Enabling paperless operations in logistics sector

Introduction

Recently Coforge launched the quasar solution for the logistics sector.

The transportation & logistics industry is constantly evolving, and paperless solutions are becoming increasingly popular due to the many benefits they offer. One such solution is the Electronic Bill of Lading (eBOL), which replaces traditional paper-based bills of lading with digital versions that can be easily accessed and shared across various stakeholders in the transportation process. Mobile apps and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology play a crucial role in enabling paperless eBOL.  In the first part of this series, we will delve into eBOL and how it is used in logistics operations.

Definitions:

Before diving into the process flow, let's first define some key terms:

• Bill of Lading: A legal document that serves as proof of ownership of goods being shipped and details the terms and conditions of the shipment.
• Electronic Bill of Lading (eBOL): A digital version of the bill of lading.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): A technology that enables the conversion of scanned images into machine-readable text.
• Mobile App: An application that runs on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

Process Flow:

Now, let's dive into the process flow for paperless eBOLs using mobile apps and OCR technology:

• Truck Arrival: The truck carrying the shipment arrives at the loading dock.
• Bill of Lading Scan: The driver uses a mobile app to scan the bill of lading, which captures an image of the document.
• Image Upload: The mobile app uploads the image of the bill of lading to a cloud-based server.
• OCR Processing: OCR logic running on the cloud processes the image of the bill of lading and extracts the relevant information such as the names and addresses of the shipper and consignee, the type of goods being shipped, and the shipment details such as weight and quantity.
• Data Verification: The extracted data is compared against pre-defined rules and verified for accuracy.
• Error Handling: In case of any errors or discrepancies, alerts are generated, and the relevant stakeholders are notified.
• Digital Bill of Lading Creation: Once the data is verified, a digital bill of lading is created, and the relevant stakeholders are notified.
• Digital Bill of Lading Sharing: The digital bill of lading is shared with various stakeholders such as the shipper, consignee, carrier, and customs officials.
• Backend Application Integration: The digital bill of lading is integrated with various backend applications such as transportation management systems, logistics management systems, and customs clearance systems.
• Real-Time Tracking: The digital bill of lading allows for real-time tracking of the shipment, which enables stakeholders to monitor the status of the shipment at every stage of the transportation process.

Conclusion

The combination of the mobile application with OCR to enable eBOL has the potential to revolutionize the logistics industry by reducing costs, saving time, and increasing efficiency. In the next part of this article, we will discuss the standards around eBOL & benefits of eBOL in more detail.