Overview
The Shipments module is the core of the Transport Logistics platform, enabling you to create and track shipments from origin to destination. It integrates with transporters, vehicles, routes, packages, and materials to provide comprehensive shipment management.
Key Capabilities
Complete Shipment Creation
Create shipments with all necessary details including weights, routes, and materials
Weight Calculations
Automatic net weight calculation from gross and tare weights
Route Integration
Link shipments to predefined routes with automatic pricing
Package Assignment
Assign shipments to packages for organized tracking
Viewing Shipments
Shipments Table
The main shipments table displays all relevant information:| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Package | Associated package name or “None” |
| Source | Origin location |
| Destination | Destination location |
| Transporter | Transport company handling the shipment |
| Vehicle | Vehicle registration number |
| Gross Weight | Total weight including vehicle (tons) |
| Tare Weight | Empty vehicle weight (tons) |
| Quantity | Net cargo weight (tons) |
| Material | Type of material being transported |
| Departure | Departure date and time |
| Actions | Edit and delete buttons (admin only) |
Standard users can only view shipments assigned to their packages. Administrators can view all shipments across the system.
Search and Filter
Quickly find shipments using the search functionality:- Search by: Source, Destination, Transporter, Package, or Material
- Real-time filtering as you type
- Case-insensitive search
- Searches across multiple columns simultaneously
Creating a New Shipment (Admin Only)
Open the Add Shipment Dialog
Click the + Add Shipment button in the top-right corner of the Shipments page.
Assign Package (Optional)
Select a package to assign this shipment to:
- Choose from active packages only
- Select “None” if no package assignment needed
- Package selection affects available routes
When you select a package, only routes assigned to that package will be available in the route dropdown.
Select Material (Optional)
Choose the material being transported:
- Only “available” status materials are shown
- Displays material name and unit
- Select “None” if not applicable
Choose a Route
Select a predefined route:
- Shows routes in “Source to Destination” format
- Filtered by selected package (if any)
- Auto-fills source and destination fields
Select Transporter and Vehicle
Choose the transport company and vehicle:Transporter:
- Select from active transporters
- Required field
- Shows only vehicles belonging to selected transporter
- Displays vehicle number and type
- Must be active status
Set Departure Time
Enter the shipment departure date and time:
- Use the datetime picker
- Required field
- Format: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM
Enter Weight Information
Input the weight measurements:Gross Weight (tons):
- Total weight including vehicle and cargo
- Must be positive number
- Supports up to 5 decimal places
- Empty vehicle weight
- Must be positive number
- Cannot exceed gross weight
- Automatically calculated: Gross - Tare
- Read-only field
- Updates in real-time as you enter weights
Add Remarks (Optional)
Enter any additional notes or special instructions:
- Freeform text area
- Up to 3 rows visible
- Useful for special handling instructions or notes
Weight Calculation System
The platform includes intelligent weight validation and calculation:Automatic Net Weight Calculation
Real-Time Validation
As you enter weights, the system checks:Gross Weight Validation
Gross Weight Validation
- Must be a positive number
- Cannot be negative
- Error shown immediately if invalid
Tare Weight Validation
Tare Weight Validation
- Must be a positive number
- Cannot exceed gross weight
- Error: “Tare Weight cannot exceed Gross Weight”
Net Weight Calculation
Net Weight Calculation
- Automatically updates as you type
- Displayed to 5 decimal places
- Cannot be manually edited
Route Integration
How Route Selection Works
Package Filtering
If you select a package, only routes assigned to that package are shown. If no package is selected, all routes are available.
Auto-Population
When you select a route:
- Source field auto-fills from route
- Destination field auto-fills from route
- Both fields become read-only
Route integration ensures consistency and reduces manual data entry errors. Always use predefined routes when available.
Editing Shipments (Admin Only)
Locate the Shipment
Find the shipment you want to edit using the search feature or by scrolling through the table.
Modify Fields
The edit dialog opens with all current values pre-filled:
- Update any field as needed
- Weight calculations adjust automatically
- Validations still apply
Deleting Shipments (Admin Only)
Confirm Deletion
A confirmation dialog appears showing:
- “Are you sure you want to delete the shipment from [Source] to [Destination]?”
Shipment Status Indicators
Each shipment has a status that can be set during creation or editing:| Status | Meaning | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | Not yet started | Scheduled future shipments |
| In Transit | Currently en route | Active shipments |
| Delivered | Reached destination | Completed shipments |
| Cancelled | Shipment cancelled | Cancelled orders |
Package Assignment Benefits
Assigning shipments to packages provides:- Organized Tracking: Group related shipments together
- Access Control: Standard users only see their assigned packages
- Route Filtering: Simplifies route selection by showing relevant routes
- Reporting: Generate package-specific reports and analytics
Material Tracking
Associating materials with shipments enables:- Inventory Management: Track material movements
- Compliance: Maintain records for regulated materials
- Analytics: Understand which materials are transported most
- Documentation: Complete shipment records for auditing
Mobile Responsiveness
The Shipments interface adapts to different screen sizes:Desktop
- All columns visible
- Full form layout in dialogs
- Side-by-side field arrangement
Mobile
- Essential columns only (Package, Source, Destination, Actions)
- Single-column form layout
- Touch-optimized buttons
- Scrollable table for all data
Common Workflows
Quick Shipment Creation
Use Templates
If you frequently create similar shipments, start by selecting the same package and route to auto-fill common fields.
Tracking Active Shipments
Best Practices
Always Use Predefined Routes
Always Use Predefined Routes
Create routes first, then reference them in shipments. This ensures consistent pricing and reduces errors.
Verify Weights Carefully
Verify Weights Carefully
Double-check weight entries, as they affect revenue calculations and reporting. Use weighbridge tickets as reference.
Add Detailed Remarks
Add Detailed Remarks
Use the remarks field for important information like special handling requirements, delivery instructions, or reference numbers.
Update Status Promptly
Update Status Promptly
Keep shipment statuses up-to-date for accurate tracking and analytics.
Use Package Assignment
Use Package Assignment
Organize shipments into packages for better tracking and access control.
Troubleshooting
Can’t Submit Shipment?
- Check for red error messages under weight fields
- Ensure all required fields are filled (marked with *)
- Verify gross weight is greater than tare weight
- Confirm a valid route is selected
No Routes Available?
- Ensure routes are created in the Routes module
- Check if package selection is filtering routes
- Select “None” for package to see all routes
- Verify routes are assigned to the correct package
No Vehicles Showing?
- First select a transporter
- Ensure the transporter has active vehicles
- Check that vehicles are marked as “active” in the Vehicles module
Next Steps
- Set up routes: Routes
- Manage transporters: Transporters
- Configure vehicles: Vehicles
- Organize with packages: Packages
- Track materials: Materials