The TotalMail® Glossary

This glossary is for your reference as you learn about and work with the TotalMail® system. This glossary includes important or easily confused TotalMail terms.

It includes:

  • Words and phrases

  • Acronyms and jargon

  • And many cross-references to synonyms and related terms

Best of all, the glossary defines or describes terms specifically as they are used with the Trimble® TotalMail® system and this documentation.

They may or may not be what you use or what is used elsewhere.

Remember

  • Terms mean different things to different people.

  • People at other companies and in other roles often use terms differently.

  • Some common words are used in nonstandard ways.

accident An unintentional and bad event or situation that caused harm. Especially an event involving lack of attention, care, or knowledge.

agent A software application that performs a specific system task.

agent computer A computer that runs one or more agent applications. See also agent.

assignment See workflow.

B/L, BOL, B.O.L., and BoL See bill of lading.

bill of lading A legal document or contract, issued by a carrier or their agent, that specifies all details and terms necessary for the carrier to transport specific cargo received from a shipper (or consignor) to a specific location on behalf of the shipper. Commonly abbreviated B/L, BOL, B.O.L., and BoL.

cargo Goods, materials, freight, a shipment, or a commodity shipped by a carrier from a shipper to a consignee.

client computer A computer that is connected to the TotalMail system and can send and receive TotalMail messages. See also TotalMail computer.

commercial vehicle See tractor.

consignee A person, business, or other entity that receives the delivery of cargo sent from a shipper and transported by a carrier.

consignor See shipper.

D2link® A Trimble® mobile app that drivers use to communicate with their dispatchers. This app runs on smartphones, smartpads, and other devices. It connects to the dispatch system and TotalMail.

deadhead move The situation in which a driver pulls an empty or unloaded trailer to get to their next paying load. Sometimes shortened to deadhead.

Dispatch See TotalMail Dispatch.

dispatcher A person who sends load assignments to drivers in tractors.

driver A person who operates a tractor.

error message See response.

duties See workflow.

form An electronic document with a unique ID that usually consists of labels with fields for a driver to enter data. Some forms let the driver photograph physical paperwork or scan barcodes on items. Drivers and dispatchers exchange form data and the form ID throughout a workflow. Sometimes, the driver’s device automatically sends a form to the dispatcher, such as when a driver arrives at a stop. See also form ID.

form ID A unique identifier that is associated with every form in your system. This ID and the specific data entered are transmitted between drivers and dispatchers.

forward form A form that is sent by a dispatcher or automatically by the system to a driver. Contrast with return form.

load (1) The contents on or in a tractor or trailer. (2) The process of placing contents on or in a tractor or trailer.

load assignment This is the dispatcher’s term for the workflow that they send to the driver. See also workflow, trip.

message See form, text message.

mobile communications vendor A business that provides wireless communication services between tractors and dispatch offices.

response A dialog or other message that the system sends to you as a result of an action that you or someone else took. Examples include information and error messages.

return form A form sent by a driver to a dispatcher or other receiver. Contrast with forward form.

schedule See workflow.

semi See tractor.

shipper A person, business, or other entity that initiates the shipment of cargo to another location by way of a carrier that uses some type of transportation. Also called the consignor. Contrast with consignee.

text message These documents and Trimble apps use text message as a special term. It refers to a free-form communication that is a bit like email. In this context, text messages are not like smartphone text messages (SMS or iMessage).

TMWSuite® software TMWSuite software is a Microsoft Windows-based, client-server application by Trimble. Truckload motor carriers and logistics firms use TMWSuite to manage dispatching, billing, and settlements. TotalMail and many other Trimble applications integrate with TMWSuite.

TotalMail computer A computer (machine), virtual machine (VM), or other hardware that runs TotalMail or TotalMail-related software, databases, or compatible mobile apps.

TotalMail database A Microsoft SQL Server database that stores the data transferred by TotalMail messages. Some data in the TotalMail database updates data in the TMWSuite database.

TotalMail Dispatch Software for TotalMail that dispatchers use.

TotalMail hardware See TotalMail computer.

TotalMail machine See TotalMail computer.

tractor A semi, truck, or other commercial vehicle that contains an engine (power train) and has a place for a driver to sit.

trailer ID A unique identifier that is associated with every trailer in your system.

trip The driver’s term for the load assignment or workflow that they receive from the dispatcher.

truck See tractor.

workflow The set of stops, loads, and unloads that a dispatcher sends to the driver to begin the workflow. Also known as trip, load assignment, schedule, and duties.