The EDI 214 (Transportation Carrier Shipment Status Message) is a crucial document for providing real-time visibility into the movement of goods.
Here's how the EDI 214 works in a business with multiple pick and drop scenarios:
Core Functionality of EDI 214
The EDI 214 is sent by the carrier (e.g., trucking company, 3PL) to the shipper (the party arranging the transport, often the owner of the goods) and/or the consignee (the recipient of the goods at a particular stop).
Key information conveyed in an EDI 214 includes:
Shipment Identification: Unique identifiers like Bill of Lading (BOL) number, Purchase Order (PO) number, shipment reference numbers.
Carrier Details: SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code), equipment numbers (truck, trailer).
Dates and Times: Actual or estimated dates and times for various events (e.g., pickup, arrival, departure, delivery).
Locations: Specific addresses (city, state, zip) or location codes where events occurred.
Status Codes: Standardized codes indicating the current status (e.g., 'AF' for Actual Pickup, 'X4' for Arrived at Delivery Location, 'D1' for Delivered, 'AD' for Appointment Delivered).
Reason Codes: If there are exceptions or delays (e.g., 'WL' for weather delay, 'MC' for mechanical issue).
Proof of Delivery (POD) Details: For delivery events, this can include who signed, date, and time.
EDI 214 in Multiple Pick and Drop Scenarios
In a multi-stop scenario, a single truckload or Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipment might have:
Multiple Pickups: Goods collected from several different supplier locations.
Multiple Deliveries: Goods dropped off at various consignee locations.
A combination: Picking up from multiple suppliers and delivering to multiple retailers.
The EDI 214 is structured to handle this complexity by providing status updates at the stop level as well as the overall shipment level.
Here's how it typically works step-by-step:
Initial Load Tender (EDI 204):
The shipper initiates the multi-stop route by sending an EDI 204 (Motor Carrier Load Tender) to the carrier.
This 204 specifies all the pick-up and drop-off locations in sequence, along with the details of the goods at each stop (e.g., PO numbers, item quantities for each pick-up, and which items are for which drop-off). Each stop usually has a unique sequence number.
Carrier Response (EDI 990):
The carrier responds with an EDI 990 (Response to Load Tender), accepting or declining the entire multi-stop load.
Shipment Status Updates (EDI 214 - Multiple Transmissions):
The carrier sends multiple EDI 214s throughout the journey, providing granular updates for each significant event at each stop.
Pickup Stops:
EDI 214 (Arrival at Pickup Location - 'X1'): Sent when the carrier arrives at the first pickup location.
EDI 214 (Departure from Pickup Location - 'AF' for Actual Pickup or 'DP' for Departed Pickup): Sent after goods are loaded and the truck leaves the pickup site.
This sequence repeats for every subsequent pickup location.
In-Transit / En Route:
EDI 214 (En Route - 'B6'): Can be sent periodically or at specific checkpoints between stops to provide general status updates.
This is particularly useful for long hauls between stops. EDI 214 (Delay/Exception - 'AD' with Reason Code): If there's an unforeseen event (e.g., breakdown, weather, traffic), a 214 is sent with an exception status code and a corresponding reason code.
Delivery Stops:
EDI 214 (Arrival at Delivery Location - 'X4' or 'AR'): Sent when the carrier arrives at a specific drop-off location.
EDI 214 (Delivery Confirmation - 'D1' for Delivered or 'CL' for Completed): Sent after the goods designated for that specific stop have been successfully unloaded and signed for. This 214 might include proof of delivery details (e.g., signature name, date/time).
EDI 214 (Departure from Delivery Location - 'DP'): Sent after the truck leaves the delivery site.
This sequence repeats for every subsequent drop-off location.
Final Delivery:
A final EDI 214 will confirm the completion of the entire route once the last delivery stop is finished.
Key Data Elements for Multi-Stop EDI 214s:
To differentiate between stops and associate updates with specific portions of the load, the EDI 214 typically uses:
LX Segment (Assigned Number): This segment is crucial. It often carries the stop sequence number from the original EDI 204 load tender, clearly identifying which stop the status update pertains to.
N1/N3/N4 Segments (Location Information): These segments detail the specific address of the location (pickup or drop-off) where the status event occurred.
AT7 Segment (Shipment Status Details): Contains the actual status code (e.g., 'AF', 'D1', 'X4'), date, and time of the event.
L11 Segment (Business Instructions and Reference Number): Can carry additional reference numbers related to a specific stop, such as a specific delivery order number or store number for that drop.
Business Value and Scenarios in Multi-Stop Shipments:
The robust use of EDI 214 in multi-stop scenarios provides significant benefits:
Enhanced Visibility for Shippers:
Proactive Planning: Shippers can track the progress of each leg of a multi-stop route.
If a truck is delayed at one pick-up or drop-off, they know how it impacts subsequent stops and can adjust expectations or resources. Inventory Management: For retailers or distributors, knowing exactly when goods will arrive at specific stores or distribution centers (DCs) allows for efficient labor scheduling for receiving and reduces potential stock-outs or overstock situations.
Customer Service: If the end customer is waiting for a delivery that's part of a multi-stop route, customer service teams can provide highly accurate updates based on the granular 214 messages.
Optimized Carrier Operations:
Dispatch & Planning: Carriers use 214 data internally to monitor driver progress, identify potential delays, and react quickly to issues.
Proof of Performance: The detailed 214s serve as documented proof of pick-up and delivery times for each stop, which is crucial for billing accuracy (EDI 210) and performance metrics.
Exception Management: Automated 214s with exception codes allow dispatchers to focus only on shipments that require intervention, rather than manually tracking every single one.
Reduced Discrepancies and Disputes:
By providing a clear audit trail of events at each stop, the EDI 214 helps to minimize disputes over late deliveries, missed pickups, or billing discrepancies, as all parties have a consistent record of events.
Improved Collaboration:
Retailers can provide stores with precise arrival windows, improving efficiency at receiving docks.
Suppliers know exactly when their goods are picked up and delivered, aiding in their own inventory and sales reconciliation.
Example Flow for a 2-Pick / 3-Drop Route:
Imagine a truck picking up goods from Supplier A, then Supplier B, and delivering to Retail Store X, then Retail Store Y, and finally Retail Store Z.
EDI 204: Sent by Shipper, detailing all 5 stops (2 pick, 3 drop) in sequence.
EDI 214 (Stop 1 - Pickup A):
LX*1(Stop 1)AT7*X1(Arrived at Pickup Location)N1*SF*Supplier A(Location details for Supplier A)AT7*AF(Actual Pickup)AT7*DP(Departed Pickup Location)
EDI 214 (Stop 2 - Pickup B):
LX*2(Stop 2)AT7*X1(Arrived at Pickup Location)N1*SF*Supplier B(Location details for Supplier B)AT7*AF(Actual Pickup)AT7*DP(Departed Pickup Location)
EDI 214 (Stop 3 - Drop-off X):
LX*3(Stop 3)AT7*X4(Arrived at Delivery Location)N1*ST*Retail Store X(Location details for Retail Store X)AT7*D1(Delivered)AT7*DP(Departed Delivery Location)
EDI 214 (Stop 4 - Drop-off Y):
LX*4(Stop 4)AT7*X4(Arrived at Delivery Location)N1*ST*Retail Store Y(Location details for Retail Store Y)AT7*D1(Delivered)AT7*DP(Departed Delivery Location)
EDI 214 (Stop 5 - Drop-off Z):
LX*5(Stop 5)AT7*X4(Arrived at Delivery Location)N1*ST*Retail Store Z(Location details for Retail Store Z)AT7*D1(Delivered)AT7*DP(Departed Delivery Location)
Final EDI 214 (Overall Shipment Complete): A final 214 can be sent for the entire Bill of Lading, indicating that all legs of the journey are complete.
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