Available Calculations

Calculation Type	Description	Purpose
Volume Calculation	Calculates the volume of cargo, containers, pallets, etc. based on their dimensions.	Determines the space occupied by items and the capacity of containers.
Weight Calculation	Calculates the total weight of cargo, including the weight of containers and pallets.	Ensures loads comply with weight limits and helps with weight distribution.
Space Utilization	Calculates the percentage of space used within a container or vehicle.	Measures the efficiency of the load plan and identifies potential for optimization.
Weight Distribution	Calculates the distribution of weight within a load.	Ensures loads are balanced and stable during transport.
Cost Calculation	Calculates the costs associated with a load plan.	Includes container costs, cargo costs, and shipping costs to provide a total cost estimate.
Load Time Estimation	Estimates the time required to load cargo into containers or vehicles.	Helps in planning and scheduling logistics operations.
Set Ratio Calculation	Calculates the number of complete sets that can be formed from a collection of parts.	Ensures all parts of a set are included and optimizes packing for set loads.
Overhang/Underhang Calculation	Calculates the overhang or underhang of cargo on pallets.	Ensures compliance with pallet dimensions and prevents damage during handling.
Center of Gravity Calculation	Calculates the center of gravity of a load.	Ensures stability and prevents tipping or shifting during transport.

Available Loads

Load Type	Description	Typical Use Cases
Sea Container Load	Load plan for shipping cargo in standard sea containers (20ft, 40ft, etc.).	International shipping, long-distance transport, large volume shipments.
Truck Load	Load plan for transporting cargo by truck or trailer.	Domestic transport, regional deliveries, smaller volume shipments.
Pallet Load	Load plan for cargo that is palletized.	Warehousing, efficient handling, organized storage and transport.
ULD Load	Load plan for cargo using Unit Load Devices (ULDs) for air transport.	Air freight, time-sensitive shipments, high-value cargo.
Mixed Load	Load plan for a mix of different cargo types and containers/vehicles.	Complex shipments, multiple destinations, diverse cargo requirements.
Custom Load	Load plan with specific configurations, constraints, and rules tailored to unique requirements.	Specialized cargo, oversized items, delicate handling, unique shipping needs.
Set Load	Load plan for items that form a set and must be shipped together.	Assembly parts, furniture sets, product kits, items that require co-delivery.
Multiple Set Load	Load plan for shipping multiple sets of items, ensuring each set is complete.	Large-scale distribution of product sets, inventory management for set items.

User Interfaces

User Interface	Description	Key Features
Main Dashboard	Provides an overview of the system, including key metrics, recent activities, and quick access to main functionalities.	Display of key performance indicators (KPIs). Recent activity logs and history. Quick access shortcuts to frequently used features. Visual representation of load planning statistics.
Cargo Management	Interface for managing cargo details, including adding, editing, and viewing cargo information.	Ability to add new cargo items with detailed properties. Editing existing cargo information. Viewing cargo details in a list or detailed view. Search and filter functionality for cargo items. Import/export cargo data from/to Excel.
Container Management	Interface for managing container information, including adding, editing, and viewing container details.	Adding new containers with specifications (dimensions, weight, etc.). Modifying existing container details. Viewing container information in various formats. Filtering and sorting options for containers. Import/export container data from/to Excel.
Load Planning	Interface for creating and optimizing load plans, including selecting cargo and containers, and viewing the load plan result.	Selection and assignment of cargo to containers. Automated optimization tools for efficient load planning. Visual representation of load plans (2D/3D views). Detailed reports on load plan results. Option to save and share load plans.
Database Management	Interface for managing various databases such as Sea Containers, Trucks, Pallets, ULDs, Cartons, Cargoes, Users, and Loads databases.	Access to all system databases. Adding, editing, and deleting records in each database. Import/export data for each database from/to Excel. User management and access control for database operations. Data validation and integrity checks.
Settings	Interface for configuring system settings, including units of measurement, user preferences, and other system parameters.	Configuration of units of measurement (metric/imperial). Personalization of user preferences. Setting system-wide parameters and defaults. Managing API keys and integrations. Customization of notification settings.
Reports	Interface for generating and viewing various reports, such as load plan reports, cargo reports, and container reports.	Generation of detailed load plan reports. Cargo and container inventory reports. Customizable report templates. Exporting reports in various formats (PDF, Excel, etc.). Scheduling and automation of report generation.
User Management	Interface for managing user accounts and permissions, including adding, editing, and deleting users.	Adding new user accounts with role assignments. Editing user details and permissions. Deleting user accounts and revoking access. Management of user roles (Admin, User, Viewer, etc.). Password management and security settings.

Reports

Report Type	Description	Details	Use Case
Load Plan Report	Detailed report on a specific load plan.	Includes cargo list, container details, placement information, optimization metrics (space utilization, weight distribution), constraint violations, loading time estimations, and cost implications.	Analyze and optimize load efficiency, identify potential issues, and communicate plan details to stakeholders.
Cargo Report	Inventory and details of all cargo items.	Lists all cargo with properties (dimensions, weight, volume, type), grouping information, handling instructions, and quantity.	Manage cargo inventory, track specific items, and plan for future shipments based on available stock.
Container Report	Inventory and details of all containers.	Lists all containers with properties (name, dimensions, weight, style), quantity, and status.	Manage container availability, track container usage, and plan for container allocation in load planning.
Utilization Report	Reports on the utilization of containers and other resources.	Includes metrics on space utilization, weight utilization, and container turnaround times.	Evaluate efficiency, identify underutilized resources, and optimize resource allocation.
Cost Report	Reports on the costs associated with load plans and shipping.	Includes container costs, cargo costs, shipping costs, and total load costs.	Analyze shipping costs, identify cost-saving opportunities, and budget for future shipments.
User Activity Report	Reports on user activities within the system.	Includes login times, actions performed, and data modified by users.	Monitor user activity, track changes, and ensure system security and accountability.

Databases

Database	Description	Details
Sea Containers Database	Stores information about sea containers.	Includes dimensions (length, width, height), weight capacity, tare weight, type (e.g., 20ft, 40ft, High Cube), material, and owner information, essential for planning maritime shipments.
Trucks Database	Contains details about trucks and trailers.	Includes dimensions of the truck bed, weight capacity, axle configuration, type of truck (e.g., Dry Van, Flatbed, Reefer), license plate information, and carrier details, crucial for road freight planning.
Pallets Database	Stores information about pallets.	Includes dimensions, weight limits, material (e.g., wood, plastic), type (e.g., Euro pallet, standard pallet), and overhang/underhang properties, affecting loading patterns and stability.
ULDs Database	Contains details about Unit Load Devices (ULDs) used for air cargo.	Includes dimensions, weight capacity, type (e.g., AKE, AAP), compatibility with aircraft models, and ownership information, essential for air freight planning.
Cartons Database	Stores information about cartons, such as boxes and crates.	Includes dimensions, weight limits, material (e.g., cardboard, wood), type (e.g., standard box, crate), and any special handling instructions, used for packaging individual cargo items.
Cargoes Database	Contains details about various types of cargo.	Includes dimensions, weight, volume, type (e.g., shipcase, roll, palletload, unitload), orientation requirements, handling instructions (e.g., fragile), and grouping information, which are critical for load planning calculations.
Users Database	Stores credentials and role information for all users of the system.	Includes usernames, passwords (hashed), email addresses, role assignments (e.g., admin, planner, viewer), access permissions, and contact details, essential for system security and user management.
Loads Database	Stores information about saved and shared loads.	Includes load type, title, description, creation date, last modified date, user who created it, sharing permissions, and links to the associated load plan solutions and reports, used for managing and retrieving load planning data.

Rules

Rule Category	Description	Details
Basic	These are fundamental rules that govern the system's core behavior.	Includes rules for basic placement, orientation, and dimensional constraints.
Stacking	Rules related to how items can be stacked on top of each other.	Defines stacking height limits, weight limits, and stability rules.
Grouping	Rules for how items can be grouped together.	Specifies grouping criteria such as same destination, order, or type.
Advanced	More complex rules that provide finer control over system behavior.	Includes rules for specific handling, compatibility, and priority settings.
Palletizing	Specific rules related to the arrangement of items on pallets.	Defines pallet size, overhang limits, and stacking patterns on pallets.
Balancing	Rules that ensure loads are properly balanced.	Includes rules for weight distribution, center of gravity, and stability.

Cargo Properties

Property	Description	Details
Group	Cargoes with the same group name are treated as a single unit.	Affects placement, set representation, and separation in "Multiple Set Load" scenarios.
Name	The name of the cargo.	Unique identifier for each cargo item.
Length, Width, Height	The dimensions of each cargo.	Displayed in English or Metric units; critical for space calculations.
Weight	The defined weight of each cargo.	Displayed in English or Metric units; important for weight distribution.
Volume	The volume of each cargo.	Automatically calculated from the dimensions.
Qty	The quantity of the cargo.	Number of units to be shipped; represents unitloads for pre-pack unitloads.
Set ratio	The ratio of components in a complete set.	Applicable for 'Set Load' or 'Multiple Set Load' Load Types.
Basic Orientation	The basic orientation of the cargo.	Defines how the cargo should be placed by default.
Palletizing	Cargo property related to how it's palletized.	Includes details like pallet type, stacking patterns, and overhang.
Extended Cargo Properties	Additional cargo properties with specific settings.	Includes properties like handling instructions, compatibility notes.
Advanced Cargo Properties	Advanced cargo properties for complex configurations.	Includes properties like special packaging, fragility, etc.

Container Properties

Property	Description	Details
Name	The name of the container.	Unique identifier for each container.
Empty Length, Width, Height	The interior dimensions of the empty container.	Represents the loadable space inside the container.
Empty Volume	The volume of the empty container.	Automatically calculated from the dimensions.
Empty Weight	The weight of the container when empty.	Important for weight calculations.
Empty Price	The price of the container when empty.	Relevant for cost calculations.
Max Width and Height	The maximum allowable dimensions for the load.	Available for Flatbed and Open Top styles.
Max Volume %	The maximum percentage of the empty volume that can be filled.	Limits the load volume within the container.
Max Weight	The maximum weight allowed for the load.	Includes the container's empty weight.
Max Price	The maximum price allowed for the load.	Includes the container's empty price.
Max Cargoes	The maximum number of cargo items allowed.	Limits the number of cargo items within the container.
Qty	The available quantity of the container.	The number of containers available for loading.
Seq	The order of container to be filled.	Defines the loading sequence for multiple containers.
Style	The style of container.	Such as Dry, Flatbed, or Open Top.
Description	A description of the container.	Additional information about the container.
Color	The color of the container.	Visual identifier for the container.
Drop Deck Specifics	Specific dimensions for drop deck trailers.	Front Distance: Distance from the front wall to the drop-off point. Front Depth: Drop-off depth in the front. Rear Distance: Distance from the rear wall to the drop-off point. Rear Depth: Drop-off depth in the rear.

Load Plan Result

Property	Description	Details
Load Plan Results	Displays the results of the load plan.	Shows how cargo is arranged within containers.
Optimization Metrics	Includes key metrics such as space utilization and weight distribution.	Includes constraint violations, efficiency scores, etc.
Visualizations	Provides 2D/3D visualizations of the load plan.	Shows the arrangement of cargo within containers.
Reports	Generates reports summarizing the load plan details.	Includes cargo lists, container information, and optimization results.
Detailed Placement Information	Provides detailed information on the placement of each cargo item.	Includes position, orientation, and stacking arrangement.