How Computers are Used to Calculate Shipping Funds

My name is Linda Sue McGillacutty and I am the administrative manager in charge of shipping funds at a major corporation. I used to work with CFB investment funds (CFB Fonds), but I have been responsible for shipping funds for about two years now. My job is to calculate shipping funds for all materials that go in and out on a daily basis at a high profile goods manufacturer, by whom I am employed. Basically, I sit at a computer all day searching prices, setting up accounts, ordering pick-ups and scheduling deliveries.

My job would be impossible were it not for my trusty computer. It is the policy of my employer to offer their customers the lowest possible shipping costs. The policy was adopted to coincide with the recent dramatic rise in fuel cost, which has caused shipping costs to increase all around the world. Therefore, when a customer places an order with our sales department, shipping information comes to me for processing. I need all of the information before I can calculate the shipping funds (Schiffsfonds) and charge the customer to finalize the order.

First, I need to know who placed the order and where it is going and when they need it. I must know out of which warehouse the material is coming, the address to which the shipment is to be delivered, contact information for parties at both the shipping point as well as the receiving point.

Next, I must know what is being shipped. I need to know the size and weight of the entire load in order to properly calculate shipping funds. I must know the materials inside of all packaging in case of hazardous materials, liquids, etc. to make sure the shipment is processed efficiently.

Then I enter all of the information into my desktop computer. I run the information through a series of reference points such as shipping funds software and shipping company websites. I then enter the information I receive from such resources into another program that will pick for me the lowest cost for that particular shipment. It may be by next day carrier or it may be by seven-day ground service; there is always a variance. Therefore, I must calculate the lowest cost as well as the fastest shipping time to provide the customer with the option of paying more to get their product faster. When the customer places their order with our sales department, they indicate whether they want standard shipping service or rushed service. If the customer has indicated that they want the standard rate for shipping, I mark to charge the lowest cost. If the customer chooses to have the packaged delivered in a hurry, I check the fastest delivery time.

Now that all of the information is complete. I add the total cost for shipping onto the order, charge the customers account accordingly and send the order on to the finalizing department who will contact the customer to inform them how much they were charged and when they can expect their materials.