The pool distribution strategy enables you to combine your shipment with others going to multiple destinations within the same geographic area.
Shipments typically sent via LTL can be pooled or consolidated onto a full trailer—or multiple trailers—using Truckload or Intermodal transport. These LTL shipments are initially prepared individually at the origin, then grouped into an FTL/Intermodal shipment. After arriving at a distribution center, they are offloaded and delivered to their final destinations, which may involve one or several carriers.
Pooling Overview
To use the pooling feature in the TMS, it must first be enabled for the account.
There are three key requirements for pooling to work properly:
The user must have Truckload or Intermodal rates between the origin and the pooling point (end distribution center). These rates can be obtained via an API carrier or uploaded from a user-defined Truckload/Intermodal carrier.
Pooling Point setup (end distribution center): The pooling point is typically a facility used for cross-docking shipments delivered by truckload or intermodal, where the final mile carrier picks up the goods. This can be a third-party warehouse, or if all deliveries are by the same carrier, the final mile carrier's hub can be used. To add a pooling point, enter an address and toggle the Pooling Rates option at the bottom of the address edit window. This option only appears when creating new addresses after pooling has been enabled for the account. Only addresses marked as Pooling Points will be available when selecting a pooling point.
If the pooling point charges a cross-dock or other fees, these can be entered in the appropriate fields.
3. The account must have carriers with rates from the pooling point (end distribution center) to the final shipment destination. These can be standard API carrier rates, or user-defined LTL or courier rates that can be uploaded.
How to Manage Pooling in the TMS
Start by creating the individual shipments to be included in the pooling, using the original Ship From address ID and the final destinations. All shipments must have the same Ship From address ID. Enter all required shipment details, as shipments without these details or those using truckload, intermodal, or ocean containers as package types will not appear in the pooling window. You can either leave the carrier to rate shop or assign a specific carrier if only one can handle the delivery. To make pooling effective, there should be multiple shipments to combine.
Next, navigate to the Pooling window, which will appear to the right of the Ship menu.
To add a new pooling, click the Add New button.
When creating a new pooling transaction, the system will automatically assign a Pool ID, but you'll need to input a Pool Reference. This can be any identifier that helps you recognize the transaction.
Pooling Date: This is the expected ship date for the pooling.
Ship From Address: It should match the Ship From address used when creating the individual shipments.
Pooling Point: Select the pooling point (end distribution center) that you set up.
Truckload / Intermodal Carrier Selection: By default, the system will rate shop for this part of the pooling, but you can choose a specific carrier if preferred.
Equipment Type: This represents the linehaul equipment or mode to be used, typically a truckload or intermodal equipment type.
From Main Location: By default, the system will rate shop, but you can also select a specific carrier. This is used to calculate the cost for individual shipments as if they were shipped from the original Ship From address.
From Pooling Point: The default is also Rate shop, but you can choose a specific carrier. This calculates the cost for individual shipments as if they were shipped from the pooling point (end distribution center) address.
In the Shipment to Pool section, you can add the shipments you want to include in the pooling by clicking the Add Shipments button.
You can select shipments from the list that appears. Note: Only shipments from the shipping location in the pooling transaction will appear. Shipments without shipment details will not be displayed.
Once you click Quote, the system will generate rate quotes for all individual shipments if they ship from the original Ship From address. The total cost for these individual shipments will be displayed in the Individual Shipments Total Cost, along with the maximum transit days for a shipment from the original Ship From address.
The quoting process will also generate a pooling quote by getting a rate for the linehaul, as well as all individual shipments from the pooling point to the final destination.
After quoting, the system will show the total cost of shipping the individual shipments separately, along with the maximum number of days a shipment may take if shipped separately. Additionally, you'll see the total cost and maximum transit days for using the pooling feature. On the right, you'll find the cross-dock (pooling point) fee, which is already included in the Pooling Total Cost, along with the maximum transit days for shipments using the pooling process.
If you decide to process the pooling transaction, clicking the Process Pooling button will create shipments from the origin to the pooling point, as well as shipments from the pooling point to the final destination. The system will use the standard shipping engine and rules to generate the shipments as if they were processed individually from the Ship window.
If there are any errors during the transaction process, the pooling transaction will be closed and moved to the Open tab with a status of Error.
After a pooling transaction is successfully processed, it will automatically close. You can view completed transactions in the Completed (History) tab.
Printing Labels and Documents
Click View Labels to display labels, BOLs, and documents on your screen. Packing slips and invoices will be included only if this setting is enabled in the Company page.
If your printer connector is enabled, click Print Labels to send labels, BOLs, and documents directly to your printer.
Users can select and print labels for multiple pools in one action. Only completed pools can be selected.
Bill of Lading (BOL) Details
The Linehaul BOL (for truckload or intermodal shipments) will be dated with the pooling date, and the carrier listed will be the linehaul carrier selected in the pooling transaction. This BOL will include:
Ship From: The original shipping location
Ship To: The pooling point (end distribution center)
Shipment Details: A summary of all individual shipments in the pool
References: Left blank for the origin-to-pooling-point leg
Individual Shipment BOLs will be dated the day after the linehaul is expected to arrive at the pooling point. These BOLs will display:
Carrier: The final delivery carrier selected in the pooling transaction
Ship From: The pooling point (end distribution center)
Ship To: The final destination for each shipment
Shipment Details: Information entered when creating the original shipments
Viewing Completed Pooling Transactions
Each transaction can be viewed in the Completed (History) report. All associated shipments will have the same Pooling ID for simple tracking.
Cloning & Deleting Pools
Clicking Clone on an invoice or pool will prompt a warning message. Choosing "Yes" duplicates the pool, while "No" closes the window without making changes.
Clicking Delete on an invoice or pool will also prompt a warning message. Choosing "Yes" deletes the pool, while "No" closes the window without making changes.
Note: Actions can only be taken on open pools. No options or buttons will be available for closed pools.
Address Verification
When quoting or shipping, the system validates the entered address using the existing address validation function from the legacy system.
If an unrecognized address is entered, a popup will suggest the closest anticipated correct address.
If no match is found, users may proceed with the entered address, but a red non-validated warning will appear, indicating that the address has not been verified.
Tracking Updates
When quoting or shipping, the system validates the entered address using the existing address validation function from the legacy system.
If an unrecognized address is entered, a popup will suggest the closest anticipated correct address.
If no match is found, users may proceed with the entered address, but a red non-validated warning will appear, indicating that the address has not been verified.
