Contract Lanes allow you to create specific FTL lanes and add in set rates for Network Partners. Once a Contract Lane is created, Route Guides can be built, allowing you to designate primary and backup Network Partners who have agreed to take certain lanes at a pre-determined rate.
This feature allows quotes to be automatically tendered without having to look for capacity on specific lanes that you run regularly. Click more to learn:
Navigating the Contract Lanes Page
Click on the Contract Lanes icon on the left hand side of the screen.
This will take you to the Contract Lanes, where you can create new Contract Lanes, or view and edit Contract Lanes that have already been set up. Click the Lane Id on the left side to view the lane and and rates that have been assigned to that Contract Lane, and click the ellipsis (three dots) on the right hand side to either edit or delete the Contract Lane.
How to Create a Contract Lane
There are two ways to create a Contract Lane. Click CREATE + in the upper left hand of the corner from any page in the Shipper TMS, or click + CREATE CONTRACT LANE on the right hand side, above the list of Contract Lanes.
When you click CREATE + in the upper left hand corner, select Contract Lane from the list that pops up.
Enter a Lane Name that allows you to easily identify the contracted lane you have Network Partners contracted on.
When selecting locations in the Stops section, there are two options. Click the Zip option and begin typing in the zip code. A drop down menu will allow you to select a pre-formatted version of the zip code with City, State, Zip, and Country.
You can also select the Location option and choose a location from your Address Book by clicking the Address Book icon. Click here to learn more about managing your Address Book.
In the Address Book pop up window, find the address you want to use and click SELECT. You can also create a location by clicking the + in the upper right hand corner of the window.
If there are specific operational requirements for when a Network Partner can pick up or deliver a load, click the Appointment Type drop down menu and select the one that applies.
If the lane has more than one pick and/or drop, click ADDITIONAL STOP and follow the same instructions from steps 4 through 7.
You can click the toggle in the Override Miles section to enter specific mileage if you think it may differ from what is automatically calculated.
Select the Equipment Type that matches the lane requirements from the drop down menu. Note: This feature is currently only available for Full Truckload (FTL) shipments.
Once you have entered the information for all required fields, click SAVE.
How to Create a Route Guide
Once you have created the Contract Lane, you can now begin creating a Route Guide with rates received from Network Partners. This will help you make tendering decisions more quickly for regularly occurring shipments.
Once you have saved a Contract Lane, you will be brought to the Route Guide page. Click the ellipsis (three dots) to edit or delete the lane, or click Show Full Details to see the origin and destination lanes.
Click ADD RATE TO ROUTE GUIDE to begin the process of searching for carriers and entering their rates.
You will see the Add Rate window where you can enter individual rates from Network Partners that you have on file for them. All fields with the red asterisk (*) are required.
Begin typing the name of the carrier you have a rate for, and select the name from the drop down menu that appears.
In the Rate Type field, click the drop down menu to select what kind of rate you have on file for the lane.
Enter the Lane Rate that you have from each Network Partner, using the format you selected in the Rate Type field.
You can select the Start and End Date, where a calendar will pop up for you to select the month and day that the Contract will begin. Click OK once you have selected the correct date. Do this for the End Date as well if you choose to put a time frame on the contracted rate.
If there are specific volume restrictions the carrier has for the specific lane, click the Would you like to specify a volume? check box and enter the Minimum Volume, Maximum Volume, and select the Frequency (Daily, Weekly, Month, etc.) from the drop down menu.
You will now see the carrier and their rate in the ACTIVE/PENDING, where you can also edit or delete it by clicking the ellipsis (three dots) on the right side off the rate.
You can add as many rates to the route guide by repeating steps 2 through 8. You can also change the order in which the rates will appear when you create quotes. The primary will be at the top and show a star in a blue circle, however you can click and drag the dots on the left hand side of the rate to change their order as necessary. Click BACK in the upper left hand corner once you are finished adding rates to the Route Guide.
Now when you create a quote using the same lane as the Contract Lane you created, you will see the Primary Carrier’s rate at the top, and any other carrier whose rate you entered below that.
Route Guide Auto Tender Preferences
The Auto Tender feature is connected to your Route Guide. When Auto Tender is turned on, your Route Guide options will automatically tender to your Network Partners, starting with your Preferred Carrier on each Contract Lane. When you build the exact lane you created as a Contract Lane, a 30 second Auto Tender countdown will begin. Once the countdown has completed, the tender will be sent to the Network Partner for them to accept or reject.
If a Network Partner rejects the tender, the Auto Tender feature will continue in a waterfall manner. Adjust the Auto Tender function of the Route guide by clicking the gear icon on the lower left hand side of the screen.
Select Route Guide Auto Tender Preferences from the menu that appears.
You will now see the various ways you can adjust whether, and how, your Route Guides will Auto Tender. The ways in which you can adjust these preferences are as follows:
Toggle the Auto Tender to Route Guide on or off.
Determine the Time Frame for Carrier to Respond, giving them a time frame to accept or reject tenders before the next carrier in the Route Guide is given the opportunity to respond.
Designate your office hours, or hours of operation, in order to prevent Auto Tendering during after hours. Enter your Start Time and End Time using the 24-hour clock format (hh:mm).
Select whether you want to be notified of an Auto Tender Accepted, or if the carrier in the Route Guide accepts the tender, and Auto Tender Not Accepted, or if the carrier rejects the tender.
You can also choose if you want to Add Emerge Marketplace as part of your Route Guide if none of your carriers accept the tender, and if you want to Add Remaining Network if you want to open up the Route Guide to Network Partners who aren't already part of the Route Guide.
Click SAVE to save any changes, or RESET DEFAULT SETTINGS to reset any changes that were made.