaction set provides the depositor or the depositor's agent with detail information concerning product that has been received
945	Warehouse Shipping Advice	Data contents of the Warehouse Shipping Advice Transaction Set (945) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The transaction set can be used by the warehouse to advise the depositor that shipment was made. It is used to reconcile order quantities with shipment quantities.
946	Delivery Information Message	The transaction set can be used by a receiving location to advise a depositor or an agent of the depositor that a transfer shipment has been received. This transaction set provides the depositor or the depositor's agent with detail information concerning product that has been received. If you need help supporting this EDI document, please visit our signup page. We will contact you shortly after the information is received. Thank you
947	Warehouse Inventory Adjustment Advice	Data contents of the Warehouse Inventory Adjustment Advice Transaction Set (947) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The transaction set can be used to inform a warehouse/depositor of a quantity or status change to inventory records. This transaction set provides detail information concerning the internal adjustments which occur between a warehouse and a depositor.
997	Functional Acknowledgement	Data contents of the Functional Acknowledgment Transaction Set (997) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The transaction set can be used to define the control structures for a set of acknowledgments to indicate the results of the syntactical analysis of the electronically encoded documents. The encoded documents are the transaction sets, which are grouped in functional groups, used in defining transactions for business data interchange. This standard does not cover the semantic meaning of the information encoded in the transaction sets.
856	Advance Ship Notice/Manifest	Data contents of the Advance Ship Notice/Manifest Transaction Set (856) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. The transaction set can be used to list the contents of a shipment of goods as well as additional information relating to the shipment, such as order information, product description, physical characteristics, type of packaging, marking, carrier information, and configuration of goods within the transportation equipment. The transaction set enables the sender to describe the contents and configuration of a shipment in various levels of detail and provides an ordered flexibility to convey information. The sender of this transaction is the organization responsible for detailing and communicating the contents of a shipment, or shipments, to one or more receivers of the transaction set. The receiver of this transaction set can be any organization having an interest in the contents of a shipment or information about the contents of a shipment.

 For a full list of all EDI X12 documents supported bt B2BGateway.Net please visit http://www.b2bgateway.net/edidocs.asp