Freight AI Copilot and trade intelligence

1. Overview & Business Value#

This comprehensive operational guide details the architecture, business workflows, configuration parameters, and execution steps for Freight AI Copilot and trade intelligence within SmartERP.

SmartERP Freight AI (smarterp_freight_ai, Agent ID 19) provides an intelligent co-pilot for freight forwarders, cargo owners, and customs brokers. Powered by Gemini AI via muk_ai, it automates client communications, predicts corridor bottlenecks, and minimizes demurrage exposure.

{screenshot:freight-ai-intelligence-overview-dashboard}

2. Prerequisites & Security Access Groups#

• Required Modules: smarterp_freight, smarterp_logistics
• Security Groups:
  • Freight Forwarding Agent (Technical ID: smarterp_freight.group_freight_user)
  • Customs Broker (Technical ID: smarterp_freight.group_freight_customs)
  • Logistics Operations Director (Technical ID: smarterp_freight.group_freight_manager)
• Master Data Dependencies: Shipping lines, airlines, Modjo dry port customs codes, Djibouti corridor transit checkpoints, multimodal waybills, and demurrage tariffs.

3. Step-by-Step Configuration & Execution#

Step 1: Navigating to the Module Interface#

1. Log into your SmartERP instance at https://smarterp.et/odoo.
2. Open the main App Switcher (grid icon in the top-left corner).
3. Select the Freight Logistics app icon.
4. From the top navigation bar, open Freight Logistics → Shipments → Ocean / Air / Road Transits / Customs Clearance.

{screenshot:freight-ai-intelligence-app-switcher-navigation}

Step 2: Creating and Parameterizing Records#

1. Click the New button in the top-left control panel.
2. Complete the mandatory fields in the record form:
   • Master / House Bill of Lading (Mandatory): International shipping line BL or airline AWB reference
   • Shipper & Consignee (Mandatory): Commercial exporter and Ethiopian importing legal entity
   • Mode of Transport (Mandatory): Ocean FCL/LCL, Air Express, or Multimodal Rail/Road
   • Container Seal Number (Mandatory): Verified customs security seal and container ISO code
3. Configure optional operational parameters and localized tags as required:
   • Demurrage Free Days (Optional): Allowed grace period at port before penalty fees apply
   • Marine / Cargo Insurance Policy (Optional): Cover note reference and declared insured cargo value
   • Inland Dry Port Destination (Optional): Modjo, Kality, Semera, or Dire Dawa dry port terminal
4. Click the Save icon in the control bar to commit the record.

{screenshot:freight-ai-intelligence-record-creation-form}

Step 3: Validating and Processing Transactions#

• State Transitions: Execute operational state progression (Booking Confirmed → Port Origin Loaded → In Transit → Customs Assessment (Modjo/Djibouti) → Duty Paid → Delivered).
• Ledger & System Impact: Customs duties, freight charges, and port fees post directly to shipment cost absorption accounts, computing actual landed cost per imported item.
• Audit Verification: Automated recording of author ID, timestamp, and immutable revision history.

{screenshot:freight-ai-intelligence-transaction-processing-state}

Key AI copilot capabilities#

• Demurrage Risk Prediction: Analyzes current customs clearance status, remaining free-time days at Doraleh or Modjo, and historical gate dwell times to calculate a 0–100 Demurrage Risk Score.
• Automated Client Milestone Notifications: Drafts professional cargo tracking emails in English and Amharic to update importers whenever major status milestones change (Vessel Berthing, Customs Release, Dry Port Arrival).
• Customs Valuation Guidance: Recommends appropriate HS Code classifications and flags missing shipping documents (e.g., Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, Commercial Invoice) prior to border arrival.
• Container Loading Optimization (3D CBM): Calculates optimal cargo packing sequences to maximize container volumetric efficiency and prevent axle weight violations.

4. Advanced Configuration Points#

• Automated Actions & Scheduled Tasks (Crons):
  • Freight: Update container tracking checkpoints (smarterp_freight.ir_cron_tracking): Runs every 4 hours to sync transit milestones along Djibouti corridor
  • Freight: Demurrage risk alert (smarterp_freight.ir_cron_demurrage_alert): Runs daily to notify operations of shipments nearing demurrage expiration
• Custom Print Templates & Reports:
  • Multimodal Freight Delivery Order & Transit Manifest
  • Cargo Packing List & Commercial Invoice Dossier
  • Customs Duty & Demurrage Settlement Summary
• Multi-Company Rules: Record-level security isolation under Company 1 (Ashewa Technology Solutions S.C.), preventing cross-company ledger leakage across parent and subsidiary legal entities.

5. Comprehensive Troubleshooting Matrix#