When you create a shipment you may already know the carrierand service to use:

• Set the Mode to Parcel.
• Select a carrier.
• Select a Service Type for that carrier.

When you save this parcel shipment Sterling TMS does not submitit to the parcel rating system because you have already made thosechoices.

To reduce the cost of parcel shipping and automateyour planning let Sterling TMS choosethe best carrier and service type using the parcel rating system.To do so provide the following information when you create parcelshipments:

• If you add a parcel shipment on the Shipments tabin Execution select a Service Type of Any anda Mode of Parcel. Leavethe Carrier blank.
• If you submit the shipment through data exchange set the ServiceType to Any and leave the Carrier blank.
• If you submit an order through data exchange set the ServiceType to Any the ShipmentType to Parcel and leave the Carrier blank.

When you add a parcel shipment or order with this information Sterling TMS automaticallyperforms the following process:

1. Using the mode selection weight thresholds you have set up Sterling TMS determinesthe appropriate mode for the shipment.
2. Sterling TMS communicateswith the parcel rating system to retrieve the best parcel carrierand rate that satisfies the shipment requirements.
3. Based on your parcel tendering strategy Sterling TMS can automaticallyselect the most economical parcel carrier and service. The systemwill then tender the shipment to that carrier.