Glossary

A visual overview of the most important KPIs and metrics in a company, with areas usually color coded green (good), yellow (warning), or red (failure).

The movement of cargo by sea, from one port to another port, by vessel.

Goods transported by a vessel from one port to another port. Includes items shipped in containers, bulk, RORO, etc.

The transport of cargo by sea, from one port to another port. See Ocean Freight.

Variations in demand that are caused by external factors and occur on a predictable schedule around the same time every year.

An encryption and security specification - a security protocol - designed to protect credit card transactions on the internet.

When the shipper pays the carrier (for services rendered) without the carrier needing to submit an invoice. Decreases paperwork and processing time.

A computer process for online transactions that validates data and prevents data entry into the system until all errors are corrected.

Includes all non-production expenses incurred by a company, such as rent, marketing, accounting, litigation, travel, management salaries, bonuses, etc.

A unique number or string of characters that identifies a product. Most often applied by the manufacturer and used to support traceability and warranty programs.

An agreed upon set of standards for operating procedures and outcomes. Also, a measure of meeting customer demands through delivering product on-time.

The value of sales for repair or replacement parts and supplies made to external customers and also for those that are transferred internally within the company.

The consolidation of business operations, such as accounting or technology support, that are used by multiple parts of the same organization.

The financial worth owners of a business receive for owning shares in the company. Put simply, value is created for shareholders when the business increases profits.

The time period an item may be held in inventory before it becomes unusable (e.g.,for food or drug products) or obsolete (e.g., for technology).

Continuous improvement model with four steps. See Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA).

Barriers to improving manufacturing, they involve problems in overproduction, waiting, transportation, stocks, motion, making defects, and processing itself.

The physical location of freight during transit. See Tracking and Tracing.

The position of the cargo in the work flow from ordered to delivered (or cancelled). Examples: at origin, picked up, out for delivery, etc.

See Tracking and Tracing.

See Consignor.

See Private Carrier.

The physical movement of goods from one location to another, including the preparation of the cargo, loading, movement, unloading, and documentation.

In general, the best route (considering distance and time) from origin to destination. In ocean, shortest routes between ports taken to avoid hazards or delays.

A document that lists each piece in a shipment, it usually covers an entire load regardless of whether the load is to be delivered to one or multiple destinations.