IFS SmartFreight® General

Q. What are system minimum hardware requirements?
A. Hardware

• Pentium III, 300Mb Free HDD, 900Mhz processor
• If importing processor should be at least 1.5Ghz
• Manifesting PC will require Internet FTP connectivity for bi-directional data transfer, ideally port 20 & 21, use of proxy server acceptable
• Access to laser printer for A4 laser connotes and/or manifest reports
• Access to thermal label printer, IFS can provide competitive quotation
• Minimum Operating systems requirements
  • Windows 2000 – Service Pack 2
  • Internet Explorer - Version 5or above
  • Excludes all basic versions of Windows

Q. On what network platforms does system operate?
A. System Microsoft based, suited to 2000 onwards server platform, workstations can be Windows 2000 or higher. Citrix & Terminal Services versions are also available again with minimum of Windows 2000 on workstations.

Q. What type of thermal printers are recommended / supported?
A. Recommended – Datamax Range – IFS supply highly competitive quote on entire range.
Supported:

• Datamax Range
• Zebra Range

Q. In what format should I provide database for installation?
A. ASCII, Excel or Access all acceptable formats. See Download page for specific format of data. If you have arranged to interface IFS SmartFreight with your in-house system, format is also available to be downloaded from same location.

Q. What are other installation considerations?
A. List of all current freight carried used, including account number with carrier. Whether you are paying freight or carrier is only used for receiver pays shipments Clear copy of freight carrier quotations so we can verify against electronic file provided by them or if necessary data entry prior to install

Q. Can I use system for all my freight carriers?
A. Yes, system is fully compliant with all transport companies in Australia & New Zealand. Check list on our compliant carriers page but if you use a carrier that does not appear on page that does not meant that system is not compliant it purely means that being a smaller carrier their requirements are very basic & a clearly addressed label & connote are all that they require to service your company.

Q. How long does system take to install?
A. Allow 1-2 hours for main server & approximately 20-30 minutes per workstation. Obviously time to install will be dependant upon speed of PC’s but the above is a reasonable indication. Training is split normally over two 2 hour sessions, first covering just basics of system with operations staff, second to cover more detail functions of program with logistics & customer service staff.

Q. How is system supported?
A. IFS have a national helpdesk, manned between 9am – 6pm Monday – Friday
Local technical support is provided by local territory agent or technical manager
After hours emergency numbers are provided in all locales
On site visit if required undertaken within 4 hours of call being received

Q. Can I interface with my current in-house order system?
A. Yes, provided your programmers can export an XML file from system.. Many interfaces have already been written by IFS alliance partners which cover most of the popular ERP / Stock Control systems in Australasia. Interface formats can be located & obtained from download page. List of currently interfaced products can be found on alliance partner page.

Q. What does IFS do with my database & freight data?
A.IFS treat all data received in the strictest confidence and is only access by IFS employees & agents. Customer databases are used purely to convert into format required by IFS SmartFreight® Enterprise for installation purposes thereafter data is destroyed. Freight data downloaded daily to our Secure DataBureau is translated to relevant freight carrier’s specifications & is forwarded to them immediately. IFS keep a copy of this data for 90 days for disaster recovery purposes, thereafter data is destroyed

Q. What do I do if I wish to change freight companies?
A. System can be setup very quickly to accommodate another carrier should you be inconvenience due to industrial action for example. We suggest you contact the IFS helpdesk for assistance to ensure setup 100% accurate for new carrier; this is no charge for this assistance. Should you require freight rates to be added to system however there is a nominal charge to do so.

Q. What is IFS Data Bureau?
A. Our data Bureau is an industrial file server housed at and monitored by major telco on our behalf. It is used to receive electronic data from all our customers, translate it & subsequently forward to freight carriers to assist them with billing, tracking & logistical planning. Bureau is also used to facilitate the movement of tracking data provided by freight carriers, which we host on individual websites for them or provide back to them for internal use.

Q. What is FTP?
A. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a secure & efficient method of transferring data between PC’s utilising the Internet. The main difference between FTP & email is that likelihood of virus transfer is virtually zero & data is not given to a third party ISP to travel around the world before being available for downloading by recipient.