Infor LN Freight Module

Shipping orders in Infor LN can originate from various source processes, such as:

• Sales orders
• Purchase orders
• Stock or stock transfer orders
• Distribution orders
• Returns or planning triggers from corporate planning

This is important because it means the freight module is not a standalone component, but is directly integrated with core logistics, procurement, and sales processes.

The module handles the actual transportation planning using structures such as:

• Shipping departments and planning teams
• Loads and shipments
• Freight order clusters
• Route schedules and standard routes
• Planning procedures such as direct shipping, freight consolidation, and pool formation.

It is precisely when dealing with multiple locations, high shipping volumes, or complex routes that the real added value for planning and control comes into play.

A key functional area is cost logic. Among other things, Infor LN supports:

• Freight rate books
• Rate base numbers
• Carrier and customer rates
• Zones
• Freight service levels
• Volume and weight classes
• Additional charges, e.g., for processing or customs

Estimated freight costs can be compared with actual carrier costs.

This provides companies with significantly greater transparency regarding:

• High-cost shipments
• Discrepancies between plans and reality
• Price trends among freight forwarders

The freight module supports not only planning but also the tracking of the ongoing process. Relevant aspects include, for example:

• Status of freight orders and freight order items
• Overview of processing progress
• Transparency regarding whether freight costs have already been calculated
• History and overview of open and completed transport operations

Infor LN supports freight planning not only through lists and master data, but also through visual planning views. These include, among other things:

• Scheduling Board
• Gantt Chart
• Map View for Loading and Unloading Addresses

This makes planning easier and improves transparency in the ongoing process, especially when dealing with more complex transportation structures.

The cargo module is closely linked to other areas, in particular:

• Warehousing and Logistics
• WMS
• Sales
• Purchasing
• EDI-related information flows
• External packaging or specialized solutions

Yes. The Freight module is not limited to companies with their own fleet; it is also relevant when shipments are handled primarily or entirely by external carriers. In Infor LN, you can:

• Assign freight orders to external carriers
• Plan and quote shipments
• Calculate and process transportation costs based on carrier rates

This is particularly beneficial when transparency regarding costs, status, and deviations is important.

Infor LN supports the calculation of estimated freight costs for loads, shipments, and clusters and allows for comparison with the carrier’s actual costs. This reveals where discrepancies arise, which shipments are particularly costly, and where there is room for optimization. At the same time, it makes it easier to track price changes or unexpected cost developments.

The freight module supports planning by organizing freight orders into freight plans that include loads and shipments, and by providing various planning procedures for this purpose. These include direct shipping, freight consolidation, and pool formation. In addition, freight order items can be grouped into clusters, for example by shipping department, planning group, mode of transport, or time slot. This allows shipments to be planned in a structured manner, bundled, and managed more efficiently.

Yes. Infor LN offers a WMS interface that allows you to configure parameters for integration with the Infor Warehouse Management module or another warehouse management system. In addition, the freight module is closely integrated with warehouse, logistics, and sales and purchasing processes. In practice, integrations with external WMS systems based on your own load planning are also possible.

This enables companies to achieve greater transparency regarding planned and actual costs, improve cost control, and establish a more solid foundation for negotiations with carriers. At the same time, it becomes easier to identify more cost-effective transport options, reduce manual recalculations, and track status information more effectively throughout the process. As a result, freight is not merely handled operationally, but becomes a visible and analyzable process that can be managed.