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Getting Started

Introduction​

The Freight Module in Blockpeer is a comprehensive freight management system designed to streamline your freight bookings, shipping operations, and invoicing processes. It provides end-to-end visibility and control over your freight operations, from initial booking to final invoicing.

Freight Dashboard

What is the Freight Module?​

The Freight Module helps you:

  • Manage freight bookings - Create and track booking requests
  • Handle shipping operations - Process shipping plans and documentation
  • Generate invoices - Convert completed shipments to invoices
  • Track customers - Maintain customer information and contacts
  • Send shipping instructions - Communicate with customers via email
  • Manage eBL - Handle electronic Bill of Lading documentation
  • Configure pricing - Set up containers, services, and pricing

Accessing the Freight Module​

Navigation Steps:

  1. Log in to your Blockpeer account
  2. From the left sidebar, you'll see the Freight Module sections:
    • Dashboard - Overview and metrics
    • Customer - Customer management
    • Booking - Booking requests
    • Shipping - Shipping operations
    • Invoice - Invoice management
    • System Setup - Configuration settings
    • Team Chat - Internal communication
    • Support Ticket - Help and support
    • User Guide - Documentation

Understanding the Dashboard​

Dashboard Overview​

The Freight Dashboard provides a comprehensive view of your freight operations with key metrics and recent activities.

Key Metric Cards​

Total Customer

  • Display: Shows total number of customers
  • Current Count: 0
  • Color: Pink background
  • Icon: People icon
  • Purpose: Track customer base size

Total Booking

  • Display: Shows total booking requests
  • Current Count: 0
  • Color: Green background
  • Icon: Booking/calendar icon
  • Purpose: Monitor booking volume

Total Shipping

  • Display: Shows active shipments
  • Current Count: 0
  • Color: Orange background
  • Icon: Shipping/truck icon
  • Purpose: Track shipping operations

Total Invoice

  • Display: Shows invoice count
  • Current Count: 0
  • Color: Cyan background
  • Icon: Invoice/document icon
  • Purpose: Monitor billing activities

Freight Module Workflow​

Complete Freight Process Flow​

The Freight Module follows a structured workflow from booking to invoicing:

1. BOOKING STAGE
   ↓
   Create Booking Request
   ↓
   Accept or Reject
   ↓
   
2. SHIPPING STAGE (if accepted)
   ↓
   Convert to Ship
   ↓
   Fill Shipping Details
   ↓
   Send Shipping Instruction
   ↓
   Customer Fills eBL Form
   ↓
   Mark as Draft
   ↓
   Sign eBL
   ↓
   Accept or Reject
   ↓
   
3. INVOICE STAGE (if accepted)
   ↓
   Convert to Invoice
   ↓
   Generate Invoice
   ↓
   Send to Customer

Key Features Overview​

1. Booking Management​

Purpose:

  • Create freight booking requests
  • Review and approve bookings
  • Track booking status

Key Actions:

  • Accept: Approve booking and proceed to shipping
  • Reject: Decline booking request
  • Convert to Ship: Move accepted booking to shipping stage

2. Shipping Operations​

Purpose:

  • Manage shipping documentation
  • Fill in shipment details
  • Communicate with customers
  • Handle eBL processes

Key Actions:

  • Send Shipping Instruction: Email instructions to customer
  • Fill Details: Complete main carriage, container, order, services, route information
  • eBL Management: Draft and sign electronic Bill of Lading
  • Accept/Reject: Approve or decline shipment
  • Convert to Invoice: Move to invoicing stage

3. Invoice Generation​

Purpose:

  • Generate invoices from completed shipments
  • Track payment status
  • Send invoices to customers

Key Actions:

  • View Invoice: Review invoice details
  • Add Payment: Record payment received
  • Send Invoice: Email to customer

4. System Configuration​

Purpose:

  • Set up pricing structures
  • Configure container types
  • Define services offered

Configuration Options:

  • Price Management: Set volume, weight, and service prices
  • Container Setup: Define container types and specifications
  • Service Setup: Configure available services

Getting Started Checklist​

Before you start using the Freight Module effectively, complete these setup steps:

✅ Step 1: System Configuration​

Navigate to System Setup:

  1. Click System Setup in sidebar
  2. Configure the following:

Price Setup:

  • Create pricing structures
  • Define volume prices
  • Set weight prices
  • Configure service prices

Container Setup:

  • Add container types (20ft, 40ft, etc.)
  • Set container specifications
  • Define volume pricing

Service Setup:

  • Add freight services
  • Set cost and sale prices
  • Define service categories

✅ Step 2: Add Customers​

Navigate to Customer:

  1. Click Customer in sidebar
  2. Click + (Plus) button
  3. Fill customer details:
    • Name
    • Contact number
    • Email address
  4. Save customer information

✅ Step 3: Create First Booking​

Navigate to Booking:

  1. Click Booking in sidebar
  2. Click + (Plus) button
  3. Fill booking request form:
    • Select customer (Bill To and Ship To)
    • Enter loading port
    • Enter discharge port
    • Select vessel
    • Choose date
    • Enter barcode
    • Add tracking number
    • Attach files if needed
  4. Submit booking request

✅ Step 4: Process Booking​

Accept or Reject:

  1. Review booking details
  2. Click Accept to proceed
  3. Or click Reject to decline
  4. Accepted bookings get "Convert to Ship" option

✅ Step 5: Manage Shipping​

Convert and Process:

  1. Click Convert to Ship button
  2. Booking moves to Shipping section
  3. Fill in shipping details:
    • Main Carriage information
    • Container details
    • Order information
    • Services required
    • Route details
  4. Send shipping instructions to customer
  5. Customer fills eBL form
  6. Mark eBL as draft
  7. Sign eBL document

✅ Step 6: Generate Invoice​

Create Invoice:

  1. Complete all shipping details
  2. Click Convert to Invoice button (appears after all details filled)
  3. Invoice generated automatically
  4. View in Invoice section
  5. Send to customer
  6. Track payment status

Understanding Status Flow​

Booking Status​

Draft

  • Initial state
  • Booking created but not submitted
  • Can be edited

Pending

  • Awaiting review
  • Needs acceptance or rejection

Accepted

  • Booking approved
  • Ready to convert to shipping

Rejected

  • Booking declined
  • No further action needed

Shipping Status​

Draft

  • Initial shipping stage
  • Details being filled

In Progress

  • Actively being processed
  • Shipping instructions sent

Awaiting eBL

  • Customer to fill eBL form

eBL Draft

  • eBL marked as draft

eBL Signed

  • eBL document signed

Accepted

  • Shipment approved
  • Ready for invoicing

Rejected

  • Shipment declined

Invoice Status​

Unpaid

  • Invoice generated
  • Payment pending

Paid

  • Payment received
  • Invoice closed

Partially Paid

  • Some payment received
  • Balance remaining

Dashboard

  • Overview and metrics
  • Recent activities
  • Quick access to sections

Customer

  • Add new customers
  • View customer list
  • Edit customer details
  • Manage contacts

Booking

  • Create booking requests
  • View all bookings
  • Accept/reject bookings
  • Convert to shipping

Shipping

  • Manage shipments
  • Fill shipping details
  • Send instructions
  • Handle eBL
  • Convert to invoice

Invoice

  • View all invoices
  • Invoice details
  • Payment tracking
  • Send to customers

System Setup

  • Price configuration
  • Container setup
  • Service management

Team Chat

  • Internal communication
  • Collaborate with team

Support Ticket

  • Get help
  • Submit issues

User Guide

  • Documentation
  • How-to guides

Common Workflows​

Workflow 1: Standard Freight Booking​

Scenario: Customer requests freight service

Steps:

  1. Create Booking

    • Go to Booking section
    • Add new booking request
    • Fill customer and shipment details
    • Submit

  2. Review and Accept

    • Review booking information
    • Verify details
    • Click Accept

  3. Convert to Shipping

    • Click "Convert to Ship" button
    • Booking moves to Shipping section

  4. Process Shipment

    • Fill all shipping details
    • Send shipping instructions
    • Handle eBL documentation

  5. Generate Invoice

    • Click "Convert to Invoice"
    • Invoice created automatically
    • Send to customer

  6. Track Payment

    • Monitor payment status
    • Record payments received
    • Close invoice when paid

Workflow 2: Shipping Instruction Process​

Scenario: Send shipping details to customer

Steps:

  1. Complete Shipping Details

    • Fill main carriage info
    • Add container details
    • Enter order information
    • Configure services
    • Define route

  2. Send Instructions

    • Click "Send Shipping Instruction" button
    • Email sent to customer automatically
    • Customer receives shipment details

  3. Customer Response

    • Customer fills eBL form
    • eBL data submitted

  4. Company Processing

    • Mark eBL as draft
    • Review eBL details
    • Sign eBL document
    • Complete shipment

Workflow 3: eBL Management​

Scenario: Handle electronic Bill of Lading

Steps:

  1. Shipping Instruction Sent

    • Customer receives email
    • eBL form link provided

  2. Customer Fills Form

    • Customer completes eBL
    • Submits information

  3. Company Review

    • Receive eBL data
    • Review for accuracy
    • Mark as draft if corrections needed

  4. Finalization

    • Sign eBL document
    • Complete documentation
    • Proceed to invoicing

Dashboard Sections Explained​

Invoice Payment Section​

Purpose:

  • Track invoice payment status
  • Quick payment overview
  • Empty state when no invoices

Displays:

  • Payment due
  • Payment received
  • Outstanding balance

Recent Invoice Section​

Columns:

  • INVOICE: Invoice number
  • CUSTOMER: Customer name
  • ISSUE DATE: Invoice date
  • DUE DATE: Payment due date
  • DUE AMOUNT: Amount to be paid
  • STATUS: Payment status

Empty State:

  • "Opps... No Data Found"
  • Create first invoice to see data

Recent Shipping Section​

Recent Shipping

Columns:

  • NAME: Shipment identifier
  • TRANSPORT TYPE: Mode of transport (ocean, air, land)
  • DIRECTION: Export or Import
  • CUSTOMER NAME: Client name
  • LOADING PORT: Origin port
  • DISCHARGING PORT: Destination port
  • STATUS: Current shipping status
  • INVOICING STATUS: Invoice generation status

Empty State:

  • "Opps... No Data Found"
  • Create first shipment to see data

Best Practices​

Booking Management​

Do:

  • Review booking details thoroughly before accepting
  • Verify customer information is complete
  • Check port and vessel availability
  • Confirm dates and schedules
  • Maintain clear communication with customer

Don't:

  • Accept incomplete booking requests
  • Skip verification steps
  • Ignore special requirements
  • Delay acceptance/rejection decisions

Shipping Operations​

Do:

  • Fill all shipping details completely
  • Send shipping instructions promptly
  • Follow up on eBL submissions
  • Review eBL data carefully before signing
  • Keep customers informed of progress

Don't:

  • Leave shipping details incomplete
  • Skip eBL documentation
  • Sign eBL without verification
  • Convert to invoice before completion

Invoice Management​

Do:

  • Generate invoices promptly after shipment completion
  • Send invoices to customers immediately
  • Track payment status regularly
  • Record payments accurately
  • Follow up on overdue payments

Don't:

  • Delay invoice generation
  • Skip invoice verification
  • Forget to send to customer
  • Neglect payment tracking

Tips for Efficient Use​

Organization​

  1. Consistent Naming

    • Use clear booking references
    • Standard customer naming
    • Organized file attachments

  2. Regular Updates

    • Update statuses promptly
    • Keep shipping details current
    • Record payments immediately

  3. Communication

    • Send instructions early
    • Follow up on pending items
    • Maintain email records

Time Management​

  1. Batch Processing

    • Review multiple bookings together
    • Process similar shipments in batches
    • Generate invoices in groups

  2. Priority Handling

    • Address urgent bookings first
    • Track approaching deadlines
    • Follow up on overdue items

  3. Automation Use

    • Use email templates
    • Automate shipping instructions
    • Set up recurring services

Troubleshooting Common Issues​

Cannot Create Booking​

Issue: Unable to add new booking

Solutions:

  1. Ensure customer exists in system
  2. Verify all required fields are filled
  3. Check date format is correct
  4. Confirm ports are valid
  5. Try refreshing the page

Shipping Instruction Not Sending​

Issue: Email not reaching customer

Solutions:

  1. Verify customer email address
  2. Check spam/junk folder
  3. Ensure shipping details are complete
  4. Confirm email server is working
  5. Resend instruction

Cannot Convert to Invoice​

Issue: Convert button not appearing

Solutions:

  1. Ensure all shipping details are filled
  2. Verify eBL is signed
  3. Check shipment status is correct
  4. Complete all required tabs
  5. Contact administrator if persists

eBL Form Issues​

Issue: Customer cannot access eBL form

Solutions:

  1. Verify shipping instruction was sent
  2. Check email delivery status
  3. Ensure link is not expired
  4. Resend shipping instruction
  5. Provide direct link to customer

Next Steps​

Now that you understand the Freight Module basics, explore these topics:

  1. Customer Management - Learn to add and manage customers
  2. Booking Management - Master booking creation and processing
  3. Shipping Operations - Handle shipments and documentation
  4. Invoice Management - Generate and track invoices
  5. System Setup - Configure prices, containers, and services

Summary​

The Freight Module provides comprehensive freight management:

✅ End-to-end workflow from booking to invoicing
✅ Clear status tracking at each stage
✅ Customer communication via shipping instructions
✅ eBL management for documentation
✅ Accept/reject controls at critical stages
✅ Automated conversions between stages
✅ Flexible configuration for your business needs

Master the Freight Module to streamline your freight operations and improve efficiency.