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For MIL-Comply users that are currently using the VSM web application and then transcribing the information it provides into MIL-Comply will find the VSM Automation feature to be a great time saver.
Prior to accessing the VSM web application, defense contractors must weigh and measure the containers to be shipped. MIL-Comply collects that data in the process of preparing Mil-Std-129 container labels, then submits it to VSM electronically. For small parcel shipments the immediate result is a set of shipping labels for the Government's selected carrier, e.g. Fed Ex and UPS. The TCN, Ship-To and Mark-For addresses returned by VSM flow automatically into MIL-Comply for producing the Military Shipment Label (MSL) and WAWF Receiving Report and Invoice.
Shipments with VSM Automation can be created in MIL-Comply using one of these methods:
•Load an electronic purchase order (EDI 850) from DLA/DIBBS
•Spawn a shipment from a template
•Copy a similar past shipment
•Enter the shipment data manually (with the help of parts and address databases, various wizards)
•Import shipment data from a business system or other source
VSM requires the number of containers to be shipped, along with their weights and dimensions. Comply/Labeling simply collects that information while preparing exterior container labels (Mil-Std-129). A click of a button sends a request to VSM for shipping instructions. For small parcels accepted at destination, VSM will immediately respond with a TCN and an official carrier shipping label for each container. These can be printed on laser or thermal-transfer (e.g. UPS provided) printers and applied for shipment.
The TCN flows into the Military Shipment Label (MSL) that Labeling can print to a laser or thermal-transfer printer. Or you can print VSM’s PDF version on a laser printer. Labeling‘s VSM Automation includes access to the full menu of Mil-Std-129 formats for unit and exterior containers, UIDs, etc.
Because the MIL-Comply WAWF and VSM processes are so tightly integrated, completely one you gets you 90% done with the other. For DCMA shipments that are accepted at origin, you really need only to added container dimensions in order to submit to VSM. Creating a WAWF Receiving Report for VSM Fast Pay shipments just requires adding address codes for the payment and contract administration offices. Using Comply/Shipper‘s templates makes that quick and easy.
For DIBBS orders, you can nearly eliminate all data entry by downloading purchase orders directly into Shipper or Labeling. Then it’s matter of simply adding container dimensions for VSM and an invoice number for WAWF. VSM will supply a TCN and the Ship-To address.