Acer’s IT team specified an integrated shipping system that would provide a long-term solution to handle its more than 400,000 packages shipped each year. Its objectives included:
- Provide a single Web-based shipping solution that can be accessed anywhere for all of Acer’s shipping needs, handling multiple carriers throughout the United States and Canada from three shipping warehouses;
- Handle and track hundreds of thousands of packages in a year;
- Provide a step-by-step Web-based shipping service that includes best cost routing options, with built-in accommodation for regulatory compliance and customs requirements;
- Provide an EDI feed with carrier systems to enable Acer to receive its freight invoices and negotiated prices for shipping, instantly access billing information, identify billing errors and automatically receive credit for service failures;
- Integrate with Acer’s accounts payable system for payment and be able to track shipping expenditures back to each department;
- Provide Web-based reporting for all shipments sent via all carriers, including user-defined reporting;
- Deliver a green Web-based platform that is completely automated and does away with unnecessary paperwork by eliminating manual processes, including filling out shipping forms and manual validation of carrier invoices for payment.
The Shipping Challenge
With more than 400,000 packages shipped within the United States and Canada per year, Acer faced a huge shipping challenge:
- Get the packages out on time;
- Provide routing and tracking to ensure that packages arrive at their proper destinations on time;
- Process all the paperwork required for multiple carriers; and
- Process and submit all paperwork per U.S. customs requirements for export shipments.
Acer has dozens of employees shipping packages to customers and others from three warehouses in the United States and Canada. With Canadian shipments, Acer must comply with customs and importation regulations and requirements. To complicate matters, Acer utilizes 15 different shipping carriers to ship products, depending on the size and weight of the shipment, where the recipient is located, and how fast it has to get there. It was a huge challenge for Acer to ensure that everyone shipping packages has current and accurate carrier rates as well as proper documents when making shipping decisions.
Challenges:
With more than 400,000 packages shipped within the United States and Canada per year, Acer faced a huge shipping challenge:
- Get the packages out on time;
- Provide routing and tracking to ensure that packages arrive at their proper destinations on time;
- Process all the paperwork required for multiple carriers; and
- Process and submit all paperwork per U.S. customs requirements for export shipments.
Bottom line Benefits: Verizeal Saves Acer More Than $180,000 Annually
Today, more than 400,000 packages are shipped annually by Acer using the Verizeal system. The solution provides Acer the following benefits:
- A single centralized Web-based solution that can be accessed behind the firewall by anyone authorized to use the system;
- The ability to track every package that is shipped and run status reports, so if anything is not delivered, it is flagged along with any information on the delay, such as a customs hold. This significantly helps Acer’s customs specialist find and track packages within the customs system in Canada;
- Certification services with FedEx — Verizeal Inc. worked with Acer to successfully certify FedEx International Priority distribution to Canada;
- The ability to change, grow and customize the system to Acer’s needs, including recently adding shipping services for Mexico;
- Huge savings in efficiencies across the board, from the shippers in the warehouse to import/export personnel to the accounting department; and
- Significant cost savings in shipping throughout the United States and Canada, both in terms of shipping and labor costs. Labor cost savings alone are estimated to be more than $180,000 annually.
About Acer
Founded in 1976, Acer has achieved the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Globally ranked Number 2 for total PCs and notebooks, Acer sells Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell, and eMachines brands throughout the world. It strives to design environmentally friendly products and establish a green supply chain through collaboration with suppliers. A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company’s continuing growth. Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement, including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter and London 2012 Olympic Games. The Acer Group employs 8,000 people worldwide.
For more information, visit: www.acer.com
About Verizeal inc.
Verizeal is a global shipping provider that strives to provide businesses with the very best solutions. Using the latest technology, Verizeal is recreating transportation solutions. Our collaborative logistics platform provides our clients with the network to manage the entire transportation process, making it easy to share information and improve visibility throughout transit. And, it is backed by blockchain for the highest level of security. Businesses will benefit from Verizeal to align shipping and service with real-time visibility and reporting and improve collaboration quickly and most importantly, securely. For more information, visit: www.Verizeal.com
Acer Profile
Industry:
Technology Manufacturing
Employees:
8,000 Worldwide
Shipments:
400,000 per year
Verizeal Solutions:
Verizeal TMS
