Real-time tracking updates for inbound/outbound shipments

Purpose

1.1. Provide immediate visibility into the status and location of inbound/outbound agricultural shipments across supply chain stages.
1.2. Automate stakeholder notifications (e.g., drivers, warehouse, buyers) for each stage transition: dispatch, transit, arrival, delay, or exception.
1.3. Integrate with carrier APIs, GPS systems, TMS, and communication tools to extract and relay tracking events and estimated time of arrival.
1.4. Enable historical data storage for performance analytics, compliance, and audit trails.
1.5. Enhance customer service by automating accurate ETA predictions and ongoing shipment status communications.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Status change in carrier or TMS platform: pickup, in-transit, out for delivery, delivered, delayed, exception.
2.2. Receipt of new tracking event via carrier webhook, API, or TMS database update.
2.3. Scheduled polling of tracking systems at defined intervals (e.g., every 30 minutes).
2.4. Manual update from field personnel (via mobile app/API).
2.5. Exception detected (e.g., temperature deviation, late arrival) through IoT sensors or carrier signals.

Platform variants

3.1. Twilio
• Feature/Setting: Programmable Messaging API; Configure webhook for shipment status updates to trigger SMS to predefined stakeholders.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Transactional Email API; Connect to tracking status changes to email shipment updates.
3.3. Shippo
• Feature/Setting: Tracking API endpoint; Setup webhook and push real-time shipment status to client system.
3.4. EasyPost
• Feature/Setting: Carrier Tracking API; Register webhook for automatic update delivery upon status change.
3.5. AfterShip
• Feature/Setting: Tracking Webhook/API trigger; Automate multi-carrier status retrieval and notifications.
3.6. FedEx
• Feature/Setting: FedEx Web Services (Track API); Poll or webhook integration for event-driven triggers.
3.7. UPS
• Feature/Setting: Tracking API; Webhook or pull integration for status and location events.
3.8. DHL Express
• Feature/Setting: MyDHL API; Use tracking notification webhook for real-time status push.
3.9. Webfleet Solutions
• Feature/Setting: Fleet API; GPS position push and geofence event notification for truck locations.
3.10. Samsara
• Feature/Setting: Fleet Tracking API; Extract location/status events and automate cross-system notifications.
3.11. Project44
• Feature/Setting: Real-Time Visibility Platform; Configure event webhooks to send updates to external CRMs or ERP.
3.12. FourKites
• Feature/Setting: REST API for shipment visibility; Set push notifications for real-time tracking events.
3.13. Google Sheets
• Feature/Setting: Sheets API; Log every shipment status change in centralized cloud sheet using API updates.
3.14. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Flow/Process Builder with external tracking system connector; Automate update of customer shipment records.
3.15. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhooks; Push real-time updates to Teams channel for warehouse/logistics staff.
3.16. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Slack Incoming Webhook; Trigger automatic message for shipment tracking milestones.
3.17. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Webhooks utility; Orchestrate modular flows between TMS, CRM, and communication tools on tracking event.
3.18. Klaviyo
• Feature/Setting: API-triggered email flows; Leverage event-based marketing notifications for shipment updates.
3.19. Shopify
• Feature/Setting: Order Fulfillment Webhook; Update customers with tracking changes in e-commerce portals.
3.20. Oracle Transportation Management Cloud
• Feature/Setting: Integration Cloud Service API; Automate case updates and event routing based on shipment triggers.

Benefits

4.1. Minimize human intervention for shipment status checks and communications.
4.2. Reduce delivery uncertainty with automated, consistent stakeholder notifications.
4.3. Enable proactive problem-solving through fast exception identification.
4.4. Capture full event logs for reporting, analysis, and regulatory compliance.
4.5. Strengthen client and partner satisfaction with transparent, reliable communication flows.