Product area: Gate Management

Building on the Carrier Self Check-Out feature, warehouses using Opendock can now require carriers to digitally sign a Bill of Lading (BOL) as part of the self check-out flow. Once the carrier signs, ShipperGuide receives the Proof of Pickup (PoP) and the check-out timestamp automatically. The carrier can also print or email the signed BOL on the spot.

How it works

BOL signing at check-out is available in two modes depending on how your warehouse is configured: ShipperGuide TMS integration or manual BOL file upload.

Option A: ShipperGuide TMS integration

The BOL originates in ShipperGuide and is enriched with real-time visit data from Opendock, including arrival time, seal number, and trailer number, before the carrier signs it. Once signed, ShipperGuide automatically receives the proof of pickup (PoP) and check-out timestamp. The carrier can print, save, or email their signed copy on the spot.

End-to-end flow (ShipperGuide integration)

1. Appointment is created in Opendock
2. Shipment is created in ShipperGuide and linked to the Opendock appointment
3. Carrier checks in via QR code or tablet at the gate
4. Warehouse operator completes the visit form; this data enriches the BOL in ShipperGuide
5. Carrier scans the check-out QR code and enters their phone number to match their check-in
6. Carrier reviews and digitally signs the BOL on screen
7. Carrier prints, saves, or emails their signed copy
8. ShipperGuide automatically receives the PoP and check-out timestamp; appointment moves to Completed

Option B: manual BOL upload

If your warehouse does not use the ShipperGuide integration, the operator can manually upload a BOL file directly in Opendock before the carrier checks out. The carrier reviews and signs on screen the same way as in the integrated flow.

End-to-end flow (manual upload)

1. Appointment is created in Opendock
2. Carrier checks in via QR code or tablet at the gate
3. Warehouse operator completes the visit form and uploads the BOL file directly to the appointment record in Opendock
4. Carrier scans the check-out QR code and enters their phone number to match their check-in
5. Carrier reviews and digitally signs the BOL on screen
6. Carrier prints, saves, or emails their signed copy
7. Appointment moves to Completed; the signed BOL is saved to the appointment record in Opendock

Before you begin: prerequisites

The following must be in place before enabling BOL signing at check-out:

• Carrier self check-out must be enabled for your facility
• ShipperGuide integration only: ShipperGuide TMS integration must be active and each Opendock appointment must be linked to its corresponding ShipperGuide shipment
• Manual upload only: the operator must upload the BOL file to the appointment record in Opendock before the carrier begins check-out

⚠️ Important: If BOL signing is set to required, carriers will be blocked from completing check-out until a valid, signable BOL is accessible. Ensure all appointments are properly set up before the carrier arrives.

Setup steps for gate and warehouse administrators

Step 1: enable BOL signing in Opendock settings

1. In Opendock, go to Warehouse > Settings > Gate Management > Check-Out
2. Set Check-out BOL signed required to Yes
3. Save your settings

Step 2: prepare the BOL before check-out

If using ShipperGuide integration:

1. Create the appointment in Opendock and copy the confirmation number
2. Open the corresponding shipment in ShipperGuide
3. Add the Opendock confirmation number to the shipment record
4. Confirm the appointment to complete the link

If using manual upload:

1. Create or open the appointment in Opendock
2. After the carrier checks in and the operator completes the visit form, upload the BOL file directly to the appointment record
3. Confirm the file is available before the carrier begins check-out

Step 3: verify before the carrier arrives

1. Confirm the BOL method is correctly set up for your warehouse (ShipperGuide integration or manual upload)
2. If using ShipperGuide, confirm the appointment and shipment are properly linked
3. After the carrier checks in, complete the visit form in Opendock; this includes arrival time, seal number, and trailer number

Edge cases and expected behaviors

Frequently asked questions

What happens if a carrier tries to check out but there's no BOL available?

If BOL signing is set to required, the carrier will not be able to complete check-out. This can occur when the asset visit is not linked to an appointment (detected as soon as the carrier enters their phone number or license plate), when the BOL failed to load from ShipperGuide, or when the operator has not yet uploaded the BOL manually. In all cases, the gate operator must resolve the situation before the carrier can proceed.

Does the carrier need access to ShipperGuide to sign the BOL?

No. The carrier interacts only with the Opendock check-out form, via QR code or tablet. The ShipperGuide integration and manual BOL upload are both handled on the warehouse and operator side. The carrier simply reviews and signs the BOL as presented, then optionally prints or emails their copy.

What data appears on the BOL when the carrier signs it?

When using ShipperGuide integration, the BOL originates in ShipperGuide and is enriched with real-time data from Opendock during the visit, including arrival time, seal number, and trailer number. This enrichment happens when the warehouse operator completes the visit form after check-in. When using manual upload, the BOL reflects the content of the file uploaded by the operator.

Where does the proof of pickup go after the carrier signs?

In the ShipperGuide flow, once the carrier signs, ShipperGuide automatically receives the proof of pickup (PoP) and the check-out timestamp with no manual action needed. In the manual upload flow, the signed BOL is saved to the appointment record in Opendock. In both cases, the appointment status updates to Completed.

📹 See it in action: Watch the eBOL demo video for a guided walkthrough of the full check-out signing flow.