When dispatch enters a shipment update in one system and someone copies it into another, the first question is what information needs to move, when, and who owns it.
Choose one recurring task: an arrival time, appointment change, delivery status, or shipment reference. Map the source fields to the destination and agree which system wins when records disagree. This is a scope example; the warehouse showcase below uses fictional sample data.
02
Check access before promising a connection.
We review the vendor’s supported connection methods and your license. A connection may use an API, an agreed file exchange, or an existing vendor connector. Some access needs a paid module, vendor approval, or changes by your IT team.
System names, versions, and the vendor or IT contact.
An example record with private details removed.
The available test account, documentation, and access permissions.
The update frequency and person responsible for exceptions.
03
Make failures visible and recoverable.
Agree how to identify duplicate records, reject incomplete updates, and retry a temporary interruption. If a system receives an update but its response is lost, check the destination before sending it again. An exception queue should show what failed and what the responsible person can do next.
04
Test the handoff with the people using it.
Check an ordinary update, a duplicate, a missing reference, a changed record, and an unavailable destination. Confirm the receiving system shows the intended result. Agree a limited rollout and a manual fallback before removing the old process.
05
Scope the costs after launch.
The project should specify hosting, vendor and API charges, monitoring, documentation, access ownership, and support. Agree who responds to failures and what happens when a vendor changes its system. Development and ongoing support are quoted against the agreed scope.
01
Shipment updates
Connect your TMS, warehouse tools, and customer portals through available APIs or files.
02
Exception queues
Flag failed updates and give each one an owner.
03
Reliable transfers
Handle retries, duplicate records, and service interruptions.
Inside your operation.
Dispatch
Shipment tracking
IN-204124 palletsInbound
Departed origin08:20
Arrival revisedExpected 10:15
Dock appointmentAwaiting approval
Arrival changed to 10:15.
Common questions.
Can you connect to our TMS or WMS?+
We first check the vendor’s API, file exports, and access rules before committing to a connection.
What happens when an update fails?+
We define the retry and review rules with your team. A temporary interruption may be retried; missing information needs correction. If the result is uncertain, the connection should check the receiving system before sending the update again.
Can you work with McLeod, SAP, or Samsara?+
We can assess a workflow involving those products. A working connection depends on the specific product, version, licensed features, and access available to your company. We verify those details before quoting; we do not claim vendor certification or a prebuilt connector for every system.
Do we need to replace our TMS?+
A focused connection can work alongside the systems you already use. First check whether a supported vendor connector or a configuration change solves the handoff. A custom connection is worth considering when the remaining workflow justifies its build and support costs.
Where is the best place to start?+
One update your team repeatedly enters or follows up on.
