# Transport Operations Manual

## Master data

Maintain service types, routes, vehicles, drivers, vendors, customer/vendor contracts and rate cards before creating jobs. Expired or inactive records should not be selected for new work.

## Job lifecycle

1. Create or accept a quotation.
2. Create the transport job with customer, branch, PO, route, dates, service and expected revenue/cost.
3. Add one or more trips.
4. Assign vehicles, drivers and subcontractors to each trip.
5. Record additional charges and direct costs against the job/trip.
6. Upload POD documents through the protected POD screen.
7. Review estimated versus actual profitability.
8. Mark the job ready to invoice only when required delivery evidence is available, unless an authorised override is used.
9. Create the customer invoice and vendor bill with the correct job/trip references.

## Driver advances

Issue a driver advance through its approval and posting workflow. After the trip, create settlements for approved expenses and/or cash returned. A settlement cannot exceed the open advance.

## Data access

Branch users only see permitted branch records. Vendor cost and profit visibility depends on permissions. Never share screenshots or exported reports outside authorised staff.