Creating Cross-Dock ASNs and Orders
Overview
In this guide, we will explain what Cross-Dock is and how this works in a 3PL environment. We will also explain how you can create cross-dock ASNs and Orders in the OMS, should you wish to use this method for managing your inbound/outbound shipments.
What is a Cross-Dock
A cross-dock is a logistics practise, often used in 3PL.
It involves unloading goods from inbound delivery vehicle and directly loading them onto outbound vehicles, with little to no storage time in-between. Incoming goods from suppliers or manufacturers are quickly unloaded, sorted and then reloaded onto outbound transportation vehicles, for delivery to their final destination.
What are the benefits of cross-docking?
1. Efficiency and Speed - aims to accelerate goods delivery & increase supply chain efficiency
2. It lets you distribute inventory more effectively, without keeping in the warehouse facility for long periods
3. Minimised Storage - goods are typically moved within a few hours or, at most, a day
4. Consolidation and Deconsolidation - small shipments from multiple suppliers are combined into a single, larger shipment to be delivered to the customer (consolidation), or large shipments that are broken down into smaller loads for delivery to multiple destinations (deconsolidation).
5. Reduced Handling
How does cross-docking work in a 3PL environment?
1. Inbound Stage: Goods arrive at the cross-dock facility. These goods are typically pre-labelled and pre-packaged according to the final destinations.
2. Sorting and Inspection: The goods are unloaded and sorted based on their final destinations.
3. Outbound Stage: After sorting, the goods are directly loaded onto outbound vehicles.
Creating a cross-dock ASN
Before you start:
- It is imperative that the ASN is created prior to the goods being received into the warehouse facility. This is to allow the Team to be aware of this shipment's arrival and to have clear instructions on how to proceed with the goods once received
- A Cross-Dock SKU will also need to be created within the OMS on your account to allow a Cross-Dock ASN to be created. Please reach out to your CSR for more information
1. Click Warehouse (left menu) and then click Create ASN:
2. On the Create ASN page, complete ASN information, ensuring that the below details are added as mandatory:
PO Reference - please ensure to include 'CD' in the PO reference so the Team are aware that this is a cross-dock ASN
Supplier
Estimated Date of Delivery - it is really important to ensure that this is as accurate as possible and is kept up-to-date, should dates/times of arrival change to allow the Team to be prepared for the receival of stock
Comments - Within the comments section, please add the tracking link and also ensure forwarding address details have been included to allow the Team to link this up correctly once goods are received/order is being prepared
Delivery Type - this will indicate what is being received - cartons. for example
Quantity - this should detail the qty of the type expected to be received. For example, if 3 boxes, 3 would be the quantity (this is not the total qty of units)
Please Note: For each separate forwarding address, a separate ASN will need to be created
3. Once all information has been added, click 'Next' (bottom right)
4. On the Manage ASN page, within the 'Select Existing SKU' field, select the 'CROSSDOCK' SKU created and once done, click 
:
5. Once done, click 
to save all changes.
Creating a Cross-Dock Order
Once the ASN has been received, you can then create a supporting order number, for the Team to ship this back out to the required forwarding address.
1. Click Orders (left menu) and then Input New Order:
2. On the Products page, search the Cross-Dock SKU and Add to Cart:
3. Once added, click 
to proceed
4. On the Order Details page, add the following details:
Order Number - each order number must be unique. We would recommend starting this with 'CROSSDOCK' and then adding any other information, such as a reference unique to the order at your end, or the recipients/company name, for example
Contact Details
Address Details
Phone Number - if the recipients phone number is not available, please add the GEE Telephone Number Details
Courier - please ensure that UPS Standard is selected if wishing for GEE to ship on your behalf
Warehouse
Packing Notes - pleas add any specific packing instructions here. Also, please ensure that within this comments section, that the tracking information for the connected ASN is also provided. This is really important to allow us to link up the correct ASN with the correct Order
5. Once all required information has been added, please click 
to save
Once the ASN has been received, and the Order created, the Team can then work on getting the goods shipped out to the forwarded address ASAP - this will usually be completed within a 24 hour business day period.
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