For shippers requiring advanced online controls and full visibility of the shipment management process, ABF continues to be the carrier of choice. ABF's eCommerce solutions have a proven track record of performance in meeting the needs of our customers. Recognition for these solutions includes: Network World's E-comm Innovator of the Year, CIO's Web Business 50 Award, CIO's Top 100 Agile Companies, and CIO's Enterprise Value Award.

eCommerce...What is it?  What will it do for me?
One definition of eCommerce is "the electronic exchange of data for the purposes of conducting business." Another describes eCommerce as "the use of the Internet to facilitate the actual sales of goods and services." Definitions may vary, but the fact remains that eCommerce is changing how business works.

eCommerce allows you to cut costs out of your supply chain, while at the same time increasing your access to transportation information. You can reduce the transaction and administrative expense of shipping while providing better service to your internal and external customers.

Longstanding barriers to market entry are being removed via eCommerce. New, direct market channels are rapidly supplementing traditional channels. Through the Internet, manufacturers can now deal directly with their suppliers and, more importantly, sell directly to the consumer. As we proceed into the new millennium, eCommerce will continue to breakdown, and reform, the traditional supply chain.

The Solutions

eCenter^® Online Tools

The ABF eCenter^® is a complete suite of Internet-based tools tailored to the services requested by ABF customers. These services include simple tracking, proactive notification of shipment status, dynamic rerouting of in-transit shipments, advanced reports and much more.

myABF^®

With myABF^®, you can manage the wide variety of transportation tools and shipment information available via ABF's eCenter in combination with other Internet content such as stock quotes, weather reports and links to virtually any Internet destination.

Transparent Direct Links | EDI

ABF's Transparent Direct Links uses XML technology to allow you to incorporate data from ABF's Internet server directly into your own Internet site or backend information systems. As a result, you can provide shipping information and support directly to your own customers.

ABF also supports a variety of EDI batch and real-time formats and connection protocols.

Shipping Charges Calculator 

ABF's Shipping Charges Calculator generates an easy-to-use quote form, that allows your customers to get pricing specific quotes without ever leaving your website or online auction page.

Tracking by E-mail

You can access status information on your shipments by sending a simple e-mail message directly to ABF.

Document Retrieval by E-mail

ABF also offers document retrieval by e-mail. With one e-mail to ABF, a variety of imaged documents for multiple shipments can automatically be sent to your e-mail account.

eInvoicing

If you want to reduce your costs associated with processing freight bills, you can now choose to receive your ABF shipping invoices by e-mail.

ABF Anywhere

Access shipment tracking and contact information for ABF service centers from your wireless device or mobile, web-enabled handheld, including the Palm VII™ and Windows CE devices.

TurnKey^®

Customers placing orders on your Web site can rely on TurnKey^® to provide specialized delivery services. TurnKey is uniquely positioned to handle complex order fulfillment covering business-to-business, business-to-residential, and residential-to-residential transactions.

Q-Family of Electronic Services

ABF makes information readily accessible to you through various electronic pricing, billing and tracking services, referred to by ABF as the Q-Family of Services. These services include PC applications, fax services, EDI transactions and more.

 

Need help in your eCommerce development effort?
In an effort to help our customers find eCommerce solution providers, ABF established the eProvider Network. This reference provides a summary of leading technology firms, Web development groups and software vendors that may help you in your eCommerce efforts.