Supply Chain Control Tower Software Solution

Want to improve your supply chain management and operations?

Explore Supplylite's Supply Chain Control Tower Deployment and Operations modules below

Supplylite’s blockchain enabled SaaS Solution is designed to cater to projects of all sizes. The software solution comes with core control tower components and your choice of supply chain functions. Tailor your usage across shipping operations, material control, quality and preservation and purchase order management modules.
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Supply Chain Control Tower Deployment & Operations

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Core Control Tower Components

Standard Functions

An “Out of the Box” Supplylite Control Tower can be deployed either with or without pre-emptive modelling.  Upon deployment, a full AWS cloud architecture will become immediately available with a set of core components. A web APP and mobile APP are pre-configured and ready to accept the preliminary seed data required to set up the supply chain start point.  Please refer to the Core Control Tower components for further information.

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Block Chain
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Portal
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Supply Chain Network
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Ecosystem
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Poject Control & WBS
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Cloud Document Builder
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Documents & Image Library
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Notifications & Activity Notes
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Dashboards
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Online Help
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Blockchain

The private BLOCKCHAIN records all transactions which occur in real time across the Control Tower.  Transactional detail is based on User, Entity, Event and Timestamp.  The BLOCKCHAIN feeds Dashboards and Reports and is at the centre of Control Tower back-up and recovery functionality.

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Portal

Portals are restricted windows into the Control Tower applied to the web APP and mobile APP experience for each User.  Each window provides a functionally specific limited Graphical User Interface.  A User may have access to multiple PORTALs.

PORTALS include:

  • Full Control Tower
  • Cargo Request for Quotation
  • Cargo Booking Request
  • Fabrication/Supplier
  • Freight Forwarder
  • Pick Up and Delivery
  • Dashboard.
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Supply Chain Network

The Supply Chain Network is made up of a dynamic set of interconnected supply chain Nodes. These Nodes represent the physical locations material will transition through from source to project sites (Forward Logistics) and back again (Reverse Logistics).

Nodes are connected together by shipping Pathways. These pathways may open and close across the life of a Project.

Nodes are set up on Google Maps and can include Onshore Sites, Offshore Sites, Suppliers, Fabricators, Mobilisation Bases Repairers, Marshalling yards, Laydown Areas, Ports, Supply Bases, Recyclers, Waste Transfer Stations and Demobilisation Bases. Each Node has a list of contacts which will receive Notifications regarding activity associated with the Node.

Within each Node a set of recursive infrastructure can be defined and if required geofenced on Google Maps. Infrastructure could be a Supplier with a single “Virtual Warehouse” through to a full Supply Base that includes multiple warehouses with bespoke infrastructure based on Area/Rack/Shelf/Bin etc. Infrastructure is QR Coded enabling the QR Code based storage of inventory/cargo.

Node infrastructure provides the Control Tower location for all material and cargo which is not in transit between Nodes against a Consignment.

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Ecosystem

The ECOSYSTEM is a structured hierarchy of Companies/Teams and Users which includes all stakeholders involved in the end to end supply chain activity undertaken on the Control Tower.

The ECOSYSTEM is dynamic across the life of a project as stakeholders mobilise and contribute transactions to the blockchain in accordance with their allocated scope. These stakeholders include Engineering/Construction/Procurement teams, quality teams, supplier teams, freight forwarder teams, customs broker team, 3PL provider teams and project site supply chain teams.

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Cloud Document Builder

The CLOUD DOCUMENT BUILDER (CDB) generates the full suite of configurable integrated documentation required for HES, Quality, Preservation, Maintenance and Shipping.

Cloud documents are built and maintained in the cloud and can be printed to PDF on demand.

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Poject Control & WBS

Every Control Tower has a Project WBS.  This WBS may be as simple as a single Project which all material and inventory belongs to or a multi project WBS with sequenced WBS components which align with a project schedule maintained within Primavera P6.

With a link to a project schedule at WBS component level, the Required on Site dates from the Bill of Materials attached to each component can be adjusted in bulk and an assessment made on the supply chain posture required in response to the change.

Similarly, the Bill of Materials attached to a WBS component can also be linked to Purchase Order Line Item data providing Project Controls based tracking and functionality across both benchmarks.

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Documents & Image Library

The DOCUMENT LIBRARY enables hard copy documentation to be uploaded against and attached to any Control Tower entity including inventory, containers, cargo and consignments.  The library also includes HELP Documentation such as How to Guides and Project Operational Procedures.

Hard copy documentation uploaded against inventory include OEM specifications, preservation requirements, Quality Inspection Reports, Inspection Release Certificates, Punch Lists items and special handling instructions.

The IMAGE LIBRARY provides a cloud based repository for all photographs taken by the mobile APP.  Like documents, photographs can be attached to any Control Tower entity, in particular cargo identification and damage.  IMAGES can be displayed across the Control Tower including within infrastructure and on CONNOTES.

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Notifications & Activity Notes

The NOTIFICATIONS module provides three capabilities:
  • Automated email/SMS notifications can be set up when certain supply chain events occur across Expediting, Material Control and Shipping.  Notifications can be sent out to any Team within ECOSYSTEM which has been set up as a Notifiable Party.
  • On Demand notifications can be generated against a Control Tower entity and sent out to any Team/User in the ECOSYSTEM plus to any third party with a known email address.  On demand notifications are stored against the entity.
  • Where required Notifications can include attachments such as QR Coded shipping labels which a supplier is requested to attach to project cargo prior to dispatch.
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Dashboards

ACTIVITY NOTES are a post it note inspired function which enables a comment to be added to an entity’s blockchain.

DASHBOARDS are a dynamic suite of pre-built online reports which are linked to filters.  DASHBOARDS cover supply chain posture, activity and tempo across multiple variables including entity, event, user, location and timeline.

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Online Help

ONLINE HELP enables a User to send a help request to the online help team.   Help requests can be generated from the web APP and mobile APP.

Help Resources (video and downloadable PDF) are also available via the web APP.

Available Supply Chain Functions

Shipping Operations

Shipping Operations

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Cargo Request for Quote
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Cargo Shipping Unit Builder
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Freight Forwarding
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Container Management
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Cargo Booking Request
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General Shipping Operations
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Offshore Support
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Carbon Emissions
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Cargo Request for Quote

This module enables a client to raise an online REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) against the 3PL provider/Freight Forwarder network in the ECOSYSTEM.  The RFQ is notified by email to the 3PL Providers and/or Freight Forwarders selected to provide a quote.

The RFQ infomation includes Pick Up Location, Delivery Destination, INCOTERMS and a definition of Cargo Shipping Units with weights, dimensions, DG information and Final Destination.  Hard copy documents such as drawings/lifting arrangements plus photos can also be uploaded.

Respondents to the RFQ then submit an online Quotation on the Control Tower.  The Quotation can be supported by hard copy documentation and is only only visible to the raiser of the RFQ and the respective respondent.

The raiser of the RFQ will then review the received quotations and award the work to the successful respondent.  CARGO BOOKING REQUEST/s is/are then required to initiate the work.

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Cargo Shipping Unit Builder

The CARGO SHIPPING BUILDER enables recursive configurations of Cargo Shipping Units to be built.  These may be built to support new cargo against REQUESTS FOR QUOTE and CARGO REQUESTS or built from configurations of existing (LIVE) inventory and containers already at a Node.

Shipping Units belong to a Project and have a Cargo Owner.  Shipping units transit through the supply chain against Consignments crossdocking through the SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK until they reach their FINAL DESTINATION.

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Freight Forwarding

The FREIGHT FORWARDING module enables LCL cargo to be built, QR Coded and handed over to a Freight Forwarder against a Control Tower consignment then tracked to the INCOTERM hand over point.

Cloud generated Packing Lists and the Commercial Invoice are available against Purchase Order Line Item data under a SILVER/GOLD material tracking standard.  Hard copy shipping documentation is also uploaded against the consignment and is INCOTERMs specific.    Hard copy documentation may include Packing Declaration, Gross Mass Weight Verification, Lift Studies, Fumigation Certification, Country of Origin declarations, Tariff Concessions and the Bill of Lading.

On receipt of the Bill of Lading from the Freight Forwarder, LCL is allocated to the intermodal assets provided by the Freight Forwarder and the Bill of Lading is used to access marinetraffic.com shipping updates via the Control Tower providing a global view of all LCL/FCL under control of the project freight forwarding network.

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Container Management

CONTAINER MANAGEMENT provides for the full definition of container types in a Container Catalogue.  Mobile and demobilise packing assets of all types from Intermodal containers down to pallets and cartons.

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Cargo Booking Request

This module enables a client to raise a CARGO BOOKING REQUEST against a single 3PL Provider or Freight Forwarder in the ECOSYSTEM.   These can be raised from scratch or on RFQ Quotation approval.

The CARGO BOOKING REQUEST includes Pick Up Location, Delivery Destination, INCOTERMS and a definition of Cargo Shipping Units with weights, dimensions, DG information, Final Destination and Required (Date) at Final Destination.  Hard copy documents such as drawings/lifting arrangements plus photos can also be uploaded.

If the REQUEST is accepted, QR Coded Shipping Labels for each Shipping Unit are sent to the point of contact/s at the Pick Up Location and a Consignment is raised (on the Control ) from the Pick Up Location to the Delivery Destination.   The 3PL Provider or Freight Forwarder will then set up and execute a shipping solution either on the Control Tower or on their own Freight Management System (FMS).

If a third party FMS is used, the FMS number is cross referenced to the Control Tower consignment and vice versa.   Under both methods, cargo is accepted at the Delivery Location against the QR Codes on the Shipping Units.  The Control Tower Consignment will be also be completed.

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General Shipping Operations

The GENERAL SHIPPING OPERATIONS (GSO) module enables the scheduling, execution and tracking of shipping solutions across the SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK with full management of all parties associated with the work including Consignee, Consignor and Carrier.  The GSO is supported by the CLOUD DOCUMENT BUILDER which generates all required shipping documentation.

GSO includes Pick Up & Delivery, Line Haul and Heavy Haulage. Automated routing and crossdocking of cargo across the SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK is supported based on Final Destinations set on Shipping Units.   Notifications and Activity Notes are used to ensure all relevant information is attached to shipping serials and notified to shipping stakeholders.

A BLOCKCHAIN based record of all shipping operations is maintained with a suite of shipping dashboards.

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Offshore Support

The OFFSHORE SUPPORT module enables shipping solutions to be developed that include a route to multiple offshore sites and the allocation of cargo to a stow plan for deck and tank cargo.

Transport assets can include aircraft, project shipping, LCTs, tug & barge combinations and platform support vessels.  Cargo allocated to an OFFSHORE SUPPORT serial requires clearance, loading and unloading.

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Carbon Emissions

The CARBON EMISSIONS module enables carbon emission profiles based to be set up for vehicle and shipping configurations then carbon emission calculations to be applied based on the shipping pathway and shipping configuration applicable to each Consignment.

Material Control

Material Control, Quality & Presevation

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Material Catalogue
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Inventory SKU Operations
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Workpacs
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Inventory SKU Ledger
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Supply Base Operations
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Quality, Preservation & Maintenance
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Material Catalogue

The MATERIAL CATALOGUE provides for the full definition of inventory catalogue types within SKUs generated against Purchase Orders and/or a Bill of Materials attached to a Project WBS component.  Definition includes a Unit of Measure and a Class which defines how inventory is managed.  Classes include:  Fleet; Consumable; Fixture – Rotable; Fixture – Permanent; Fixture –  and Waste.

The MATERIAL CATALOGUE also provides for Dangerous Goods definition within Cargo Shipping Units and enables Inventory SKU to be brought on to the INVENTORY ledger without any reference to a Purchase Order.

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Inventory SKU Operations

INVENTORY SKU OPERATIONS enables the flexible management of inventory across all Control Tower operations.

SKUs are defined by a configurable set of shared characteristics.  These shared characteristics include: (1) Purchase Order Line Item and status; (2) Project WBS criteria; (3) Workpac criteria; (4) Mill Certificate; (5) Heat Certificate; (6) Quality, Repairs and Maintenance criteria; and (6) Location (Node Infrastruture or Consignment).

As inventory within a SKU has a change to the shared characteristics associated with that SKU, that inventory is allocated to a new or existing SKU.  Changes to inventory characteristics can occur by the inventory SPLIT SKU function or via any of the modules which effect changes to an SKUs characteristic including QUALITY, PRESERVATION & MAINTENANCE.

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Workpacs

WORKPACs enable multiple inventory SKU to be grouped together for subsequent hand over to a Work Team at a nominated Node Infrastructure location.  Any inventory SKU can be added to a WORKPAC and is then traceable against the WORKPAC.

Inventory SKU may be partially handed over as it arrives at the hand over point prior to all inventory on the WORKPAC being available. WORKPACs can be linked to Purchase Order data and/or a Project WBS component.

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Inventory SKU Ledger

The INVENTORY LEDGER contains all inventory SKU that have been generated within the Control Tower.  The ledger is divided into LIVE SKU and END OF LIFE SKU.

LIVE SKU in the ledger are visible across the Control Tower with a recursive location path.  This location path includes either: (1) a Node/Infrastrcuture and if applicable, the packing configuration containing the SKU (e.g. Node 1/Infra 2/Container 5/Pallet 2/Carton 1); or (2) a Consignment and if applicable, the packing configuration containing the SKU (e.g. Consignment 5/Container 5/Pallet 2/Carton 1).

The LIVE SKU ledger is exportable in excel from multiple locations across the Control including from Node, Infrastructure and Consignment.

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Supply Base Operations

The SUPPLY BASE OPERATIONS model enables the management of inventory/cargo within Nodes prior to its delivery to its Final Destination (cargo) and/or User Site (inventory against a Project WBS).

Temporary or permanent infrastructure can immediately be set up as part of the SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK and subsequently closed down when no longer needed.

Core SUPPLY BASE OPERATIONS includes:

  • building cargo
  • preservation
  • receiving/unloading/crossdocking cargo from Incoming Consignments
  • staging/clearing/loading cargo for Outgoing Consignments via air land or sea
  • warehousing
  • laydown
  • dangerous goods management.
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Quality, Preservation & Maintenance

The QUALITY, PRESERVATION & MAINTENANCE (QPM) module enables Work Items to be raised against any inventory SKU.  Work Items are then allocated to Work Orders for execution by a Work Team.  Configurable business rules can be set to restrict usage of inventory SKU carrying PRM items until these items have been closed out.

Work Items extend from quality inspections and punch lists conducted at suppliers through shipping damage to preservation and maintenance activity in warehouses and laydown areas prior to usage.

expediting

Expediting & Purchase Order Management

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Purchase Order Library
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Expediting
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Receipts, Overs, Shortages & Damages
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Milestone Payments & Liquidated Damages
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Purchase Order Library

A Control Tower provides the opportunity to provide cradle to grave visibility of all supply chain activity between Purchase Order placement on SAP and payment at Purchase Order Line Item (POLI) level on SAP.  Visibility is maintained at recursive LCL level across the supply chain until material is codified, unpacked and visible to planners within an SAP Bin/Shelf location.

A Material Tracking Standard (MTS) is identified to support cradle to grave visibility at POLI level.  This standard is included in supplier contract terms and conditions.

A PURCHASE ORDER LIBRARY is then set up on the Control Tower to support GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE MTS activity.  The library is established by pushing POLI data into the Control Tower via an API with SAP or by manually importing POLI data via an excel spreadsheet template.

Under a GOLD Material Tracking Standard, a supplier picks and packs against each Purchase Order Line Item (POLI) in real time on the Control Tower.

Under a SILVER MTS, suppliers submit excel packing lists at POLI level for centralised import.  Suppliers then downloads QR Coded Packing Lists and attach to LCL prior to hand over of LCL to shippers.

Under a BRONZE MTS, during Quality and/or Overs, Shortage and Damage (OS&D) inspections against hard copy supplier packing lists at the supply chain break point, inventory at POLI level is stood up into LCL packages  providing: (1) a cloud based OS&D record; and (2) visibility to inventory at POLI level at LCL level across the supply chain.

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Expediting

With access to the PURCHASE ORDER library and under a GOLD/SILVER Material or Tracking Standard, real time visibility of supplier picking and packing progress is available at POLI level.

EXPEDITING requests to suppliers can be auto generated based on Required Delivery Dates or manually generated via an on demand Notification.

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Receipts, Overs, Shortages & Damages

With an established MTS:  Receipts, Overs, Shortages and Damages can be undertaken against POLI data on the mobile APP.  If the API with SAP has been established, the Control Tower will return an ASN to SAP flagging receipts at Purchase Order Line Item as they are completed.

This phsyical inspection based activity can occur anywhere across the supply chain.  Under a GOLD/SILVER MTS LCL cargo will already be QR Coded.  Under a BRONZE MTS inventory will be stood up into the LCL as the OS&D activity is conducted against the hard copy packing list and the physical inventory.

As inventory is stood up, it will become visible on the Control Tower against its respective POLI in the PURCHASE ORDER library.  Until then, inventory is only identifiable by interrogating hard copy packing lists attached to suppliers prior to shipping.

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Milestone Payments & Liquidated Damages

The PURCHASE ORDER library is supported by configurable PAYMENT triggers which compliment those available on SAP.  These are: (1) Ready to Ship; (2) Delivered; and (3) Receipted.

These triggers are initiated at Purchase Order level when all inventory at Line Item level has completed the transactional requirements on the Control Tower for the trigger.

Where required triggers can be linked to automated Notifications.  For example Notifying an ERP Finance Team when all inventory on a Purchase Order has achieved Ready To Ship status.

LIQUIDATED DAMAGES relates to using the transactional dates in the blockchain to calculate achievement of commercial KPIs in supplier contracts.  These dates are:  Required Delivery Date, Actual Delivery Date and Technical Acceptance (Receipt) Date.

Additional Functions

Additional Functions

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Inventory In Transit
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Inventory
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Kit Items
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Block Chain
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Cargo
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Catalogue
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Consignments
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Intermodal Containers
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Dashboards
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db Explorer
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Documents
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Supply Chain Map
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Hotshots
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Fleet On Issue
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My Account
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My Team Blockchain
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Search
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Ecosystem
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Photos
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Preservation
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Procurement
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Resources
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Historical Inventory
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Infrastructure
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Settings
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Shipping
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Intransit
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Workflow
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Project WBS & BOM
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Fleet On Issue
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Workpacs
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Shipping Schedules
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My Tasks
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Expediting
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Team RBAC, Portals, Activities & Settings
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Supplychain Infrastructure
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Stow Plans

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