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.