Shippers can set up Sterling TMS to automaticallyassign Carrier PRO Numbers to LTL shipments. This feature supportsthe common workflow in which LTL carriers provide each shipper witha block of PRO numbers for a location. Sterling TMS automaticallyassigns a PRO number to each shipment picked up at that location.

LTL carriers often use the Carrier PRO number as a key identifierfor their shipments. Shippers can set up Sterling TMS to automaticallyassign Carrier PRO Numbers to LTL shipments. Automatically assigningPRO numbers saves time and reduces data entry errors.

The Carrier PRO Number feature supports the following workflow:

1. The carrier sends the shipper a block of PRO numbers for eachorigin location. For example the carrier might send the shipper ablock of 5000 PRO numbers for a location. This step is done outsideof Sterling TMS.
2. The shipper imports the PRO numbers to Sterling TMS as an XMLfile or enters them online in Shipper Configuration.
3. The shipper tenders an LTL shipment to the carrier which departsfrom this location.
4. Sterling TMS assignsa PRO number to the shipment from the block of numbers defined inStep 2.
5. Sterling TMS sendsthe PRO number to the carrier in the EDI 204 or EDI 211 transactionfor each shipment. The system sends the PRO number to the shipperin the EDI 990 transaction.
6. The shipper defines when it wants to be notified that the PROnumbers are running low at a location. The shipper can subscribe tothe Low PRO Number alert.
7. When the shipper receives the alert it can work with the carrierto obtain another block of PRO numbers for the location. This stepis done outside of Sterling TMS.

The following notes show how you can manage Carrier PRO numbersin Sterling TMS:

• Shippers can subscribe to the Low PRO number alert. Sterling TMS will notifyyou when the block of PRO numbers for your carrier reaches the lowcount threshold you defined for the location.
• You can view the Carrier PRO number for your shipments in Sterling TMS. The numberis displayed in the Carrier Ref/Conf. No. column on the Shipments tab.
• Sterling TMS assignsa PRO number to a shipment when you tender it to the carrier. If thecarrier declines the tender or the tender expires the PRO numberis not reused.
• If an LTL carrier accepts the tender and then later rejects theshipment Sterling TMS removesthe PRO number from the shipment. The PRO number is not reused.
• You submit a block of PRO numbers for each origin location thatthe LTL carrier supports. Sterling TMS does not validatethat the PRO numbers are unique across multiple locations.
• You cannot specify the low count threshold in the XML file thatyou submit to Sterling TMS.You must define the low count threshold for each block of PRO numbersin Step 2 of Shipper Configuration.