
Getting Started 

1.  Unzip the downloaded file and run the setup program to install the software.  
    Once installed an "eLading Documents System" group will appear on the Window’s Start Menu
    with the following entries :

    - eLading Configuration Utility
    - eLading Documents Reporting
    - eLading Documents System
    - eLading Freight Payment
    - eLading Table Maintenance
    - eLading Documents System User Guide
    - eLading Documents System Readme File

2.  When you start up the “eLading Documents System” the “About eLading Documents System” window 
    will appear.  This window allows you to enter a Registration #, to specify your 
    Printer Paper Size (Letter or A4) and to read the eLading Documents System License details.  
    If you have Paid for and Received a Registration # please enter this number here.   
    The “About eLading Documents System” window can be recalled at any time by selecting “Help” 
    then “About” from the main menu. 

3.  If you use this software after the 90-day Trial Evaluation period a registration fee 
    of US$ 49 is required to purchase the "Lite" Version.  Payments must be in US dollars, 
    and should be sent to :

    eLading Software Inc.,
    4421 West 12th Avenue ,
    Vancouver , B.C. Canada ,
    V6R 2R3.

    Please include instructions as to where we should e-mail your Registration #.

4.  When you initially install the software the “Lite” version will be automatically configured.  
    Our "Lite" Version offers you the opportunity to produce and issue professional quality 
    Bills of Lading, Sea Waybills or Cargo Manifests. 

5.  When you start up the “eLading Documents System” for the first time you will encounter 
    a “new” database therefore it will be necessary to enter some of the basic information prior 
    to entering Bill of Lading details.  

6.  Once you are ready to begin creating your first Bills of Lading I would suggest you create 
    information in the following sequence.  Select “Table Maintenance” from the “Options” menu 
    (or alternatively by clicking on the associated icon on the left-hand side of the main window).  
    Then create information for the following tables (in order):

    a) Countries
    b) Carriers
    c) Vessels
    d) Voyages

    Now click on “Change Active Voyage” icon and select your Voyage, 
    then continue entering the necessary basic information.

    e) Ports
    f) Ports of Loading    (for Voyage selected above)
    g) Ports of Discharge (for Voyage selected above)

    h) Shippers
    i) Consignees/Notify Parties/Forwarders
    j) Also Notify, Routing, Instructions, Remarks, etc.
    k) Shipper/Consignee/Notify/Forwarder Combinations

    l) Units
    m) Commodity Groups
    n) Goods

    later on you might want to add ….

    o) Standard Clauses
    p) Voyage Clauses

7.  Now you are ready to begin entering Bill of Lading / Sea Waybill Information for the 
    currently selected Voyage.  Remember that each time you want to create B/Ls for a 
    different “Voyage” it will first be necessary to add the new “Voyage” to the “Voyages” table, 
    then “Change Active Voyage”, then finally create associated “Ports of Loading” and 
    “Ports of Discharge” information.

8.  To begin entering Bill of Lading information now start up the “Create / Maintain Documents” 
    menu item. 

9.  To fully appreciated the features and flexibility available when creating documents, 
    please download and view some of the demonstration videos found on our website.  
    Six of the videos : "Overview.avi", "Document.avi", "Bookings.avi", "Customize.avi", 
    "Lifecycle.avi", and "AESDirect.avi" demonstrate the Version 3.0 software, 
    while the other two are longer and more indepth, but featuring Version 2.0. . 
    To familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the system, I recommend you view these 
    movies as a first step. They can be viewed using Microsoft’s Windows Media Player 
    or any one of several compatible "avi" viewers, using FULL Screen Mode.  Some new videos, 
    specifically focussing on our “Lite” version, will be available very soon to assist you 
    in your evaluation process.

10. If you wish to view a “DEMO” database prior to creating your own database 
    then select the “File”, “Open Database” menu item and select the “DEMO.DB” file 
    found in the same directory where you installed the “eLading Documents System” software.  
    When you are ready to start your own database then select the “File”, 
    “Open Database” menu item and select the “DOCUMENTS.DB” file found in the same directory
    where you installed the “eLading Documents System” software.  Note that by using the “File”, 
    “Save Database As” menu item you can create multiple databases or specify an alternative 
    location (such as a network drive) to store your database files.

11. During the Trial Evaluation period it is possible to explore the enhanced “Full Featured”
    capabilities.  Our "Full Featured" Version includes Cargo Booking, Invoicing and AESDirect 
    capabilities.  Please note that both the Booking Confirmation and Invoice reports allow 
    Header and Footer space so that you can print these reports directly onto your own 
    letterhead paper.  

12. To enable additional features, start up the “eLading Configuration Utility”, 
    select the “Customization # 1” tab and choose additional options such as 
    “Create / Maintain Bookings and Invoices”.  Please note that once you enter 
    a “Lite” registration number these enhanced “Full Featured” capabilities will no 
    longer be available.

13. Please e-mail any inquiries or questions to : info@elading.com.



Recent Enhancements :
===================

October, 2005 :

 - A new "Lite" Version of our software offers you the opportunity to issue 
   professional quality Bills of Lading, Sea Waybills or Cargo Manifests.  
   After a 90 day trial evaluation period, a registration fee of only US$ 49 
   is required to purchase the "Lite" Version.

April, 2005 :

 - A U.S. Customs Shipper's Export Declaration - In Transit report is now available.

 - It is now possible to generate an AESDirect file based on the selection of
   individual Bill of Lading Numbers.

January, 2005 :

 - Introduce the Straight Bill of Lading report, to hopefully meet the basic 
   requirements within the trucking industry.

December, 2004 :

 - Format the Bill of Lading to print on A4 paper (when specified).

September, 2004 :

 - Print YOUR Bill of Lading report on YOUR Original pre-printed Bill of Lading form, 
   complete with your distinguishing logo and conditions.  
   Alternatively, design a new Bill of Lading report and print it on special 
   "Bank-Issued" or "Watermarked" paper.  Recently, Anglo Canadian Shipping Company 
   and Zambezi Shipping Agency  ( in Dubai ) have both implemented our software solution 
   employing our "Customized BL" services to print Originals on their pre-printed BL form.

May, 2004 :

 - A U.S. Customs Shipper's Export Declaration report is now available for printing.   
   This report, which relies upon information associated with the AESDirect option, 
   can be printed on a document by document basis, for all documents associated with a  
   selected invoice, and within the Documents Reporting module for all matching documents.

January, 2004 :

 - A simplified user interface and a resultant improvement in productivity was our goal.
   Our software interface can NOW be configured, directly by our users, to present only 
   those features required.  For example, menus for Booking Cargo, for Invoicing, 
   for Generating a U.S. Customs AESDirect Upload file, etc. can now be visible or hidden.
   Information specifically relating to hidden menu items will also be hidden thus
   simplifying some of the screens.  Reports such as a Freighted Bill of Lading, 
   a Freighted Cargo Manifest, a U.S. Customs Cargo Manifest, etc. can be made visible 
   or hidden.  Document formatting characteristics can be set to enable the information 
   to fit precisely within the specifications layed-out on an Original Bill of Lading form. 

   The eLading Configuration Utility's Customization Tab presents the Options available.

December, 2003 :

 - The eLading Documents System can now be CUSTOMIZED to enable our CUSTOMERS the
   ability to print THEIR Bill of Lading report, on THEIR original forms, on 
   THEIR Paper Size, according to THEIR specific format.  

   Since a Bill of Lading represents evidence of title to the goods being shipped
   it is extremely important to ensure that an Original Bill of Lading cannot be easily
   copied.  For security reasons it may therefore be prudent to print YOUR Original 
   Bill of Lading on a pre-printed form, which includes distinguishing features, 
   such as specialized paper, a unique logo, a watermark symbol, or even just the 
   style / ink of the conditions appearing on the back.  The capability to continue 
   using YOUR current Bill of Lading also enables an easier transition to a NEW 
   software solution.  A CUSTOMIZED version of the Cargo Manifest report is also available.

   We are offering this CUSTOMIZATION service at no additional cost providing YOUR 
   Bill of Lading format contains no significant complications.  Be assured that
   the software developed to generate YOUR CUSTOMIZED REPORTS will be exclusively available.

   Please contact us to discuss this NEW capability in more detail.

November, 2003 :

 - The eLading Documents System can now generate a U.S. Customs Import Cargo Manifest file
   designed according to the Sea Automated Manifest System (AMS) specifications.  

   The U.S. Customs Sea AMS is available to carriers, secondary notify parties, and 
   port authorites/service centers.  Using a unique bill of lading number, manifest data
   can be transmitted electronically for all cargo enroute to the United States prior to 
   vessel arrival. This allows Customs an opportunity to review the submitted documentation
   and determine, in advance, whether the merchandise merits examination or whether to 
   release it immediately upon arrival. The carrier, upon receiving a provisional release
   from Customs, is able to make decisions on staging cargo and the importer can arrange 
   for examination, release, and further distribution of the merchandise. All of this can
   be accomplished before the merchandise actually arrives.


June, 2003 :

-  Using replication technology to access the same set of database information, 
   the eLading Documents System can now be operated from several locations, 
   such as remote offices or disconnected laptop computers, without the need to invest in 
   expensive networking technology.  Sybase SQL Anywhere Studio's data management and 
   data synchronization technology handles this replication magic.  SQL Anywhere Studio 
   enables scalable, bidirectional synchronization of information between ONE primary database
   and MANY remote databases. The eLading Documents System employs the SQL Remote features to 
   send and receive replication messages based on MAPI (Micosoft & Lotus Notes e-mail), 
   SMTP (Internet e-mail), VIM, FTP or FILE (simple file-sharing) technologies.  
   Optimized for both occasionally connected and near real-time environments these technologies 
   support the secure communication of information for remote and mobile users over 
   a wide variety of synchronous, asynchronous, wireless, dial-up and Internet protocols. 

March, 2003 :

-  In addition to creating PDF report files through the use of the Adobe Acrobat PDF Printer 
   Driver, it is NOW possible to create a PDF report file by printing to a Postscript Printer
   Driver and then automatically converting the  resultant print file from Postscript to PDF
   format.  Printing PDF report files enables you to easily distribute Bills of Lading, 
   Cargo Manifests, Invoices, etc. via e-mail.  Since the Adobe Acrobat Reader is freely 
   available to all, the PDF file format provides an efficient way to view, store and 
   distribute reports thus reducing paper usage.

   The eLading Documents System asks you to specify a "Postscript" Printer" and a 
   "Postscript to PDF" conversion program to be used in this process.

   Notes:

   Any of the "Postscript" printer drivers distributed with your Microsoft Windows software 
   will suffice, although a color printer such as the "HP Color LaserJet PS" is recommended.
   To install a Postscript Printer Driver it is NOT necessary to purchase a Postscipt Printer.

   The freely available AFPL Ghostscript "Postscript to PDF" conversion program is an option
   worth consideration.

February, 2003 :

-  Four new Demo Videos are now available to download.

January, 2003 :

-  The eLading Documents System Version 3.0 (Beta) is now available for download.
   The Shipper, Booking Agent, Commission, Load Ports, Discharge Ports and Commodity information 
   is recorded along with Quantities Booked and Freight Rates agreed upon.  The system enables 
   you to easily record these details and then e-mail the resultant Booking Confirmation Report to 
   the Shipper or Booking Agent quickly and efficiently.  These entered Freight Details then become
   available for assignment to associated Bill of Lading or Sea Waybill Marks Detail records.
   Thus the resultant Invoice becomes fully integrated with the Booking Module.  In fact, 
   cross-reference tables have been included on the Bookings Screens to enable the user to 
   immediately identify which Documents, which Marks and which Invoices are respectively associated 
   with which Bookings, which Cargo and which Shipper / Booking Agent.  Additional reports are 
   currently being developed and will be available for download when ready.

July, 2002 :

 - "Freighted Bills of Lading" and "Freighted Cargo Manifest" reports are now available.

   Five "per unit" Revenue Adjustment categories are now available for assignment,
   on a voyage by voyage basis. 


June, 2002 :

 - The eLading Documents System has been certified by AESDirect, the U.S. Census Bureau's free,
   internet based system for filing Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) information
   to the Automated Export System (AES). AESDirect is the electronic alternative to filing
   a paper SED, and can be used by U.S. Principal Parties in Interest (USPPIs), 
   forwarders, or anyone else responsible for export reporting.

   Many new fields have been added into the eLading Documents System database
   with the specific goal of becoming an AES (Automated Export System) approved
   Software Vendor by U.S. Customs. As a result of these new fields 
   the "Parties and Pre-Carriage By" tab and the "Marks Detail" tab have been expanded.
   These new fields are viewable either by scrolling across and down, or alternatively,
   operating your computer in a 1024x768 Display area rather than the standard 800x600.

   When generating the AES EDI (using X12-601 mapping) Upload file the eLading Documents
   System will conduct extensive edit checking to ensure validity and completeness of data,
   thus enabling efficient submissions to U.S. Customs.  Errors and Omissions will be 
   reported in a log file and must be corrected before an EDI file can be generated.

   A future challenge will be to become approved by U.S. Customs to also submit
   the "Import" Cargo Manifest electronically.  Also, for other countries of interest, 
   we would be pleased to explore the feasibility of adding electronic importing / exporting
   submission capabilities.  Please notify us if these capabilities are of specific
   interest to your organization.

April, 2002 :

 - Version 2.5 has been released.
   This version number is in recognition of the significant changes documented below.
   To request a trial registration number please e-mail us at "info@elading.com".

 - the Documents Report (Bill of Lading and Sea Waybill) layout has been revised.
   The new layout includes several new sections including :
    > Booking Number,
    > Export References, 
    > Forwarding Agent - References - FMC No., 
    > Point and Country of Origin of Goods, 
    > Type of Move, 
    > the ability to add Units on each Marks line, 
    > the ability to add extra Marks Amounts to each Marks line,
    > the ability to decide whether to include the Marks Title line,
    > the ability to decide whether to include the Marks Total line,
   Note : 
    > the ability to produce "Freighted" Bills of Lading will be available soon.

January, 2002 :

 - the capability to "Open" and "Save As" database files is now available
   (just like other desktop software products),
   providing you use the Sybase SQL Anywhere Runtime engine
   which is distributed free with our eLading Documents Software.
   This capability will enable you to e-mail entire Documents Database files
   between interested parties, or setup a template database to enable quicker 
   Bill of Lading entry / production.

 - the ability to decide, on a Voyage by Voyage basis, whether to use the
   U.S. Customs style B/L numbering, for US Ports, is now available.

December, 2001 :

 - A three column Bill of Lading format is now available.  
   Previously you had to choose between a two column and four column format.

November, 2001 :

- Online Help now available

October, 2001 :

 - two demonstration videos, 
   located in the "Demo" directory on the Installation/Trial CD, 
   are now available to viewing.

 - change of "Contact Us" e-mail address to : info@elading.com

June, 2001 :

 - the capability to create and e-mail Acrobat PDF report files is now available.  
   Note : requires the purchase of Adobe software to enable creation of PDF formatted files.


The eLading Documents System has been designed for the efficient and speedy entry of 
Bill of Lading / Waybill information.  

eLading Software Inc.

e-mail  : info@elading.com
Website : www.elading.com



