Electronically transmitting bills of lading and signature capture

According to FreightWaves, “For the first time in its 100-year history, the less-than-truckload industry has a standard format for electronically transmitting bills of lading (BOL).” This digital standardization should streamline the exchange of BOL data, reducing errors and costs. In addition, with increased adoption of this standard format for electronically transmitting bills of lading, electronic signature capture and uploading signed electronic bills of lading to WMS/ERP systems is critical.

Minisoft’s eSIGNz App allows for digital signatures, text and check boxes to be added to any document workflow. For example, signatures can be captured and the completed document printed, archived or emailed using almost any iOS or Andriod smartphone or tablet with a web browser. eSIGNz also supports many of the popular signature pads, including Topaz. and Evolis Sig. Signed documents can be archived, emailed and/or uploaded to a WMS/ERP system through a database write-back or via API.

Speaking of APIs, FreightWaves described that an “application programming interface (API)…will support the standardized platform.” eSIGNz is an extension of eFORMz, which has robust integration and routing capabilities, including via API. Acting as middleware, eFORMz can ensure that every part of the freight ecosystem is connected and up-to-date with the latest information.

The increased digitization in the less-than-truckload (LTL) industry provides opportunities for increased operational efficiencies in the freight shipping process. Minisoft’s suite of supply chain execution solutions can help shippers, freight brokers, carriers and 3PLs smoothly transition from paper flow to digital routing.