Why Use ETA Alerts?
ETA Alerts (Arrival Delay Alerts) are a critical feature of the Tive platform, designed to enhance shipment visibility and improve logistics planning by notifying users when a shipment's Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) exceeds the scheduled arrival time. These alerts help supply chain managers proactively address delays, optimize operations, and maintain customer satisfaction.
- Problem Solved: ETA Alerts identify delays in real-time, allowing users to take immediate action to mitigate disruptions.
- Efficiency and Productivity: Accurate ETA predictions enable better resource allocation and planning, reducing downtime and improving delivery reliability.
- Real-Life Scenarios: Useful for time-sensitive shipments, such as perishable goods or just-in-time manufacturing, where delays can lead to significant costs or customer dissatisfaction.
- Impact on Workflow: By providing timely notifications, ETA Alerts help logistics teams prioritize interventions, communicate with stakeholders, and avoid penalties for late deliveries.
How It Works
This section provides a step-by-step guide to configuring and using ETA Alerts on the Tive platform. Follow these instructions to set up and manage ETA Alerts effectively.
- Accessing the Feature
- Navigate to the "Configure" section in the Tive platform's navigation bar.
- Select "Alert Presets" to begin creating or editing an alert preset.
- Enabling or Setting It Up
- In the Alert Presets menu, click to create a new preset or edit an existing one.
- Enter a name and description for the preset (e.g., "ETA Alerts for Perishable Goods").
- Select "Arrival" from the alert type options.
- Choose "On Arrival Delay" to configure the ETA Alert.
- Specify the delay threshold (e.g., hours, days, or weeks) that will trigger the alert if the ETA exceeds the scheduled arrival time.
- Configure notification settings:
- Add specific users to receive alerts (e.g., team members).
- Enable "Notify shipment collaborators" to include external stakeholders, such as logistics partners or receivers.
- Avoid enabling "Notify for records that continue alerts" to prevent excessive email notifications.
- Save the preset.
- Using the Feature
- During shipment creation, apply the ETA Alert preset to the desired shipment legs.
- Specify the driver mode ("Solo Driver" or "Team Driver") for each leg to ensure accurate ETA calculations:
- Solo Driver: Includes legally mandated rest periods, which may extend the ETA.
- Team Driver: Assumes continuous driving without scheduled breaks, resulting in shorter ETAs.
- For CSV uploads, include the driver mode in the "ShipmentDriverSettings" column (acceptable values: "Solo" or "Team"). The default is "Solo".
- The system recalculates ETAs at each transmission interval or when GPS/Wi-Fi location data is available, ensuring accuracy.
- If a delay exceeds the configured threshold, an alert is triggered immediately, notifying the specified users and collaborators.
- Expected Results
- Users receive real-time email notifications when the ETA exceeds the scheduled arrival time by the specified threshold.
- Alerts provide details on the shipment and the extent of the delay, enabling quick decision-making.
- Stakeholders, including collaborators, stay informed, improving coordination and transparency.
Note: Use shipment templates to pre-configure driver mode and ETA Alert settings for recurring shipments to save time.
Key Points to Know
- Restrictions: ETA Alerts are available only on the Plus tier and apply only to road transport shipments. They are not supported for air, ocean, or rail modes.
- Driver Mode Impact:
- Solo Driver accounts for mandated rest periods, which may result in longer ETAs.
- Team Driver assumes continuous driving, but unplanned short breaks may occur and are not factored into calculations.
- Limitations: Estimated stop times are not included in Team Driver ETA calculations to avoid introducing uncertainties.
- Compatibility: ETA Alerts integrate with other Tive platform features, such as shipment templates and collaborator notifications.
- Common Mistake: Failing to specify the correct driver mode can lead to inaccurate ETAs. Always verify the driver mode during shipment creation or editing.
- Transmission Intervals: ETAs are refreshed at every transmission interval or when GPS/Wi-Fi data is available, ensuring up-to-date predictions.
Best Practices
To maximize the value of ETA Alerts, consider the following recommendations:
- Optimize Usage: Always specify the correct driver mode (Solo or Team) during shipment creation to ensure accurate ETA calculations.
- Use Shipment Templates: For frequent shipments, create templates with pre-configured driver modes and ETA Alert settings to streamline setup.
- Regularly Review In-Transit Shipments: Monitor ongoing shipments and adjust driver mode if needed to reflect changes in logistics plans.
- CSV Upload Accuracy: When using CSV uploads, double-check the "ShipmentDriverSettings" column for valid entries ("Solo" or "Team") to avoid processing errors.
- Minimize Alert Noise: Set appropriate delay thresholds (e.g., hours instead of minutes) to avoid unnecessary notifications for minor delays.
- Collaborator Notifications: Enable notifications for shipment collaborators to keep external stakeholders informed, but avoid enabling "Notify for records that continue alerts" to prevent excessive emails.