Shipments Management

Complete shipment lifecycle management from dispatch to delivery with real-time tracking, exception handling, and performance analytics.

Shipment Operations

End-to-end shipment tracking and management:

• Lifecycle Management - Create, track, update shipment status
• Process Flows - Collection, linehaul, delivery, transfers, cross-dock
• Status Tracking - Real-time status updates and location tracking
• Delivery Attempts - Multi-attempt delivery with proof capture
• Consolidation - Route and hub-based shipment consolidation
• Performance Analytics - Delivery metrics, costs, environmental impact

Status Lifecycle: Created → Dispatched → Collected → In Transit → At Hub → Out for Delivery → Delivered

Overview

Shipments Management provides comprehensive tools to track every package from origin to destination. Monitor shipment status in real-time, handle delivery exceptions, capture proof of delivery, and analyze performance metrics.

Who Uses Shipments Management?

Last-Mile Delivery

• Track daily delivery routes
• Proof of delivery capture
• Exception handling
• Customer notifications

Freight Forwarders

• Multi-leg shipment tracking
• Hub transfers
• Consolidation management
• Customs clearance tracking

3PL Providers

• Client shipment visibility
• SLA monitoring
• Performance reporting
• Cost tracking per shipment

E-Commerce Fulfillment

• Order-to-delivery tracking
• Customer tracking pages
• Return shipments
• Delivery confirmations

Shipment Processes

De. platform supports various shipment process types:

Process	Description	Use Case
COLLECTION	Picking up from origin	First-mile pickup
LINEHAUL	Long-distance transport	Inter-city freight
DELIVERY	Final delivery to destination	Last-mile delivery
TRANSFER	Hub-to-hub transfer	Network routing
CONSOLIDATION	Combining shipments	Load optimization
DECONSOLIDATION	Separating shipments	Hub distribution
CROSS_DOCK	Direct transfer without storage	Fast transfer
SORTING	Package sorting operations	Hub sortation
CUSTOMS	Customs clearance	International
RETURN	Return processing	Reverse logistics

Shipment Lifecycle

Shipment Stages

1. Created

• Shipment record initialized
• Tracking number generated
• Origin and destination defined

2. Dispatched

• Assigned to driver/vehicle
• Route optimized
• Pickup scheduled

3. Collected

• Picked up from origin
• Proof of collection captured
• In transit to hub or destination

4. In Transit

• Moving through network
• Hub transfers
• Location updates

5. At Hub

• Arrived at sortation facility
• Sorted and consolidated
• Preparing for final delivery

6. Out for Delivery

• On delivery vehicle
• En route to destination
• ETA calculated

7. Delivered

• Delivered to recipient
• Proof of delivery captured
• Shipment completed

Core Capabilities

Shipment Creation

Create shipments with complete origin, destination, and package details.

Required Information:

• Origin (warehouse, hub, customer address)
• Destination (delivery address)
• Package details (dimensions, weight, contents)
• Service type (standard, express, same-day)
• Delivery preferences (time slot, instructions)

→ Shipment Creation API

Status Tracking

Real-time status updates throughout the shipment journey.

Status Updates:

• Location tracking
• Process stage updates
• Exception notifications
• ETA calculations
• Delivery confirmations

→ Status Tracking API

Delivery Attempts

Handle multiple delivery attempts with detailed recording.

Delivery Attempt Tracking:

• Attempt timestamp
• Delivery outcome (success, failed, rescheduled)
• Failure reason (recipient unavailable, wrong address, refused)
• Proof of delivery (signature, photo)
• Next attempt scheduling

→ Delivery Attempts API

Consolidation

Combine shipments for efficient routing and cost optimization.

Consolidation Types:

• Route-based (same delivery route)
• Hub-based (same destination hub)
• Time-based (same delivery window)
• Customer-based (same recipient)

Benefits:

• Reduced delivery costs
• Optimized routes
• Fewer vehicle trips
• Environmental impact reduction

→ Consolidation API

Proof of Delivery

Capture delivery confirmation with multiple proof types.

Proof Types:

• Digital signature
• Photo proof
• GPS location stamp
• Recipient name
• Delivery notes

→ Proof of Delivery API

Performance Analytics

Monitor shipment performance with comprehensive metrics.

Key Metrics:

• Total shipments
• Delivery success rate
• On-time delivery rate
• First-attempt success rate
• Average delivery time
• Cost per delivery

Analytics:

• Delivery performance trends
• Exception analysis
• Route efficiency
• Carrier performance
• Environmental impact (CO2 emissions)

→ Analytics API

Shipment Statuses

Process Statuses

DISPATCHING:

• PENDING - Awaiting dispatch
• ASSIGNED - Assigned to driver
• SCHEDULED - Pickup scheduled

COLLECTING:

• EN_ROUTE_TO_PICKUP - Heading to pickup location
• ARRIVED_AT_PICKUP - At pickup location
• COLLECTING - Collection in progress

TRANSPORTING:

• IN_TRANSIT - Moving through network
• AT_HUB - At sortation/distribution hub
• SORTING - Being sorted
• CONSOLIDATED - Consolidated with other shipments

DELIVERING:

• OUT_FOR_DELIVERY - On delivery vehicle
• EN_ROUTE - Heading to destination
• ARRIVED - At delivery location
• DELIVERING - Delivery in progress

COMPLETION:

• DELIVERED - Successfully delivered
• FAILED - Delivery failed
• RETURNED - Returned to sender
• CANCELLED - Shipment cancelled

Use Cases

E-Commerce Order Fulfillment

Scenario: Online retailer shipping 2,000+ orders daily

Workflow:

1. Order placed → Shipment created automatically
2. Warehouse picks and packs → Status: Dispatched
3. Carrier collects → Status: Collected
4. Hub sortation → Status: At Hub
5. Out for delivery → Status: Out for Delivery
6. Customer receives package → Status: Delivered
7. POD captured (signature/photo)
8. Customer notification sent

Key Metrics:

• On-time delivery rate: 96%
• First-attempt success: 92%
• Average delivery time: 2.3 days

Multi-Hub Freight Network

Scenario: Regional freight forwarder with 5 hubs

Workflow:

1. Pickup from customer → Process: COLLECTION
2. Transport to origin hub → Process: LINEHAUL
3. Hub consolidation → Process: CONSOLIDATION
4. Hub-to-hub transfer → Process: TRANSFER
5. Destination hub sortation → Process: SORTING
6. Final delivery → Process: DELIVERY

Key Benefits:

• Optimized hub utilization
• Consolidated routes
• Reduced transportation costs
• Improved delivery times

Return Shipments

Scenario: E-commerce returns processing

Workflow:

1. Customer initiates return
2. Return shipment created → Process: RETURN
3. Carrier collects from customer
4. Return to warehouse
5. Quality inspection
6. Refund processed

Tracking:

• Return authorization number
• Collection scheduling
• Transit tracking
• Receipt confirmation

Key Benefits

Visibility & Transparency

Real-Time Tracking:

• Live location updates
• Status notifications
• ETA calculations
• Exception alerts

Customer Experience:

• Self-service tracking pages
• Delivery notifications
• Estimated delivery windows
• Delivery preferences

Operational Efficiency

Automation:

• Automated status updates
• Exception handling workflows
• Delivery attempt scheduling
• Performance reporting

Optimization:

• Route consolidation
• Hub utilization
• Delivery sequencing
• Resource allocation

Performance Management

SLA Monitoring:

• Track against delivery commitments
• Alert on delays
• Performance trending
• Corrective actions

Cost Control:

• Cost per delivery tracking
• Route efficiency analysis
• Carrier performance comparison
• Optimization opportunities

Exception Handling

Common Exceptions

Address Issues:

• Wrong address
• Incomplete address
• Inaccessible location

Recipient Issues:

• Recipient unavailable
• Refused delivery
• No safe place

Operational Issues:

• Vehicle breakdown
• Weather delays
• Customs delays

Exception Workflow

1. Exception detected
2. Automated notification
3. Resolution options presented
4. Action taken (reschedule, return, hold)
5. Customer notified
6. Status updated

Integration Patterns

E-Commerce Platform Integration

Sync shipments with order systems for unified tracking.

→ E-Commerce Integration Guide

Customer Tracking Pages

Provide white-label tracking experiences for customers.

→ Tracking Page Integration

Carrier Integration

Integrate with carrier APIs for multi-carrier tracking.

→ Carrier API Integration

API Reference

For detailed API documentation including endpoints, schemas, and examples:

Shipments APIStatus Tracking APIDelivery Attempts APIAnalytics API

Next Steps

Shipment Tracking GuideLSP OverviewComplete API Reference

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Related LSP Services:

• Route Optimization - Optimize delivery routes
• Carriers - Carrier network management
• Warehouses - Inventory slots for scheduling