Creating Bills of Lading (BOLs) efficiently is crucial for smooth shipping operations. Central Transport is dedicated to providing excellent customer service, and the Shipping Buddy List feature is a prime example of this commitment. This guide will walk you through using the Shipping Buddy List to expedite your BOL creation process, saving you time and minimizing errors.
Getting Started with Your Shipping Buddy List
For first-time users, activating the Shipping Buddy List is straightforward. You’ll need your 11-digit Customer Number, which should be entered at the top of your Bill of Lading. This Customer Number is essential for accessing and utilizing the Buddy List feature. If you are unsure of your Customer Number, please reach out to our Central Transport Customer Service team at (586) 467-1900 from a verified company phone line or email us at [email protected] from your company email address.
First Time Using the BOL with the Buddy List Feature:
- Enter your correct Customer Number in the designated field.
- Initially, the Shipping Buddy List will not be visible.
- Complete your BOL as you normally would. The system intelligently saves the information you input in each section as your “buddy” data.
- Click “Submit” to finalize your BOL.
Utilizing the Buddy List for Repeat Shipments
The real efficiency of the Shipping Buddy List comes into play during subsequent BOL creations. Once you’ve used the system for the first time, your saved “buddy” information becomes readily available, significantly accelerating the process.
Each Additional Time You Use the Online BOL with Buddy List Feature:
- Enter your correct Customer Number.
- The Shipping Buddy List will now appear, active in the Shipper, Consignee, and Third Party sections of your BOL.
- If only one “buddy” name has been saved so far, the corresponding information will automatically populate the relevant fields, simplifying data entry.
- If you have multiple saved buddies, a convenient drop-down list will allow you to select the desired buddy for each section.
- To add a new contact, simply choose “None of the Above” from the drop-down list and manually enter the new information. This new entry will be saved and added to your Buddy List for future use.
Managing and Customizing Your Buddy List
The Shipping Buddy List offers flexible management options, allowing you to keep your saved information up-to-date and organized. You can easily edit or delete entries as needed, ensuring your list remains accurate and relevant to your shipping needs.
Editing or Deleting Buddy List Entries:
- To make changes, select the buddy entry you wish to modify and click “Edit”. You can then update details such as name, phone number, address, and more. Click “Update” to save your changes.
- Please note that information automatically populated by the Buddy List will appear shaded and cannot be directly altered unless you click “Edit”.
- To remove a buddy from your list, select the name and click “Delete”.
Important Considerations for Optimal Use:
- Shipper, Consignee, and Third Party sections are treated as independent storage areas. This means you can maintain distinct Buddy Lists for each category, tailored to your specific shipping patterns.
- The Buddy List is designed to accommodate an unlimited number of saved Shippers, Consignees, and Third Parties, providing ample space for your frequently used contacts.
By leveraging the Shipping Buddy List, Central Transport customers can significantly reduce the time spent on BOL creation, minimize repetitive data entry, and enhance overall shipping efficiency. This feature is a testament to Central Transport’s ongoing commitment to providing customer-centric solutions and superior central transport customer service.
