| # Function: Freight Order Planning and Costing The purpose of this main business function is to generate feasible and cost-effective transport plans based on the contents and (possible) instructions from freight orders. Process: Freight Planning and Costing (code: MFM02a) The main objective of this process is to gain insight in transport requirements, to generate proper transport plans and to make modifications to the resulting loads and shipments when required. The procedure is roughly divided into three parts: Generate a rough planning overview of all or specific transport capacity needed for a particular period, compared to the available capacity. Generate a load plan (loads and shipments) for a certain period, range of freight orders, and so on. In other words, starting up the freight-planning engine. Monitor and maintain the planning and costing results and carry out the required to follow-up activities to finish the freight procedure. Assumptions: Freight planning and costing data can be accessed and maintained in several ways and on various levels. The most advanced and user-friendly manner is by way of the graphical planning board, which provides a structural overview of the freight plans from where you can access all required data. You can check and modify on freight plan level through the available session for load plans. If required, the user can drill down to detailed information by choosing proper command on the appropriate menu. One of the most valuable options is the ‘ planning log,’ which shows all the steps taken by the planning engine. You can also start monitoring or maintaining loads, which is a level lower than plans. Here, you can also drill down. Finally, you can maintain data at shipment level. From here, you can access the shipment lines, which contain the lowest level of details, such as items, quantities, and so on. IT support: LN Freight Management, Freight Order Planning |