List of Commonly Used Terms

ACH: Air Charter; an order mode where the freight is transported via aircraft. Differs from "airfreight" in that ACH shipments are not scheduled (meaning the customer specifies where to go and when to fly there), and the customer is paying for the entire aircraft instead of just cargo space.

APT: Ascent On-Demand's old web portal, replaced with PEAK 4.0.

Bid: A carrier's offer to run a shipment, including timing and price. Also see option, quote.

Bid board: A web-based portal where shipping requests are sent to multiple transportation companies, who bid on the request with the timing they can accommodate and the price they will charge. These bids can be compared with each other by the customer to select the right one for their needs. PEAK 4.0 is the bid board developed and used by Ascent.

BOL: Bill of lading; paperwork detailing the freight being shipped, where it originated, its destination, and a general description of the cargo, including the total weight and number of containers. Essentially, an agreement between shipper and consignee to move the freight from one location to another.

Carrier: Asset-based service provider who handles the physical transportation of freight. Also see provider.

Consignee: The delivery point for a shipment. Also see receiver.

Critical: A critical order is assumed to need delivery as soon as possible, viewing the need time as the latest acceptable delivery time. Critical orders are tracked more closely than non-critical ones. Also see hot.

Delivery Time: The requested time for the freight to be delivered, specified during order entry. Also see need time, protect time.

GEX: Ground Expedite; an order mode where the freight is transported by truck (on the ground) with ASAP delivery. Differs from Truckload in that the amount of freight can be anywhere from a single piece up to a full trailer's worth of freight; also, GEX orders tend to be more time-critical. 

Hot: Hot orders are assumed to need delivery as soon as possible, viewing the need time as the latest acceptable delivery time. Hot orders are tracked more closely than non-hot ones. Also see critical.

Incoterm: International Commerce Terms; defines responsibilities and risks for an order and at what point they transfer from the seller (shipper) to the buyer (customer).

Mode: The method of transportation being used for a specific order; i.e., GEX (Ground Expedite), ACH (Air Charter), etc.

Need Time: The requested time for the freight to be delivered, specified during order entry. Also see delivery time, protect time.

Option: Similar to quotes, options are potential offers to transport freight, including timing and price. Where an "option" differs from a "quote" is that options encompass the entire order, while quotes are applicable only for one shipment within an order. Also see bid, quote.

Order: A request to move freight from an origin point to a destination point, sometimes involving multiple legs or carriers. Also see shipment.

PEAK: Shortened form of PEAK 4.0, the new version of the Ascent web portal.

POD: Proof of delivery; a signature or stamp on the bill of lading confirming receipt of the freight by the consignee.

Preferred Mode: The requested mode of transport for an order, set during order entry. Also see mode.

Pro Number: A carrier's reference number for an order or shipment.

Protect Time: The requested time for the freight to be delivered, specified during order entry. "Protect" refers to protecting an assembly line from shutting down. Also see delivery time, need time.

Provider: Asset-based transportation company who handles the physical transportation of freight. Also see carrier.

Quote: Similar to options, quotes are potential offers to transport freight, including timing and price. Where an "option" differs from a "quote" is that options encompass the entire order, while quotes are applicable only for one shipment within an order. Also see bid, option.

Ready Time: Also called the pickup time, this is the time the freight is ready to be picked up at the shipper, specified during order entry.

Receiver: The delivery point for a shipment. Also see consignee.

Responsible Party: The party ultimately responsible for paying costs associated with an order. For example, if a customer sets up an order with Ascent due to their supplier running behind on parts, the customer will pay Ascent, but may charge back the costs to the supplier, thus making that supplier the responsible party for the order.

SCAC: Standard Carrier Alpha Code; a 4-letter code identifying a specific carrier.

Shipment: A request to move freight from an origin point to a destination point, involving only one carrier. Multiple shipments can make up an order.

Shipper: The location where freight is picked up for an order. Not to be confused with supplier.

Supplier: The original manufacturer of a part or component. May also be the pickup location for an order, but not always. Not to be confused with shipper.

TL: Truckload; an order mode where freight is transported via truck. Orders of this mode typically consist of enough freight to fill (or at least necessitate) a tractor trailer. Differs from GEX in that the freight is usually less time-sensitive, and pickup and delivery times are given as windows rather than set appointment times.