/ By Evan Knauss / Customer Experience • Carriers • Freight • Parcel • Shipping Costs • Shipping Software • Supply Chain/Logistics/ / 0 Comments

The Power of Containerization: How it Shapes the Modern Customer Experience

Unlock the benefits of containerization for your business and how it can enhance the customer experience

Imagine you order a new product online, and within days, your package arrives at your doorstep, unscathed and on time. And with the expectations of modern consumers, this is how anyone should expect it to happen, right? However, behind the seemingly effortless delivery process lies a crucial technique that helps make it all possible: containerization. This innovative method of optimizing how products are packed into cartons, pallets and trailers based on several key factors has significantly transformed the way goods move from the warehouse to the customer’s doorstep, ensuring smooth, secure, and efficient shipping.


While containerization plays a significant role in shipping logistics, it also enhances the entire experience as a customer. From faster deliveries to better product protection and cost savings, containerization touches every part of the journey. As we dive into the world of containerization, let’s explore the ways this innovative strategy directly influences the customer journey, creating a faster, safer, and more reliable consumer experience than ever before.

Faster Delivery

It’s no secret that today’s consumer expects their goods to be delivered quickly and accurately, especially with the increased availability of two-day, one-day, and same-day delivery options. Containerization helps shippers meet this expectation. By optimizing how products are packed, this strategy streamlines the entire fulfillment process, enabling warehouses to process orders quicker and more efficiently, speeding up the shipping process overall.


Struggling with oversized boxes and finding the right fit for product after product can be time consuming and a hassle, but containerization technology ensures each item is packed into the best-fitting carton for transportation from the start. This eliminates the need for last-minute adjustments and speeds up the packing process, moving orders out the door and to the customer faster.


Beyond its work in the warehouse, cartons optimized with containerization enable more efficient loading and transportation. Containerization tools evaluate each shipment to determine whether to pack them in cartons or pallets, helping warehouses process large orders faster. For parcel, properly packed shipments take up less space, allowing carriers to fit more deliveries into a single trip. For freight, properly packed pallets allow for quick, bulk loading onto trucks, reducing handling time and expediting the shipping process. This creates shorter delivery routes and reduces delivery delays, ultimately leading to faster deliveries and happier customers.

Reduced Damage and Reliability

It is typical consumer expectation that any goods they order should be protected throughout the shipping process and arrive in original condition, especially fragile or valuable goods. It is arguable that reliable shipping is just as important to consumers as speed, and this is where containerization shines. By optimizing packing choices for both cartons and pallets, containerization ensures that goods are packed securely, minimizing damage and enhancing the reliability of deliveries.


The containerization process carefully selects carton size for each individual order based on various factors such as weight and compatibility with other products. Securely packing items in a box that fits its dimensions eliminates excess space that could cause items to shift around or collide with other products. This prevents breakage, especially for products that might be more fragile or oddly shaped, while also reducing the need for excessive packaging that adds unnecessary waste and weight. By selecting the best-fit carton, businesses create more reliable deliveries and satisfied customers.


For larger shipments, containerization extends beyond individual boxes to pallets and trailers. When orders involve bulk quantities or oversized goods, this process determines whether products should be packed in cartons or consolidated onto pallets for more secure shipping. Properly stacked pallets ensure stability during transportation, reducing the risk of crushed or damaged items.


Reducing the risk of product damage also significantly lowers the number of costly returns. Properly packaged items lower the chance of crushed and damaged cartons during transportation because it allows for better stacking and load distribution within trailers, preventing tipping, sliding, or uneven weight distribution. Containerization helps ensure packages arrive at their destination in the same condition they left the warehouse, reinforcing customer trust and brand reliability.

Elevated Cost Savings

Behind every purchase is a complex chain of decisions aimed at balancing quality with affordability. Containerization is a significant factor helping to keep prices in check. This process optimizes the way items are packed, helping businesses save on both packing materials and transportation costs – savings that often get passed down to the customer.


Have you ever received an item free floating in a box that was three times the item’s size? Not only does improper packing put the item at risk for damage, but the business is also overpaying for all the space in the box that isn’t utilized (“paying for air”). While containerization provides the ability to select the optimally sized box for each order, it also minimizes the use of oversized cartons. This significantly reduces the amount of packing materials needed, lowering the costs associated with excess packaging and filler material. Furthermore, appropriately sized packages take up less space in delivery trucks and shipping containers, allowing businesses to move more items out in a single trip.


Containerization also helps businesses decide whether an order should be packed in boxes for parcel shipping or consolidated onto pallets for freight. This flexibility enables companies to choose the most cost-effective method – parcel for smaller shipments or freight for larger loads – while optimizing the space in each. By analyzing whether it’s cheaper to ship as a parcel or freight load, containerization helps businesses avoid unnecessary costs and further control transportation expenses.


Lastly, containerization helps companies avoid costly penalties from carriers who charge based on dimensional (DIM) weight, a pricing model based on the package volume relative to weight. For example, if a carton is too large, meaning there is too much air in the box, this can trigger an unexpected dim rate. If there are dim weight charges on nearly every package a company ships out, it can create a huge expense. Containerization helps business avoid this and keep shipping costs under control by finding the right sized carton.


So where do the savings come to the customer? The savings on shipping expenses means that businesses are more likely to offer competitive pricing on products and services. Whether this is reflected in lower product costs or free or reduced shipping, the financial benefits of containerization help enhance the shopping experience overall. Customers can enjoy high-quality goods at affordable prices, knowing that the logistics processes behind the scenes are optimized to save both time and money.

Leveraging the Power of Containerization

Containerization has redefined how businesses handle shipping, providing a cost-effective, secure, and efficient way to package and deliver goods. But while the benefits of leveraging containerization are already substantial, companies can take this efficiency even further with advanced packing technology. By strategically managing how products are packed and shipped, with the right tools in place, businesses can unlock even more savings, streamline operations, and further enhance customer satisfaction.

Varsity Logistics ShipOptimizer: Revolutionizing Container Packing

As shipping costs continue to rise and warehouse operations become more complex, businesses need more than just optimized cartons to stay competitive – they need smart solutions. With major carriers like FedEx recently announcing a 5.9% General Rate Increase (GRI) for 2025, controlling costs has become an even greater priority for shippers. Varsity Logistics, a leading provider of multi-carrier shipping solutions built exclusively for shippers on the IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems, offers a comprehensive suite of parcel and freight execution modules designed to help businesses revolutionize their shipping operations. Within that suite of modules is Varsity’s ShipOptimizer, an advanced containerization solution designed to streamline your packing process and reduce costs, all while enhancing the customer experience.


ShipOptimizer enables businesses to accurately predict shipping costs at the point of order, whether online or during entry, providing transparency that customers appreciate. This powerful tool can also optimize the entire packing process in the warehouse. By analyzing each item’s dimensions, weight, and compatibility, ShipOptimizer selects the ideal number and size of cartons needed for shipping. This eliminates the guesswork, reducing wasted space, packing materials, and even the likelihood of product damage that could lead to costly returns.


More than just a cost-saving tool, ShipOptimizer addresses the increasingly complex fulfillment requirements faced by businesses today. From handling split-case picking to developing pallet and trailer build plans, it transforms warehouse operations into a well-oiled machine. This results in reduced operating expenses, faster fulfillment, fewer damaged goods, and a better ordering experience for your customers overall.


By utilizing ShipOptimizer, companies can offer real-time shipping cost quotes, improve warehouse efficiency, and ensure their products arrive in perfect condition – ultimately passing down these benefits onto the end customer through lower prices, faster delivery, and higher satisfaction. To learn more about how Varsity Logistics can transform your shipping operations and help you meet the expectations of the modern consumer, contact our team of shipping experts or schedule a demo today.

/ By Varsity Shipping Specialists / Freight • Shipping Software • Supply Chain/Logistics • Technology/ / 0 Comments

The New Era of Less-Than-Truckload: How LTL API’s are Revolutionizing Freight Shipping

Discover how LTL APIs are transforming shipping and driving efficiency and savings through unified solutions

For a business to survive in the modern world, it requires utilizing advanced technology and swiftly adapting to fast-paced and constantly changing environments. The technology we leverage today in the supply chain industry plays a critical role in optimizing everyday operations and enhancing efficiency. Over the years, parcel carriers have been at the forefront of this technological revolution, embracing advanced rating tools, tracking systems, and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to streamline their processes. However, we cannot say the same for Less-than-Truckload (LTL) carriers, who, until recently, lagged behind in technological adoption.


For a long time, the LTL sector was viewed as the slow-moving giants of the transportation world when it came to embracing innovation, often relying on outdated manual processes and lacking the advanced tools that had become standard in other areas of the transportation industry. This technological gap caused shippers to struggle with inefficiencies, especially when it came to integrating LTL into their broader shipping and logistics strategy.


Regardless of LTL’s previous reputation, the landscape continues to change rapidly, and the introduction of LTL APIs has marked a turning point. This step forward empowers carriers to utilize online tracking, automated rate comparisons, and various other advanced features that were once exclusive to parcel shipping. The shift in the LTL sector has not only modernized the LTL industry but also opened the door to new opportunities for businesses to integrate LTL capabilities into their existing systems, enabling them to achieve greater efficiencies and cost savings.


Let’s take a closer look at the evolution of Less-than-Truckload shipping.

The Historical Lag of LTL Carriers

For years, LTL carriers were often stuck in the past, lacking the tools to provide shippers with the transparency and automation they craved. This lag in technology adoption not only negatively impacted the efficiency of LTL shipping but also created significant challenges for businesses that needed to manage both parcel and LTL shipments seamlessly.


There are several factors that have contributed to the reluctance of the LTL sector to adopt new technologies including the complexity of LTL shipping itself. Unlike the small, uniform packages we see with parcel shipping, LTL shipments are often larger and more varied, making it harder to standardize and automate the shipping process. Additionally, the LTL industry has an intricate structure, making tasks like coordinating shipment consolidation and risk and damage management difficult. This makes it challenging to implement a unified approach to shipping technology.


However, a significant shift occurred once a forward-thinking LTL carrier started using APIs, enabling shippers to access tools like online tracking, automated rate comparisons, and other digital services. This innovation sparked a chain reaction across the industry, as other carriers quickly recognized the need to modernize and adopt advanced technologies. From that point, the LTL sector has undergone a significant transformation, bringing it closer in line with the technological capabilities that are enjoyed by parcel shippers.

The Problem with Treating LTL as a Disparate System

Despite the recent technological advancements in LTL shipping, many businesses continue to treat LTL as a separate, isolated part of their logistics operations. This fragmented approach creates significant inefficiencies and undermines the potential benefits that modern LTL APIs can offer.


When shippers manage LTL as a disparate system, it is completely disconnected from their other shipping systems. Many companies use separate platforms for their parcel and LTL shipping, or they rely on utilizing 3rd party websites to manually compare rates. This lack of integration forces businesses to manage multiple systems, creating unnecessary complexity and wasted valuable time.


Additionally, treating LTL as a disparate system can result in missed opportunities for cost savings and efficiency gains. For example, a shipper might find it more cost-effective to consolidate multiple parcel shipments into a single LTL shipment, but without an integrated system, these options are often overlooked. The result is higher shipping costs and reduced flexibility in choosing the best carrier or service level for each shipment.


As LTL carriers continue to catch up technologically, the need to integrate LTL into a multi-carrier, unified system has become more pressing. Only by breaking down these silos and leveraging the full capabilities of LTL APIs can businesses streamline their operations, reduce costs, and deliver better service to their customers.

The Solution: Integrating LTL into Multi-Carrier Shipping Systems

Integrating LTL capabilities within a top-tier multi-carrier shipping software (MCSS) can create a streamlined solution to the challenges of managing LTL and parcel shipping separately. By incorporating LTL functionalities directly into a comprehensive MCSS, businesses can simplify rate comparison, booking, and tracking for both parcel and LTL shipments from a single interface. This unified approach simplifies logistics management while providing a unified view of all shipping activities. Of all the solutions on the market, Varsity Logistics offers an industry-leading shipping software that seamlessly combines LTL and parcel shipping capabilities.

Varsity Logistics’ Advantage: Unified LTL and Parcel Rating

Varsity Logistics, the only holistic shipping solution built for the IBM i, is an advanced suite of multi-carrier shipping software for both parcel and freight. Unlike many other shipping software companies, Varsity stands out by offering a sophisticated solution that allows shippers to integrate LTL functionality within their existing Varsity multi-carrier shipping software package at an affordable price. This seamless integration enables businesses to effortlessly track deliveries across both modes of transport, generate quotes, and book shipments, all while eliminating the need for manual tariff and discount updates, as well as fuel surcharge and accessorial fee updates.


This unified platform offers significant benefits. With integrated LTL and parcel rating, businesses can easily identify the most cost-effective shipping options, whether they’re sending large, bulk shipments or smaller parcels. This eliminates the need to use separate rating instances or utilize a 3rd party website. It also helps businesses make informed decisions, potentially consolidating shipments to maximize efficiency and reduce overall costs. Furthermore, not only does Varsity’s solution allow you to manage all shipping functions in one place, but it automatically saves all shipment details into your Varsity shipment history which can be written back to your ERP. This functionality enhances visibility and control while also minimizing the risk of errors, leading to improved operational performance and customer satisfaction.


In an industry where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are critical, Varsity Logistics’ solution provides a competitive edge by integrating these key functions into a cohesive system, transforming the way businesses approach their shipping operations and deliver substantial value. Ready to learn more about how Varsity can revolutionize your LTL shipping strategy? Reach out to our team of shipping experts or schedule a pressure-free demo. Take the step towards improving your LTL operations.

/ By Varsity Shipping Specialists / Freight • Parcel • Shipping Costs • Shipping Software • Supply Chain/Logistics • Technology/ / 0 Comments

Precision Packing: Revolutionizing Control, Visibility, and Compliance with Advanced Shipping Software

Discover how advanced shipping solutions can improve order accuracy, lower shipping costs, and boost customer satisfaction

The shipping industry is a crucial component of global trade, driving the movement of goods across the world. And, with the rise of e-commerce and increasing consumer demands for fast and accurate deliveries, the industry faces many complexities and pressures. Finding a way to manage vast quantities of shipments, meet diverse regulatory requirements, and integrate various technological systems at once can be a challenge. However, the need to navigate these hurdles effectively has only grown as industry competition continues to loom and customer expectations evolve.


For parcel and Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shippers on IBM i (AS/400) Power systems, compliance and accuracy are more than just operational necessities—they are vital to maintaining a competitive edge, operational efficiency, and cost management. Accurate shipping practices ensure that packages reach their destinations on time and in good condition, minimizing costly delays and customer dissatisfaction. Compliance with carrier agreements and industry regulations helps avoid penalties and overcharges, contributing to a healthier bottom line. As transportation management becomes more complex, the importance of precision in shipping operations cannot be overstated.

The Need for Shipping Accuracy and Compliance

We’re all familiar with the phrase “domino effect”, where one event sets off a series of additional events in a chain reaction. The same thing can happen during the shipping process, where a single mistake can lead to a cascade of costly problems. For example, an inaccurate label or compliance issue can delay the entirety of a multi-piece shipment, causing customer dissatisfaction and hefty fines.


The complexity of managing large quantities of shipments, each with unique requirements, makes it difficult to ensure that every package is correctly processed and documented. Regulatory standards and consignee requirements can vary and change often, adding additional challenges. Manual processes are prone to human error, making it even harder to maintain high standards of precision and compliance. However, this highlights the importance of accuracy and adherence to regulations in the shipping industry.


For business that fall short when it comes to shipping accuracy and compliance in their operations, they are more likely to face several pain points including:

  • Increased Costs: Errors in shipments and non-compliance with regulations lead to additional costs from returns, fines, and penalties. These costs can quickly add up, impacting the shipper’s bottom line.
  • Operational Inefficiencies: Inaccurate shipments and non-compliance require additional resources to correct, leading to inefficiencies in the shipping process. This can cause delays and disrupt the flow of goods, affecting overall productivity.
  • Customer Dissatisfaction: Customers expect their orders to be accurate and delivered on time. Shipment delays and failure to meet specific customer requirements can lead to customer dissatisfaction, negative reviews, and lost business.
  • Regulatory Penalties: Failing to meet regulatory standards and consignee requirements can not only result in significant financial penalties, but also potential legal consequences, the seizure of goods, contract termination, and more. While these penalties can increase costs, they can also lead to increased scrutiny and damage the shipper’s reputation.

Given these challenges, the need for precision and control in the shipping processes is clear. Implementing an advanced shipping solution that enhances accuracy and ensures compliance is crucial for operational efficiency, cost management, and customer satisfaction in today’s complex shipping landscape. Luckily for IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems shippers, Varsity Logistics’ ShipPack Module empowers shippers with total visibility and control of their pick/pack operations.

Introducing Advanced Picking and Packing Precision with ShipPack

ShipPack is a cutting-edge solution designed to revolutionize the picking and packing process for shippers. Part of Varsity Logistics’ industry leading multi-carrier shipping software and its comprehensive suite, this module provides complete control and visibility over each shipment for both parcel and freight. It empowers shippers to confidently navigate the complexities of modern shipping, delivering precise and compliant shipments every time.

How ShipPack Works

ShipPack offers complete control of the shipping process by providing total visibility to the contents of each package via the ShipSoft database. By capturing item-level details during the packing process, ShipPack ensures that all information, including description, size, weight, and contents, is easily accessible. The module mitigates costly violations and penalties by automatically providing compliant barcodes, labels, and packing lists.


ShipPack also automatically generates Advanced Shipment Notifications (ASNs) and produces customized forms and labels to meet specific consignee requirements. This automation minimizes errors and ensures compliance with regulatory standards.


Furthermore, Varsity seamlessly connects to all custom and major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). This integration enhances operational efficiency and accuracy, allowing shippers to manage their packing process with ease. By linking ShipPack with existing ERP and WMS systems, shippers can streamline their operations, achieve better inventory control, and ensure accurate, compliant shipments, ultimately leading to improved customer satisfaction and reduced operational costs.

Key Features

The ShipPack module provides essential advantages for IBM i (AS/400) Power Systems shippers looking to improve front-line customer service, ensure order accuracy, improve their bottom line, and thrive in the modern logistics world. These advantages include:

  • Item-Specific Parcel Content Details: ShipPack captures detailed information about each item in a shipment, ensuring complete visibility and accuracy during the packing process. This capability simplifies order splitting and improves inventory management
  • Bar Code Labeling: Automatically generating UCC 128 barcodes, ShipPack ensures that packages meet consignee requirements and the contents are easily identifiable, reducing errors and speeding up the shipping process. It can also produce specialized bar codes, labels, and documents that may be required by consignees.
  • ASN Creation: ShipPack generates Advanced Shipment Notifications with line item content information, formatted for EDI transmission, a document notifying the receiver of the package contents. This automation minimizes errors and helps avoid costly penalties by ensuring accurate and timely notifications.
  • Order Reconciliation: By comparing packing lists with the order’s items as they are scanned, ShipPack verifies 100% shipment accuracy, preventing over- or under-shipping and maintaining tight inventory control.
  • Parcel Nesting: ShipPack efficiently nests parcels into one another, facilitating the building of pallets or trailers and consolidating multiple orders into a single shipment, enhancing tracking and operational efficiency.

Revolutionize Shipping Accuracy and Adherence with ShipPack and Varsity Logistics

Varsity Logistics is the leading provider of comprehensive, multi-carrier shipping software tailored for the IBM i (AS/400) Power systems platform. Beyond the advanced capabilities of the ShipPack module, Varsity’s ShipSoft-Parcel and ShipSoft-Freight Suites encompass a range of revolutionary modules designed to address complex shipping challenges, including:


Parcel-Specific Modules:

  • Ship Select [Automates the carrier selection process for parcel.]
  • ShipTalk [Provides real-time shipping communications.]
  • ShipAudit [Audits carrier invoices against carrier contracts.]
  • SpeedWeigh [Automates package weighing.]
  • ShipOptimizer [Accurately predicts shipping costs and necessary packaging.]

Freight-Specific Modules:

  • FreightPlan [Automates pre-shipment load planning process.]
  • FreightAudit [Automated freight bill processing and auditing.]
  • ShipSelect [Automates the carrier selection process for LTL.]

These modules provide shippers with essential tools to enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance, and tackle the most demanding aspects of modern shipping. By leveraging Varsity’s holistic approach, businesses can streamline their shipping processes, reduce errors, and achieve greater accuracy and customer satisfaction.


Ready to say goodbye to adherence issues and say hello to streamlining your shipping operations for optimal precision and compliance? Discover how Varsity can transform the way you ship by contacting our team of shipping experts or scheduling a pressure-free demo today.

/ By Varsity Shipping Specialists / Freight • IBMi • Shipping Software • Supply Chain/Logistics • Technology • Varsity Logistics/ / 0 Comments

Mastering Freight for IBM i Shippers: Changing the Game in Pre-Shipment Load Optimization

Learn about advanced shipping software and how it works to automate your pre-shipment load planning process

It’s a massive industry where every minute and every mile count, and the difference between success and stagnation often lies in the efficiency of operations. What are we talking about, you ask? Freight shipping.


Picture this: A bustling warehouse swarmed with activity and trucks lined up as far as the human eye can see. It’s a scene where time is money, and the pressure for fast deliveries is through the roof. However, in an industry where efficiency reigns supreme, manual processes just don’t cut it anymore, especially for IBM i (AS/400) Power systems users. Automation is the name of the game, reshaping the freight shipping industry in real-time.


With automation leading the charge, shippers can navigate logistics complexities with unparalleled ease and accuracy. Load planning has become a seamless process and route optimization is as easy as a few clicks of a button. Cutting costs and saving time are important goals to help maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving landscape. Outside of these more concrete goals, meeting shifting customer demands is paramount.


Let’s dive into the intersection of technology and modern freight shipping, exploring how it’s revolutionizing the competitive landscape and enabling new levels of efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings.

Pitfalls and Pain Points in Freight Shipping

A crucial factor that decides a business’s success is its operational efficiency. Therefore, reliance on manual processes in freight operations, especially load and route planning, can be a significant obstacle. Without utilizing automated solutions, freight shippers face several pain points that can negatively impact their efficiency, productivity, and bottom line, including:

  • Inefficient Load Building: Manual load building is a time-consuming and tedious process that often relies on outdated software and spreadsheets. When shippers lack the ability to consolidate separate shipments, it can result in underutilized capacity and increased transportation costs.
  • Suboptimal Route Planning: Selecting the optimal route for each shipment requires close attention to several considerations including delivery deadlines, distance, and carrier preferences. Manual route planning takes an extensive amount of time, falling short of the precision and efficiency offered by automated processes. This can lead to missed opportunities for cost reduction, decreasing carbon emissions, and inefficiencies in delivery schedules.
  • Failure to Meet Customer Demands: Automated technology ensures customer’s delivery requirements and routing guide compliance rules are met for each shipment. Without it, shippers risk failing to meet customer expectations. Relying on manual processes can result in human error, leading to incorrect carrier selection, missed delivery deadlines, and unsatisfied customers.

The reliance on manual processes in freight operations threatens companies with significant complexities, holding them back from thriving in the ever-evolving modern industry of logistics. Without leveraging the benefits of automated technology, shippers will continue to incur unnecessary costs and fall short of meeting customer expectations.


Fortunately, there are automated solutions available to help forward-thinking businesses avoid pitfalls like these and stay competitive. Solutions like multi-carrier shipping software (MCSS) offer invaluable benefits such as reduced costs, streamlined operations, improved productivity, and enhanced customer satisfaction. By leveraging the power of automated shipping software, IBM i (AS/400) Power shippers can overcome the pain points of outdated and manual processes, enabling them to master freight shipping in the modern world.

Operational Efficiency with Varsity Logistics

Freight shippers are always seeking ways to optimize their operations and future-proof their strategy. This is where multi-carrier shipping software comes into play as an indispensable tool. By utilizing the capabilities of top-tier MCSS solutions, freight shippers can streamline their shipping processes, access multiple carriers and service levels, and make informed decisions to drive efficiency and profitability.


Varsity Logistics offers an industry leading suite of IBM i-native multi-carrier shipping software solutions and modules tailored to meet the unique needs of freight shippers. This provides businesses access to advanced features and functionalities designed to optimize their shipping operations. Additionally, Varsity’s advanced software integrates seamlessly with all major existing IBM i Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), as well as in-house and home-grown systems, enabling a simple plug-and-play experience for shippers.


Part of Varsity Logistics’ top-tier software, the FreightPlan module is a cutting-edge solution revolutionizing the way businesses across the country ship freight, providing the key to streamlining pre-shipment load planning for both inbound and outbound freight.

What is Varsity FreightPlan?

As a pivotal component within Varsity’s comprehensive suite of supply chain execution modules for IBM i (AS/400) Power shippers, FreightPlan is designed to seamlessly pair with Varsity’s ShipSoft-Freight solution. FreightPlan offers various invaluable functions to streamline freight operations at every step.


By automating recommended shipping plans and optimal routes, dynamic load building and order consolidation, and online review and acceptance of load plans, it empowers users to achieve greater operational efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver exceptional service to their customers. Additionally, FreightPlan considers customer delivery requirements, reducing transportation costs and meeting customer expectations.

Why FreightPlan Matters

Logistics is an industry where every minute counts and every decision is imperative. That is why FreightPlan is far more than just a tool – it’s a strategic asset for freight shippers striving to maintain their competitive edge in today’s market. There are many important benefits businesses can leverage from utilizing FreightPlan, including:

Key Benefits of FreightPlan

  • Dynamic Load Building and Consolidation: FreightPlan offers advanced capabilities for dynamic load building and order consolidation, often into larger multi-stop loads. By intelligently aggregating orders traveling to the same destination and optimizing the allocation of shipments, FreightPlan maximizes transportation capacity and minimizes empty space, resulting in cost savings and increased efficiency. FreightPlan’s load planning is available for truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) moves, ensuring the most efficient geographic route is taken.
  • Recommended Shipping Plans: With FreightPlan, users can generate recommended shipping plans tailored to their specific needs. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and user-defined parameters, FreightPlan analyzes critical factors such as delivery deadlines, transportation costs, and service standards to produce optimal shipping plans that meet both business and customer requirements.
  • Incorporation of Customer Delivery Requirements: One of FreightPlan’s standout features is its ability to incorporate customer delivery requirements into the planning process. By working with user-defined parameters and customer-specific criteria, FreightPlan ensures that each shipment is customized to meet the unique needs of the recipient, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Online Review and Approval of Load Plans: FreightPlan facilitates seamless collaboration and decision-making through its online review and acceptance feature. Users can review the results of each analysis, compare alternative options, and select the optimal shipping plan with confidence. This transparent and user-friendly feature streamlines the decision-making process and enables shippers to make informed choices.

Automate Freight Load Planning with FreightPlan and Varsity Logistics

Varsity Logistics stands as a significantly unique provider of top-tier multi-carrier shipping software for both parcel and freight shipping execution, as it is the only holistic solution built exclusively for IBM i (AS/400) Power systems users. Varsity offers a comprehensive suite of advanced supply chain execution modules, addressing a variety of challenges in the freight shipping environment, including:

An industry that lives in such a competitive and evolving space demands advanced technology and innovative strategies to survive. That is why the automated capabilities of Varsity’s FreightPlan are not only designed to alleviate the complexities of freight shipping, but also to revolutionize the way we ship while empowering businesses for success in the long-term.


With a solution like FreightPlan, you have the leverage to power up your freight operations, reduce transportation costs, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. So why wait? Take the first step towards success and contact our team of shipping experts or schedule a pressure-free demo to learn more about how Varsity’s multi-carrier shipping software can propel your organization ahead in this competitive industry.

/ By Varsity Shipping Specialists / Carriers • Freight • Parcel • Shipping Software • Supply Chain/Logistics • Technology • Varsity Logistics/ / 0 Comments

[Shipping Automation] How IBM i (AS/400) Users Avoid Manual Carrier Selection

Discover how Varsity ShipSelect eases pain points associated with the carrier selection process

Two things are certain when it comes to the logistics landscape today: the major growth of e-commerce over the past several years and the ever-dynamic conditions of up-and-coming and traditional shipping carriers. Therefore, the efficiency of logistics operations plays a crucial role for businesses striving to meet customer demands and maintain a competitive edge. And, with the exponential growth of e-commerce in recent years, the importance of fast and reliable parcel shipping has never been such a necessity.


However, with what seems like an unlimited variety of carriers to choose from, and several variables involved in the shipping process, selecting the optimal carrier for each parcel can be a logistical challenge.

The Pitfalls of Manual Carrier Selection

E-commerce businesses thrive on efficiency and speed. Every step of the fulfillment process needs to be optimized to meet customer expectations and stay ahead of the competition. However, carrier selection in a traditional, manual setting can become a significant bottleneck. Businesses must juggle a complex web of factors for each shipment, including:

  • Carrier Availability: With a vast number of carriers offering services, finding the right fit for every package size, weight, and destination requires extensive research.
  • Cost Comparison: Different carriers offer varying rates based on factors like distance, weight, delivery destination, and service level. Manually sifting through quotes to find the most cost-effective option is a time-consuming task.
  • Delivery Speed: Balancing cost with desired transit times is crucial. To determine which carrier offers the best combination for each shipment, many businesses must resort to manual comparisons between separate carrier systems, potentially leading to delays if the optimal option is missed.
  • Compliance Considerations: Shipping regulations and compliance requirements can be intricate and are ever-changing. Manual compliance verification of each label for each shipment adds another layer of complexity and risk of errors.

This tangled web of considerations makes manual carrier selection a slow, error-prone process that can negatively impact shipping costs, delivery times, and overall customer satisfaction. Manual processes only complicate these issues, slowing down operations with inefficiencies, human error, and delays in finding the most cost-effective carrier and service level for each parcel or LTL shipment. Even more, fluctuating transportation costs further exacerbate the complexities faced by businesses. As margins grow thinner, every dollar spent on shipping directly impacts businesses’ bottom lines.


Fortunately, innovative solutions like automated carrier selection tools can help businesses navigate these complexities. These tools factor in variables like transit times, costs, and compliance to ensure the perfect fit for each shipment, while eliminating time-consuming tasks and potential errors associated with manual selection. Varsity Logistics’ ShipSelect module is a powerful example of such a tool, optimizing carrier selection for businesses in today’s dynamic e-commerce landscape.

What is Varsity ShipSelect?

When used with Varsity’s ShipSoft-Parcel or ShipSoft-Freight solutions, ShipSelect offers a comprehensive tool, designed to alleviate the pain points associated with carrier selection during the shipping process. For various modes of transportation including parcel, Less Than Truckload (LTL), Truckload (TL), and rail, ShipSelect automates the entire carrier selection process.


The module goes beyond the conventional approach of carrier selection solely based on cost. While cost is a crucial factor, ShipSelect accounts for the multifaceted nature of logistics decision-making, considering critical criteria such as:

  • Transit time
  • Carrier preference
  • Transportation cost
  • Transportation mode
  • Carrier performance
  • Carrier service types

By weighing these important factors, ShipSelect creates an output of the most optimal carriers based on user-defined preferences. This ensures each shipment is sent with the carrier best suited to meet the specific requirements of both the business and its customers, while also conforming to routing guide requirements and shipping compliance at the time of order placement.

Why ShipSelect Matters

ShipSelect empowers shippers to efficiently select optimal carriers for their shipments, driving efficiency and value across their logistics operations. By automating the carrier selection process, it soothes the many pain points associated with manually finding the carriers best suited for your business and customers. This invaluable solution not only provides overall logistical enhancement, but it also minimizes transportation costs, ensures your business remains compliant, and saves you time on managing inefficiencies and costly human errors due to manual processes. Not to mention, insights into carrier performance empowers shippers to make informed decisions and remain competitive in the dynamic supply chain landscape.

Key Benefits of ShipSelect

The ShipSelect module offers several key benefits that significantly improve logistics efficiency and reduce costs for shippers, including:


Reduction in Shipping Costs: ShipSelect analyzes various factors such as package destination, carrier rates, and package weight to optimize shipping costs. By applying weight breaks (the weight at which the shipping cost changes based on how much the package weighs), ShipSelect ensures businesses get the best carrier option for cost without compromising service quality.


Mitigation of Costly Violations: Ensuring your shipments are compliant with complex routing guides (documents dictating how and by whom shipments should be handled and transported) and shipping instructions is crucial, as penalties for misalignment can be costly. ShipSelect automatically verifies each shipment adheres to these requirements, helping businesses avoid the risk of violations and maintain streamlined shipping operations.


Significant Time Savings: The process of manual carrier selection is not only labor-intensive but also highly prone to human error, causing inefficiencies and operational delays. ShipSelect completely automates this process, keeping operations moving and enabling businesses to allocate their time and resources to other valuable areas.

Optimize Your Carrier Selection Process with ShipSelect and Varsity Logistics

Varsity Logistics is the only holistic multi-carrier shipping solution built for IBM i (AS/400) Power systems users who need parcel and LTL shipping capabilities. Varsity’s ShipSoft-Parcel and ShipSoft-Freight shipping platforms automate the parcel and LTL shipping processes at every step, serving as a centralized control center for each of Varsity’s supply chain execution modules, whether your supply chain includes parcel and/or freight:


Parcel-Specific Modules:

Freight-Specific Modules:

ShipSelect isn’t just a tool designed to alleviate the challenges of the carrier selection process, it’s a transformative solution that empowers businesses to enhance their shipping operations like never before and set themselves up for long-term success.


Ready to wave your shipping woes goodbye? Contact Varsity’s team of shipping experts or schedule a no-pressure demo to learn more about how ShipSelect and Varsity’s other parcel and LTL solutions can revolutionize your operations and meet your unique business needs.