The following process shows how multi-modal carrier selection works:

1. Users submit an order or shipment with the Mode setto Any.
2. Sterling TMS processesthe orders or shipments using the Mode Selection Thresholds. Sterling TMS invokes Multi-ModalCarrier Selection for all orders or shipments that qualify for themode of Any (based on the weight volume or quantity).

   For exampleyou might set up the following mode thresholds:

   Mode	Weight	Description
   Parcel	200 pounds	Sterling TMS setsthe Mode to Parcel ifthe order or shipment weighs from 0 to 200 pounds.
   Any	20000 pounds	Sterling TMS setsthe Mode to Any if theorder or shipment weighs from 201 to 20000 pounds. Sterling TMS will performMulti-Modal Carrier Selection on these orders and shipments.
   Truckload	40000 pounds	Sterling TMS setsthe Mode to Truckload ifthe order or shipment weighs from 20001 pounds to 40000 pounds.

3. If an order weighs from 201 to 20000 pounds (in this example) Sterling TMS creates ashipment with the Mode set to Any andthe Service Type set to Normal.These settings are temporary until the Multi-Modal Carrier Selectionprocess is complete and Sterling TMS applies thefinal mode and service type to the shipment.
4. Sterling TMS createsa temporary carrier selection plan for every mode for which a validroute guide rule exists. This carrier selection plan is used for internalprocessing only and cannot be viewed by Sterling TMS users.
5. Sterling TMS selectsthe mode and service type for the shipment based on the followingconsiderations:
   • Lowest cost
   • Adequate transit time to make the delivery
6. Sterling TMS createsa carrier selection plan based on the mode and service applied tothe shipment. To view this plan select the shipment on the Shipments taband click Carrier Selection.
7. If Multi-Modal Carrier Selection is unable to find a valid modeand service for the shipment Sterling TMS applies thefollowing changes to the shipment:
   • The Load Plan Status is set to Unplannable.
   • The Mode is set to Any.
   • The Service Type is set to Normal.
   Tip: The Load Plan Status column is hidden by defaulton the Shipments tab. You can use the CustomizeTable feature to display this column. To find shipments that are unplannablerun a search and set the Load Plan Status to Unplannable onthe Create Search page.