GLS Forwarder
Groupage Logistics Software
Structured software for European groupage operations — from incoming documents and lane allocation through to trailer build, operational snapshot and departure.
Most transport systems treat groupage as ordinary shipment handling. GLS does not. It reflects the operational reality of shared lanes, incomplete documents, warehouse intake pressure, customs readiness and planner control before departure.
Groupage logistics consolidates trailers to optimise freight flows
Groupage allows multiple consignments from different shippers to be consolidated into a single trailer movement. It is widely used across European freight networks to improve utilisation, support scheduled linehaul services and reduce transport cost per movement.
The difficulty is not the concept. The difficulty is execution: documents arrive at different times, consignments need to be routed to the correct service lane, planners need visibility of what is operationally ready, and unresolved issues must be handled before departure.
Built for the real flow of groupage operations
GLS is designed around how groupage planners and forwarding teams actually work, not how generic SaaS diagrams pretend they work.
Email intake
Shipment documents, instructions and supporting files can arrive by email and be captured into a structured operational flow.
Lane inbox routing
Incoming items can be routed into the correct lane context, giving planners a live operational inbox instead of a shared mess.
Planner control
Operations decides what is real, what is unresolved and what is ready to move into trailer planning.
From incoming email to Groupage lane inbox
GLS captures operational email and routes documents into the correct service lane inbox so planners see structured operational information instead of a shared mailbox.
Service lane inbox routing
GLS captures operational email and routes documents into the correct service lane inbox so planners see structured operational information instead of a shared mailbox.
1. Incoming message
A customer, partner or warehouse contact sends a commercial invoice, collection instruction, reference sheet or supporting document by email.
2. Intake and extraction
GLS captures the message, stores the documents and supports structured extraction of relevant operational data.
3. Lane inbox or shared intake
The item is routed to the appropriate lane inbox where possible, or held in a controlled shared intake area until operations confirms it.
The GLS Groupage Control Tower
Once consignments are captured, GLS provides the operational structure needed to move from intake to departure with visibility and control.
Service lane planning
Consignments can be allocated to defined service lanes such as MAN → BSL, MAN → MIL or AMS → PAR, giving each lane its own planning context and operational queue.
- Lane-specific planning pools
- Controlled visibility for operations
- Cleaner planning than shared email threads
Trailer build and operational snapshot
Planners can move ready consignments into trailer build, validate readiness and create a final operational snapshot before departure.
- Operational review before movement
- Structured departure control
- Audit-ready operational record
Why generic TMS software is weak at groupage
Generic systems usually stop at shipment records and status labels. Groupage operations need more than that: they need structured intake, lane-level visibility, planner control and a disciplined departure model.
Too much shared noise
Traditional workflows rely on inboxes, spreadsheets and planner memory.
No lane-first structure
Many systems record consignments but do not model the operational lane context planners actually need.
Poor departure discipline
Without a controlled operational checkpoint, unresolved issues end up travelling with the trailer.
Who this is for
Forwarding partners
Shared groupage services operating on fixed or semi-fixed lane structures.
Cross-dock operations
Teams receiving documents and freight under time pressure before linehaul departure.
European freight networks
Operators needing structure, visibility and governance across multiple movements.
Frequently asked questions
What is groupage freight?
Groupage freight combines multiple smaller consignments into one trailer movement so capacity is used more efficiently across a transport lane.
What is groupage logistics software?
It is software designed to manage the intake, planning, consolidation and operational control of shared trailer movements.
Can GLS support lane-based planning?
Yes. GLS is designed around service lanes and operational routing, not just generic shipment records.
Does GLS support OCR-assisted intake?
GLS is designed to support structured document intake and OCR-assisted operational handling as part of the wider groupage workflow.
See how GLS supports structured groupage operations
Explore GLS Forwarder or start with a full 30-day trial.