Dynamics 365: TMS! Rate, Route, and Rejoice – Part 1 (The Rates)
FYI, there is never TMI when it comes to TMS! BTW, the upcoming “Insights” action in Word would be helpful about now to help identify all the acronyms I just used. In the meantime, we are here to help all the transportation geeks out there, better understand the Rate and Route functionality in the Transportation Management System in Dynamics 365. In this part, we will go over the basic set-up to get you started on your rate journey using our DEMO USMF environment.
First off, check and make sure the default meta data is in place for rating. This can be accomplished by going to Modules> Transportation management> Transportation management parameters. Under the Engines fast tab, there is an option to initialize the base data. This will assign the mandatory values needed to complete the rating process on the Rate base and Rate base assignment.
There are 5 basic components in rating: Rating profile, Rate master, Rate base assignment, Rate base, and Break master. The chart below illustrates the relationship between the components and it also pays homage to an 80’s video arcade mainstay, Mr. Pac Man. Note that a Rate profile has one Rate master. A Rate master can have many Rate base assignments. A Rate Base assignment has one Base rate and the Base rate has one Break master. Also, the head bone connected to the, neck bone.
With Rates, there is some hopping around to get the final set-up complete and we are giving a basic order in which the Rate profile can be set-up.
Break master – Can be accessed by Modules> Transportation management> Setup> Rating> Break master. This sets the values for rate breaks that are available in the Base rate records. Pay attention to the Data type to make sure it matches the Break unit. The Comparison is a free text field so be careful to input a valid comparison indicator.
In the Details fast tab, enter the values desired for rate breaks. In the example shown, we have set up the following breaks: < 1 pound, < 5 Pounds, < 20 pounds. When Base rates are setup, they will use these buckets to assign rate values. BTW, we rate the first few paragraphs of this blog, 5 out of 5 pallets!
Rate Master – Can be accessed by Modules> Transportation management> Setup> Rating> Rate master. The Rate master Is the gateway to the Rate base assignments and Rate base. Click Edit to edit an existing master or New to create a new master. Name the Rate master and assign a Rating metadata ID. The Metadata was shown above and indicates the mandatory fields and will dictate the Rate base assignment fields.
Rate base – Can be accessed by Modules> Transportation management> Setup> Rating> Rating master> Rate bases. While the new Rating master is highlighted, click on Rate base on the top menu and click New.
Name the new Base rate and assign a Break master. The Break master will define the rate breaks in the Details fast tab.
In the Details fast tab, click New and fill in the required fields, including a rate for each break. In our example, the rate is determined on the total pounds of the load multiplied by the rate break.
Click Save and close the form to return to the Rate master.
In the Rate base assignments fast tab click New. Name the Rate base assignment and assign a Rate base.
We are ready to create the rating profile! Navigate to Modules> Transportation management> Setup> Rating> Rating profile. Click new and name the profile. Choose a shipping carrier, Rate engine, and Rate master.
Congrats, we have just created a rate structure to use within Dynamics 365. A few notes to consider when creating this structure:
- There are multiple places in which an effective date can be set. Beware of how these dates are used and the possible outcomes.
- The Profile can be set for a specific site/warehouse. Keep this in mind and be prepared to setup multiple profiles if the need arises.
- Please check out part two and three (coming soon!) of this series:
Dynamics 365: TMS! Rate, Route, and Rejoice – Part 2 (The Routes)