This is the first in a series of eight posts that walk through a complete OTM end-to-end transaction flow — from initial setup through planning, tendering, invoicing, and cost allocation. Each post builds on the previous one. Use this series as a starting …
Itinerary
An Itinerary defines the route OTM Bulk Plan uses to move freight — the origin region, destination region, transport mode, and equipment types for each leg. Bulk Plan matches order release origins and destinations against itinerary lanes to determine which …
Service Provider and Rates
OTM models carrier contracting in two layers: a Rate Offering (the contract — who, what transport mode, what service level) and Rate Records (the lanes — source, destination, and cost). Bulk Plan uses Rate Offerings and Rate Records to select a carrier and …
Business Numbers, Planning Parameter
Business Numbers:
OTM auto-generates IDs for business objects — shipments, order releases, invoices — using Business Number Rules. By default, shipments get a simple sequential number (e.g. 01001). A custom rule lets you embed the date, a prefix, or a …
Bulk Plan
Bulk Plan is OTM’s automated planning engine. It reads Order Release or Order Movements, matches them against the Itineraries and Rate Records configured in earlier posts, and creates optimised Shipments with carrier assignments and freight cost. …
Tender Process
After Bulk Plan creates Shipments, the next step is to notify the carrier — this is called Tendering. The carrier receives the shipment details (pickup time, locations, equipment), then accepts or rejects the tender. If rejected, OTM automatically …
Invoicing
Once shipment execution is completed, the carrier sends a freight charge invoice for settlement. OTM can validate the invoice cost against the planned shipment cost, approve it, and then allocate that cost back to the originating Order Releases or Purchase …
Voucher Allocation
After an invoice is approved, OTM creates a Voucher record for it. Voucher Allocation distributes the total freight cost across the Order Releases on the shipment — proportionally by weight or volume — so each PO or Order Release line carries its share of …