Category: English

If you’re juggling several depot locations, you already know the pain: scattered Excel files, endless phone calls, and reports that are outdated by the time they reach your desk.

What if you could see everything happening across your sites — from Marseille to Rotterdam — on a single, real-time depot visibility dashboard?

That’s exactly what Shipzzer’s container yard management system (CYMS) delivers — a centralized, intuitive solution built for digital depot operations.

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Why Real-Time Visibility Changes Everything

When depots operate in silos, information becomes fragmented, slow, or incomplete. This leads to issues such as:

• A container arrives at your depot, but you have no trace of the emergency repair it underwent at the previous terminal — forcing your team to start investigations from scratch.
• Clients request availability across your network, but stock data is split between locations, making it impossible to answer instantly or optimize bookings.
• Your central spare-parts inventory serves multiple depots, yet you have no unified view of consumption trends or stock levels.
• Import/export operations involve several sites, but coordinating them requires manual updates, calls, and spreadsheet consolidation.
• Management requests performance metrics by location, and you spend hours compiling figures from disconnected systems.

All of this slows you down. Meanwhile, digital-first depots using a smart container yard management system (CYMS) respond in minutes, not hours.

Shipzzer’s platform unifies gate movements, inventory, and bookings into one live dashboard. It’s not just convenience — it’s a shift toward a connected, optimized way of working.

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The Hidden Costs of Disconnected Depots

Lost Revenue Opportunities

Without a global view via container yard management system (CYMS), you may decline a booking that another site could handle, or accept one without the required equipment, resulting in costly repositioning and frustrated customers.

Wasted Staff Time

When teams must search through emails, call other departments, or navigate multiple systems just to retrieve basic info, they lose time that should be spent serving customers and optimizing operations.

Increased Container Downtime

Without real-time depot visibility, containers sit idle in one depot while another faces shortages. Every idle hour impacts profitability.

Compliance Risks

Meeting EDI standards becomes difficult when data is inconsistent or manually updated. Errors lead to rejected messages and strained partner relationships.

Decision-Making Delays

Leaders operate reactively with outdated info. Strategic planning suffers, and opportunities are missed.

• Preparing your annual budget means navigating by guesswork, while a CYMS (Container Yard Management System) with EMR and parts modules could tell you exactly what to order.
• Sizing your workforce, especially for shift ops, becomes a challenge without visibility into actual demand patterns across locations.
• Planning yard capacity – bays, reefer plugs, client allocations – requires accurate data. Without it, you waste time on container shuffling and inefficient movements.

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How It Works

Step 1: Setup and Integration

Connect your depots to Shipzzer. Our team tailors the  container yard management system (CYMS) to your structure, whether you have 2 or 20 locations. Setup takes days, not weeks.

We integrate with your existing hardware: tablets used in the yard for scanning and photos — no need to start from scratch.

We configure depot-client pricing, create user accounts, set up EDI flows, and tailor the system to your specific depot constraints.

Step 2: Team Onboarding

We train staff on both the web and tablet interface, define their roles, and walk through your operational processes.

Most users are confident after one shift. They’ll also learn to use the customer portal if they need to open support tickets.

Step 3: Real-Time Operations

Once your team scans containers or logs updates, data flows instantly to your central dashboard.

• No manual entry
• No spreadsheet uploads
• All workflows are automated based on role.
• All EDI messages are generated in real time.

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What You Get Access To

Live Inventory Dashboard

View stock, bookings, and status (available, under repair, in transit) across all sites. Filter by depot, container type, condition, or customer.

EDI-Compliant Quote Management

Generate quotes instantly using real stock and pricing. Compliant with shipping line standards.

Repair Documentation (EMR)

Track every repair with photos, CEDEX codes, parts, and hours. Access full container repair history instantly.

Gate Operation Records

Track who approved each movement, when it happened, and in what condition. Flag issues fast.

Analytics and Reporting

Track KPIs like depot performance, turnaround times, container cycles, and revenue per depot.

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Real Benefits of Going Digital

Instant Clarity

No more calls. You check stock and status across all depots from one place.

Faster Response

When a container is damaged or stock dips, teams are notified immediately.

Full Control

Every action is traceable. No more back-and-forth on accountability.

Operational Efficiency

Less time chasing data, more time optimizing ops.

Scalable Simplicity

Whether you manage 2 or 10 depots — 10,000 or 300,000 containers — Shipzzer’s multi-depot management software scales with you.

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Final Thought

Managing multiple depots doesn’t have to be complicated.

With Shipzzer’s container yard management system (CYMS), your operations become streamlined, visible, and scalable.

👉Book a demo and discover how Shipzzer helps you manage your depot network with clarity, speed, and confidence.

You manage a container depot/Dry port (ICD).

You juggle Excel sheets, phone photos, quotes sent by email, and multiple client or carrier interfaces for your team.

Customers expect real-time visibility. Your teams re-enter data.

You’re losing time.

Good news: there’s a simpler path. Start digitizing your depot with yard management software — step by step.

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3 Strategic Yard Management Software Models

When a depot wants to digitize operations, three main software options exist:

• SaaS: Online yard management software via subscription. The provider hosts, secures, and updates it.
• On-Premise: Installed on your own servers. You manage the infrastructure.
• In-House: You develop your own software. Full control — and full responsibility.

This guide helps you choose quickly — and wisely.

Goal: Pick the yard management solution that best fits your operations, budget, and internal resources.

Transparency: Yes, we offer a SaaS yard management platform. But this article is based on 25+ years of real experience in logistics — especially in inland container depots (ICDs) — not sales talk.

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The 3 Models, Explained Simply

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✅ SaaS — The yard software that “just works”

How it works:

You log in and use it. The vendor takes care of everything else.

In the yard:

A tablet at the gate. OCR scans the container number. The file opens. Damage photos, EMR report, and quote sent in EDI via email or API.

No servers to install. No updates to plan.

• You manage: users, tablets/computers, and your internet connection.
• You don’t manage: servers, backups, security, software updates.

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⚠️ On-Premise — “Your servers, your risks”

How it works:

You buy licenses, install them on your own infrastructure, and maintain everything yourself.

In the yard:

A server room. Backups. Security patches. Outages to handle.

Each new version requires downtime. You’ll need an internal IT team or a service provider. Sometimes this is offered by the software vendor.

• You manage: everything.
• The vendor provides: the yard management software and possibly support under contract.

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🚧 In-House — “Your software, your marathon”

How it works:

You recruit. You design. You build. You maintain.

In the yard:

You develop your own OCR, EMR, quoting system, and client portal.

You manage the roadmap, fix bugs, and deal with turnover.

Every new feature is a full project. You move away from your core mission — running a container depot — and start functioning like a tech company.

Your IT team may already be bigger than your yard team. Count them to check.

• You manage: product, code, testing, deployment, support, and infrastructure.
• You control: everything — and carry all the weight.

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Which Yard Software Model Fits Your Profile?

🧩 1 to 5 depots, with little or no IT team? → Choose SaaS.

• Fast deployment
• Low mental load
• Annual cost under €150,000

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🧩 More than 5 sites, small IT team, or CIO? → On-Premise can work.

• Viable if infrastructure is already in place
• Good for deep system integrations
• Annual cost: €1–2 million
• Justified if servers are shared across other tools

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🧩 Large international group or shipping line with dozens of depots? → In-House may be justified

• Only if the yard management software becomes a true competitive edge
• Rarely is the case in container depots.
• Cost: €10M+/year, excluding HR
• Ironically, most custom software is outsourced anyway.

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3 Key Questions to Help You Decide

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1. What’s your real budget for yard management software?

• SaaS: Predictable monthly/annual fees. Includes hosting, updates, backups, and support.
  → Around €50,000 per site/year.
• On-Premise: Licenses, servers, IT salaries, maintenance — unexpected costs stack up.
  → Around €1–2 million/year.
• In-House: Full team salaries, years of development, risk of failure, or delays.
  → €10M+/year, plus 5 years of dev time.

✅ Rule of thumb:

For stable, predictable costs → go SaaS.

With an existing IT backbone → on-premises is possible.

For long-term software control (and risk) → In-House is a strategic bet.

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2. What’s your execution timeline?

• SaaS: From contract to yard: 4–12 weeks (often phased rollouts)
• On-Premise: 6 to 12 months
• In-House: 18–48 months for a viable tool

✅ Rule of thumb:

If a client wants an EDI connection within weeks → SaaS is the only realistic option.

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3. What internal resources can you sustain long-term?

• SaaS: One key person to onboard and monitor. Vendor handles the complexity.
• On-Premise: An IT team is required for patches, updates, support, and training.
• In-House: Continuous Product and Dev team needed. Maintenance alone is heavy. Dev is even heavier.

✅ Rule of thumb:

If your internal IT is weak or hiring is a challenge → avoid On-Premise and In-House.

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Ready to Simplify Your Yard Operations?

📞 Book a Demo to discover how yard management software like Shipzzer can digitize your depot — with less complexity, and faster ROI.

Container yard managers at ICDs and dry ports know the operational reality well: scattered photos across multiple devices, Excel sheets to track container IDs, desktop tools for quotes, and separate billing processes. Add to this the long queues at gates caused by unplanned arrivals, and operations quickly turn into mini crises.

Shipzzer automates all critical workflows — from gate-in to yard movements, inspections, inventory updates, and EMR (Equipment Maintenance and Repair) processes, finishing with gate-out — regardless of the asset type (chassis, container, or container on chassis).

Our fully integrated technology stack eliminates manual data entry, reduces gate queues through advance driver appointments, accelerates container turn-time, and ensures real-time synchronization with shipping lines’ systems.

1. Smart Workflows Powered by Innovation

Shipzzer embeds cutting-edge technology at every step of its workflows to boost container yard productivity and simplify repetitive daily tasks.

🎯 Use Case 1 : The EMR (Equipment Maintenance and Repair) Process

EMR is one of the most complex processes in a container yard. Here’s the ideal automated workflow as designed in Shipzzer:

• Automated quote generation with photos and damage declaration on containers (Dry or Reefer) via an intuitive visual interface.
• Automatic task assignment for repairs based on user roles and client-approved thresholds.
• Workflow adapts based on container type (e.g., Reefer-specific steps).
• Washing or PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection) performed with result declaration.
• If inspection fails, a quoting task is automatically assigned to a Reefer technician.
• Automatic reporting if external technicians intervene.
• Instant container blocking (status set to unavailable).
• Machinery quotes generated directly from the tablet, with pricing adapted to client contracts.
• Automated EDI transmission (FTP, SFTP, email, API, with or without photos) per shipping line requirements.
• Automated management of contract “thresholds” that allow or block repairs.
• Automatic blocking if parts are unavailable.
• Automated parts ordering from suppliers.
• Automatic allocation of incoming parts to priority quotes.
• Repair completion logged on tablet, container status updated.
• Container becomes available again, visible on the client portal and bookable.
• Revenue from repairs is automatically integrated into billable operations as a draft for monthly invoices.

✅ Operational Gains — Use Case 1: EMR Process

Process	Estimated Time Saving	Explanation
Quoting	60%	Instant access to parts inventory, references, pricing; fewer supplier calls; fewer re-entries; fast quote generation with annotated photos.
Repair Execution	30%	Technician guided through tasks; real-time visibility on parts availability, exact location, and contract thresholds; less movement and hesitation.
Parts Inventory Management	70%	Livestock visibility; automatic alerts triggered by thresholds; auto-generation of orders; incoming parts auto-assigned to priority quotes.
Client Relationship & Image	60%	Increased client satisfaction due to faster response, control management, and transparency via client portal access to quotes, container history, and repair status.

🚛 Use Case 2 : Gate & Inspection Process

This is the most frequent process in inland yards. It begins with truck arrival and varies depending on:

• Yard size
• Number of entry lanes (gates)
• Mode of transport (road, rail, barge)
• Daily volumes
• Physical site layout

Standard flow for a truck arrival by road:

• Truck arrives with container.
• Automated OCR reading of container number, ISO code, and license plate.
• Driver presents a QR code generated by the integrated VBS (Visit Booking System); agent scans it.
• System auto-identifies container if pre-advised or listed in port manifest.
• Manual entry only if needed (carrier/client).
• Immediate or deferred inspection — agent chooses based on yard organization.
• Damage declared via graphic selection on tablet.
• Automated EDI sent to shipping line or client depending on container status.
• Automated interchange creation (optional print).
• Interchange automatically sent to carrier.
• Container added to the client’s concerned bookings.
• Client portal updated in real time.
• Automatic task assignment for placement to a forklift operator with designated zone.

Operational Gains — Use Case 2: Gate & Inspection

Process	Estimated Time Saving	Explanation
Gate	3 min/container	Elimination of manual errors via OCR, volume anticipation through pre-advice (VBS), driver QR code scan, automated interchange generation; queue reduction and smoother flow.
Inspection	4 min/container	Guided inspection on tablet, possibility to defer or delegate based on workload, fast damage declaration by graphic zone selection, automatic EDI dispatch.
Carrier Relations	+60% impact	Reduced waiting times, conflict elimination at gate, better organization thanks to VBS appointment system, perceived smoothness by drivers, improved yard image.

2. Workflows… and Beyond!

Digitizing workflows with Shipzzer generates vast operational data. Properly leveraged, this data creates added value on multiple levels.

🔍 Multi-Yard Functionality

Highly valued by groups operating multiple sites, this feature enables:

• Real-time tracking of all dry ports/ICDs regardless of location.
• Visibility on active gates, most frequent carriers, operation durations.
• Monitoring volumes, container statuses, ongoing repairs.
• Access to parts inventory and yard asset register.
• Centralized documentation : interchanges, quotes, orders, invoices.
• Performance comparison across yards.
• Accelerated client invoicing.

Role	Estimated Monthly Time Saving per Person	Explanation
Regional Manager	20 hours	Fewer calls and emails, real-time accessible data.
Support Functions (Accounting, Purchasing)	12 hours	Reduced wait for reports, no lengthy manual audits, direct KPI access.

👥 Client Portal Functionality

A dedicated, real-time “cockpit” interface is accessible to yard clients.

Client benefits:

• Live view of their containers.
• Status visibility for each unit: available, under repair, pending evacuation.
• Immediate access to quotes with photos and details.
• Online quote approval.
• Advanced booking anticipation thanks to regional stock visibility.

3. Beyond ROI: Human and Relational Gains

Benefits are not just measurable in hours or euros — they also have a lasting impact on yard organization and ecosystem.

1. Reduced Internal Stress

• Fewer repetitive, time-consuming tasks
• Fewer calls to partners and suppliers
• Reduced paper printing
• Fewer internal emails
• Less conflict over quotes
• Improved work atmosphere and staff retention

2. Improved Yard–Client Relations

• Real-time traceability
• Increased trust in repairs (visual evidence, online quotes)
• More intuitive platform than shipping lines’ internal systems
• Higher client satisfaction → consolidated volumes

3. Improved Yard–Carrier Relations

• Gate waiting times reduced by 70–80%
• Fewer conflicts
• Reliable booking information
• Less paper documentation
• Simplified traceability for carrier invoicing
• Driver recommendations for the yard
• Enhanced yard reputation

4. Gains for the Entire ICD Ecosystem

The dry port/ICD ecosystem generally includes:

1. Carriers (trucks and drivers, barges, trains)
2. Suppliers (spare parts)
3. Clients (shipping lines, agents, consignees, freight forwarders, others)

Main benefits observed when an ICD implements a yard management system like Shipzzer:

Stakeholder	Main Benefits
Drivers	Reduced queue times thanks to VBS (appointment booking)
Field Teams	OCR = fewer errors, time savings, standardization
Depot Managers	Real-time dashboards, calls to teams only when needed
Clients (Shipping Lines)	EDI integration, instant status visibility
Finance (Depot)	Accelerated cash flow via automated EMR invoicing
Auditors	Integrated traceability: every action on every container logged

5. Client Transformation Testimonials

Here are a few user experiences after several months with Shipzzer:

🌍 Regional depot network (4 sites) :

“The multi-yard view transformed our visibility. We instantly know what’s happening at each site: gates, inspections, movements, billing… everything is transparent.”

🚛 Carrier working with the depot for 10 years :

“Thanks to VBS, the 2-hour wait at the gate is over. Our drivers book a slot, arrive on time, and everything is validated automatically when presenting our booking number or QR code.”

🏭 Depot serving 8 shipping lines :

“EDI integration changed the game. Our quotes integrate directly into shipping lines’ platforms. No more reformatting, double entry, delays, or friction.”

6. Where to Start?

❌ Common Barriers to Transformation

• “It’s too complicated to implement”
• “My old system still works”
• “My teams won’t adapt”
• “We don’t have time to manage change”
• “What if EDI doesn’t integrate with my clients’ systems?”

👉 These misconceptions unnecessarily slow modernization. Every month without transformation risks losing competitiveness.

✅ 5 Simple Steps to Start with Shipzzer

Week	Step
Week 1–2	Platform presentation, demo of key use cases
Week 3	Gap analysis with current processes
Week 4–6	Yard design + pilot configuration
Week 7	Pilot debrief + client contract setup + 3-day training
Week 8	Inventory transfer (4h freeze) + launch + enhanced support for 1 month

7. FAQ

Q: How is Shipzzer’s OCR technology different from a simple gate scan?

Shipzzer’s OCR is integrated on each tablet, automatically updating the entire system (gate, inspection, inventory) in real time. It’s not just a photo, it’s an ecosystem update.

Q: What’s the difference between VBS and a classic appointment system?

VBS optimizes slots and eliminates queues rather than just organizing them. It automatically connects appointments to the gate system.

Q: Why is EDI crucial for quotes?

It allows quotes to be instantly integrated into shipping lines’ platforms without manual formatting or approval delays. This is seamless for users and avoids time-consuming data entry on the shipping line system.

Q: What does “integrated tablet” mean?

All operational actions on site (photos, scans, data entry, quoting, washing, PTI, placements) are done via a single tablet — no external cameras, no file transfers, no double data entry.

Q: Is the Shipzzer pilot phase paid?

No. Subscription billing starts after the first month of service and covers only licenses and integration fees as per the contract.

Q: I already have a gate system. Can I adopt Shipzzer just for EMR?

Yes, that’s possible. It lets you gradually discover Shipzzer while measuring significant operational gains on repairs and parts inventory management. Integration in this case involves migrating your stock into Shipzzer, provisioning users, and integrating client contracts.