This section covers the setup steps you need to perform in order to start printing BOLs (Bills of Lading). It is important that you follow these steps in order.
If you would rather go through these steps automatically, launch the Initial Setup wizard from the StarShip Setup menu.
The very first thing you need to do is to enter your company information in StarShip. Go to Setup > Company to do this.
We do not recommend manually entering inventory items. StarShip brings much of the information needed to rate and print the BOL directly from fields in the accounting system. Shipping-related fields not usually stored in inventory, such as NMFC code or class, can be imported or entered by the shipper as shipments are processed. Additionally, StarShip stores packaging scenarios to assist with the automatic packing of shipments. Packaging scenarios can be saved as you enter information and save shipments on the Shipping window or manually entered through Maintain Inventory.
If you normally ship against orders or invoices with a large number of items, you can save time by preparing a spreadsheet of your inventory that includes additional information, such as group or packaging, and importing it. Importing your inventory will allow you to correlate inventory item numbers to NMFC code, class, etc. so that these fields are populated automatically, without the need for user input.
If you are not importing inventory, we recommend that you build your inventory database as you process shipments in order to eliminate the need to manually enter inventory information. StarShip will automatically update inventory when you process a shipment. Any new items on that particular shipment are saved to the database along with any learned packaging scenarios (if that separate setting is enabled).
To prevent automatic updates to inventory, disable the "Save and use line item information in StarShip database" setting in Setup > Preferences > General. Disabling this setting will allow you to import large orders more quickly.
Groups simplify the process of associating required shipping fields to any one inventory item and allow you to categorize a group of inventory items by class (required) - you may also include the NMFC code. Groups can be used in lieu of NMFC Code.
You may have multiple versions of the same type of item that are designated by different item numbers but are classified according to the same NMFC code or class. You would create a group for the item type and specify the NMFC and class information for that group, so that each time you shipped an individual item that fit into the group, you would classify it by Group name and save time in preparing the BOL. Groups can also be used to consolidate items into one line on the BOL.
Example:
Chairs - NMFC: 80730 Class: 85
Bags - NMFC: 187645 Class: 92.5 Sub: 07
Bedding - NMFC: 20620 Class: 100
Blankets - NMFC: 49040 Class: 150 Sub: 01
Note: If you want to maintain your NMFC codes, you can do so from Maintain NMFC.
Maintain Packaging lets you define the specific package types you use during shipment processing; this is particularly useful for auto-packing. StarShip can determine the weight of your shipment based on inventory; if your inventory item weight does not account for packaging, just specify the pallet weight and StarShip will automatically add it to the Total Weight. To set packaging defaults and enable packaging types, select Maintain Packaging; you can also set dimensions and weight for packaging and handling units (pallets, skids, etc.) there.
Example:
Large Box DIM: 10x10x10 Weight: 2 lbs.
If applicable, add any carriers you will use for manual processing in Maintain Carriers.
When connected to orders or invoices, StarShip accesses item level detail. This allows you to easily define item > box detail and automate BOL printing. To make these processes as efficient as possible, StarShip has several methods for defining how the items on your order/invoice convert to lines on the BOL.
There are 2 BOL types: Straight and VICS. The VICS BOL is in a standardized format and is usually required by larger retailers. The VICS BOL typically contains more detail than the Straight BOL, and you are therefore required to classify items (or group of items) by NMFC code, sub-code, and class.
The fundamental way to rate shipments is by NMFC class. The NMFC code is a more detailed system for describing each commodity. The NMFC code and sub-code together determine the freight class.
The following table shows the various Setup > Preferences > Freight > Bill Of Lading settings and how they affect the Bill of Lading printout.
BOL Type |
Items are classified using |
Group Items on Bill of Lading |
Bill Of Lading Printout |
Straight |
Only the NMFC Class |
By NMFC Class |
|
Straight |
Only the NMFC Class |
By Item Number |
|
Straight |
Only the NMFC Class |
By Group Name |
|
Straight |
NMFC Code, Subcode, Class |
By Group Name |
|
VICS |
NMFC Code, Subcode, Class |
By Group Name |
|
VICS |
NMFC Code, Subcode, Class |
By NMFC Class |
StarShip offers further automation through the following freight carrier modules:
TForce Freight : The TForce Freight module supports LTL shipments to the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada. Rating, shipping, tracking, and pickup requests are processed via the Internet. StarShip prints the BOL, packet, and pallet labels.
FedEx Freight : StarShip supports FedEx Freight, a freight carrier shipment rating and processing interface exclusively for FedEx Freight shipping. FedEx Freight supports shipments to the continental US (48 states) plus Canada and Mexico.
Freightquote.com : The Freightquote.com module supports LTL shipments to the U.S. and Canada. Load your negotiated contracts to shop your carriers against Freightquote.com and see potential cost savings (service fee may apply). Rating, shipping, tracking, and pickup requests are processed via the Internet. StarShip prints the BOL, package, and pallet labels.
my.yrc.com : The YRC module supports LTL shipments to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Rating, shipping, tracking, and pickup requests are processed via the Internet. StarShip prints the BOL, package, and pallet labels.
SMC³ : The SMC³ module supports electronic rating for LTL shipments to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This module requires the SMC³ RateWare XL license and carrier data modules (tariffs). StarShip prints the BOL, package, and pallet labels.
StarShip also supports manual processing. You can add carriers through Maintain Carriers for the purpose of printing the BOL, package, and/or pallet labels.
Next, you need to set up printing properties so that you can print out labels and the BOL. Beginning with Manage Printers, follow the setup details provided in Printing Setup.
Add your company in Source Interface Setup.
StarShip will use the default "My Interface" settings to populate the shipment screen with values from the source interface. If you want to customize field mapping, follow the steps in Customize Interface.
For more information about setting up the source interface, refer to Source Interface Setup.
Enter account information and configure Freightquote.com, my.yrc.com, TForce Freight, or SMC³ carriers.