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Advance Ship Notice (ASN)

What is an Advance Ship Notice (ASN)?

 

The Advance Ship Notice (ASN) is a cornerstone of modern supply chain management. It's a digital document sent by a supplier to a customer, providing a detailed breakdown of a pending shipment before it physically arrives at the receiving dock. This electronic notification is a critical part of the EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) transaction set, acting as a digital manifest for inbound goods. An ASN mirrors and expands upon the information in the original purchase order, offering granular details on the contents of each package, the quantity of each item, carrier information, and even a unique carton identification number.

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How the TPSynergy Platform Enhances ASN Workflow

 

TPSynergy simplifies the entire ASN process, making it accessible even for smaller suppliers without complex EDI systems. Our platform is designed to automate and streamline the creation and submission of ASNs, thereby eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors.

  • Barcode Generation: Our system automatically generates UCC128 barcoded shipping labels that adhere to the industry-standard GS1 guidelines. These barcodes contain all the necessary information, enabling a single scan to update your inventory.

  • Easy Submission: Suppliers can submit their ASN data through a user-friendly interface, either via an EDI connection for high-volume transactions or through a simple spreadsheet upload for lower-volume partners.

  • Integrated Documents: In addition to the electronic ASN, the TPSynergy platform also generates packing slips with comprehensive shipment details, ensuring all physical documentation matches the electronic data.

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The Transformative Benefits of a Robust ASN System

 

Implementing a strong ASN system with a tool like TPSynergy has a profound impact on operational efficiency and profitability.

  • Faster "Dock to Stock" Time: By scanning a single barcode on an arriving carton, WMS (Warehouse Management System) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems can instantly receive and process the entire shipment. This dramatically reduces the time and labor required to get products from the receiving dock onto the shelves.

  • Proactive Warehouse Management: Modern WMS systems can use the information from the ASN to plan ahead. They can automatically allocate storage space for the incoming goods, schedule labor, and prepare equipment before the truck even arrives.

  • Improved Accuracy and Reduced Discrepancies: The ASN acts as a real-time audit. When a shipment is received, the WMS can instantly compare the physical contents against the ASN. Any discrepancies between what was expected and what was actually received are immediately flagged, allowing for swift resolution and improved supplier accountability.

  • Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility: The ASN provides real-time information on shipment status, enabling you to take timely corrective actions if a shipment is delayed. This visibility allows for better planning and reduces the risk of stockouts.

  • Freight Consolidation: With precise information about multiple inbound shipments, you can strategically consolidate freight from different suppliers into a single load, leading to significant cost savings on transportation.

ASN

How does it Benefit your Supply Chain?

  • Reduces Dock to Stock time as goods can be received into stock with few keystrokes.

  • Freight Consolidation. Enables combined shipments from the same location saving Freight costs.

  • Timely corrective actions are taken when shipments are delayed or short-shipped.

  • Buyers can locate alternate supplies in case of shortages or delayed shipments.

  • In-Transit visibility. Shipments can be tracked with the tracking number associated with the shipment.

  • Improves Accuracy in receiving. Upon receiving, the receiver is immediately informed of any differences between what was expected, and what was actually shipped.

  • Supplier creates bar-coded labels and packing slips with a few clicks in TPSynergy.

  • Goods receipts are made faster by scanning the bar codes.

  • Modern WMS systems are able to allocate storage spaces even before the shipment arrives due to Advanced Shipment Notice (ASN)

  • It all matters for On-Time Delivery.

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