With all of the complexities of today’s supply chains, strategies that reduce transport time and provide logistical efficiencies can make or break businesses. This is especially true in the perishables industry, where getting products from their source to their ultimate destination hinges on one key factor: time. The sooner perishables can be transported, the more appealing they’ll be to customers. Consistently fresh produce keeps consumers brand-loyal and fortifies trading relationships. While some companies choose to dramatically increase their spending on operational efficiencies, others have found simpler ways to achieve the same result. Enter Cross-Docking.
To watch a short OMS Crossdock Walkthrough, please click above.
What is Cross-Docking?
Cross-Docking is a way to more efficiently transport goods from a variety of sources to a variety of destinations. When trucks transporting different kinds of perishables arrive at the cross dock facility, the products can be unloaded, resorted, and then loaded onto vehicles bound for the next destination, whether that be another distribution center or a grocery store.
Imagine Retailer A has three stores that all need a variety of Company Y Blueberries and Strawberries as well as Company Z Marionberries. Company Y has two trucks—one carrying Blueberries and the other loaded with Strawberries—that have each come from separate growing fields. Company Z has a truck of Marionberries coming from another field thirty miles away.
All three of these trucks arrive at the Inbound Cross-Dock facility where they unload their berry pallets and crates. Sorters will then distribute each load onto all three of Retailer A’s trucks on the Outbound side, filling three trucks with Y Blueberries, Y Strawberries, and Z Marionberries. With the Outbound trucks filled with the proper orders, they can each drive to three separate Retailer A locations and fulfill all the needed berries at each location while minimizing the transport time, ensuring low temperature changes and maximum freshness.
What are the General Benefits of Cross-Docking?
The reduction of transport time by eliminating the need for longer-term storage at cooling facilities and distribution centers isn’t the only way companies benefit by implementing Cross-Docking in their supply chain.
How does OMS Crossdock work?
The OMS Crossdock Module is an integrated feature of our Order Management System solution that lets companies take advantage of Cross-Docking facilities to the maximum extent. This module allows all three parties involved in cross docking—vendors, buyers, and crossdock facilities—to track the progress of any order and customize status updates and
event notifications. Cross-Docking works best when there’s continuous communication between these three parties, and OMS Crossdock automates that communication through ASNs and Load Status updates to ensure operations run smoothly.
5 Benefits of OMS Crossdock:
Curious to know more?
To watch a brief Walkthrough of our OMS Crossdock Module, please click the link below:
To see how your company can benefit from OMS Crossdock, contact our Onboarding Team at sales@itradenetwork.com where you’ll be paired with one of our procurement experts who can answer any questions you may have. Whether you’re looking to grow your margins by reducing operational costs, strengthening your brand, or cutting logistical costs, OMS Crossdock is right for you.