Step 3.1 — Load Creation in EZ Loader

Previous phase: Phase 2 — Carrier Onboarding Next step: Step 3.2 — Carrier Assignment

Note

EZ-Loader is the single source of truth for load data. Every document, status change, and financial transaction for a shipment ties back to the load record. Today loads are built in MVMNT — cutover to EZ-Loader at May go-live.


🎯 Ideal State

Trigger: A greenlit Shipper has freight to move and a rate has been agreed upon by Sales or Ops.

Prerequisites Before a Load Can Be Created

EZ-Loader blocks load creation if either condition fails — this is a system gate, not a judgment call.

PrerequisiteWhat EZ Loader Checks
Shipper statusMust be “Customer” (Phase 1 greenlight complete) — not “Onboarding Sent” or “Onboarding Signed”
Available creditShipper’s credit limit minus outstanding unbilled/unpaid loads must be ≥ Shipper rate for this load

Data Entered at Load Creation

Shipper and rate:

FieldNotes
Shipper nameSelected from active Shipper profiles (status = “Customer”)
Shipper rateTotal amount the Shipper will be invoiced
Rate typeFlat rate, per mile, per unit, etc.
Accessorial chargesAny additional charges on the Shipper side

Shipment details:

FieldNotes
Origin / DestinationFacility name, address, city, state, zip, contact name, contact phone
Pickup / Delivery date and timeOr appointment window
Equipment type requiredDry van, reefer, flatbed, step deck, etc.
CommodityAffects insurance and handling requirements
WeightTotal shipment weight
Temperature requirementsIf reefer — target temperature and acceptable range. Critical for produce loads.
Special instructionsDriver requirements, loading/unloading, PPE, pre-cooling standards

Reference numbers:

FieldNotes
Shipper PO numberIf configured as required in Step 1.6, EZ-Loader enforces this at load build
Shipper reference numbersBOL #, PRO #, delivery #, or any Shipper-required references per Step 1.6 configuration
Internal load numberAuto-generated by EZ-Loader

Owner: James, Jen (Operations) — load building.

🤖 SYSTEM AUTOMATION:

EZ-Loader auto-populates from the Shipper profile: default Sales rep, GP split, billing requirements, saved facility locations. Reference number fields are enforced based on the Shipper’s Step 1.6 configuration — if the Shipper requires a PO#, EZ-Loader requires it at load build, not at invoicing. Parade AI (activates at EZ Loader go-live) provides carrier capacity suggestions.

🛑 HARD GATE:

Step 1.6 Shipper invoice settings drive this step. If PO# is required, EZ-Loader blocks load creation without it. This gate enforces downstream completeness at the point of load build — not at invoicing.


📍 Current State

  • Load creation happens in MVMNT today — will migrate to EZ-Loader at May go-live.
  • Shipper invoice document requirements and reference number enforcement are NOT configured per Shipper in EZ-Loader or MVMNT. Missing references are caught at invoicing, creating rework.
  • Parade AI not yet live in EZ-Loader (can’t run on two TMS simultaneously) — activates at go-live.
  • Load building is handled by James, Jen — working operationally.

🚧 Gap

  1. Reference number enforcement at load build is not configured — same root gap as Step 1.6. Loads can be built without Shipper-required references, creating downstream invoicing rework.
  2. Load building happens in MVMNT during transition; cutover to EZ-Loader pending go-live.
  3. No Forza-specific load-building SOP documented for reefer/produce loads with max equipment age or pre-cooling requirements.

🛠️ Gap Closure Actions

  • Configure Shipper-specific reference number and document requirements in EZ-Loader — same action as Step 1.6 Gap Closure #2 Owner: Concetta | Dependency: Step 1.6 inventory built + EZ Loader live | Effort: Medium
  • Document Forza’s load-building SOP with reefer/produce-specific requirements (pre-cooling, max equipment age, temperature range capture) Owner: Casey + James | Effort: Low
  • Verify EZ-Loader’s saved facility locations are accurate for repeat Shipper origins/destinations before go-live | Effort: Low