The ASN enables the sender to describe the contents and configuration of a shipment in various levels of detail and provides an ordered flexibility to convey information.
While the Bill of lading is meant to accompany a load on its path, the goal of the ASN is to provide information to the destination's receiving operations well in advance of the delivery.
An ASN can provide a list of all of the barcoded ID numbers of the shipping units and the contents of each.
[2] Accuracy: Upon receipt of the ASN, the receiver is immediately informed of any difference between what was expected, and what has actually been shipped.
Flexibility: Knowing the actual fill rates of the orders gives the receiver the opportunity to re-allocate goods in subsequent shipments.