Welcome

Our customers include:

512 Ltd (EMA) Ltd

Accura Shipping Ltd

Across the Ocean Ltd

Advantage Worldwide

Aims (PTY) Ltd

A K Worthington Ltd

Allways international Freight Forwarders Ltd

Ariel Maritime

ASCO Freight Management (AFM) Ltd

ASCO Freight Management LLC (Houston)

ASCO Marine

Barton Freight Ltd

Braid Logistics (UK) Ltd

Brian Yeardly Continental

British American Shipping

Burhill Logistics

Cargo Management & Logistics Ltd

Cargo Overseas Ltd

Cassilon Ltd

Chatham Clearance & Transport Ltd

CIT International Ltd

Claridon Group Ltd

Clearfast Ltd

Coastal Global Logistics

Conquest Shipping Ltd

Cory Bothers

CSAV (UK) Agencies Ltd

Delamode Ltd

Denholm Wilhelmsen Ltd

Dolphin Movers Ltd

Dunwoody Airline Services

Eagle Freight Terminal Ltd

Ebrex Ltd

E L Logistics

Energy Freight Forwarding Ltd

Energy Logistics Iraq Ltd

Enterprise Freight (part of ARR Craib)

Espace Europe Ltd

EUF Group

Eurologistics

Extrordinaire

Fardel Shipping

FCL UK Ltd

FdeL

Fratelli Cosulich (UK) Ltd

Freight -Logic

Gemini Freight Management Ltd

Global Container Services

Global Freight Systems Ltd

Global Motion

Grace Overseas

Grange Shipping Limited

Greencarrier- PTS

Herbert Watson Freight Services

HND International

Hutchison Logistics (UK) Ltd

IFE Global Logistics

Imorex Shipping Services

Interfreight (UK) Ltd

Interspan Global Logistics Ltd

Jenkinson Group

Jordon Freight Ltd

K C Group Shipping

K G Logistics Ltd

Kerry Logistics (UK) Ltd

Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd

Kestrel Liner Agencies LLC (Miami)

Knight Watson Ltd

Knights of Old

Locker Freight

Putting our customers first

Lorrford Eurospan

Lysander Global Ltd

Lysander Shipping Ltd

Lysander Shipping AS (Copenhagen)

M & W Freight Ltd

M & W AirFreight Ltd

Mc Namara Freight

Marexports

Meadows Wye

Metro Shipping Ltd

Morgan Air Cargo

Miro Logistics

Morrison Freight

Neill & Brown Global Logistics Group

N S Shipping

NWT Forwarding

Ocean Express

Online Logistics Ltd

Orbital Direct

Orient Worldwide (Shipping) Ltd

Panalpina World Transport(formerly Grampian International Ltd)

Perform Logistics

Perishable Movements Ltd

Petrasco

Petrasco (Dubai)

Portcentric Solutions Ltd

Poseidon Consultants Ltd

PSL Freight Ltd

Quest Freight Ltd

Radius Logistics Ltd

Rapid Cargo UK Ltd

R Bugg Forwarding Ltd

Risa Ltd

RJJ Freight Ltd

Rosewood Trucking Ltd

Russell International

Schallenberg Ltd

SDV Ltd

SeaKargo Ltd

Seafast International GmbH

Seaship Ltd

Seletar Shipping

Sequana Maritime Ltd

Simfreight Ltd

SITIR (UK) Ltd

Spedition Srvices

STI Global Logistics Ltd

Streamline Shipping

Surefreight International Ltd

Super Yacht Shipping Ltd

TPC Ltd

Transped Ltd

Trans Global Freight Management

Turk Transport (UK) Ltd

Uneek Forwarding Ltd

Uneek Freight Ltd

Uniserve Group

Van der Vlist UK Ltd

Vogt & Maguire Liner Agency

W Saunders Ltd

W S Logistics Ltd

Whittle Eastern Europe Logistics Ltd

W M Shipping Ltd

World Transhipment Services Ltd

YES Logistics

Zeemac Shipping Ltd

Disclaimer

We have taken every effort in compiling the information in this brochure. While webelieve it to be accurate, MultiFreight Limited makes no warranties or representationsas to the correctness, timeliness or completeness of the content and assumes noliability or responsibility for any error or omission.

MultiFreight Limited shall not be responsible for any prejudice, loss or damage whichmay occur from use of and/or reliance on the information contained in this brochure.

CONTENTS

Section 1 - Overview

Section 2 - Reasons for implementing a new system

Section 3 - Running your freight-forwarding business with MultiFreight

Section 4 - Extending the power ofMultiFreight

Section 5 - Our customers

Section 6 - What you can expect from us

Section 7 - Who we are

Section 8 - Our partners

Section 9 - Main features of the MultiFreight system

Section 10 - Main features of the MultiFreight system options

Section 1

-Overview

Overview

Business systemsNo matter what size your company, you have systems – they allow you to control thefinancial aspects, service your customers and manage the business. Your systems maybe manual processes, or wholly or partly automated through the use of software and IT.

Systems help you to manage the day-to-day running of your business more efficientlyand to plan for the future more effectively. For any company, there are financial benefitsto implementing systems to handle the core aspects of business such as dealing withcustomer enquiries, sales tracking, order processing, invoicing, purchasing, customercommunications, and so on.

As a freight-forwarder, there are aspects of your business that relate specifically to yourindustry, such as the types of transport systems you rely on, shipping-relatedpaperwork, agency requirements, and Customs and tax implications.

MultiFreightMultiFreight is a business management system designed specifically for shippingcompanies and freight-forwarders. The core MultiFreight system incorporates facilitiesthat allow you to manage both:

n the key business functions (such as sales, finance, customer and suppliercommunications, management reporting) and

n the specialist requirements of your business, such as air, road and sea freight,transport, and liner and ships’ agency.

Depending on the requirements of your business, you can enhance the functionality ofMultiFreight with one or more options. These provide the facilities for you to:

n handle Customs-related transactions

n use the internet to communicate with your customers and provide online ‘track and trace’

n administer third-party warehousing

n manage complex supply chain orders

n automate accounts payable with electronic purchase invoices

Advantages of an integrated systemThe various functions within the core MultiFreight system are closely integrated toprovide a complete, company-wide system. The main advantage of this level ofintegration is that data can be shared between different business functions within anorganisation, which reduces admin processing time and costs, and minimises the riskof errors being introduced. With an integrated system you will be able to:

n Give employees access to information outside their own department. Informationfrom all departments is stored centrally in the system rather than in departmentalfiling systems which are not universally available

n Reduce the time it takes for employees to find the information they need. When staffknow where to find information, they will not waste time searching for essential dataor have to wait until a colleague passes information to them

n Make your staff more efficient. When all your company data is held in a singlesystem, employees will not need to switch between systems or learn how to use anumber of different systems

n Provide employees with all the tools they need to do their job effectively within asingle environment. Even if their role expands in the future, the system will expandwith them

n Respond to customer queries more quickly. When your staff are responding tocustomer calls, all the information they might need about that customer is in oneplace. Even if the caller needs information from two different departments – such asinformation about where a shipment is and questions about an invoice – one personwill be able to provide details of both from the system

n Communicate more effectively with people inside and outside your organisation.Information is passed electronically, so it is much easier to keep people informedand because details are taken direct from the system you know they will beaccurate

Having one system from a single supplier also means you do not have to deal withmultiple suppliers or obtain various elements of your overall system from differentsources. You will therefore be able to reduce the amount of time you spend managingsuppliers, and when you need support, you will know exactly who to contact.

If your business demands that you extend the functionality of the core MultiFreightsystem, the optional functions also integrate with the main system. All the options worktogether and share data with your core system.

With the MultiFreight family of products you have at your fingertips everything you needto run your freight-forwarding business.

MultiFreight’s benefitsUsers of the MultiFreight system experience benefits that make a difference to theirbusiness. They tell us:

n “The work gets done faster and more simply”

n “It improves the service we give our customers”

n “Each staff member gets through more work in a day than ever before”

n “The guys using the system love it. They’d never let us go back”

n “It just gives me more time to run my business”

“Once the system was fully implemented, we increased throughput by around 20%without having to increase our staff.” Dennis Simmonds, WS Logistics Ltd

“By introducing MultiFreight we were able to make some economies. The system paidfor itself in less than two years.” Bill Sullivan, Allways International

“Integrating the disparate existing functions, including accounts, customs clearance,EDI and warehousing with traditional road and sea forwarding was a key factor.” John King, PSL Group

“Since 2004 Cory Brothers have used the full suite of integrated MultiFreight systems.We found the system to be flexible and it could accommodate the growing needs of ourcompany.” John van Bergen, Cory Brothers

The MultiFreight software is very easy to use and we found this helps when trainingnew staff.” Anil Sethi, Ariel Maritime UK Ltd

This brochure provides more information about MultiFreight and itsfamily of products and related services. If you cannot find theinformation you are looking for here, please contact us so we mayanswer any questions you might have.

Section 2

-Reasons for implementing a new system

Reasons for

implementing

a new system

Why do I need a new system?Our customers have many reasons for implementing a new system to manage theirbusiness.

n Some are using manual systems that simply no longer cope with the demands ofthe business or are just taking up too much time.

n Others have automated some of their business systems, but not all of them, andfind it time-consuming and costly to manage several disparate systems.

n A few use automated systems that don’t really support their business. They havetools to help manage some aspects of the business, but these don’t handle thespecialist requirements of a freight-forwarder very well.

n For some, the supplier of the automated system they are currently using does notgive them the support and service they need to run the system or their businesseffectively.

What all our customers have in common is that they want to improve the efficiency oftheir business, because operating as they do now is costing them too much time ormoney.

The impact of changing systems Your systems will be key to your business, perhaps even mission-critical, so we canunderstand why you might feel nervous about changing them.

You’ll want the changeover to be fast and problem-free and to have no detrimentaleffect on your business. You will want reassurance that the new system will be animprovement and will support your business better than your current systems.

Even if the installation goes without problems, there may be staff issues to manage –will the employees understand the benefits and consider the new system as a tool tomake their job easier, or think that the system will deskill their role? What user trainingwill they need?

You may also be concerned that changing system means you’ll have to adapt yourworking practices to accommodate the software, or that having a new business systemmeans you will no longer be able to use your preferred accounting package.

Thinking longer term, you will want to know if the system is adaptable to the needs ofthe business in the future.

Perhaps you are anticipating that a new system will be a big investment for you, so youwill want to know that there will be a financial return on that investment within anacceptable timescale.

These are just some of the things to consider, and we realise that you won’t decide toput yourself, your employees or your business through change unless that decision isfirmly based on business needs and business results.

How we can helpUnderstanding what a new system means for yoU

We help people who understand that sometimes change and upheaval is necessary tomake things better in the future. Because we understand what changing systemsmeans for a business, we know that planning is what makes the process successful.MultiFreight has helped many freight-forwarding businesses to introduce andimplement the MultiFreight system into their business. You may be doing it for the firsttime, but we have decades of experience and you won't be doing this on your own.

Planning

We will work with you to plan every detail of the transition, and to ensure that there isminimal disruption to your business throughout. From the initial consultancy, to dataconversion, to staff training, right through to supporting you on ‘go-live’ day, you willhave our every care and attention.

oUr exPerience

Through working with all of our customers, our implementation and training teams haveamassed huge knowledge. As well as understanding what is required from a technicalpoint of view, they also fully appreciate the business requirements. They will managethe transition to MultiFreight efficiently and effectively on your behalf.

making the system fit yoUr bUsiness

We will also be able to advise you how to tailor MultiFreight so that it suits your workingpractices. The system has been designed and developed over the years to beconfigurable and flexible so you can make it fit your organisational structure and theway you do business. We designed MultiFreight to integrate with accounting packagesbecause we expected you’d want to use the specialist functionality such tools provide.That means if you have an accounting package of choice, you can use it withMultiFreight. If you haven’t yet chosen an accounting package, we can supply, installand support Open Accounts as part of your MultiFreight system.

flexibility

We also know that business is changeable, and you may have additional requirementsof a system in the future. Our experience of working with freight-forwarding companieshas led us to design flexibility into MultiFreight, so if you plan to operate from anadditional site, perhaps even abroad with local requirements, you should be able toincorporate all your offices into a single corporate-wide system – usually with either nochanges or a few minor modifications.

ensUring yoU make a soUnd investment

A powerful system like MultiFreight is not just for the largest freight-forwardingbusinesses. MultiFreight can help smaller organisations to become more efficient too.Our customers often find that the system soon pays for itself – either from theeconomies it allows them to introduce or from the increased revenue that results fromoffering an improved service to their customers. Over a period, MultiFreight may notcost as much as you might think.

Section 3

-Running your freight-forw

arding business with M

ultiFreight

Running your

freight-forwarding

business with

MultiFreight

Running your freight-forwarding business withMultiFreightAny business will need to handle key functional areas such as:

n sales and marketing – setting tariffs, sales quotes, managing customer data

n finance – job costing, invoices, financial management

n communications – letters, faxes, emails

n document management and filing

n management reporting

Beyond that, freight-forwarders and shippers have industry-related, specificrequirements for managing their business, including air, road or sea freight(incorporating import/export procedures), liner or ships’ agency, and local transport.

What distinguishes MultiFreight from other systems is that it is a cohesive set of toolsfor the freight-forwarding industry. It encompasses all aspects of your business in asingle, integrated system so that anyone, anywhere in your organisation has access toall the information they might need to do their job efficiently and effectively.

MultiFreight MultiFreight is a business management system that has been designed and developedspecifically for the shipping and freight-forwarding industry. It provides core businessfunctionality and combines this with specialist functions required by different types offreight-forwarding to handle the following aspects of your business:

n air freight

n international road freight

n sea freight

n liner agency

n ships’ agency

n courier shipments

n domestic transport

n inter-modal transport

n equipment control

n transit warehousing

You can supplement the MultiFreight functionality with further options to enhance thecore system if your business requires it.

Key business functionsMultiFreight supports the complete forwarding transaction from quotation throughinvoicing to job costing and management reporting. MultiFreight is a fully integratedsystem and all functions use the same system-wide data. This means that any changesmade within one part of the system are automatically and immediately available to allother elements and therefore instantly available to any user no matter where they arelocated or what feature(s) they are using. You do not need to maintain separate datafor the different functions, so your data can always be up to date and synchronised.

When your system is integrated in this way, you will reduce the risk of errors becausedata needs to be entered into the system only once. When all departments can accessa single set of centralised information, you will increase the speed and accuracy ofroutine tasks.

From anywhere within MultiFreight you can manage key business functions. Forexample, you can:

n Set, change and manage different tariffs for individual customers or groups ofcustomers

n Design standard quotation documents, automatically create quotations using systemdata, send them by letter, fax or email direct from MultiFreight, and store them forlater use as the basis of a job file

n Record and retrieve customer and prospect details and related information

n Better manage your customer relationships. MultiFreight allows you to record andmanage sales and marketing activities with your customers without using a third-party CRM system

n Use the system data to prepare automatic invoices and to cost jobs. You can tailorthe invoicing and job costing to meet your business requirements, including multi-currency

n Exchange data automatically between your accounting package and MultiFreight sothat accurate data is transferred without the need for re-keying. The two-wayinterface will also help to improve your credit control

n Create and modify system-wide template letters, documents, emails and faxes. Youmay incorporate graphics, such as your company logo, and in this way you will beable to brand any communications leaving your company

n Prepare standard letters, emails or instructions without needing to use an externalword processing package. Each department could define its own standardcommunications to reduce admin overheads

n Send emails, letters and faxes direct from MultiFreight using addressing informationfrom the system’s customer records. This reduces the risk of communications beingundelivered or delayed because of incorrect addressing

n Store, collate and archive electronic documents within the system. You could havedocuments automatically attached to outgoing communications, access themwhenever required or use them to provide a full audit trail

n Exchange data electronically with your business partners, and because neitherparty will need to re-key information, you’ll be using exactly the same data

n Monitor and manage workflow. The system can alert you when specific events ortasks are outstanding so you can chase or reassign them

n Create your own management reports to monitor the aspects of your business youwant to manage most closely

MultiFreight supports multi-site organisations and provides a single, corporate-widesystem for managing and running your business across different locations and evenacross different countries. It offers remote access over a wide area network and eachsite could define its own operating procedures within the system. In this way,MultiFreight supports the whole organisation and you will not need to obtain differentsystems for remote sites, users or operations.

Freight-forwarding business supportThe key business functions are available across the whole of the MultiFreight system.In addition, various tools within the system provide functionality to allow you to managespecific areas of a freight-forwarding or shipping operation. The tools are totallyintegrated and work together as a single system – you can move seamlessly betweenthem and share data between the different tools. With MultiFreight you will not need tochange to a different system to obtain the specialist support you require, and becausethe system uses the same data throughout, you can be certain that you are alwaysusing the most up-to-date information available.

Each of the tools within MultiFreight has been developed by freight-forwardingprofessionals, and because of their expertise, you will find that each tool is specific tothe area of the freight-forwarding business it supports. What this means is that withinthe air freight functions, for example, the process and terminology will be familiar toanyone who has worked within this sector. The user will feel ‘at home’ with the systemand should be able to learn how to use it without extensive training.

MultiFreight is a richly developed system that provides support for all aspects of afreight-forwarding business. Perhaps not all of its functionality is relevant to yourcurrent operation. Where this is the case, simply ignore the features that don’t apply toyour business, and use only those functions that are appropriate. You may find theadditional features will become invaluable in the future!

MultiFreight provides you with the tools to manage and process the following efficientlyand accurately:

Air freight – handles direct shipments, consols, IATA shipments, back-to-backshipments, handovers and co-loads, and allows you to manage AWB stocks

International road freight – caters for both full trailer loads and groupageconsignments

Sea freight – allows you to manage small-scale shipments right through to largeconsignments (including FCL and LCL cargo and multiple-container consolidations) andunlike many other systems, to fully handle multi-container bookings

Liner agency – allows you to take cargo bookings, arrange transport, manage vesselallocation and manifesting, produce bills of lading, organise cargo release and collectcharges

Ships’ agency – allows you to manage the details of a ship’s visit to port, includingthe financial transactions and communications involved

Courier shipments – handles courier bookings including documentation, costingand invoicing

Domestic transport – manages local collections and deliveries using your own and/orsubcontract vehicles. Road freight consignment tracking provides two-way communicationwith the driver from your screen and allows you to identify the exact location and status ofany item being delivered or collected. PODs are captured electronically

Inter-modal transport – provides support for sea/rail and sea/air movements

Equipment control – allows you to track the number and location of containers andtrailers as well as managing your equipment stock

Transit warehousing – controls warehouse receipts and allows you to managetemporary storage of cargo

Advantages of the MultiFreight systemMultiFreight incorporates everything in a single, self-contained package, including salesand marketing, operations, job costing, management information, documentmanagement, and many other functions. You won’t have to buy further modules oradditional software from other suppliers – MultiFreight gives you a complete freight-management system.

Process jobs more qUickly with fewer errors and redUce admin costs

The main advantages of the MultiFreight system result from the integration betweenthe different functions and use of system-wide data. This level of integration means youcan reduce both your admin overheads and the time it takes to process jobs – you’llstreamline admin procedures and reduce the risk of errors.

avoid missing deadlines

An integrated system developed to support freight-forwarding businesses brings otherbenefits. Using MultiFreight, you will be able to set its diary facility to prompt action,making it less likely that you’ll miss a deadline. What is just a missed deadline for youcould mean goods not arriving on time and a financial cost for your customer – and you.

imProve commUnications

MultiFreight also allows you to use carrier messaging for electronic airway bills, airlineand shipping line bookings, and bill of lading instructions, and, through the InterSystem Link (ISL), to share the relevant details you hold within the MultiFreight systemwith your trading partners, customers, suppliers and other third parties. Where you areable to use electronic data interchange you will reduce errors, be able to receive andfind information more quickly and advise on changes more effectively.

imProve cash flow and increase Profitability

A number of features within MultiFreight give you a level of control over your businessthat few other systems can match. Many of the routine tasks associated with freight-forwarding are processed automatically by the system, which again makes the processquicker and lessens the likelihood of errors being introduced. Automatic job costing andinvoicing combined with immediate, on-screen profitability analysis allow you to keepcontrol of your margins while the system’s interactive credit control helps you toimprove cash flow.

delight and retain cUstomers

MultiFreight gives you the ability to track business processes more closely than youcould with many other systems and to use that information to manage and improveinteractions with your customers. Add your own online notes to supplement thesystem’s instant action lists and on-screen reminders for imminent and overdue actionsand you have a very powerful tool for ensuring you deliver a first-class service andkeep your customers informed.

The result is you will be able to provide a better service to your customers and oftenexceed their expectations – two elements that will help to keep you ahead of yourcompetitors.

imProve staff motivation and retention

MultiFreight is a powerful system that can make your staff more productive and eliminatesome of the more mundane tasks for them. For example, all your previous jobs arestored electronically, which makes it easier to repeat or replicate jobs by using previousjob files as the basis. Your colleagues and employees are likely to be more motivatedbecause they will see they achieve more and are better able to serve your customers.

minimise retraining

MultiFreight has been designed and developed by people who are experienced in andunderstand the freight-forwarding industry. The system follows processes and usesterminology that will be familiar to anyone who has worked in freight-forwarding beforeand each area of functionality is specific to that aspect of the business. MultiFreightusers generally feel ‘at home’ with the system very quickly so they adapt to it withoutthe need for major training in its use.

Licensing and deployment options You can either purchase a licence to use MultiFreight or choose to license the systemas a service. We brand licensing MultiFreight as a service as ‘MulteFreight’.

We will discuss your requirements and potential usage, and review the licensing anddeployment options with you fully to help you decide which may be the better option foryour organisation.

PUrchasing a mUltifreight system licence

When you purchase a system licence, you obtain a licence for a specific number ofMultiFreight users, including any optional extensions to the system. You may upgradeyour licence with additional users and system extensions at a later date and, throughsupport and maintenance agreements, also obtain later versions of the products youhave licensed.

This type of licence covers only the software elements of your system and anyhardware that you require will need to be obtained and maintained separately.

mUltefreight

MulteFreight gives you the option of using the MultiFreight software as a service overthe internet. Fees are based on the number of users accessing the system.

The MultiFreight software is hosted on platforms made available by us. We provide youwith a complete system including databases, backup, automatic updates and fullmaintenance and support. The main difference is that we are responsible formaintaining all the system infrastructure and software that you use.

MulteFreight can be very cost-effective where you:

n Do not want to invest in and maintain your own hardware

n Need to replace existing hardware

n Have or will have a variable number of users

Section 4

-Extending the power of MultiFreight

Extending

the power of

MultiFreight

Extending the power of MultiFreightIn addition to the core MultiFreight system, there are a number of options you can addto MultiFreight to provide the enhanced level of support that your business needs. Allthe options integrate with MultiFreight and may be used in conjunction with each other.It is designed so you will be able to access the system-wide data stored withinMultiFreight and use it with the optional functionality.

The options available to you are:

n MultiShed – for handling Customs-related transactions

n MultiTrack – allows you to use the internet to communicate with your customersand offer them online ‘track and trace’

n MultiStock – for administering third-party warehousing

n MultiChain – for managing complex supply chain orders

n MultiDox – to receive, enter, attach and match your purchase invoices, PODs andother documents

n MultiStat – for obtaining business intelligence

When you combine both MultiStock and MultiChain with MultiFreight it allows you tooffer your customers a complete logistics service – from managing the import of goodsfrom abroad, their warehousing and distribution through to freight-forwarding and export.

MultiShedMultiShed provides functionality for handling all types of Customs transactions. Fewother systems integrate to quite the same degree, and this high level of integrationspeeds up transaction time, minimises errors and reduces processing costs. MultiFreightand MultiShed together eliminate the need for any other software or manual system tohandle Customs-related transactions, thus further reducing possible errors.

As well as accessing the corporate data stored within your MultiFreight database,MultiShed allows you to exchange information directly with Customs systems, such asCHIEF, NCTS, AEP and ACE. The messages and data returned by such systemsautomatically update the MultiFreight job file – for example, duty and VAT amounts arepassed into the Duty/VAT invoicing procedure. There is no need to re-key relevant data,and because the details are exchanged directly with MultiFreight, you can complete therequired transactions more quickly and with fewer errors.

MultiTrackMultiTrack is a service that allows you to use the internet to communicate with yourcustomers. Companies that subscribe to the service appear as professional, modern andefficient to their customers, and no matter how large or small the business is, each canprovide an internet-based service similar to that offered by large, multi-national operators.

MultiTrack gives you a way to provide such a service without incurring the associateddevelopment and ongoing support costs. Once your customers are using the service, it will reduce admin costs associated with dealing with queries and orders and givethem an ‘on-demand and always available’ ordering and information service.

To your customers, it will appear that they are logging on to your corporate website,where they will be able to track purchase orders and the movement of theirconsignments, and create bespoke reports. You’ll be able to use MultiTrack to adviseyour customers automatically by email whenever key information relating to themchanges within MultiFreight.

MultiStockMultiStock provides the facilities to administer third-party warehousing. It can either beintegrated with MultiFreight or used stand-alone and is often used by MultiFreight usersto manage secondary businesses that help them to maximise the return from theiravailable warehousing. It provides tools and functionality similar to those in MultiFreightwhich are tailored for this type of commercial operation.

MultiChainMultiChain allows you to monitor and manage large and complex supply chain orders,particulary if you are importing from manufacturers abroad when timezones andlanguage can hinder communication.

The facilities within MultiChain allow you to standardise incoming POs, to consolidategoods for different orders into a single consignment, identify the location and status ofitems, to monitor supply against order and to build shipments for onward distribution.

Once an electronic PO enters the system you can keep track of the status of the orderright down to the level of individual line items. If you order from manufacturers a longtime in advance and the items arrive as several part shipments (and not necessarily inthe same order as on the PO), MultiChain will give you more oversight and control. Youcan accurately ascertain where individual items are within your supply chain.

MultiDoxMultiDox automates business processes through electronic processing of importantdocuments, such as invoices and PODs.

For example, you could use the service to convert purchase invoices of various formatsinto a standard electronic format and import them into MultiFreight. The originalpurchase invoices can be scanned paper documents, PDFs or electronic data files. Datafeeds from MultiFreight allow automatic linking between invoices and other system data,with automatic matching before posting them to your accounts package. Processingpurchase invoices with MultiDox and MultiFreight reduces processing time and dataentry errors, allowing you to take advantage of any ‘on time’ payment discounts.

You can also use MultiDox to automate processing of other documents such as PODs,and to send electronic documents such as sales invoices.

MultiStatMultiStat is a business intelligence tool that gives you the ability to sort, filter, analyseand report on any data held within your MultiFreight system – it allows you to extractdetailed information in any combination that is meaningful and relevant to you.

MultiStat’s power and flexibility go far beyond the standard volume and profit reportingfunctions within MultiFreight. With MultiStat you have access to specific and detailedinformation so you can focus on any aspect of the customer and business operationsdata stored within your system.

Within MultiStat you define and create a specific set of data that is relevant to the aspectof your business you are examining. As an example, you could look at jobs within aspecific period for a single customer then examine in detail the financial transactionsbehind them, or you could create a KPI report for a customer.

Section 5

-Our customers

Our

customers

Our customersWe couldn’t describe our ‘typical’ customer. That’s because each business we help hasunique requirements.

Many of our customers are UK-based small to medium-sized freight-forwarders. Wealso supply systems to much larger and multi-national operators. Some of the largersystems we provide, install and support have around 200 users. All these companiesrely on the MultiFreight family of products and services to run their businesses.Worldwide there are about 3,000 people using MultiFreight so it is a well-used andproven tool for managing a freight-forwarding business.

Some of our customers have been with us for over 20 years. They know that thesystem they have chosen will support them through business changes because it isflexible and will change as their business develops. As they change business model,MultiFreight adapts and evolves so they haven’t needed to look for any other system.

What all of our customers have in common – apart from the fact that they have allchosen MultiFreight as their supplier – is that they want to manage their business mosteffectively. They want to distinguish themselves from their competitors and that means:

n improving the level of service they offer to their customers through fewer errors andimproved communications

n increasing profitability across the whole business whether they specialise in just oneaspect of freight-forwarding or manage several different types of freight-forwardingoperation

n minimising administration costs by automating where feasible

n tailoring customer communications so that each customer receives individualisedmessages and documents

n streamlining processes and creating customer-specific workflows with automaticreminders and on-screen alerts

n offering new services to their customers, such as customised job-tracking showingthe information in a way that is relevant to them

MultiFreight helps them do that.

Who are our customers?Here are just some of the companies that use the MultiFreight system withintheir business.

Cory Brothers provides global freight-forwarding and liner agencyservices. The company runs its business with MultiFreight and MultiShed anduses EDI extensively to communicate with both clients and shipping lines

CSAV (UK) Agencies Ltd runs a liner agency for CSAV Line and makesuse of MultiFreight’s liner agency functions alongside the key businessfunctions to support its business. The company has chosen to purchaseOpen Accounts as its accounting package and this is fully integrated withMultiFreight

Delamode Ltd is a specialist organisation that offers a Western Europeanlevel of service to almost all countries within Eastern Europe and the AsianRepublic. Throughout the UK it relies on MultiFreight and Open Accounts andhas some remote users of the system in Romania

Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd is an independent liner agent and freightmanagement company providing a comprehensive ocean freightmanagement service as well as liner representation services. It has branchesin Stansted and Aberdeen, and Kestrel Liner Agencies LLC in Miami. All offices use MultiFreight. They also use MultiTrack to provide onlinetracking for their customers.

Lorrford Eurospan is a leading European Groupage operator with twooffices in the UK. MultiFreight and Open Accounts have been supporting itsbusiness for over 20 years

Metro Shipping Ltd is a major freight forwarder offering effective andeconomic solutions for the global movement of multi commodities via sea, airor road on an import, export and cross-trade basis. The company has beenusing MultiFreight and Open Accounts since 2002

RJJ Freight Ltd is part of the RJJ Group, a leading group of UK freight-forwarding companies that offers freight-forwarding by both air and sea, plusa courier service. All its services are supported by MultiFreight and MultiShedintegrated with the group accounting system

Trans Global Freight Management is one of the largest independentfreight companies in the UK with around a hundred and fifty staff spread overseven offices. MultiFreight and MultiShed are at the core of their businessand have been since 1984

Whittle Eastern European Ltd is a logistics company dedicated entirelyto Eastern and Central Europe and the countries of the CIS.

Why did they choose MultiFreight?

Trans Global Freight Management

“We are one of the largest independent freight companies in the UK witharound a hundred and fifty staff spread over seven offices.

“MultiFreight is at the core of our business and has been since we adopted itback in 1984. It provides the solid basis that enables us to move all the freightwe handle anywhere in the world, be it by land, air or sea.

“The software supplied met our requirements when we started to use it, andas our business has changed and grown over those twenty-something years,a long term working partnership with MultiFreight has ensured that thesystem always stays current to our needs.

“Even when we recruit new staff they pick it up quickly. It certainly causes noparticular training issues, whilst the support has always been there, if everwe needed it.”

Barry RuckFinancial Director

PSL Group

“When the PSL Group required a solution to the growing need for instantinformation within their global freight business, they chose MultiFreight. PSLwere running a plethora of freight and logistics related systems which weredifficult to manage and enhance.

“Integrating the disparate systems, including accounts, customs, EDI andwarehousing with traditional air, road and sea forwarding, was somethingPSL felt they could not risk without the utmost trust in the integrity andresources of MultiFreight. Of paramount importance was linking the six PSLlocations via a virtual private network (VPN), using Citrix technology tomaximise the speed of connection to the main database.

“MultiFreight provided active project management from day one, removingthe need for us to worry about any potential oversight or pitfall. Everyone atMultiFreight, not just the support staff, was involved in making theimplementation much smoother than we expected. It is easy to be lured byimpressive-looking software, but the real success of IT is making sure that theusers gain the real benefits of the software. In this respect MultiFreight hasproven to be first class.”

Michael DouglasPSL Group IT Director

“At PSL, we like to work in harmony with our suppliers. Even from the earlieststages it was clear that MultiFreight had a professional and thoroughapproach to everything we wanted to achieve.”

John KingPSL Group Managing Director

Cory Brothers

"As a leading global freight-forwarder and liner agency, Cory Brothers haveto ensure that we have “best in class” systems to accommodate the wide andvarying requirements of our global base of customers.

“Since 2004 Cory Brothers have used the full suite of integrated MultiFreightsystems. We found the system to be flexible and it could accommodate thegrowing needs of our company. The support from MultiFreight during thesetimes was excellent and as a result we get exactly what we need fromMultiFreight.

“In the fast-paced environment of logistics, it is essential for us to provide ourcustomers with 24hr access to real-time purchase order and trackinginformation. Using EDI, all of our overseas offices and network partners linkdirectly into the core of our business. This enables us to provide our clients with24hr real-time access to their purchase order status and tracking information."

John van BergenManaging Director

Whittle Eastern European Ltd

“We moved to using MultiFreight in 2006. Before that we used a bespokepackage that had been written for us, but it was very limited in its capabilities.

“MultiFreight works well for our business because of its functionality andspeed, and because we can customise the system. The level of support has alsoimproved since moving to MultiFreight and their friendly and approachableteam of staff are easily accessible and often available at short notice.

“What distinguishes Whittle is the skill of our people and their ability tocommunicate clearly with our customers throughout Eastern Europe. TheMultiFreight system is what supports our people and it is this combination ofpeople and technology that allows us to deliver the highest quality of servicefor our customers.”

Natasha SabanovicManaging Director

Surefreight International Ltd

“Our total commitment and ethos towards customer satisfaction has seenSurefreight International expand rapidly over the years and subsequentlydiversify into various modes of transport to cater for our customers’ multi-modal requirements.

“It was therefore important for us to identify a suitable system which couldprovide a complete in-house solution for all modes of transport and couldintegrate within the various offices/ internal departments.

“We found that solution with MultiFreight and they have supported usthroughout to create a user-friendly, bespoke system to complement ourbusiness needs.”

Tony Daly Managing Director

Section 6

-What you can expect from us

What you

can expect

from us

What you can expect from usIf you are looking to improve the systems within your business, then, before we askyou to choose MultiFreight, we’d like you to know what you can expect.

We understand your businessIt is unlikely that you will find another systems supplier that understands the shippingand freight-forwarding world quite like MultiFreight does. Many of our staff are shippingand freight professionals and have worked in the industry for many years. They knowthe business and they understand freight-forwarding from the inside.

For over a quarter of a century MultiFreight has been providing and implementingsoftware solutions specifically for the industry and because of our expertise we aregenerally acknowledged to be the centre of excellence in the field.

We listen to what you wantMultiFreight’s roots go back to 1973 when the company was established as SecurityComputing Services. Between then and now we have been in the business ofdesigning and building packaged software and supporting the companies that use it.Our first ever freight-forwarding program was written in 1980 and we have beencontinually developing and improving the functionality we offer since then.

Our success depends on us giving our customers what they expect, both in terms ofproducts and service. We know that without guidance from our customers or help fromour business partners MultiFreight would not be the robust, sophisticated and flexiblesystem that it is today.

We continually invest in developing ourproducts and servicesThe current version of MultiFreight was first developed in 1995. Since then it has beenupdated and enhanced to continue providing the support our customers require. Theclose involvement and encouragement of major partners from within the freight industryhas helped us with this ongoing development over the lifetime of the product.

As new technologies become available and new trends change the way people interactin business, we incorporate these into our products and services. That’s whyMultiFreight today supports web interfaces and EDI and incorporates email forcommunications.

Our commitment is that MultiFreight will always remain in tune with your businessneeds and with the freight industry as a whole.

We give you flexibilityDue to its underlying technology, MultiFreight is a cost-effective way of deployingsystems from one to thousands of users on local and wide area networks. This givesyou the flexibility to expand your business without the need to use different software indifferent offices located in the UK or elsewhere in the world.

We help you implement your new systemOur trained and experienced consultants are ready to help you decide how best toimplement the new system. Once they have understood fully what you and yourbusiness needs, they will work with you to create an implementation plan and see itthrough. They’ll help you to identify all the elements you need to make theimplementation successful for your business and will work on your behalf to ensurethat no detail is overlooked.

Customers who use the expertise of our consultants are the ones who get the mostfrom their system most quickly.

We support our customersOur customers tell us that the support we offer them when they are installing aMultiFreight system and the ongoing support for our product is what differentiates usfrom other suppliers. As well as investing in our product technology, we invest to makesure our support service is second to none.

Our helpdesk is available from 8.45am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, (except for publicholidays), with extended hours available on a regular or ad-hoc basis by agreement. Aswell as supporting our own products, our help-desk staff are qualified to provideassistance with the Progress database software and also support the Open Accountssoftware if you purchased that from us. We use an automated system for logging,monitoring and processing calls (which are prioritised when we receive them) and oursystem automatically keeps you up to date by email on the progress of your request.Customers can use the web to log support requests, check on progress, access ourknowledge base, and download updates.

It is not just MultiFreight’s functionality that makes it the best investment for ourcustomers, but the after care and service they receive.

“Issues are addressed by committed MultiFreight staff ”Dale Minks, CSAV

“The staff are a pleasure to work with” Bill Sullivan, Allways International

“The support is excellent and as a resultwe get exactly what we need from MultiFreight.” John van Bergen, Cory Brothers

“On the very few occasions that we have encountered problems MultiFreight’ technical support has been second to none andproblems have been sorted out immediately.” Anil Sethi, Ariel Maritime UK Ltd

We know what makes a difference for youCustomers recognise that there are elements of our products and services that they can’tobtain from other suppliers and these differentiators are what will give you an advantagein business. We have developed these aspects of our offering precisely because weknow that for you as freight-forwarders, they can give you a competitive edge.

Consider how the MultiFreight family of products:

n Provides everything you need to run your business within a single system

n Includes tailored support for all types of freight-forwarding operation

n Uses a single, system-wide database that can be accessed by anyone, anywhere inthe organisation and even selectively by partners, suppliers and customers

n Automates routine tasks and streamlines processes between different businessfunctions

n Gives you a high level of control over costing, invoicing, credit management andprofitability

n Allows you to view and manage all your interactions with customers, suppliers andpartners

n Incorporates new communication technologies such as email, EDI and the internet

n Is developed and supported by freight-forwarding industry professionals

How could you use MultiFreight to give you competitive advantage?

We consider the futureWe don’t know how our industry will change in the future – all we can say is that weare committed to tracking industry trends with professional zeal. MultiFreight is anassociate member of BIFA (British International Freight Association) and an activemember of the AFSS (Association of Freight Software Suppliers). We stay as close as possible to the freight industry and are well placed to recognise emerging trends. As soon as we identify a need for change, we make it our business to ensure thatMultiFreight develops and so continues to match the challenges faced by its users.

Section 7

-Who we are

Who

we are

Tom Clayton

Chairman and Managing Director

Tom started at MultiFreight in May 1980 when the company was stillSecurity Computing Services. Along with his chairman’s duties, Tom hasspecial responsibilities for software development and business strategy.

Diane Clough

Office Manager

Diane has been with MultiFreight since February 1996, and her mainresponsibilities are sales and order processing, which includes preparingquotes and general office admin.

Nick Davies

Applications Support Manager

Nick joined MultiFreight in November 2005 and first worked within theimplementations team. His 8 years’ experience of working in freightforwarding stands him in good stead in his current role as applicationssupport manager, where he has special responsibility for MultiFreight andMultiShed support.

David Godbold

Development Manager

David became part of the MultiFreight team in October 1995. He isresponsible for ‘day to day’ management of the programming team.

Who we are MultiFreight has some outstanding people in its team. We select them because of theirspecific expertise or experience and because they make us better equipped to meetyour requirements. You may not get to meet or talk to all of them – here are just someof the people you may get to know.

Bryan Hayward

Customs & Communications Analyst

Bryan has been with MultiFreight since 1997 and in his current role as acustoms and communications analyst his main responsibility is formaintaining and enhancing MultiShed, the Customs module in MultiFreight.

David Nunn

Company Secretary

David, like Tom, has been with MultiFreight since May 1980. Outside his duties as a director, David’s special responsibilities are for finance & admin.

Mark Rattigan

Development Director

Mark is one of our longest-standing team members, having joinedMultiFreight back in July 1978. Today, he has special responsibilities forthe technical aspects of our products and services, including hardware,operating systems, system software and MultiFreight’s internal systems.

Ian Taylor

Commercial Director

Ian joined MultiFreight in 2013, having previously been employed by an associate company. Along with his directors duties, Ian has specialresponsibility for sales & marketing.

Darren Welsford

Technical Support Manager

Darren has been part of the MultiFreight team since June 2001, though hisexperience within the shipping industry goes back to 1989. Darren’s mainresponsibility is supporting operating systems, networks and the Progressdatabase, as well as the MultiFreight applications.

David Wyndham-Lewis

Technical Services Director

David was a MultiFreight user before joining MultiFreight in July 2004 andhe brings over 15 years’ experience in both liner agency and freightforwarding. At MultiFreight, his main responsibility is project managing theimplementation of MultiFreight for new customers.

Section 8

-Our partners

Our

partners

Reseller network MultiFreight creates commercial agreements with selected partners toappoint them as authorised resellers. Through these resellers we can extendour sales and technical support coverage across the globe. The advantage to you, our customers is that our reseller network can provide local sales andtechnical expertise and give you access to support if your timezone andlanguage is different from ours at MultiFreight.

GERMANYSeaFair IT Solutions GmbHSeaFair IT Solutions GmbH is based in Hamburg, Germany, and is part ofthe SeaFair Group that consists of eight branches worldwide withapproximately 70 employees.

SeaFair and MultiFreight have worked together for several years. SeaFair’s ITexpertise and knowledge of our products is extensive and SeaFair IT’s baseclose to one of the world’s busiest ports makes them particularly well-placedto support MultiFreight customers throughout Europe and Scandinavia.

ITALYEdeicos SrlEdeicos Srl is situated in Genoa, Italy. The company was founded in 2008 byindividuals with many years’ experience in information technology andindustrial automation.

Edeicos has developed services to support organisations in the selection andimplementation of software technologies and has extensive knowledge of theMultiFreight family of products.

Our partnersOver the years, as well as being an active member of industry bodies, MultiFreight has developedlong-term partnerships and alliances with a number of associated IT providers, all of whom haveproven track records in their own field of excellence. We also extend our business by developingrelationships with trading partners.

We work with professional partners because combining their expertise with ours means that wecan provide you with a fuller and richer (many would say the best) products and services.Working with partners also means we can maintain our philosophy of providing a total system toour customers, which is of key importance to us and them.

Technology partners

PROGRESSMultiFreight is a Progress Software ‘Preferred Partner’ and we have beendeveloping our software products using Progress since 1994.

This close working relationship with Progress means we have a reliabledevelopment environment for MultiFreight and can provide our customerswith a proven, reliable database. Because the technology is scalable, weknow that the Progress products will cope with our development needs nowand in the future and so allow us to meet the requirements of our customers.We can confidently take an evolutionary approach to developing ourproducts, which for us makes development more predictable and for ourcustomers produces a more stable product.

The Progress RDBMS is the world’s leading embedded business applicationdatabase, with over 2 million users and supports over 50,000 businessesworldwide, providing a proven track record of high performance andreliability. Progress Software is focused on simplifying the job of creating theworld’s best business applications.

Advanced Business SolutionsAdvanced Business Solutions, part of Advanced Computer Software Groupplc, is a successful international provider of business finance andcollaborative solutions. Advanced Computer Software Group plc has 7000clients worldwide and Advanced Business Solutions is the largest supplier ofbusiness management and information systems to the UK mid-marketservice sector.

Its suite of business applications has been successful in the freight industrybecause it combines high-level functionality with ease of use. We havesupplied and implemented Open Accounts software with MultiFreight formore than 30% of our customers.

We chose Open Accounts not only because it integrates seamlessly withMultiFreight but also because it offers exceptional support for the freightindustry.

The Advanced Business Solutions’ product incorporates specific functionality,such as contra processing and extensive multi-currency processing, to satisfythe freight industry. It can also process and report on the large volumes oftransactions that are produced in the industry, while still maintaining thesame level of performance.

EquisysEquisys is a global provider of business communication software, with over60,000 customers in more than 100 countries. Its software products includethe market-leading fax server, Zetafax, which interfaces with MultiFreight toprovide a seamless, auditable record of fax communication.

BULLAs one of the leading European IT companies, Bull delivers open, flexibleand secure information systems. The group helps organisations transformtheir information systems by applying its know-how and expertise in threemain areas to:

n produce robust, innovative and open servers, based on industry-standardtechnologies;

n develop and implement flexible and interoperable applicationinfrastructures which give business processes the freedom to evolve;

n secure data and exchanges that are so critical in preserving customers'business integrity.

Bull’s distribution network and business partners cover more than 60countries worldwide.

MultiFreight has an ongoing, successful relationship with Bull and is able tocall upon their infrastructure capabilities.

Digital MailroomDigital Mailroom provides a service that automates the sending and receiving ofimportant trading documents like invoices, purchase orders and delivery notes,and then enables the accurate extraction of key business data so that it can beprocessed in a business management system.

MultiFreight now integrates the Digital Mailroom service into the MultiFreightproduct because it fits with our philosophy of automating freight-forwardingbusiness functions wherever possible.

DA Systems DA Systems is a leading UK provider of software solutions that enable end-to-end management of the movement of goods and people across thetransportation, logistics and service delivery sectors. Companies such asRico Logistics, Courier Systems, UK Mail, Echo Logistics plc and CEVALogistics (formerly TNT Logistics) all trust DA Systems with their missioncritical operations.

MultiFreight partners with DA Systems because their powerful systemsintegrate well with MultiFreight and allow our customers to:

n control and manage their delivery and collection operations

n reduce their operating costs

n increase their business efficiency and

n offer their customers a higher quality service

Industry associations

BIFAWe are associate members of the British International Freight Association(BIFA). BIFA is the trade association for UK-registered companies engagedin the international movement of freight by all modes of transport. BIFA’s roleis to provide a focus for the international freight distribution industry, and itsmission is:

“To provide effective representation and support for the UK internationalfreight services industry; to promote good practice and total quality in theprovision of freight services by all members, and to encourage the membersto observe the highest standards of professional competence.”

Being a member of BIFA allows us to keep close to developments within ourindustry and to anticipate the requirements of our customers.

AFSSMultiFreight is a founding member of the Association of Freight SoftwareSuppliers (AFSS). The Association is recognised by HM Customs & Revenueand BIFA, and is represented on a number of Customs consultation andworking groups. Through the AFSS we are in regular contact with port andairport community systems and with worldwide organisations coveringCustoms and security procedures. The AFSS gives us another way ofstaying close to industry developments.

MultiFreight conforms to the AFSS code of conduct because we are committedto acting in a responsible way towards our customers and being members ofthe Association demonstrates that intent. Our continued membership of theAssociation depends on us maintaining professional standards.

Portal providers MultiFreight partners with a number of shipping portal providers to ensureintegrated support for e-commerce and electronic data interchange. Workingwith all of the commonly available service providers allows us to give ourcustomers a streamlined shipping process and access to the world’s largestnetwork of carriers.

In this area we partner with the following providers:

INTTRAINTTRA’s mission is to be the preferred global e-commerce shippingplatform. As the largest multi-carrier e-commerce platform for the oceanshipping industry, INTTRA enables shippers, freight-forwarders, third-partylogistics providers, brokers and importers to electronically plan, process andmanage their shipments quickly and efficiently, replacing the traditional use offaxes and phone calls.

GT NexusGT Nexus’ strategy is to build a comprehensive set of global trade and logisticssoftware solutions, invest in the global infrastructure and service providerconnections to support those solutions, then deliver the entire platform as aservice over the web, for a fraction of the cost – and none of the risk – oftraditional supply chain software.

CargoSmartImporters, exporters, and transportation intermediaries use CargoSmart’sapplication, integration, and hybrid solutions to plan, process, monitor, andshare their multiple-carrier shipment information throughout the shipment cycle.

Descartes Descartes provides on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused onimproving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensivebusinesses. Descartes' B2B network, the Global Logistics Network, integratesmore than 35,000 trading partners.

Descartes offers Canadian, American, and key European Union solutions to fullymanage the requirements of Customs declaration and fiscal compliance.MultiFreight integrates with the Descartes Customs processing software to allowyou to use United States’ Automated Commercial Environment (ACE),Automatic Broker Interchange (ABI) and Automated Export System (AES), andCanadian Release Notification System (RNS).

Section 9

-Main features of the M

ultiFreight system

Main features

of the

MultiFreight

system

Main features of the MultiFreight system The MultiFreight system provides support for key business functions and combines thiswith specialist functions required by different types of freight-forwarding.

All system functions use the same system-wide, corporate data held within theMultiFreight database. Changes made within one area of the system are automaticallyand immediately available to all other functions in the system and therefore instantlyavailable to any user no matter where they are located or what function(s) they areusing. You do not need to maintain separate data for the different functions, so yourdata can always be up to date and synchronised across your organisation.

MultiFreight reduces the risk of errors because data needs to be entered into thesystem only once. In many instances, data can be collected automatically from externalsources, which further reduces possible mistakes.

Using MultiFreight, you will be able to automate many routine tasks. This allows younot only to improve accuracy, but also to do these jobs more quickly therefore makingyour operation more efficient. These efficiencies could mean cost savings for you, whileyour customers will perceive this increased efficiency as an improvement in serviceand enhanced customer care. This in turn will set you apart from your competitors andhelp you to win and retain more customers.

Core business functionskey featUres

Sales and marketingn Keeping customer records – MultiFreight will store all of your customer and

prospect data and provide easy access so that you can provide a better service toyour customers. For sales prospects as well as customers you can build upmarketing profiles, record details of visits and contacts, list as many individuals asyou like against a single organisation and use this information for telephone, mail orelectronic canvassing. Where detailed notes are associated with an organisationthey are displayed automatically when you create a job and you are able to viewthem at any time from within a job file.

n Managing tariffs – you can set, change and manage different sales and costtariffs and use these to create quotations, invoices and job costings automatically.The system calculates the rate based on rules you specify relating to a number ofdifferent parameters, such as:

n Customer

n Supplier

n Location, transport type, job type, route/service

n Country, trade area

n Origin and destination points

n Collection address and/or delivery address (zones)

n Collection/delivery times

n Load port/airport, discharge port/airport

n Container size and type

n Package types, products

The system determines the amount for each line item within the tariff by taking therates you define and then calculating according to:

n Quantities

n Sliding scales with break points

n Minimums and maximums

n Lump sums

n Metric and imperial weights, cube, chargeable weight and revenue tonnage

n Linear metres

n Percentages (such as CAF, BAF, fuel surcharges)

n Number of containers

n Number of pieces

n Mileage

n Start and end times (for example, storage and demurrage)

n Preparing quotations – MultiFreight allows you to prepare a quotation wheneveryou require using either a standard template quotation or a tailored design. Thesystem determines the pricing details from its tariff information or from manuallyentered spot rates, or using a combination of the two. You can then immediatelyemail the finished quotation (along with any associated documents orcommunications you want to attach) to the customer – or print it or fax itautomatically if you prefer. The system will store the quotation details and a copy ofthe finished document for access later.

n Following-up quotations – MultiFreight archives your quotations and allowsyou to retrieve them for reference and to attach documents or communicationsassociated with them. You can also use the system’s diary functions to scheduleautomatic follow-up letters or prompt system users to call the customer. You’ll beable to monitor the progress and analyse the results of your quotations with systemreports on quotation statistics.

OperationsHandling jobs

n Job files – you can build a job file in different ways.

One way is to use an existing quotation as the basis. The system will identify anydifferences between the original quotation and the job as booked and notify theuser. If the pricing or quantities have changed, the system prompts the user tocheck the figures and will automatically recalculate the charges if necessary. Thismakes it easier for you to ensure that you are charging correctly.

For repeat or similar jobs, MultiFreight allows you to copy any previous job as atemplate for new file, which you can then amend to reflect the current job.

Where you are able to use EDI messaging with your customer, supplier or partner,you can collect details for a job file direct from them and MultiFreight will build the jobfile automatically for you. This saves you admin time and reduces the risk of errors.

Lastly, if you are not able to collect the job file data in any other way, you can key it in!

n Transferring jobs – if you need to transfer a job from one department to another,within MultiFreight the easiest way of doing this is to use the ‘replicate job’ function.Even if it requires a different mode of transport, you will be able to transfer the jobdetails without having to re-key the data.

n System diary and workflows – MultiFreight incorporates a detailed proactivejob diary which makes it more difficult to overlook important tasks or to disappointyour customers. MultiFreight is particularly sophisticated in its handling of diariesand workflow and few other systems offer a similar level of control.

Each department can define specific ‘events’ which the system automatically tracksand records as they are completed for each job. These events can be whatever youwant, and could therefore be different depending on the customer or destination, forexample.

Events shown as ‘outstanding’ act as reminders for the user and give managers theability to review them by user, type, date, and so on. The events (or tasks relating tothem) can then be chased or even reassigned. MultiFreight manages the diaryautomatically, but users can also add their own notes and reminders manuallyagainst jobs or customers.

You can also use the system to track changes to key information, such as a changeto the shipment details. The system automatically notifies the user about themodifications and gives them the opportunity of adding explanatory notes.

The system automatically transfers updated details on the events and informationyou are tracking to MultiTrack where this is implemented as part of your system.This allows you to keep your customers up to date with the changes as theyhappen. See the section on MultiFreight system options for more information.

Customer, partner and supplier communications

n Carrier messaging – MultiFreight is enabled for use with the shipping andlogistics portals INTTRA, GT Nexus, CargoSmart, and Descartes for Customsprocessing in North America. This allows you to access the services they providefrom within MultiFreight such as electronic airwaybills, FSRs and FSUs, airlineinterrogation and airline bookings, and bill of lading instructions.

You do not need to know which of the portals handles the specific carrier you wishto use because MultiFreight will automatically forward your request through therelevant portal to your chosen carrier. Similarly, MultiFreight automatically directsmessages from the carrier to you.

n EDI – MultiFreight is enabled for electronic data interchange, so where yourcontacts have similar capability, you can use this means of communication. Ourcustomers most often use EDI for collecting information from partners or customersfor a job file and for transmitting job details and manifests as EDI messages topartners.

n Using template documents – create and modify system-wide template letters,documents, emails and faxes so that any document leaving your company reflectsyour corporate branding.

Within the templates you may incorporate graphics, such as your company logo, aswell as text, which allows you to design templates for printing on plain paper or pre-printed corporate stationery. Each department may create its own templatesaccording to requirement – the number and type of templates is unlimited. You arecompletely in control of your template documents and therefore not dependent onMultiFreight to create, change or maintain these on your behalf.

n Preparing letters and instructions – MultiFreight includes all the facilities forpreparing standard letters, emails or instructions without you having to use anexternal word processing package. Each department could define its own standardcommunications to reduce admin overheads. The system automatically insertsaddress information from its database saving you having to type it in.

n Sending emails and faxes – send emails and faxes direct from MultiFreightusing addressing information from the customer records held on the system. Thisreduces the risk of communications being undelivered or delayed because ofincorrect addressing.

From within MultiFreight you can send out batch emails. You have full control overthe distribution list because you can select specific email addresses to be omittedfrom the mailing. The system also allows you to combine multiple documents fromwithin the system to be sent to the same address, so sending a complete set ofdocuments for a shipment to an overseas partner or emailing the notices of arrivalfor a complete vessel is simplified.

n Managing documents and electronic filing – MultiFreight incorporates thefacilities for storing, collating and archiving any electronic document, so there’s noneed to purchase additional document management software from a third-party.MultiFreight manages electronic documents created within the system as well aselectronic documents generated by your suppliers, customers and others.

All the documents MultiFreight generates are automatically filed within its ownarchiving system, so that a copy of every document is permanently retained andyou can review, reprint, fax or email it whenever required. This gives you a completeaudit trail, including revisions, with a record of how, when and to whom eachdocument was sent.

MultiFreight stores documents against the quotation, job, consolidation or addressbook record from which it was generated. All documents can be retrieved by anyuser with the correct access permissions from anywhere within the system usingMultiFreight’s comprehensive search functions.

In addition, so long as they are in electronic format, you can attach any number ofexternal documents to an address, quotation, job, consol or purchase invoicerecord. Whether they are scanned images, emails and attachments received, orletters you have produced, they can all be filed within MultiFreight and associatedwith the record they relate to.

Job costing and invoicing

n Costing jobs – accrual accounting and multi-currency job-costing are provided asstandard within MultiFreight. You will be able to determine the projected profitmargin on any job. The system automatically calculates the cost reservesassociated with a shipment depending on specific values you define, such as modeof transport, carrier, and destination. Where you have an agreed tariff with asupplier, you can store this on the system for use in calculating cost reserves,though you can override one or more line items by entering details manually.

For consolidations, the costs associated with the consolidation can be pro-rata’edacross each of the component shipments. In this way you will be able to determinethe profitability of each individual consignment within a consolidated shipment.

The system stores the cost reserves it calculates so that when the actual chargesare available, your accounts department staff can compare the two. You can speedup the approval process by giving the accounts department authority to approveinvoices within a defined amount of the cost reserve without referring back to theoperations department.

n Processing purchase invoices – when you register purchase invoices, thesystem identifies the job(s) or consol(s) they relate to and displays the costreserves. If the invoice amount falls outside pre-defined allowable limits, the systemwill warn the user, otherwise you can simply authorise the system to process theinvoice. If there is a difference between the cost reserve and the actual invoiceamount, MultiFreight automatically recalculates your profit margin.

Using MultiFreight’s document management functionality, you will be able to scanpurchase invoices, then enter and match the purchase invoice while viewing it onthe screen, and automatically attach the scanned document to your invoice record.

MultiFreight outputs accrual journals and purchase invoices electronically so thatthey can be posted directly into your chosen accounting package.

n Standard electronic purchase invoices – MultiFreight processes electronicinvoices, such as those raised by CASS or port authorities for security services,automatically matches them to accruals and posts them to your purchase ledger.

n Automating purchase invoices – If you subscribe to MultiFreight’s MultiDoxservice, you can automatically convert any form of purchase invoice into a common,standard format for your organisation. Invoices may be entered online by yoursupplier or entered into the system manually. Once the details are on your system,MultiFreight automatically matches the purchase invoice against reserves and postsit to your purchase ledger.

n Pre-payments and cheque requisition – MultiFreight allows you to enterdetails of pre-payments manually so that these can be accounted for within thesystem. The details of job costing are automatically updated. You can also create apre-payment cheque using MultiFreight or send an authorisation to raise a chequedirect to the accounts department.

n Write-offs – MultiFreight gives you the ability to identify and write-off all costreserves (either globally (by age) or for specific suppliers) for which no actualinvoice has been received. Write-offs are automatically taken to profit, with thereserve on the job or consol being matched off, and a supporting journal producedfor your general ledger.

n Invoicing – MultiFreight automatically generates invoices using details from withinthe system. It supports multi-currency invoicing with separate duty/VAT invoicing ifrequired. MultiFreight will automatically assign general ledger codes to thetransactions which means your operations staff will not need to enter thisinformation, and in this way you can eliminate posting errors.

You can set the system up for period invoicing and specify the parameters for suchinvoices. MultiFreight outputs sales invoices and general ledger postings in a waythat the details can be automatically entered direct into the relevant ledgers withinyour chosen accounting package.

n Integration with accounting ledgers – MultiFreight is designed to work inconjunction with the accounting package of your choice. It exchanges data with allof the popular accounting packages available and if you have not yet selected one,we can supply and support Open Accounts as part of your MultiFreight system.

The interoperability between MultiFreight and your accounting package means thatMultiFreight will be able to enter data direct into the relevant ledgers, so ensuringthat no re-keying errors are introduced. The two-way interface also means that youwill be able to manage credit control more effectively.

Business management

n Management reporting – MultiFreight includes its own management informationsystem so you can create management reports to track aspects of your businessyou want to monitor most closely. You define the number and type of reports youwant to be produced and specify how you would like them to look. You can obtaininformation on any aspect of your business by requesting a report on such thingsas: profitability, accruals, cargo and container volumes, analysis by company, office,department, transport type, customer, supplier, agent, route, trade, country andmany more.

n Managing multi-site companies – MultiFreight is designed to be scalable forremote locations over a wide area network so you can readily use just one systemto manage a complete organisation. It can support up to 99 individual companies,each with any number of different offices/locations, even across national borders.Each location can define its own operating procedures and manage them using thesystem. Each operating site can maintain unique content and layout of itsdocumentation without compromising the way the corporate-wide system functions.

n Integrating with other systems –MultiFreight allows you to share your systeminformation with many third-party application packages.

Freight-forwarding business functionsProcessing Customs entries

The core MultiFreight system can be extended with MultiShed to include support forhandling import and export procedures. See the section on the MultiFreight systemoptions for more information.

Managing your transport needs

The MultiFreight system allows you to control and manage transport schedules acrossall of the different types of transport. The system displays an on-screen traffic sheetthat shows day-by-day details of collections and deliveries booked through any of theMultiFreight functions.

This information will assist you in identifying and scheduling movements which havenot yet been planned, help you to plan your future haulage requirements and ensurethat you will be able to fulfil them. You can also check off successful movements, andat the same time analyse transport failures so that you can keep your customersinformed and monitor the performance of any sub-contractors.

Air freightFrom within the air freight functions you have access to all of the core businessfunctionality as well as the specialised support you need to process air cargo efficientlyand accurately.

MultiFreight’s user interface comprises a set of specific data-entry screens that allowyou to process all types of export and import air freight (including direct shipments,consols, IATA shipments, back-to-back shipments, handovers and co-loads) and tomanage AWB stocks. Because the screens are tailored for air-freight transactions, theyuse terminology and procedures that will be familiar to anyone who has worked with airfreight before.

key featUres

n Export shipments – the system allows you to produce master and house billsand handles back-to-back shipments and co-loads.

n Export consolidations – MultiFreight fully handles both masters and master-house shipments.

n Producing airwaybills – within the air freight functions you will be able to rateand cut airwaybills (both house and master) and MultiFreight is accredited by CASSfor use with neutral airwaybills. Using CCS-UK you will be able to transmit electronicairwaybills.

n Airline buying rates – you can store details of airline buying rates withinMultiFreight. When you are preparing a job, the system can show a list of allsuitable carriers and the expected cost for each, so the user simply selects the mostappropriate carrier for that shipment.

n Making pre-bookings with airlines – if you make regular shipments with aparticular carrier, block-booking space could allow you to negotiate a better rate withthat carrier. MultiFreight can automatically send a request to reserve space to coveryour requirements for the next month. The system uses your previous month’srequested bookings as the basis and gives you the option of amending this beforeMultiFreight emails it as a request to the carrier. As it does so, it also reserves AWBnumbers.

n Bar-coded labels – MultiFreight produces IATA-approved bar-coded labels foreach item within a shipment.

n MAWB numbers – MultiFreight maintains your AWB stock. It allows you toreserve MAWBs, automatically assigns the number, and manages MAWBcancellations and reassignment of numbers. There is no need for you to allocate oradminister MAWBs manually.

n Post-flight information – because MultiFreight integrates with CCS-UK, you willbe able to receive information relating to the post-flight status of cargo direct intoyour system.

n Air ACE support – if you are shipping goods into the United States by air,MultiFreight provides full support for the US Customs and Border Protection’s AirAutomated Commercial Environment (ACE).

n Calculating profit shares – MultiFreight automates the process of calculatingprofit shares. For consolidations where you work in partnership with an agent,MultiFreight uses system data (such as details of the consignments within theconsolidation, total revenue, total costs, and details relating to the financialarrangement with your partner) to show the invoice/payment amount. Once the userauthorises, MultiFreight automatically generates the invoice or credit note, producesa schedule and updates the ledgers within your chosen accounting package.

n Import consolidations – MultiFreight processes import manifests. You caneither enter the details manually, or if available, use EDI to receive the details fromyour partner direct into the system.

n Import shipments – MultiFreight automatically creates break-bulk shipmentsfrom import consolidations and allows you to manage agent handovers as well asclearance and handling shipments.

n Customs – if you extend your system with MultiShed, you will also be able toprepare Customs entries for air freight. (See the MultiFreight system optionsfor more information.)

n CASS invoices – MultiFreight automatically allocates CASS invoices using datafrom the system so you do not have to re-key the relevant information.

n E-freight and electronic AWBs – MultiFreight supports the IATA e-freightinitiative through its electronic storage and transmission of shipper and carrierdocuments and customs processing. This functionality, which has been establishedby MultiFreight working with its customers, provides paperless trading with majorcarriers, using FWB and FHL messaging to replace printed airwaybills.

International road freight From within the international road freight functions you have access to all of the corebusiness functionality as well as the specialised support you need to processinternational road freight.

MultiFreight’s user interface comprises a number of specific data-entry screens thatallow you to process all types of international freight transported by road. This includestools for handling import and/or export cargo. Because the screens are tailored forroad-freight transactions, they use terminology and procedures that will be familiar toanyone who has worked with road freight before.

key featUres

n Export consignments – MultiFreight allows you to manage full trailer loads andgroupage cargo.

n Export groupage – within the system you can allocate and deallocateconsignments, create manifests, and run ‘what if’ scenarios against options forvehicle loading to help you determine which would be the most profitable.

n Producing CMR notes – MultiFreight automatically produces CMR notes fromsystem data.

n AMETAs – MultiFreight automates the process of calculating AMETAs. Forgroupage cargo where you work in partnership with an agent, MultiFreight usessystem data (such as details of the consignments within the groupage, totalrevenue, total costs, and details relating to the financial arrangement with yourpartner) to show the invoice/payment amount. Once the user authorises,MultiFreight automatically generates the invoice or credit note, produces a scheduleand updates the ledgers within your chosen accounting package.

n Managing sub-contractors – within MultiFreight you can store details aboutsub-contractors, such as details of their driver insurances and insurance expirydates as well as specific capabilities, like refrigerated vehicles or hazardous loads.You can then query the system to show all suitable sub-contractors for a specific joband select the most suitable. The system automatically sends an email request tothe sub-contractor.

n Import groupage – MultiFreight processes import manifests. You can either enterthe details manually, or if available, use EDI to receive the details from your partnerdirect into the system.

n Import consignments – MultiFreight handles both full trailer loads and groupagecargo.

n Import and export – for traffic outside the EU, you will also be able to prepareCustoms entries for road freight if you extend your system with MultiShed. (See theMultiFreight system options for more information.)

n NCTS entries – the system automatically transfers data direct into NCTS fortransit cargo arrivals and departures.

Sea freightFrom within the sea freight functions you have access to all of the core businessfunctionality as well as the specialised support you need to transport freight by sea. Formanaging multi-container bookings, you are unlikely to find facilities as comprehensiveas MultiFreight’s in any other system.

MultiFreight’s user interface comprises a number of specific data-entry screens thatallow freight-forwarders and NVOCC’s to process sea freight. The system allows you tomanage small-scale shipments right through to large consignments and multiplecontainer consolidations for both import and export operations.

MultiFreight’s screens are tailored for sea-freight transactions and so use terminologyand procedures that will be familiar to anyone who has worked with sea freight before.

key featUres

n Export shipments – the system covers general cargo, LCL cargo, and FCL cargowith any number of containers.

n Arranging transport – the system lets you record all the information you need togenerate transport instructions direct from your desk – from simple LCL collectionsto complex multi-container multi-drop movements. Because MultiFreight is anintegrated system, from within the sea freight functions you will also be able to viewoverall transport requirements and planning.

n Producing house and master bills – using data stored within the system,MultiFreight will automatically produce the line’s ocean bills and FIATA bills requiredfor sea freight. You can also design and produce your own house bills andmanifests within the system.

n Export consolidation – within the system you can build consolidations forgroupage containers and allocate shipments (in whole or in part) to a masterconsolidation.

n Electronic bookings and shipping line instructions – because MultiFreightis connected directly to INTTRA, GT Nexus and CargoSmart, as well as producingpaper or email instructions to carriers, it can also automatically send EDI freightbookings to most of the major carriers. You do not need to know which of theportals handles the carrier you want to use because MultiFreight automaticallypasses your request to the relevant portal. As status updates are returned from theshipping portal, the system automatically updates the job file and if you are usingMultiTrack, it also updates the tracking information on the web.

n Vessel-level updating – the system can show details of all your shipments on aspecific vessel. If there is a change to key information that affects the vessel (forexample, the arrival date changes or the exchange rate fluctuates) the systemautomatically updates all shipments that are affected by the change.

n ACE support – if you are shipping goods into the United States by sea,MultiFreight provides full support for the US Customs and Border Protection’sAutomated Commercial Environment (ACE).

n Import consolidations – MultiFreight processes import manifests. You caneither enter the details manually, or if available, use EDI to receive the details fromyour partner direct into the system.

n Import shipments – within the system you can arrange local transport forshipments from the port to the delivery address. The system automaticallygenerates the associated delivery notes and sends out notifications when shipmentshave arrived at the port.

n Duty invoicing – MultiFreight generates separate Duty/VAT invoices which it canbuild direct from the amounts returned from the Customs entry.

n Import and export – for traffic outside the EU, you will also be able to prepareCustoms entries for road freight if you extend your system with MultiShed. (See theMultiFreight system options for more information.)

n Cheque requisitions – the system allows you to register payments to shippinglines and raise cheque requisitions. MultiFreight will also automatically update thejob file and post the updates to your accounting system.

n Port invoices – MultiFreight handles electronic processing of port invoices suchas those raised for port security services.

Liner agency The liner agency functions extend MultiFreight’s sea freight export and importcapabilities to streamline liner agency operations.

From within the liner agency functions you have access to all of the core businessfunctionality as well as the specialised support you need to manage a liner agencybusiness.

MultiFreight’s user interface comprises specific data-entry screens that allow lineragencies to take cargo bookings, arrange transport, manage vessel allocation andmanifesting, produce bills of lading, organise cargo release and collect charges.

Where you are also providing a forwarding service, MultiFreight allows you to fullyintegrate liner agency functionality with sea freight export and import and Customsprocessing.

key featUres

n Export and import shipments – MultiFreight covers general cargo, LCL cargo,and FCL cargo with any number of containers.

n Voyage management – the system allows you to allocate shipments to voyages,creates export manifests, and produces bulk documentation (such as emailing allparties to advise the arrival for a voyage).

n Integration with third-party systems – with MultiFreight, depending on thecustomers and transport partners you work with, it may be possible for you toautomate the interfaces between MultiFreight and shipping lines’ proprietarysystems to give you automated downloading of import manifests and uploading ofexport bookings. To enable this, some element of customised development may berequired.

n Vessel-level updating – the system can show details of all your shipments on aspecific vessel. If there is a change to key information that affects the vessel (forexample, the arrival date changes or the exchange rate fluctuates) the systemautomatically updates all shipments that are affected by the change.

n Arranging transport – the system lets you record all the information you needto generate transport instructions direct from your desk, from simple LCL collectionsto complex multi-container multi-drop movements. The system’s transportmanagement functions are seamlessly available so you can see and plan overalltransport requirements.

n Automated costing and invoicing – the costing and invoicing functions havebeen specifically extended in the context of liner agency exports to automatecalculations and manage costs and charges in such areas as quay rent,demurrage, and transport costs taking into account mileage, timed deliveries wastedjourneys and other factors.

n Integration with transport companies – with MultiFreight, depending on thecustomers and transport partners you work with, it may be possible for you to usefully automated EDI functionality for transport bookings, acknowledgements, andself-billing including approval against stored tariffs. To enable this, some element ofcustomised development may be required.

Ships’ agencyFrom within the ships’ agency functions you have access to all of the core businessfunctionality as well as the specialised support you need to manage a ship’s visit to port.

MultiFreight allows you to record and maintain the information you need to estimate costsbased on vessel characteristics and port charges, and provide quotations, record andprocess transactions, generate communications and provide accounting to vessel owners.

Courier shipmentsMultiFreight provides streamlined data-entry screens for processing, costing andcharging courier jobs and generating documentation, such as courier airwaybills. Thesystem also includes interfaces with courier company systems (such as DHL).

Domestic transportMultiFreight provides streamlined data-entry screens for processing, costing andcharging domestic local transport jobs, to include producing documentation such asdelivery notes and schedules, and recording Proof of Delivery.

From within the road distribution functions you have access to all of the core businessfunctionality as well as the specialised support you need to monitor and manage roadfreight consignments.

As an optional extension to the MultiFreight system you can license the DA SystemsNX Software. This provides you with real-time, in-cab communications between theMultiFreight system, vehicles and drivers. The key features of this extension to yoursystem are:

n Tracking of drivers – MultiFreight tracks the movement of consignments througha dedicated 3G comms device, such as a PDA. This device provides mobilecommunications between your MultiFreight system and the vehicle driver.

n Tracking of vehicles – optionally, you can incorporate GPS vehicle tracking withan in-cab device. This provides the driver with a real-time map and/or directions tocollection and delivery points, and updates the MultiFreight system with thevehicle’s location at all times.

n Automatic allocation of jobs – as soon as a collection request is entered intothe MultiFreight system, the details are sent automatically to the nearest driver. Themobile device shows the driver the system reference, size and weight of theconsignment and address details. The driver can then accept or reject the job fromhis location on the road and when the job has been allocated, the traffic deskinformation is automatically updated.

n Mobile proof of delivery (POD) or collection – collections and deliveriescan be authenticated in real time through the mobile device’s 'sign-on-screen'function. The customer’s signature image is automatically sent to the MultiFreightsystem, so the traffic desk can identify and provide up-to-date information aboutconsignments, jobs or delivery manifest details.

Equipment control From within the equipment control functions you have access to all of the corebusiness functionality as well as the specialised support you need to track the numberand location of your containers and trailers. You tailor the tracking within MultiFreight tomirror your organisation’s processes.

MultiFreight’s user interface comprises a number of specific data-entry screens thatallow you to monitor not only where your equipment stock is, but also its condition (full,empty, damaged, and so on) and details for leased equipment, such as leasing costsand how much longer the lease runs for.

key featUres

n User-definable life cycle – the system allows you to control the exact processand level of detail you need to manage your equipment stock. For example, you canspecify ‘in depot and empty’, ‘on quay and awaiting release’, ‘under repair’, and so on.

n User-definable activity rules – within the system you define what actions arevalid depending on the current status of a piece of equipment.

n User-definable variable data – you define what information needs to berecorded for each type of activity.

n Immediate on-screen access – the system provides information relating to adetailed enquiry on the current status and previous history of specific container, or ageneral enquiry – such as how many 40’ high cubes are available by depot?

n Calculation of leasing costs – MultiFreight allows you analyse expected costsby customer, based on stored rates and equipment usage for a given period.

n Calculation of sub-leasing charges – MultiFreight allows you analyse chargesdue by customer for sub-leased containers, based on stored rates and equipmentusage for a given period.

n Integration with other MultiFreight functions

Transit warehousing (Warehouse receipts)MultiFreight’s warehouse receipts function provides specific data-entry screens forrecording and managing cargo received pending shipment or delivery. It supportsmultiple warehouses, and can be linked with any of your operating departments so thatoperations staff can immediately check whether the cargo for a shipment has beenreceived, and use the warehouse records to build up their job file, so avoiding repetitivedata entry.

Section 1

0 -Main features of the M

ultiFreight system options

Main features

of the

MultiFreight

system options

Main features of the MultiFreight system optionsAny of the MultiFreight options can be purchased with the core system or added sometime after.

MultiShedAs an extension to your MultiFreight system, the MultiShed option integrates fully toprovide complete support for electronic Customs procedures. Few other systemsintegrate to quite the same degree, and this high level of integration speeds uptransaction time, minimises errors and reduces processing costs.

When you combine MultiShed with MultiFreight, you can access the records stored inyour corporate database and in the job file you are working on to build your Customsentry, and transmit it direct from your screen. This linkage means there is no need tore-key relevant data, and because the details are taken directly from MultiFreight, youcan complete the required transaction more quickly and with a reduced risk of errors.

With this fully-linked system, MultiFreight is automatically updated with informationreturned from the Customs system, such as entry numbers, routing, and duty and VATamounts. MultiShed and MultiFreight together provide a complete system, so youeliminate the need for any other software or manual system for handling Customs-related transactions, thus further reducing possible errors.

key featUres

MultiShed provides interactive communications with major community system providers:

n MCP

n CNS

n CCS-UK

n FCS (for ACE transactions)

n AEP (for Irish Customs)

n It also supports e-mail communications for NCTS and NES

MultiShed handles all of the following Customs procedures:

n Import entry

n Export entry (NES)

n NCTS

n CFSP

n ERTS

n ACE

n DEP

Interactive Tariff enquiry

n An electronic customs tariff (with regular updates) is available for our customers todownload as part of their support contract, with tariff interrogation and selection fullyintegrated within entry build-up.

MultiTrackMultiTrack is a service provided by MultiFreight that allows you to communicate withyour customers via the internet. Through MultiTrack, customers will be able to tracktheir purchase orders, track and trace the movement of their consignments, and obtainaccess to an extensive range of individually defined reports. You will be able to advisethem automatically by email whenever key information relating to them changes withinMultiFreight.

Companies that subscribe to the service appear as professional, modern and efficientto their customers, and no matter how large or small the business is, each can providean internet-based service similar to that offered by large, multi-national operators.

What makes MultiTrack especially attractive is that your customers need never knowthat you are using a service provider. The MultiTrack service allows you to customisewhat each of your customers sees when they log on, so that it appears they areaccessing your corporate website. You can personalise their view into your system, andcontrol what information is available to them.

For many freight-forwarding operators it is just too costly to fund the development andmaintenance of this type of service in-house. MultiTrack provides a way of making itcost-effective. In addition, it will reduce admin costs associated with dealing withqueries and orders, while at the same time providing an ‘on-demand and alwaysavailable’ ordering and information service for your customers.

At all times you retain full control over the content and look of the website. What youdon’t have is the high cost often associated with providing this type of service for yourcustomers.

key featUres

n Customisation – MultiTrack is fully configurable, and can be built into yourwebsite in such a way that it appears to be an integral part of it. We take the HTMLand style sheets from your web designers and present the ‘Track and Trace’functions in your corporate design.

n Hosting – MultiFreight hosts the service securely on its own web servers, which forma robust system that has been tried and tested by tens of thousands of transactions.

n Subscription – subscription fees are charged monthly and depend on your usage.

n Shipping – details of freight movement are reflected on the website as theshipment progresses. When MultiTrack is integrated with MultiFreight this is anautomatic process, and any relevant changes within MultiFreight are automaticallyupdated on the website.

The shipping database within MultiTrack allows you to manage air, sea, and roadfreight. It handles everything from simple A-to-B consignments to complexshipments with many different products relating to a variety of different purchaseorders, even if these have been loaded into different containers with multipletranshipment points and multiple delivery points.

n Tracking – you can specify key tracking points (such as factory/warehousehandover, delivery to port/airport, departure, arrival, customs clearance, release,delivery to final destination, and so on) to suit your individual customer’s businessmodel. In this way you can track when these points occur, and as well as updatingthe details on the website you can automatically notify your customer by email.

n Automatic email alerts – you can configure MultiTrack so that it automaticallynotifies your customers of changes to key information. If an ETA changes,MultiFreight will automatically update MultiTrack, which would then let yourcustomer know by email of the change. You can enable or disable these automaticalerts for specific customers or for specific events for an individual customer.

n Automated carrier updates – you can interface MultiTrack to various air and seafreight carrier systems, such as CCS-UK, INTTRA and GTNexus, so that freight statusupdates are made automatically to your website. This means that with a simpleenquiry over the internet your customer can get up-to-the-minute information about ifand when their cargo sailed/flew – even when they are in a different time zone.

n Proof of Delivery – to complete the cycle, MultiTrack can accept proof ofdelivery either as an electronic message or by online entry. The system also allowsyou to store the ‘Proof of Delivery’ document as a scanned image so it can beviewed by you, or by your customer on the website. See Online documents below.

n Reporting – MultiTrack’s comprehensive and flexible reporting suite is one of itsgreatest benefits for you and your customer. You can define and send a range ofreports in a variety of formats including Excel. Your customers can request reportsat will, or take advantage of the report scheduler to define the reports they want andwhen they would like them to be delivered. This means that you (or they) can simplyset up reports, as per your customer’s specification. For example, they couldrequest a report to be emailed to their Shipping Manager every Monday at 9.00a.m., and to their Operations Director every Friday at 10.00 a.m. Because reportingis automated, there’s no risk that you’ll overlook producing a report that yourcustomer depends on.

n Online documents – MultiTrack provides online storage of document images. Ifyou wish, any electronic document stored within MultiFreight, such as a bill oflading, for example, can be made automatically available on the website for you andthe customer.

MultiStockThe MultiStock option provides the facilities to administer third-party warehousing. Itcan be integrated with MultiFreight or used stand-alone.

MultiStock is designed for warehousing operations, and is often used by MultiFreightusers to manage secondary businesses that help them to maximise the return fromtheir available warehousing. It provides tools and functionality similar to those inMultiFreight which are tailored for this type of commercial operation.

MultiStock allows you run several virtual warehouses concurrently. You are able to:

n administer and track jobs

n manage storage for any number of customers

n create reports for individual customers

The third-party warehousing features enable you to keep control of longer-term storageon behalf of your customers, and help you to manage charging for that handling andstorage.

When MultiStock is used in conjunction with the MultiFreight family of products it allowsyou to offer your customers a complete logistics service – from managing the import ofgoods from abroad, their warehousing and distribution through to freight-forwarding andexport.

key featUres

n Separate stock records – MultiStock handles any number of customers andallows you to manage goods under different part numbers.

n Receipts, dispatches and movements – you can manage all of theseindependently for each customer across any number of locations.

n Bespoke tariffs – MultiStock allows you to define a different tariff for eachcustomer to suit the commercial agreement with that specific customer.

n Automated multi-currency invoicing

n Customs-approved bonded stock tracking

n Reporting – MultiStock allows you to raise enquiries and generate reports byindividual customer. You can tailor the reports and drill down into the data to requestmore detailed reports and enquiries if you wish.

n Exporting data – you are able to export data and reports generated by MultiStockto Excel, Word and other Windows applications.

n Integration – you can fully integrate MultiStock with MultiFreight and youraccounting package and therefore remove the need to re-key data. This saves timeand reduces the risk of errors.

n Customer web access – customers can remotely access individually assignedgroups of data through personalised menus and security procedures.

n Document organiser – the document organiser allows you to sort letters, faxesand emails by customer and gives you easy access to correspondence history.

MultiChainMultiChain allows you to monitor and manage large and complex supply chain orders,particularly if you are importing from manufacturers abroad when timezones andlanguage can hinder communication.

The facilities within MultiChain allow you to standardise incoming POs, to consolidategoods for different orders into a single consignment, identify the location and status ofitems, to monitor supply against order and to build shipments for onward distribution.

Once an electronic PO enters the system you can keep track of the status of the orderright down to the level of individual line items. If you order from manufacturers a longtime in advance and the items arrive as several part shipments (and not necessarily inthe same order as on the PO), MultiChain will give you more oversight and control. Youcan accurately ascertain where individual items are within your supply chain.

When you extend MultiFreight with both MultiStock and MultiChain, it allows you to offeryour customers a complete logistics service – from managing the import of goods fromabroad, their warehousing and distribution through to freight-forwarding and export.

key featUres

n Contracts and purchase orders – contracts can range from a single purchaseorder right up to a multiple product agreement to be fulfilled by variable call-offsover an extended time period. You can receive order details from your customerselectronically.

n Automatic standardisation of POs – MultiChain automatically convertspurchase order data into a common, standard format. Orders may be receivedelectronically or entered into the system manually. Using a standard format makesaccessing and tracking information quicker and allows the production ofmanagement reports.

n Status tracking – full up-to-date tracking of all orders on the system. You cansee instantly where individual line items are in the supply chain, such as ‘on order’,‘ready to ship’, and quantities outstanding/already shipped against each line item.

n Building a shipping order – anyone within the supply chain with access toMultiChain can build the shipping order, so you, the overseas factory, its agent oroverseas operator can build the supply order.

n Electronic bookings and shipping line instructions – when goods areready to ship, either you or the manufacturer (or agent) can make the booking. Theintegration between MultiChain and MultiFreight provides access to all the shippingfunctions within the core system. Through MultiFreight and the optional MultiShedyou have access to import and Customs functions.

n Monitoring the location of goods – MultiChain identifies where goods arewithin the supply chain until the point they are shipped to the customer. Forexample, you can identify whether goods needed to fulfill an order are still with themanufacturer or in a Custom-cleared warehouse, and whether you have receivedthe required quantities against a given line item.

n Enquiries – MultiChain allows you to raise enquiries and generate reports byindividual customer or PO.

n On line visibility – links MultiChain to MultiTrack to give your customers on-lineaccess to status information.

MultiDoxMultiDox integrates technology from Digital Mailroom Limited to convert incomingdocuments for use within MultiFreight, and to provide secure, HMRC-compliant storage.

Processing of purchase invoicesThe service allows you to receive, enter, attach and match your purchase invoiceselectronically within MultiFreight, eliminating any manual processing and savingadministration costs on purchase invoice identification, entry, attachment, and matching.

MultiDox converts purchase invoices of any format into a single format and importsthem into MultiFreight. The original purchase invoice can be scanned paperdocuments, PDFs or electronic data files. Data feeds from MultiFreight allow automaticlinking between invoices and other system data, with automatic matching beforeposting them to your accounts package in the normal way.

key featUres

n Purchase invoice matching – purchase invoices are automatically matchedagainst the order/job estimate information imported from MultiFreight within settolerances

n Creditor status information – view up-to-the-minute information on creditors’status

n Batch POD processing – MultiDox allows you to automatically identify, enter,and attach PODs to the relevant job file

n HMRC compliance – MultiDox complies with HM Revenue & Customsrequirements for electronic invoicing and removes the need for paper copies

Attaching documents automatically

MultiDox allows you to receive PODs and other documents electronically andautomatically attach them to the relevant job file. For example, it can automaticallyattach a copy POD to your outgoing sales invoices.

Electronic sales invoices

The service allows you to turn your sales invoices into any EDI format demanded byyour customers. The electronic sales invoice and any supporting documentation, suchas a POD, can be sent automatically from MultiFreight to minimise errors and reducethe time it takes to process a sales invoice.

MultiStatMultiStat is a business intelligence tool that gives you the ability to sort, filter, analyseand report on any data held within your MultiFreight system – it allows you to extractdetailed information in any combination that is meaningful and relevant to you.

The specific and detailed information MultiStat provides allows you to focus on anyaspect of the customer and business operations data stored within your system. Youcreate a set of data that is relevant to the business function you are examining, andhave control over who can view this information.

Your view into the businessMultiStat presents your business data as a set of “activities” (such as customers,quotations and jobs) each of which is a view into the database. You can add activities asrequired to provide new views of the database, including combinations of other activities.

Within each activity you can sort, filter, add/remove/reposition data columns, and drilldown to underlying data. For example, you could filter jobs for a particular customer andperiod, and then examine in detail the financial transactions behind them. If you wish toretain your query so that you can use it again, you can save it as a favourite.

ReportsYou can save your query as a formatted report, to which you can add your own designfeatures such as logos and graphs. You’ll be able to re-run any of the formatted reportswithin your library at any time, either manually or as a scheduled report, to pick upcurrent data.

As an example, MultiStat allows you to create formatted KPI reports for your customersthat can be run and e-mailed to them automatically each week or month. You can alsoexport data to Excel or other formats suitable for use with third-party applications.

key featUres

n Immediate access to live data – each time you query the data base MultiStatsearches current data, so you know your information is up to date

n Create your own view into your business data – choose from and combineactivities (various views into the system data) to select the information you wish to examine

n Powerful filters – refine your query by including or excluding certain informationto give you only the data you are interested in

n Underlying details at your fingertips – MultiStat allows you to display thedetailed data for any query

n Save the search criteria for your query – once you have created a querythat displays the data you wish to view, you can save the query settings so that youcan quickly bring up the same query again

n Control access to system data – once you have returned a set of data from aquery, you can define who is able to view that information. This means you candistribute targeted and relevant information to people both within your organisationor externally

n Tailored reports – the results from any query can be inserted into a predefined,tailored report within MultiStat

n Report data shown in various ways – as well as spreadsheet-style reports,MultiStat can present the data from your query as a graph or pie chart