Consider monitoring thousands of shipments every day and having to record each significant event, including arrivals, departures, customs clearance, and final delivery. In the absence of an automated system, operations may be disrupted by delays, missing updates, and human mistakes, which could result in dissatisfied consumers and higher expenses.
Real-time shipment visibility is essential for CargoWise users. The Milestone Update API is useful in this situation. It makes sure that shipment milestones are automatically updated, informing supply chain partners, freight forwarders, and customers at every turn. This API is the ideal choice if you want to increase supply chain efficiency, decrease human labor, and simplify milestone tracking.
Why is Milestone Tracking Crucial in Logistics?
Tracking shipment milestones isn’t just about knowing when goods leave and arrive, it directly impacts efficiency, cost, and customer satisfaction. Here’s why automated milestone updates are a must for logistics companies:
- Prevent Costly Delays – Late or missed milestone updates can lead to miscommunication, rerouting issues, and unexpected transportation costs.
- Enhance Customer Experience – Clients expect real-time shipment updates. Keeping them informed helps build trust and reduces complaints.
- Eliminate Manual Work – Updating shipment statuses manually is time-consuming and prone to errors. Automating this process saves time and improves accuracy.
- Improve Compliance & Documentation – Regulatory requirements often mandate accurate milestone tracking. Automating this ensures compliance with customs and carrier documentation requirements.
These difficulties are eliminated by the Milestone Update API’s automated, real-time milestone updates.
How the Milestone Update API Works
The Milestone Update API connects logistics companies directly to CargoWise, automating shipment milestone updates without manual intervention. Instead of relying on emails, phone calls, or spreadsheets, the API ensures that key events, such as departure, arrival, and customs clearance, are instantly reflected in the system.
Key Functions of the API
- Shipment Identification – Each shipment has a unique reference number, ensuring precise milestone tracking.
- Event Code Updates – The API records specific milestone events (e.g., “DEP” for departure, “ARR” for arrival) for accurate progress tracking.
- Estimated & Actual Date Updates – The system captures both the expected and actual dates of shipment actions, ensuring transparency in scheduling and tracking.
- Real-Time Synchronization – As soon as a milestone is reached, the data is instantly updated, ensuring that all stakeholders stay informed.
By automating these updates, businesses can reduce manual errors, accelerate operations, and enhance overall logistics efficiency.
How CargoWise Users Benefit from the Milestone Update API
1. Ensures Real-Time Shipment Visibility
When a shipment moves from origin to destination, every step matters. With automated milestone updates, logistics companies can instantly track progress and prevent unexpected delays.
2. Reduces Manual Work & Human Errors
Manually updating milestone events for thousands of shipments is a daydream that is prone to errors. The CaroWise API services eliminate the need for manual data entry, ensuring error-free, automated updates.
3. Minimizes Costs Linked to Delays & Miscommunication
Missed or incorrect milestone updates can cause shipment rerouting issues, carrier penalties, and additional operational costs. By automating tracking, companies can reduce these expenses significantly.
4. Strengthens Customer Trust & Satisfaction
Customers expect real-time visibility into their shipments. By providing accurate milestone updates, logistics companies can enhance service reliability and improve customer relationships.
5. Ensures Compliance with Regulations & Reporting Requirements
Many shipments require precise milestone documentation for customs clearance and carrier compliance. The API ensures accurate and up-to-date milestone tracking, reducing compliance risks.
A Step-by-Step Overview of the Milestone Update API Process
1. Retrieve Shipment Details
The API fetches the shipment reference number and tracking details, ensuring that the right shipment is being updated.
2. Identify the Milestone to Be Updated
Users can update milestone events such as departure, customs clearance, transit, or final delivery.
3. Modify Event Data (If Necessary)
If additional details, such as actual vs. estimated dates, need updating, the API automatically reflects these changes in the system.
4. Apply Real-Time Changes in CargoWise
As soon as a shipment milestone is reached, the API syncs the data instantly, ensuring all involved parties are up to date.
5. Verify & Confirm Updates
Once updated, the new milestone details are reflected across all records, preventing errors and ensuring accurate delivery tracking.
Conclusion
As logistics operations become more complex and time-sensitive, the need for automated milestone tracking continues to grow. The Milestone Update API offers a simple yet powerful solution that enhances shipment visibility, reduces errors, and improves overall logistics efficiency.
- No more missed milestone updates
- No more manual tracking errors
- No more wasted time on repetitive data entry
Ready to automate your milestone updates and improve shipment visibility?
Contact us today to integrate the Milestone Update API into your CargoWise operations!
