July 17, 2019 Tackle Tough Times with Two Expense Cutters

Everyone is scrambling to cut costs and save their profits. Here are two proven ways that PHOTECTOR cuts costs:

  1. With PHOTECTOR, you can prove that your company didn’t cause damage to containers or equipment.You can deny damage claims using PHOTECTOR photo facts.  That’s keeps thousands of dollars of your profit.
  2. PHOTECTOR’s automatic photo management feature, saves your staff from downloading, renaming, uploading, organizing, sorting and tediously searching for the right photos. With PHOTECTOR you can reduce the number of people who are researching and responding to claims.

Stop the endless back-tracking and back-and-forth claim bickering about who caused the damage. With PHOTECTOR photos, you can resolve the issue without argument with a few simple clicks.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Drivers use PHOTECTOR from their smart phones to snap photos of container and equipment condition at each pick-up and drop-off.
  2. PHOTECTOR does the rest. PHOTECTOR automatically time and GPS location stamps each photo and stores it securely in the Blockchain where it cannot be changed.
  3. When you receive a damage claim, you simply search PHOTECTOR with the seal number. In a few seconds, you have the photo proof that your company isn’t responsible. You send the photos to the claimant and happily deny the claim.

With just a few clicks and PHOTECTOR you have saved thousands of dollars each month. With the hours you saved on claim research and paperwork, you can downsize your claims department.

That’s how to keep on rolling’ in tough times. Take PHOTECTOR on a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration to see for yourself how easy it is to deny claims and save time.

 

July 9, 2019 What do Container IDs Mean in Damage Claims?

When containers are damaged, there are two ID numbers that are key to put into the claim– the Container Number and the Seal Number.

Every international shipping container in the world has a unique ID number.  It’s an 11 digit code that contains a four-letter alpha prefix, followed by 6 numbers and a final “check digit.”

Four letter (ALPHA) prefix – the first three (3) characters represent the container’s owner. The forth is always “U” identifying it as a container “unit.” This is known as the BIC Code (www.bic-code.org).

Six-digit (NUMERIC) suffix – this is created by the owner, based on their own conventions.

Check Digit – a single check digit is added at the end and validates the container number throughout the ocean freight shipping world.

To calculate the check digit use these 3 foolproof steps…

Step 1 – a numerical value is assigned to each letter of the alphabet beginning with A=10, B=12, etc. Multiples of the number 11 are not used…that’s why B doesn’t equal 11 and V does not equal 22.  Find the numerical value for each of the 4 letters in your container number.

Step 2 – get out your calculator. Each numerical value for each of the container’s 10 positions is multiplied using this formula;

Position 1 X 1 Position 6 X 32
Position 2 X 2 Position 7 X 64
Position 3 X 4 Position 8 X 128
Position 4 X 8 Position 9 X 256
Position 5 X 16 Position 10 X 512

Step 3 – Sum all results from step 2, then divide by 11 and round the result down to the lower whole number and multiply x 11. Next, subtract the resulting number from the sum of step 2 and you have your check digit!  That is the last number on the container.

When documenting a damage claim, use Photector to store photos of the damage, the container ID and seal number.

You can easily find the photos in seconds in the secure cloud because Photector’s OCR reader translates the photos of the Container IDs to searchable letters and numbers in the database.

Photector instantly and securely stores the date, time, location, container number and seal number and up to 20 photos documenting the condition of the load at each interchange.

You access the Photector database using the container number to see the photos from every interchange, pinpointing exactly where and when the damage occurred.

Claims can be processed and assigned to the responsible party with irrefutable photo evidence, avoiding months of investigating and denials.

Try Photector before you buy. Sign up for a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration to see how easy Photector is to use!

July 3, 2019 Photector App is a Damage Claim Ninja

Damage claims that you didn’t cause sneak up on you from behind, steal away your profits and can end up killing your business.

You need protection! You need a ninja in your corner that can fend off unfair claims with authority.

Photector is just that.  This simple-to-use app that provides the photo evidence to stop unfair damage claims in their tracks.

When your drivers snap photos of the container during the interchanges, Photector automatically stores the photos, location, date and time in the cloud with Blockchain security so that nothing can be faked or altered.

When a damage claim comes in, you’ll have the photo evidence right at your fingertips.  No more spending hours trying to find the right photos.

A quick search in the Photector dashboard by container ID or seal number is all it takes to show your customer the photos that prove you didn’t do it.

With Photector, you’ll have proof of a damage-free delivery, so you can politely reject damage claims and still maintain a good relationship with your customer.

Protect your bottom line … Test drive Photector with a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration today!

June 26, 2019 Oops! I Damaged a Container. What Next?

Millions of containers are moving around the world constantly.  It’s inevitable that some of them get damaged along the way.

When damage happens, here’s what to do.

First, ensure that the damage is new damage, not old damage. Was it already dented when you picked it up?  Always capture the condition of the container in photos at pick-up with Photector.  You don’t want to pay for old damage.

Second, determine the extent of the damage. Is just the container damaged or is the cargo also damaged?  If the cargo is also damaged, repeat the process below with the owner of the cargo as well.

If the container has new dents, scratches, a hole, or broken doors that weren’t there when you picked it up…

Step 1. Take up to 20 high-resolution photos with close-ups of the damage using Photector.

Step 2. Notify the owner of the container that damage has occurred and share the Photector photos. The owner will file a damage claim and send it to you with an invoice.

Step 3. Reply to the claim by submitting the following:

  • Your Photector photos
  • Gate in EIR at origin
  • Gate out EIR at discharge with specific damage and location noted (size of dent, length of scratch, broken left door hinge, etc.)
  • Equipment Interchange Report
  • Sub-contractor’s damage/loss report and contract with customer
  • Container track
  • Copy of bill of lading
  • Road haulage documents
  • Delivery notes
  • Police reports and witness statements, if available

An average container damage claim is $1,452. To avoid as many damage claim payouts as possible, protect yourself by using Photector on every load, at every interchange.

Use Photector to prove that old damage wasn’t caused by you and to prove your damage-free delivery (in case the next guy damages the container but you are asked to pay for it).

When damage does happen on your watch, Photector can protect you from paying more than necessary. Often a small gouge can get bigger and bigger as the container is passed along the supply chain.

Test drive Photector with a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration today!

June 17, 2019 Demurrage Fees: Hidden Costs for Using Containers as Storage

Never heard of demurrage fees?  Then listen up!

Shipping containers are not free. They’re rented.  When you ship a load, the contract specifies a number of days after the load arrives to unload the container and return it. If you keep the container in your possession past that date, daily fees start to tack on to the cost of the shipment. These are called “demurrage.”

What’s worse, the daily rate may increase if you hold the container too long.  Fees start at $50-$250 per day then increase to $500 per day for “penalty” rates.

With this kind of big money on the line, there are often disputes about when a particular container arrived at its’ destination.  Don’t get stuck paying for any extra days or penalty fees if you don’t have to.

Use Photector to protect your company for any delivery date disputes.  Photector automatically captures the time, date, location and condition of each container with up to 20 photos.

This 52-second video shows how.

You’ll be amazed at how quick and easy Photector is to use.

With photos of the seal number, time, date and location stamp on each load, it is easy to solve delivery date disagreements and avoid dreaded demurrage fees.

Test drive Photector with a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration today!

June 12, 2019 Solve Delivery Date Disagreements Instantly

Nothing causes friction between customers and carriers like a disagreement about the date a load was delivered.

The customer claims it was on the 18th and the carrier claims it was on the 14th.  You can resolve these disputes without harming the working relationship using Photector.

With Photector, you can capture up to 20 high-resolution photos every at every interchange, each tamper-proof with time, date and GPS location tags.

Photector will solve any argument by providing proof-positive of delivery date, time and load condition that all parties can trust.

Test drive Photector with a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration and solve disagreements in an instant!

June 5, 2019 Win the Damage Blame Game

Have you lost the blame game and paid for damages that you didn’t cause? The last person in the supply chain often gets blamed for damage that happened along the way.  Don’t let that be you!

The innovative Photector tool gives you the proof you need to show that the damage didn’t happen on your leg of the trip.

It’s easy. When you pick-up a load, use Photector to capture photos of the condition so you aren’t blamed for any pre-existing damage. When you drop the load, capture the updated condition with Photector so you aren’t blamed for any damage caused by the next guy.

Photector is easy to use, and only takes a minute. In fact, it only takes half the time to manage interchange photos than using other methods, putting you back on the road faster.

With over $1.8 billion dollars in damage claims annually in the transportation industry, you could be getting blamed for damages that you didn’t cause.

Photector will provide proof positive of:

  1. Cargo, Container, Seal Number and Equipment Condition in up to 20 high-resolution photos
  2. GPS Location
  3. Delivery Date and Time

Photector captures your interchange and stores it securely so that EVERY interchange is tamper-proof and trustworthy.

Your Photector dashboard allows you to retrieve the right photos in seconds using the Seal Number to show customers your damage-free delivery, limiting disagreements about delivery dates and condition. Keeping your customers’ goodwill without paying for damage you didn’t cause.

Get the proof you need to win the blame game. Test drive Photector with a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration today!

May 30, 2019 Why 32% of Companies Pay Damage Claims they Didn’t Cause

32% of owner/operators and fleet managers with less than 100 trucks, admit they reluctantly paid for damage claims that they did not cause, according a recent survey by the Silicon Valley Research Group.

The survey found that companies pay 2-4 damage claims per truck per month and that the average claim is $1452.  That can add up fast.

Why would a company pay for damage they didn’t cause?

“I wanted to keep the contract with the company/keep my job,” was the number one reason given by 44% of the respondents, even though it cut into their profit.

43% found it was easier and less time consuming to pay than to not pay.  They cut their loses to avoid spending weeks in disagreements.

Some companies have poor documentation practices.  38% don’t take photos during interchanges, the survey found, so they have no way of proving their innocence.

Even the 63% of companies that take photos still end up paying for unfair claims 24% of the time because they can’t find the right photo documentation when the claims arrive.

Gathering, labeling, organizing and storing hundreds of photos per day can be a time-consuming and tedious task.  When they can’t find the right photos they are stuck paying the claims.

There is a new app, Photector, that solves all of these issues. Drivers use Photector to snap up to 50 photos of the container or trailer at each interchange.  The photos are automatically stored in the secure cloud which records the date, time. location, container ID, seal number and condition.

This video shows how easy it is.

Photector uses Blockchain technology to ensure the photos and facts are unchangeable and cannot be faked. When damage claims arise, the responsible party can be easily determined with irrefutable photo evidence.  That saves business relationships without wasting everyone’s time or hurting the bottom-line.

Photector manages photo storage instantly and automatically.  The photos can be retrieved in seconds at the tip of the users fingertips by searching on the container ID or the seal number.  No more paying claims simply because you couldn’t find the right photos.

Photector is revolutionizing the TLS industry by attributing damages to the responsible party while saving time managing ton of photos.  You’ll love how easy it is to use and how much money it saves you instantly.

Test drive Photector with a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration today!

May 23, 2019 How to Avoid Damages from Your Dock to Theirs

From forklift, to truck, to rail, to truck, your product can change hands several times before it arrives at the customer’s receiving dock to be unloaded by another forklift.

I hear it from shippers all the time. “My product leaves my dock in perfect condition and comes back destroyed and I don’t know what happened.”  Sound familiar?

For shippers, following these 7 steps can prevent weeks of hassles with damage claims.

  1. Before the shipment leaves the dock, document the condition with photos using Photector.
  2. Take photos of the cargo before it was loaded into the container.
  3. Take photos of the cargo, blocking and bracing inside the container showing it is intact before sealing the container.
  4. Take photos of the container after being loaded.
  5. Take photos of the door shut and the seal.
  6. Make sure to get a clear, readable photo of the seal number so it can be used for future reference.
  7. By using Photector and requesting that your carrier use it too, the source of the damage can be pinpointed quickly and accurately so the right party can be charged for any damage right away.

Every time you ship a load, you need Photector to show the good condition of the cargo, container and seal when it left your dock.

Every photo you take with Photector automatically captures the date, time, GPS location. You can take up to 50 high-resolution photos per load. Photector makes EVERY interchange photo tamper-proof and trustworthy.

If damage occurs during shipping, you’ll have a solid basis for charging damages to the right company (not eating the cost yourself).

Watch this video to see how easy it is to use Photector.

With over $1.8 billion dollars in damage annually, you could be losing profit when you can’t prove where and when the damages happened.

With Photector and these 7 steps, you will have the facts you need to recoup damages.

Test drive Photector with a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration today!

May 15, 2019 What is an EIR?

The term EIR stands for Equipment Interchange Receipt.

An EIR is created every time a load or piece of equipment changes hands from one link of the supply chain to the next. From the steamship to the dock, to the trucker, to the customer’s receiving dock, an new EIR is documented at every hand-off.

Today, an EIR may come in many different forms.  At sophisticated ports and rail terminals, EIRs are recorded electronically with codes in a handheld computer system. Most other exchange points still use triplicate paper forms that are hand-written.  These documents can be prone to errors, especially when documenting any damage with hand-drawn sketches.

To revolutionize the industry, we added photos and blockchain technology to the process and put it all into an easy-to-use tool called Photector.

Photos capture equipment condition more accurately than sketches.  With Photector, you can zoom in the photo on any part of the container to see the exact damage and the size of the cut or scrape.

With this cutting-edge technology, you can quickly and easily take photo documentation with time, date and location stamps automatically included. This settles disputes fast without arguments or confusion.

This 52-second video explains how.

Test drive Photector with a 14-day FREE Trial and schedule a 1-on-1 demonstration and see for yourself how easy the tool works to capture EIRs.

Photector Is Changing The Way Companies Protect Themselves

  • Find out how to prevent damage claims you didn't cause
  • Squeeze more profit out of every trip
  • Save time, hassle & relationships
  • Securely Document the State of Equipment

What's a Photector Event?

A Photector Event is the combination of Date, Time, GPS Location, OCR, Blockchain, and up to 20 high resolution photographs.

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