Applications of CubeMaster Online

Scenario: A company manufactures machinery, electronics, and parts for international shipping to various clients.

Detailed Sample Data:

  • Cargo:
    • Machinery: 3 units, L: 10ft, W: 6ft, H: 8ft, Wt: 5000lbs each, Handling: Requires secure fastening.
    • Electronics: 20 boxes, L: 2ft, W: 2ft, H: 1ft, Wt: 50lbs each, Handling: Fragile, Requires protective packaging.
    • Parts: 100 boxes, L: 1ft, W: 1ft, H: 1ft, Wt: 10lbs each, Handling: Standard.
  • Container:
    • 2 x 40ft High Cube Sea Containers (L: 40ft, W: 8ft, H: 9.5ft, Max Wt: 60000lbs).
  • Rules:
    • Electronics must be placed on top of parts.
    • Machinery must be secured and braced.
    • Weight must be evenly distributed.

Detailed CubeMaster Application:

  • Define each cargo item with detailed dimensions, weight, and specific handling instructions.
  • Input the exact specifications of the 40ft High Cube Sea Containers into the database.
  • Create a load plan that optimizes space utilization, ensuring that electronics are on top, machinery is secured, and weight is balanced.
  • Use CubeMaster's calculations to verify weight distribution and space utilization.
  • Generate reports detailing the load plan, including 2D/3D visualizations, optimization metrics, and cost implications.
  • Track the shipment and manage documentation.

Scenario: An e-commerce company ships daily orders with a mix of small packages and bulky furniture, needing efficient packing and delivery routes.

Detailed Sample Data:

  • Cargo:
    • Packages: 1000 units, L: 1ft, W: 1ft, H: 1ft, Wt: 5lbs each, Standard packaging.
    • Furniture: 50 units, L: 6ft, W: 3ft, H: 4ft, Wt: 100lbs each, Requires protective wrapping.
  • Truck:
    • 5 Delivery Trucks (L: 12ft, W: 6ft, H: 7ft, Max Wt: 10000lbs).
  • Routes: 3 different delivery routes with multiple stops each.

Detailed CubeMaster Application:

  • Manage a database of products with varying sizes and weights, including packaging requirements.
  • Optimize the packing of orders into boxes and pallets, minimizing empty space and ensuring fragile items are protected.
  • Plan efficient truck routes for each delivery route, considering multiple destinations, delivery windows, and traffic conditions.
  • Use CubeMaster's time optimization algorithm to reduce delivery time.
  • Generate reports to track shipping performance, including delivery times, fuel consumption, and any issues encountered.
  • Manage inventory and track order fulfillment.

Scenario: A freight forwarding company handles diverse shipments for multiple clients with various destinations and transport modes.

Detailed Sample Data:

  • Cargo:
    • Client A: 5 pallets, L: 4ft, W: 4ft, H: 6ft, Wt: 2000lbs each, Destination: Port of Rotterdam.
    • Client B: 10 boxes, L: 3ft, W: 2ft, H: 2ft, Wt: 100lbs each, Destination: Warehouse in Hamburg.
    • Client C: 2 machinery units, L: 15ft, W: 8ft, H: 10ft, Wt: 10000lbs each, Destination: Factory in Berlin.
  • Transport:
    • Sea Containers for Client A.
    • Trucks for Client B and C.
  • Costs: Calculate fuel, tolls, and carrier rates.

Detailed CubeMaster Application:

  • Create and manage separate load plans for each client, considering their specific cargo and destination requirements.
  • Optimize loads for cost efficiency, using CubeMaster's cost optimization algorithm to factor in fuel consumption, toll charges, and carrier rates.
  • Provide clients with detailed load plan reports, including 2D/3D visualizations, optimization metrics, and cost breakdowns.
  • Manage a comprehensive database of carriers, routes, and transportation costs for efficient planning.
  • Track each shipment's progress and handle customs documentation.

Scenario: A construction company transports heavy equipment and materials to job sites.

Detailed Sample Data:

Item Quantity Dimensions (L x W x H) Weight Notes
Bulldozer 2 20ft x 10ft x 12ft 40,000 lbs Requires secure fastening
Steel Beams 50 30ft x 2ft x 1ft 500 lbs Long items, requires specific placement
Concrete Blocks 1000 2ft x 1ft x 1ft 50 lbs Palletized

Transport: 3 Flatbed Trucks (L: 40ft, W: 8ft, Max Wt: 80,000 lbs), 2 Lowboy Trailers (L: 25ft, W: 8ft, Max Wt: 60,000 lbs).

CubeMaster Application:

  • Defines equipment and material dimensions and weights.
  • Plans loads for flatbeds and lowboys, considering weight limits and securing requirements.
  • Calculates the center of gravity for each load to ensure stability.
  • Optimizes delivery routes to minimize transportation time and costs.

Scenario: A food distributor transports perishable goods requiring temperature control.

Detailed Sample Data:

Item Quantity Weight Temperature Requirements Notes
Pallets of Vegetables 50 1000 lbs Refrigerated (4°C) Perishable
Frozen Goods 30 1500 lbs Frozen (-18°C) Requires freezing
Beverages 100 cases 500 lbs Ambient Stackable

Transport: 3 Refrigerated Trucks (L: 20ft, W: 8ft, H: 8ft, with multi-temperature zones).

CubeMaster Application:

  • Plans loads for refrigerated trucks, considering multi-temperature zones.
  • Optimizes load plans for efficient cooling and spoilage prevention.
  • Tracks delivery times and temperatures during transport.
  • Generates reports for regulatory compliance and quality control.

Scenario: Shipping car parts, engines, or fully assembled vehicles.

Sample Data:

Item Quantity Dimensions (L x W x H) Weight Notes
Car Engines 10 4ft x 3ft x 3ft 800 lbs Requires secure fastening
Car Doors 50 6ft x 4ft x 1ft 100 lbs Fragile
Tires 200 2ft x 2ft x 1ft 50 lbs Stackable

CubeMaster Application:

  • Optimizing the loading of various-sized automotive parts into containers or trucks.
  • Ensuring safe transport of fragile parts to prevent damage.
  • Planning logistics for shipping large items like engines or transmissions.
  • Coordinating shipments to multiple dealerships or distribution centers.

Scenario: Transporting furniture items to retailers or directly to customers.

Sample Data:

Item Quantity Dimensions (L x W x H) Weight Notes
Sofas 20 8ft x 3ft x 3ft 200 lbs Bulky, requires careful handling
Dining Chairs 100 2ft x 2ft x 4ft 30 lbs Stackable
Coffee Tables 50 4ft x 2ft x 1.5ft 50 lbs Fragile top

CubeMaster Application:

  • Efficiently loading oddly shaped furniture into trucks or containers.
  • Minimizing damage to furniture during transit through proper packing and loading techniques.
  • Optimizing delivery routes for multiple customer drop-offs.
  • Managing shipments of furniture sets or collections.

Scenario: Shipping electronic devices, equipment, and components requiring careful handling.

Sample Data:

Item Quantity Dimensions (L x W x H) Weight Notes
Laptops 500 1.5ft x 1ft x 0.5ft 5 lbs Fragile, requires protective packaging
Servers 20 3ft x 2ft x 1ft 50 lbs Delicate components
Monitors 100 2ft x 1.5ft x 0.5ft 10 lbs Fragile, requires careful stacking

CubeMaster Application:

  • Planning loads that protect fragile electronic items from damage.
  • Optimizing space utilization for shipping various sizes of electronic equipment.
  • Coordinating shipments to different production facilities or retail locations.
  • Managing returns and reverse logistics for electronic goods.

Scenario: Transporting chemicals or pharmaceutical products with specific requirements.

Sample Data:

Item Quantity Weight Temperature Requirements Notes
Pharmaceuticals (Vials) 5000 5 lbs Refrigerated (2-8°C) Temperature sensitive, fragile
Chemicals (Corrosive) 30 drums 550 lbs Ambient, Corrosive labels Requires specific handling, secure placement
Laboratory Supplies (Glassware) 200 boxes 25 lbs Ambient Fragile, needs secure packing
Chemicals (Flammable) 20 drums 400 lbs Ambient, Flammable labels Requires specific handling and storage
Pharmaceuticals (Syringes) 10000 10 lbs Ambient Sterile packaging

CubeMaster Application:

  • Ensuring compatibility of chemicals within a load to prevent dangerous reactions.
  • Planning loads for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products using refrigerated trucks.
  • Generating detailed documentation and reports for regulatory compliance.
  • Optimizing routes to minimize transit time and maintain product integrity.

Scenario: Transporting fresh produce, livestock, or agricultural equipment.

Sample Data:

Item Quantity Weight Temperature Requirements Notes
Pallets of Strawberries 100 800 lbs Refrigerated (4°C) Highly perishable
Livestock (Cattle) 20 1200 lbs Ambient, ventilation required Live animals, requires special transport
Tractors 5 10000 lbs Ambient Large equipment, requires flatbed truck
Bushels of Apples 200 50 lbs Refrigerated (10°C) Requires careful handling
Feed Bags 500 50 lbs Ambient Stackable

CubeMaster Application:

  • Planning loads for perishable produce, considering temperature and ventilation.
  • Optimizing transport routes to ensure timely delivery and prevent spoilage.
  • Coordinating the shipment of live animals, ensuring their safety and welfare.
  • Managing the transport of large agricultural machinery and equipment.

This shows how CubeMaster optimizes an ERP shipping schedule by using the "Pull Hours Parameter" to pull ahead shipments and maximize trailer utilization.

The "Pull Hours Parameter" in CubeMaster plays a vital role in optimizing ERP shipping schedules by providing flexibility to adjust shipment dates for better trailer utilization and overall efficiency.

Vendor Part Number Original Ship Date Adjusted Ship Date Pull Hours Applied
ABC123 PN1001 02/05/2024 02/03/2024 48
XYZ789 PN2002 02/06/2024 02/04/2024 48
LMN456 PN3003 02/07/2024 02/05/2024 48
OPQ678 PN4004 02/08/2024 02/06/2024 48
RST910 PN5005 02/09/2024 02/07/2024 48

Impact of Pulling Ahead on Cubing Process

  • Improved Cubing Efficiency: "Pulling ahead" shipments allows CubeMaster to better arrange cargo and avoid half-empty trailers.
  • Reduced Transportation Costs: By maximizing trailer utilization, overall shipping costs are minimized.

For example, a shipment scheduled for Friday might be moved to Thursday if it helps to fill up a trailer that would otherwise be partially empty. This flexibility, governed by the "Pull Hours Parameter," allows for more efficient cubing and reduces wasted space.

Changes in ERP Schedule - Before vs. After Cubing

Before Cubing:

  • Shipments are scheduled based on vendor delivery needs and pack sizes.
  • Trailers are not yet optimized, leading to potential underutilized space.

After Cubing:

  • Shipments are adjusted to fit trailers efficiently.
  • Trailer assignments are finalized based on space availability.
  • Overall shipping efficiency improves, reducing transportation costs.

Sample Data - Before and After Cubing:

Trailer ID Before Cubing Load % After Cubing Load % Before Cubing Ship Date After Cubing Ship Date
T-001 65% 98% 02/01/2024 01/31/2024
T-002 55% 96% 02/02/2024 02/01/2024
T-003 70% 99% 02/03/2024 02/02/2024
T-004 60% 97% 02/04/2024 02/03/2024
T-005 68% 98.5% 02/05/2024 02/04/2024

Sample Data - After Cubing - Adjusted Ship Dates:

Supplier Plant Part Number Quantity Pack Size Ship Date (Revised) Delivery Date Mode
ABC123 MAG1 PN1001 500 100/box 01/31/2024 02/03/2024 Truck
XYZ789 MAG5 PN2002 1200 50/box 02/01/2024 02/04/2024 Rail
LMN456 MAG3 PN3003 800 200/box 02/02/2024 02/05/2024 Truck
OPQ678 MAG2 PN4004 600 150/box 02/03/2024 02/06/2024 Truck
RST910 MAG4 PN5005 900 300/box 02/04/2024 02/07/2024 Truck

Role of the Pull Hours Parameter

The primary function of the Pull Hours Parameter is to allow CubeMaster to "pull ahead" shipments, meaning it can move shipments scheduled for a later time to an earlier time within a defined timeframe.

Function Description
Adjusting Ship Dates The Pull Hours Parameter enables CubeMaster to shift shipment dates forward within the specified hour limit. This adjustment optimizes trailer loading and space utilization.
Providing Flexibility It gives the cubing algorithm the flexibility to reorganize shipments, potentially consolidating smaller loads into fuller ones and thereby reducing the number of partially filled trailers.
Controlled Adjustment The Pull Hours Parameter acts as a control mechanism to limit how far ahead a shipment can be moved, ensuring that adjustments remain within acceptable logistical and operational boundaries.

Benefits of the Pull Hours Parameter

Implementing the Pull Hours Parameter offers several key benefits to shipping and logistics operations:

Benefit Description
Improved Trailer Utilization By consolidating shipments, trailers are filled closer to their capacity, reducing the number of trips and optimizing resource usage.
Reduced Transportation Costs Fewer partially filled trailers mean lower transportation costs due to reduced fuel consumption, toll charges, and carrier fees per unit shipped.
Enhanced Cubing Efficiency The flexibility to pull ahead shipments allows CubeMaster's cubing algorithm to create more efficient load plans, minimizing wasted space and improving packing density.
Streamlined Operations Better trailer utilization and optimized load plans lead to smoother and more efficient shipping operations, reducing delays and improving overall logistical performance.

In essence, the Pull Hours Parameter enables CubeMaster to make intelligent adjustments to shipping schedules, resulting in significant cost savings and operational improvements. This parameter allows businesses to balance their logistics needs with the practical realities of transportation, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective shipping process.