DAT Broker TMS FAQ: DAT CarrierWatch Interface

12 minute to read

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the real-time DAT CarrierWatch integration within the DAT Broker TMS (Keypoint), detailing setup, daily use, carrier watchlist functionality, and troubleshooting.

1. Overview and System Functionality

What is the DAT CarrierWatch Interface?
The DAT CarrierWatch Interface is a real-time tool integrated into the DAT Broker TMS that allows you to instantly check carrier compliance and watch their insurance information.

What specific carrier compliance items does the real-time interface check?
The real-time interface checks a carrier's insurance, safety, and authority status.

Does the system only check carriers on a watchlist?
No, the system performs these crucial checks for every carrier you attempt to match or dispatch, not just those you manually place on a watchlist.

How do I know I have the DAT CarrierWatch interface in my DAT Broker TMS?

• In the DAT Broker TMS menu bar, click on the grid icon. If the "DAT CarrierWatch Interface" line has a green checkmark next to it, you have the interface.

Do I also need a DAT One subscription to use the DAT CarrierWatch interface with the DAT Broker TMS?
Yes, for subscription and pricing information for DAT One, please call 800-547-5417.

What visual indicators appear when dispatching or matching a carrier?
As soon as you enter a carrier's abbreviation and press the Tab key on your keyboard, two interactive buttons appear: the Insurance button and the Safety / Auth. button.

What information does the Insurance button provide?
The Insurance button gives you immediate and color-coded feedback based on the last updated insurance information for the carrier.

What does an Insurance or Safety / Auth. button with a green checkmark indicate?
A button with a green checkmark indicates that the carrier is in compliance with your required insurance rules and that their safety and authority levels also comply with your minimum rules.

What do buttons with a yellow triangle or red ‘x’ indicate?

• Buttons with a yellow triangle or red ‘x’ indicate potential compliance problems which you should review immediately. This could also indicate that the nightly data that is received from CarrierWatch is older than 24 hours.
• You can hover your mouse arrow over each button for more information. Example message you might see would be:
  1. "Insured to Match: BAD"
  2. "Insured to Dispatch: BAD"
  3. "Data is older than 24 hours"

Where does clicking the Insurance or Safety / Auth. button take me?

• You may click on those buttons to take you directly to the relevant Carrier record tab within the DAT Broker TMS for detailed review.
  1. Clicking on the Insurance button will take you to the Insurance tab in the Carrier record.
  2. Clicking on the Safety / Auth. button will take you to the Information tab in the Carrier record.

2. Setting Up Company Compliance Requirements

Where is the primary setup screen for monitoring CarrierWatch compliance?
The primary setup for monitoring carrier requirements is located at System > Maintenance > Insurance Types.

What types of insurance does the system monitor?
The DAT Broker TMS monitors four essential types of carrier insurance through the CarrierWatch interface: Auto, Cargo, Liability, and Workers Comp.

Can I set different requirements for each type of insurance?
Yes, you can set the requirements for each type of insurance separately.

How do I enforce an insurance requirement for all carriers?

1. Navigate to System > Maintenance > Insurance Types.
2. Double click on the insurance type line you'd like to enter requirements for so the type will appear in the fields above the grid.
3. Check the box for 'Type Required For All Carriers'.
4. Press the Tab key on your keyboard.
5. Click the Update button to save your changes.

In the example below, we checked the ‘Type Required For All Carriers’ check box to require the CARGO insurance type for all carriers.

How do I require that a carrier's insurance dates are current for matching and dispatching?

1. Navigate to System > Maintenance > Insurance Types.
2. Double click on the insurance type line you want to edit.
3. Check the ‘Match’ and ‘Dispatch’ check boxes for 'Current Insurance Dates Required for Match and/or Dispatch'.
4. Press the Tab key on your keyboard.
5. Click the Update button to save your changes.

In the example below, we checked the ‘Match’ and ‘Dispatch’ check boxes to require current insurance dates for the CARGO insurance type.

How do I configure the system to warn me about future insurance expiration dates?

• Navigate to System > Maintenance > Insurance Types.
• Double click on the insurance type line you want to edit.
• Enter the number of days in advance that you want to be notified that the carrier’s insurance is about to expire in the ‘Match’ and ‘Dispatch’ fields in the ‘Expiration notification days’ section. This allows the system to check if the insurance dates will still be good for the number of days out that you enter.
  • For example, entering "14" in the ‘Match’ and ‘Dispatch’ fields will put a yellow triangle on the Insurance button if the insurance expires within the next 14 days. You will need to enter an override password to continue dispatching to this carrier.
• Press the Tab key on your keyboard.
• Click the Update button to save your changes.

In the example below, we set the Expiration notification days for matching and dispatching to “14” for the CARGO insurance type.

Where do I set the required minimum Safety and Authority ratings?
The minimum requirements for Safety and Authority are set at System > Utilities > Defaults > DAT Tab.

How do I set minimum Safety and Authority requirements for matching and dispatching?

1. Navigate to System > Utilities > Defaults > DAT Tab.
2. Check the corresponding check boxes under ‘To Match’ and ‘To Dispatch’ in the ‘Common or Contract Authority Required’ fields. If these check boxes are checked, the carrier will have to have Common or Contract Authority in order for you to be able to match or dispatch orders to them.
3. Check the corresponding check boxes under ‘To Match’ and ‘To Dispatch’ in the ‘Safety Rating Required’ fields. If these check boxes are checked, the carrier will have to have a Safety rating in order for you to match or dispatch orders to them.
4. Select the minimum rating required ‘To Match’ or ‘To Dispatch’ in the ‘If Rated, Rating Must Meet or Exceed’ fields (e.g., “Satisfactory” or “Conditional”).
5. Click the Update button to save your requirements.

In the example below, we required Common or Contract Authority to match or dispatch, we required a Safety Rating to match or dispatch, and we set the required minimum Safety Rating to match or dispatch to ‘Satisfactory’.

3. User Credentials and Carrier Data Management

How do I set up my company’s CarrierWatch ConneXion credentials in the DAT Broker TMS?

• For users that will be importing new carrier records, or matching and dispatching loads to carriers, system administrators must set up their company’s CarrierWatch ConneXion credentials in each individual users’ DAT Broker TMS credentials.

1. In the DAT Broker TMS, navigate to System > Utilities > Security Maintenance.
2. Right-click on the line for the user and select Edit Credentials.
3. In the “ConneXion” line, enter the Username and Password credentials for CarrierWatch ConneXion.
4. Click the Update button to save the changes.

In the example below, we entered the company’s CarrierWatch ConneXion credentials for the user.

What if I do not know my company’s CarrierWatch ConneXion credentials?
Please call Keypoint Software Support at 800-728-7305, option 2 and then option 2, or email keypointsupport@dat.com

What is the fastest way to add a new carrier record using CarrierWatch data?

1. Go to Records > Carrier Records.

2. Click the Import button (highlighted below).

3. Enter the carrier's MC or DOT number in the field provided. If you want to also automatically import the carrier’s insurance information and add them to your CarrierWatch watchlist, click the ‘Import Insurance’ check box.

4. Click the Find Carrier button.

5. If information is found in CarrierWatch, the system will automatically import and populate the record with the carrier's basic information and compliance status.

6. Click Update to save the new carrier record.

How do I add a specific carrier to my CarrierWatch Watchlist in the DAT Broker TMS?
To add a carrier to your watchlist for continuous monitoring, you must do the following:

1. Go to Records > Carrier Records.

2. Find or enter the carrier’s abbreviation and press the Tab key to open the carrier record.

3. Go to the Insurance tab.

4. Check the 'Monitor Insurance' checkbox as highlighted below.

5. Click the Update button to save the changes.

4. Troubleshooting and Support

What happens if a carrier is not in compliance with the rules I set?
If the insurance, safety, or authority is not in compliance, the DAT Broker TMS (Keypoint) will display a Warning message.

What are the common reasons listed in the Warning message for a non-compliant carrier?

• The warning message will clearly indicate the specific non-compliance issue. Common reasons include:
  • "Carrier does not have the minimum safety rating to match/dispatch."
  • "Carrier does not have the required authority to match/dispatch."
  • "The required insurance to match is missing."
  • "The required insurance to dispatch is missing."
  • "CarrierWatch insurance information is not up to date."

Can I override a compliance warning to proceed with matching or dispatching?
Yes, if the system is set up to require an override password (prompted for in the System Defaults), you will be able to proceed even if the carrier is non-compliant.

Who should I call for support questions about the interface in Keypoint?
You can call 800-728-7305, option 2 and then option 2 for Keypoint Software Support, or email keypointsupport@dat.com.

Who should I call for general DAT CarrierWatch documentation and questions?
You can call 800-547-5417 for more information.