Electronic consignment note, a step towards the complete digitalization of transport

Road freight transport is undergoing an unstoppable digitalization process. In this new context and with this transformation on the table, logistics and transport companies must take advantage of the capacity of new technologies to boost their competitiveness and efficiency. One of the elements that are part of this digital transformation is the electronic consignment note or eCMR, whose obligatory nature will be determined by the eFTI Regulation at the international level (eCMR) and by a new amendment to the ROTT at the national level (consignment note).

In this context, the companies that best know how to take advantage of the opportunities offered by technology are the ones that will be able to face this irreversible change in transportation, a sector that is moving towards the provision of high value-added activities for its customers.

In this sense, digital transformation will allow those companies that have incorporated innovations more naturally and intensely to have a series of advantages that will translate into greater competitiveness.

Benefits of the electronic consignment note or eCMR in the supply chain

The digital consignment note, beyond eliminating paper from transport document management, brings important benefits to companies.

Cost savings

• Reducing paper usage and simplifying the process by eliminating printing, physical storage and mailing.
• Reduction of administrative costs associated with document management.
• Reduced economic impact derived from errors, reprocessing or disputes.
• Elimination of courier costs and subsequent digitalization of documents.

Increased operating efficiency

• Generation, signing and sending of documents in real time.
• Process automation through integration with systems (TMS, ERP, etc.).
• Reduced administrative burden for drivers and operating personnel.
• Immediate access to information by all stakeholders.

Increased visibility and traceability

• Real-time tracking of shipments.
• Complete digital record of events (signatures, times and locations).
• Improved incident management through digital evidence.
• Access to historical data for auditing and analysis.

Reducing errors and improving data quality

• Automatic validations to avoid incomplete or incorrect data.
• Elimination of duplicities.
• Increased standardization and reliability of information.

Improved stakeholder collaboration

• Immediate exchange of information between shippers, carriers and consignees.
• Reduced disputes through data transparency.
• More agile communication flows.

Acceleration of financial processes

• Immediate availability of the signed document for invoicing.
• Reduction of the collection cycle.
• Fewer billing discrepancies.

Sustainability and ESG compliance

• Reduction of paper consumption.
• Reduction of the carbon footprint associated with document management.
• Alignment with sustainability policies and improvement of corporate image.

Increased safety and legal compliance

• Use of advanced electronic signature.
• Reduction of the risk of loss or manipulation of documents.
• Compliance with the regulatory framework of the CMR Convention in its digital version and the ROTT in Spain.

Improved analytical capabilities

• Availability of digitized data for exploitation.
• Real-time monitoring of key indicators (KPIs).
• Continuous improvement based on data analysis.

All this translates into greater competitiveness, as it allows companies to obtain greater responsiveness to customers; differentiation from competitors; and proper preparation for digitized and collaborative logistics environments.

Regulatory support and road validity

The use of eCMR provides greater adaptability to a changing market and has legal validity in the event of any type of roadside inspection.

As we have already mentioned, the international consignment note is supported by the Additional Protocol to the CMR Convention, while the national consignment note is supported by the amendment to the ROTT in June 2023, which details the conditions that electronic versions of transport documents must have.

Change management: main challenge of digital transformation

In order to obtain all these benefits of the electronic consignment note or eCMR, it is important to focus on one of the main challenges associated with digital transformation: change management.

Digital transformation is a complex process, with implications in many different areas. Therefore, a strategy must be developed where the internal team, suppliers and customers are involved, in order to successfully complete the implementation of a document digitalization solution such as eCMR.

In this sense, it is crucial to choose the right technology suppliers, those with a high level of specialization in the sector, with the capacity to accompany companies at all times on a decisive path for their future and with products capable of adapting to the operational reality of each company.

Learn about the FIELDEAS CAFS methodology.

Implementation of the electronic consignment note or eCMR: Smart Docs Hub

FIELDEAS Track and Trace, Supply Chain Visibility platform, has a specific document digitization module, the Smart Docs Hub, which focuses on the complete digitization and management of any document used in a transport expedition, from the digital waybill to the eCMR, including the control document, the digital delivery note or the stowage sheet.

This transport document digitalization module is based on two basic pillars: flexibility and legal and regulatory guarantees.

Flexibility

• All documents can be digitized.

• Smart Docs Hub offers different ways to create documents.

• It provides the user with different signature modalities, including advanced digital signature (digital certificate, biometric signature, OTP), in line with eIDAS and ROTT.

• It offers different channels for document management (Web, App T&T, App Lite, App Totem, Remote Signature; WhatsApp Channel), ensuring a correct adaptation to the multiple transport models applied in the market.

Legal and regulatory assurance

• FIELDEAS Smart Docs Hub meets all the regulatory requirements for document digitalization.

• It is a platform authorized by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.

• Guarantees administrative validity. It serves as support in processes such as VAT recovery and serves as evidence in litigation and disputes over the delivery of goods, thanks to the integration of the advanced digital signature.