Frequently Asked Questions for IAS InterBox 2.0

Stack Train Operator| Intermodal Marketing Company

STO View: DASHBOARD

  1. What is the dashboard and how is it useful?
    After login, the application takes you to the dashboard. The dashboard is the main entry page to IAS InterBox 2.0 and displays the most relevant data you need to make a quick analysis and manage your activities.

    For example, the "Performance" section of the Dashboard displays your previous day(s) equipment supply, bookings and remaining equipment. The "Wait-list" section shows your possible current demand. Based on this information, you may decide to post equipment using the "Quick Post" feature or you may want to attend to the wait-list.

STO View: POSTING EQUIPMENT

  1. What are the mandatory setup tasks I need to complete before I can make a posting?
    To make a posting, you will need to set-up:
    • A Facility contract rule
    • A posting template
    • Booking number rules
  2. What is a posting template?
    A posting requires the following standard data elements:
    • return location
    • handling type
    • container condition that do not change across majority of the postings

    IAS InterBox allows you to quickly create a posting by creating a template. Every posting is created from a template. The posting automatically uses the template to pre-fill standard data elements. You can choose to change any data element and make a posting quickly.
  3. What is a facility contract rule?
    When a facility is set-up in IAS InterBox 2.0, you will need to specify if the booking number and container number are mandatory on input. If the booking number is not mandatory, you will need to specify that it is auto-generated. Note that auto-generation of booking numbers is based on a booking number rule.
  4. What is a booking number rule?
    When an IMC books equipment, IAS InterBox issues a booking number. These booking numbers will either be the booking number entered manually when the posting was created, or a number auto-generated by the system. To enable the system to auto-generate booking numbers, a booking number rule must be created.

    To create a booking number rule, click the "Booking Number Rules" link under the "Transactions" tab. Specify the booking number rule by providing an optional prefix and suffix as well as a numeric range. Note that only one booking number rule can be active at a given time.
    You cannot post/reserve equipment if there are insufficient booking numbers to do so.
  5. Can I post only from a template?
    Yes. A template is mandatory in order for you to create a posting. IAS InterBox allows the user to create and maintain one template per facility and equipment type. You can manage your templates by clicking on the "Manage Templates" link in the left navigation bar under the "Manage Inventory" tab.
  6. How do I post a box?
    There are two ways to post a box:
    • From the "Dashboard" tab: Use the "Quick Post" feature to select the location, facility, quantity and type of box
    • From the "Manage Inventory" tab: Use the pre-defined template. You can change any value in the template to post.

    Both these actions require you to have a pre-defined template. See Question 8: How do you set up a "template" for more information.
  7. What is a quick post? How is it different from a regular posting?
    A quick post automatically selects the template based on the facility and equipment type and creates a posting. It does not allow you to change any data on the template. For example, you cannot change the return facility list on a posting using quick post.

    A regular posting is created from a template and allows the user to change any data on the template before creating a posting.
  8. How do you set-up a template?
    Click on the "Create New Template" link under the "Manage Inventory" tab. Choose the facility and the equipment type. Fill in other parameters and "Save" the template for future use.
  9. What is the difference between "Transaction Type" and "Status" on the search filter? What are the values for the "Manage Inventory" tab?
    Transaction types will have the values Posting and Reservation under the "Manage Inventory" tab. The status link provides further information about the transaction type. For example, a posting could be "Active", "Expired" or "Cancelled".
  10. How are my transactions organized under "Manage Inventory"?
    By default, your latest transactions appear on the top of the list. If, you have not specified any search criteria that might impact positioning.
  11. How do I update or cancel a posting?
    To update a posting, find the posting you would like to update under the "Manage Inventory" tab. You can then use the search filters to identify the particular posting. Click on "Change" link under the "Action" column header to update your posting. Click on the "Cancel" link to cancel a posting.
  12. How do I reserve a box for a specific IMC?
    You can reserve:
    • From the Dashboard: Use the "Quick Reserve" feature
    • From a pre-defined template
    • From the "Manage Inventory" tab: Click on the "Reserve" link next to the posting

    When using the "Quick Reserve" feature, the system assumes that a pre-defined template exists for the facility and equipment type. How do you set up a "template" for more information.

    When reserving from a pre-defined template, a posting is created and reserved for the IMC directly. This posting is never visible to the entire IMC community.

    When reserving using the "Reserve" link, the posting is visible to the entire IMC community.
  13. What is a transaction number?
    Every booking number in the system is tied to a transaction. Each transaction is identified in the system via a unique transaction number.
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STO View: WAIT-LIST MANAGEMENT

  1. Are all wait-lists visible to the IMC?
    Only active wait-lists are visible to an IMC.
  2. How do I activate a wait-list?
    Under the "Manage Wait-list" tab, choose the "Facilities Directory" link on the left navigation. Find the facility that you want the wait-list activated for using the filter criteria. Check the "Active" box next to the facility name. This will make the wait-list visible to the IMC.
  3. How do I set the wait-list for Auto-allocate?
    Under the "Manage Wait-list" tab, choose the "Facilities Directory" link on the left navigation. Find the facility that you want the wait-list activated for using the filter criteria. Check the "Active" box next to the facility name. This will make the wait-list visible to the IMC.
  4. How do I set priorities for IMCs on auto-allocate?
    Under the "Manage Wait-list" tab, choose the "Facilities Directory" link on the left navigation. Find the facility that you want the wait-list activated for using the filter criteria. Click on the "Set Priorities" link. Order the IMCs in terms of priority on the list shown. The list is sorted by descending priority.
  5. How does auto-allocation work?
    The system allocates IMC's equipment that is available (via a posting) based on the priority set by you, the Stack Train Operator. If there is no priority set, the equipment is allocated on a first come first served basis. The system tries to fulfill the complete request from an IMC before choosing the next one on the list. If the request for an IMC is partially fulfilled, the IMC remains on the wait-list for the remaining unfulfilled request.
  6. How do I reserve equipment from a wait-list for a specific IMC?
    You can view the wait-list either from the dashboard or the "Manage Wait-list" tab. For a wait-list request, click on the "Reserve" link to bring up a page that allows you to choose an IMC and their office. Only a user from that office will be able to book the reservation you make. You can select a specific user as well.

    All Wait-List requests are set for 60 minutes.
  7. How do I de-activate a wait-list? What is the impact of doing so to current requests and reservations?
    Under the "Manage Wait-list" tab, choose the location that has the facility for your wait-list. Uncheck the "Active" box located next to the facility name to de-activate the wait-list. De-activating a wait-list will prevent future requests from IMCs. Current requests will still be visible and can be transacted on.
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STO View: TRANSACTIONS

  1. What is the difference between a transaction and a booking?
    Every booking is related to a transaction. One transaction can have many bookings. For example, if you book 10 20' STDs, you have created one transaction with 10 bookings.
  2. How do I view bookings?
    Under the "Transactions" tab, click on the "View Bookings" link located at the far right corner of the page. You can click on the booking numbers or the transaction numbers to view detailed information for each booking.
  3. How do I view transactions?
    Under the "Transactions" tab, click on "View Transactions" link located at the far right corner of the page. You can click on the transaction numbers to view detailed information for each booking.
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STO View: FACILITY MANAGEMENT

  1. How do I setup a new facility?
    Click on the "Facilities Directory" link located on the left navigation bar. You will be shown a list of available facilities. If you wish to add a new facility, click on the "Add New Facility" button and fill in the details to add a new facility.
  2. How do I edit a facility?
    Click on the "Facilities Directory" link on the left navigation under any of the tabs. You will be shown a list of available facilities. Click on the "Details" link to show the details of the facility. Click on the "Edit" button to edit the details and save your changes.
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STO View: SYSTEM SETTINGS

  1. How do change my region, location and time zone?
    Click on the "Settings" link located at the far top right corner of the screen. You will be brought to a screen where you can set your default region, location and time zone. The default settings will be applied to all data when you access any of the tabs in the application.
  2. How do I change my contact information?
    Click on your user name located at the far top right corner of the screen. You can now change your password and contact information on the following page. Note that only you can change your contact information, and any changes are instantaneously reflected in the "My Contacts" section of all other users.
  3. How do I change my password?
    See: How do I change my contact information
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IMC View: DASHBOARD

  1. What is the dashboard and how is it useful?
    After login, the application takes you to the dashboard. The dashboard is the main entry page to IAS InterBox 2.0 and displays important data you need to manage your activities. You can search for inventory or view all your wait-list requests/reservations directly from the dashboard.
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IMC View: BOOKING

  1. How do I create a booking?
    Click on the "Search Inventory" tab to bring up all available postings and reservations.

    Any transaction specified as a "Reservation" is visible only to you. Click on the "Book" link to bring up the details of the posting or reservation. Review the posting/reservation details and change the quantity if necessary. Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions and click on "Book" to complete your booking.
  2. How do I cancel a booking?
    Under the "Manage Bookings" tab, find the booking you would like to cancel by using the filter criteria. Click on "Cancel Booking" to cancel your booking.
  3. What is a transaction number?
    Every booking number in the system is tied to a transaction. Each transaction is identified in the system via a unique transaction number.
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IMC View: WAIT-LIST MANAGEMENT

  1. How do I apply to a wait-list?
    You can apply to a wait-list from the Dashboard tab or you can click on Wait-list tab. Applying to a wait-list from the Dashboard allows you to get onto a wait-list for particular equipment type. Under the Wait-list tab, you can get onto multiple wait-lists for multiple equipment types in one step.
  2. How do I cancel a wait-list request?
    You can cancel a request by clicking on the "Cancel" link located next to the request on the wait-list display on the Dashboard. Alternatively, under the Wait-Lists tab, click on "Wait-List Summary" link on the left navigationbar. Doing so will bring up all your wait-list requests. Click on the "Cancel" link near your particular request to cancel the request.
  3. If I request equipment with multiple STOs and I book equipment with one STO, do I need to update my remaining requests to reflect this change?
    No, the system automatically reflects the change in all your wait-list requests. For example, if you request ten 20' STDs with STO1 and STO2 and subsequently book four 20' STDs with STO1; both STO1 and STO2 views of the wait-list are automatically updated to reflect a need for the remaining six 20' STD boxes.
  4. Why I cannot see the option to book anything from the wait-list?
    All of your wait-list requests will appear with an action link of "Cancel" until a reservation is made for your request by an STO. When a reservation is made, you will see a link "Book" next to your request.
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IMC View: TRANSACTIONS

  1. What is the difference between a transaction and a booking?
    Every booking is related to one transaction. One transaction can have many bookings. For example, if you book ten 20' STDs, you have created one transaction with ten bookings.
  2. How do I view bookings?
    Under the "Transactions" tab, click on the "View Bookings" link located at the far right corner of the page. This will change the view to include booking numbers as links. Click on the booking numbers or the transaction numbers to view detailed information for each booking.
  3. How do I view transactions?
    Under the "Transactions" tab, click on the "View Transactions" link located at the far right corner of the page. This will change the view to include only transaction numbers. Click on the transaction numbers to view detailed information for each booking.
  4. How do I find a booking that I previously made?
    Under the "Manage Bookings" tab, click on the filter and enter the booking number to find the particular booking.
  5. What does "Mark Complete" mean on a booking?
    All bookings made in IAS InterBox have a default status of Pending. You will need to provide the container number and the SCAC code of the trucking company in order to mark the booking as complete. If the STO is enabled within IAS InterBox to provide gate events, IAS InterBox will help track your booking through from origin to destination.
  6. Why is there an expiration date and pick-up date on a wait-list request?
    The expiration date on a wait-list request determines when the request should expire if there has been no reservation made. The pick-up date notifies the STO that, if given a reservation, you intend to pick-up by the pick-up date.
  7. How much time do I have to respond to a wait-list reservation?
    Wait-list reservations expire 60 minutes from the time of reservation. You will be sent a notification when the wait-list reservation is made. You must book your equipment within the allotted 60-minute window.
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IMC View: SYSTEM SETTINGS

  1. How do I get additional log-ins and passwords for other members of my team?
    Notify IAS Customer Service with your request. Include the details of your team members' contact information: full name, address, company, office, phone, email and fax if possible.

    IAS Customer Service can be reached at domesticops@interasset.com or 1-866-829-8804
  2. How do I change my region, location and time zone?
    Click on the "Settings" link located at the far top right corner of the screen. You will be brought to a screen where you can set your default region, location and time zone. The default settings will be applied to all data when you access any of the tabs in the application.
  3. How do I change my contact information?
    Click on your user name located at the far top right corner of the screen. You can now change your password and contact information on the following page. Note that only you can change your contact information, and any changes are instantaneously reflected in the "My Contacts" section of all other users.
  4. How do I change my password?
    See: How do I change my contact information
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