he international freight forwarding industry has seen unprecedented changes and challenges in the past decades owing to the geographical spread of the twentieth century supply chains and escalated pressure of cost reduction from their customers. The consolidation efforts in the logistics industry, global business partnerships, improved customer service and E2E visibility requirements have all rendered a whole new meaning to freight management in today's world.

With spiraling fuel costs, new transit regulations, global scale of operations and outsourcing agreements, the international freight forwarding community is experiencing escalated levels of customer expectations. Increasing complexity of customer orders, involving pick up at different geographical locations, en-route consolidations, packaging and forwarding through multi modal delivery routes to different countries and to different end customers has now become a normal business process.

All this and the demand for increased economies of scale in business have prompted the freight forwarding community in embracing technology as never before. With escalating IT budgets, the transport management industry is experiencing a paradigm shift in their IT focus areas, from 'Technology supported' operational packages to 'technology driven' enterprise wide product suites. Order to cash flows, E2E visibility, track and trace, interface capabilities with external systems and industry portals, CRM modules etc., are now 'must have' requirements to support the complex and varied requirements of international customers.

In response to the increased demands from the international freight forwarding community, Four Soft has launched its flag ship, web based, transport management system,   Designed and developed on modern technology, 4S eTrans is a multi modal transport management system with built in accounting and external interfaces, to meet and exceed the present day requirements and the future challenges of the International freight forwarding community.

he advent of twenty first century has seen a welcome change in the development of global standards for enforcement & compliance and technology empowered trade facilitation & security. With customs organizations worldwide adopting technology for streamlining and standardizing their operating procedures in men and material trafficking, the challenges faced by the modern day customs brokerage industry is multitude and dynamic. Adding to that are the complexities in the cross border trade with Free Trade agreements at one end and anti dumping regulations at the other.

Import, export and transit movements of multiple commodities, from and to different countries, having varied compliance requirements together with the constantly increasing customer expectations on up-to-time information and visibility, have the international freight forwarding and customs brokerage community at their wits end. Add to this the proprietary standard, standalone brokerage systems from local vendors with little or no interface capabilities with other applications used in the organization. To top it all are the woes of chasing multiple vendors for customisation or interfacing requirements and we have just named the worst nightmare for the Systems / IT managers in the international logistics industry.

On one side is the need for a reliable, simple and faster global customs compliance solution and on the other are the interface and visibility requirements from internal and international customers. This and the standard wish list for electronic data submission, compliance checking, cost and lead time reduction, work flow automation etc., - a complex situation ...for which we have a simple solution.

Four Soft presents the world’s first web based global customs compliance solution,  , an anytime, anywhere global customs compliance solution, with plug and play modules for different countries, designed to work in a multicultural, multilingual environment, as one package with interface capabilities with all Four Soft enterprise products and other standard ERP applications. Incorporating the complexities of compliance requirements of multiple countries and designed & developed on modern technology, 4S eCustoms exemplifies Four Soft's value chain integration proposition, with seamlessly integration possibilities with multiple ERP applications. With native browser access and a generic third party interface, 4S eCustoms is a highly interactive and cost effective solution for the International Freight Forwarding and Customs Brokerage community.

US CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

4S ACCESS is part of 4S iLogistics offering, the comprehensive multi-country product suite for Freight, Warehousing and Customs compliance. The Customs Compliance packages provides a robust, efficient, and reliable application for managing US Customs regulations. 4S ACCESS improves the efficiency of your customs clearance activities by streamlining the operational processes, improving data entry and track and trace options, while providing flexible tools and strong edits to ensure regulatory compliance Automated Broker Interface Automated Broker Interface is the standard program available as part of the US Customs’ Automated Commercial System that permits qualified participants to electronically file required import data with Customs. The 4S ACCESS platform for US ABI is the proven solution for your automation challenge and accelerates the clearance of Import cargo. With automatic entry type determination, smart defaults, file copy options, remote location filing and an integrated duty calculation engine, 4S ACCESS is the power packed application for US market. The extensive data validation routines and automated check for special trade programs makes 4S ACCESS an effective tool for assured and informed compliance. 4S ACCESS Feature list
	Quick and efficient entry of long and complex entries On Line ABI History Bonded Warehouse Inventory & Withdrawal Entries Complete ABI Query Capability Full Automated Inbond Capability ACH (Automated Clearing House) And Periodic Monthly Statements EDI capable – receive commercial invoice, send entry detail and billing Post Entry Functions Including Automated Protests Integrated Billing Templates for auto-default and calculation of billing charges based upon transaction details National & Local Power Of Attorney management Delivery Order Processing and management Duty Drawback Module Customizable edits for missing documents, AMS match, Add/CVD entries Reconciliation Program for Entries filed within ACCESS or uploaded from outside application Special Land Border Processing Menu Extensive On-line System Help Extensive Database for Customer, Supplier, and Products. Products “explode” into multiple HTS lines. Integrated with 4SiLogistics Modules - Accounting, Import Forwarding, ePoms Purchase Order Management tool Importer Security Filing as stand alone or as part of Unified Entry Filing Full Electronic Entry Processing and Management for Remote Filing Job Cost reports measure profitability Extensive Credit Control integrated to operational functions
Automated Export System Automated Export System is a simplified procedure for electronic filing of Shippers’ Export Declaration (SED) and Ocean Manifests with US Customs. It’s a nation wide system operational at all US ports and for all modes of transport. Electronic Filing for all eligible shipments is now mandatory. 4S ACCESS offers an AES reporting module for handing electronic filing of SEDs either integrated with the ACCESS Export Application or as a stand alone module that can be integrated with third party systems. With Controlled goods analysis, ITAR Classifications, ECCN Classifications, USML Category Code, Schedule D and K codes and much more, the AES module exemplifies the value chain integration proposition of Four Soft. With tried and tested interface capabilities and integrated accounting module, the 4S ACCESS AES is also an automated process management tool which improves organization-wide productivity. An AES module is also available as part of Four Soft’s global customs compliance product suite, 4S eCustoms. Automated Manifest System The Automated Manifest System (AMS) is part of US Customs’ Automated Commercial System and is a multi modular cargo inventory control and release notification system. Through AMS, participants can file advance electronic manifest information for goods arriving at a US border. The 4S ACCESS AMS module supports electronic manifest filing requirements for Air and Sea modes of transport. These modules are integrated with the Import Freight Forwarding module of 4S iLogistics, thus eliminating duplicated data entry. 4S ACCESS AMS module boasts of simple data entry operations for Master and House document information with edit and amendment options. Designed specifically for NVOCC operators and Freight forwarders, in compliance with 24 Hour Advance Manifest Rule and Trade Act of 2002, AMS Sea and Air modules maintains CBP submission history and supports EDI transmission of manifest information. The Sea AMS applications will soon offer the ability for filing the integrated ISF filing also.

CANADIAN CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

4S ACCESS is part of 4S iLogistics offering, the comprehensive multi-country product suite for Freight, Warehousing and Customs compliance. ACCESS provides a complete automated Import process into Canada in compliance with the regulations of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). The 4S ACCESS Canadian Customs Brokerage module handles automated transmission to ACROSS and CADEX as well as producing the hardcopy B3 and B2 forms. The application is integrated with the 4S ACCESS Accounting module to handle the operational accounting and Receivable & Payables management as well as fully functioning general ledger capabilities. Auto Billing The invoice particulars to all clients will be automatically calculated and posted into the 4Si Accounting module. The application provides the latitude in defining how the charges have to be calculated and can generate documentation in multiple languages. The application also allows for easy “splitting” of charges to multiple bill-to parties. GST /PST /HST Automated calculation of Goods and Service Tax, Provincial Sales Tax, and Harmonized Sales Tax. FEATURE LIST Complete integration with the CBSA ‘s ACROSS and CADEX systems Inputs from Import Forwarding file into Open a File (OAF) in Brokerage B2 & B3 Capabilities & LVS Processing Customized Transmission Control Rules Release against Minimum Documentation Order in Council (OIC) capability Extensive Product database for Product Classification and Auto Product Codes Assignment Application for Managing NAFTA Certificates and their renewal Automated billing and Split Billing function Integrated with 4Si.Accounting module K84 management tools integrated with 4Si.Accounting Integration with the 4Si Import Forwarding module Pre-defined Templates & Multi lingual capacity

anaging an international supply chain has always been a highly challenging arena for the modern day manufacturing and contract logistics industry. With the unprecedented and diabolic changes in the international trade in the last two decades, owing to a greater extent to the influence of information technology and the continuous strain on the bottom and top line revenues, the supply chain management industry has now truly come of age.

When change is the order of the day, can change management be ever behind! The inventory and warehouse management concepts and terminologies coined in the new world order is enough to psyche the modern day managers out of their wits and push their yesteryears’ inventory planning and warehousing techniques into oblivion. Be it JIT or Kanban, Zero or Perpetual Inventory, EOQs or ROPs, today’s warehouse management systems need to handle all that and then some. The continuously upgraded industry best practices and the ever increasing customer demands has made demand forecasting and order to cash visibility as beginners’ choices in warehouse management.

The modern day Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) should be capable of managing multiple warehouses owned or operated, across geographies, handling innumerous commodities with varied storage, safety and packing requirements. Integration capabilities with the International Clientele’s Order Management or MRP systems along with inventory planning, optimisation & forecasting tools almost sums up the requirement wish list of the International warehouse management community. The answer to all this would be an industry responsive software solutions partner who could offer you all that you wish for and some.

Four Soft presents,  , the web based, multi location, Warehouse Management System (WMS) integrating supply, fulfillment and partner collaboration into one enterprise service platform. Meeting your operational, financial and customer service requirements, 4S eLog provides you with increased end-to- end visibility and value chain integration. With real time data for informed decision making and increased inventory accuracy, 4S eLog also transforms into a powerful customer service tool in the hands of the modern day warehouse manager.

ustomer satisfaction has been the most common and valued Key Performance Indicator across industries. Achieving this KPI requires optimized integration of resources, processes, relationships, tools and techniques within the extended enterprise - that spans across the supply chain. Overheads, costs and risks increase when the business processes involving logistics - both inbound & outbound, across the supply chain are mishandled - more so when cross-border transactions are involved. Since the last two decades, companies have started focusing more on their key strengths and competencies and so outsourcing has become more a necessity than a preference. Outsourced logistics either to third party or a separate division/ department within the holding company requires close monitoring by both the companies and their logistic providers.

Employing the right Supply Chain IT solution for performing the tactical operations as well as to facilitate decision making has been a challenge for Logistic companies/ Divisions of shippers/ traders/ manufacturers . This is because, they are answerable to two tiers of customers - One - their parent companies or customers and second - their customers' customers. The IT System they need has to be more than a tool or a reporting system or a complex optimizing engine that are typically offered by most of the solution providers today. It is ideally a combination of all the three with ability to interoperate with III party systems. The right IT system for Supply Chain execution, monitoring and decision-making should enable automation as well as exception management. It should support EDI communication as well as manual order entry. It should allow access to local/ enterprise users as well as to business partners outside the firewall. It should provide information to top management as well as allow operational users to perform transactions. It should make information available for every affected party at the same time, in an appropriate and customizable structure and format.

  has been built keeping these complex and complementary business requirements in perspective. It supports modules that facilitate transactions performed across various departments within the logistic operations and across the supply chain. The application has been built with the recognition that cross-border transactions need exhaustive functionality since multi-countries and versatile business processes are involved. It provides a comprehensive supply chain execution platform that provides visibility, supports collaboration, helps cost elimination across the supply chain elements and allows easy configurability to suit to unique variations in business processes that may apply to any and every customer environment

business information system is increasingly becoming important than yesterday’s data processing systems. Information system, for many businesses, provides an opportunity to do business in a new way. Management Information System can be defined as an integrated man/ machine system providing information to support the operations, management and decision-making functions in an organization. And thus gain huge profits and market shares.

The use of computer technology for Information System has led to processing of data in relevant form and design; and retrieval of the same when needed in considerably lesser time. Systems experts in business organizations have developed areas and functions where computerized Management Information System can be used to improve the working. The need for highly processed and sophisticated information based on multitude of variables has made the designing of the system quite complex.

The scope of analysis has widened leading to information accuracy and no-time decision making. A financial model can now be developed using simulation techniques, which facilitates testing the impact of ideas and strategies formulated on future profitability and in determining the needs for funds and physical resources. By carrying out sensitivity analysis with the support of computers, it has become possible to study and measure the effect of variation of individual factor to determine the final results. Thus the use of computer technology has completely revolutionized the working in all departments in an organization.

  is a web-centric Business Intelligence application designed specifically to meet the information requirements of today's freight and logistics companies. 4S iDrive effectively puts control of company's information flows, enabling the fast and informed decision making, which today's logistics business requires.