Summary
What is tap-based mode?
A cross-dock mode that turns the module into manual selection. Pallet movements are confirmed by clicking the barcode ID instead of scanning a barcode.
Tap confirmations generate the same tracking statuses as barcode scans (SCANNED_IN, SCANNED_OUT, STORED), so customer portal visibility is unaffected.
Why use it?
It removes the need for scanner hardware and printed barcode labels, lowering the barrier for warehouses that want to start digitising cross-dock operations.
It can run in parallel with barcode scanning, (Free scan/Depot Scan) acting as a stepping stone toward full scanning adoption with no data migration required.
How does it work?
Once enabled, operators select a trip and see the full list of pallets to load or unload. The user can tap the barcode ID on each pallet to confirm the movement. A progress counter tracks completion.
Tap-based mode is configurable per tenant or depot and is activated by Qargo.
Prerequisites
🧰 Tap mode must be enabled via a feature flag in the Mobile app / Subcontractor portal integration settings.
💬 This feature requires activation by Qargo. Contact a Qargo Account Manager or Qargo Support if the option is not visible.
Use Cases
A transport company migrating to Qargo as its TMS wants to digitise unloading and loading across multiple cross-dock depots, but is not ready to roll out barcode printing and scanner hardware at the same time as the TMS change. Tap-based mode lets warehouse staff confirm pallet movements from a tablet by tapping through a list.
A warehouse receives full trailers that need to be unloaded, labelled, and routed, and wants a lighter entry point into cross-dock digitisation before committing to barcode scanning.
Terminology
Term | Definition |
Tap-based mode | A cross-dock mode where pallet movements are confirmed by tapping instead of scanning a barcode |
Trip sheet | The reference used to identify the trip whose pallets are being loaded or unloaded |
Progress counter | The x/y indicator showing how many pallets have been loaded or unloaded |
SCANNED_IN / SCANNED_OUT / STORED | Tracking statuses generated when a pallet is unloaded, loaded, or stored - identical whether confirmed by tap or by scan |
Free scan | A flow where a single pallet is looked up directly and an action is applied to it |
Enabling Tap-Based Mode
CONTACT Qargo to request activation of tap mode for the relevant tenant or depot.
Qargo ENABLES the tap mode feature flag in the Mobile app / Subcontractor portal integration settings.
Once enabled, the cross-dock flows display tap confirmation controls instead of requiring a barcode scan.
🧰 Tap mode can be enabled per tenant or per depot, so scanning and tap-based confirmation can run side by side.
Loading a Vehicle in Tap-Based Mode
SELECT a trip by entering or scanning the trip number to start the load flow.
VIEW the full list of pallets to be loaded. Each row shows meaningful details (sender, recipient, reference, description), and a progress counter (for example, 0/12 pallets loaded) appears at the top. Barcode numbers are de-emphasised because they are not needed in this mode.
CONFIRM each pallet by selecting the row. This generates the same SCANNED_OUT status as a barcode scan. Colour-coded indicators apply as usual (dark green = loaded, orange = warning, red = error).
ASSIGN a location (optional). After selecting the pallet, a cross-dock location can be entered or scanned for that pallet. If no location is entered, the action is still registered.
COMPLETE the trip. Once all pallets are confirmed, the trip is marked as fully loaded. A Complete all button marks every remaining unprocessed pallet at once.
Unloading a Vehicle in Tap-Based Mode
SELECT an incoming trip by entering or scanning the trip number.
VIEW all pallets expected for that trip. Each row shows sender, recipient, reference, and description, with a progress counter (for example, 0/8 pallets unloaded) at the top.
CONFIRM each pallet by tapping the barcode as it comes off the truck. This generates the same SCANNED_IN status as a barcode scan.
SELECT an action and storage location (optional). After selecting the pallet, an action can be chosen - keep on truck, store in depot, or to delivery vehicle - and a cross-dock location entered or scanned.
The selected action is remembered for the next pallet, so there is no separate bulk mode and no need to re-enter the same choice each time.
FLAG discrepancies. If the physical pallet count does not match the expected list, this can be flagged directly in the flow. Detailed incident handling is covered by the cross-dock incident question paths.
COMPLETE the trip. Once all pallets are confirmed, the trip is marked as fully unloaded.
📚 The last-used action is carried over to the next pallet during unloading, which is why a separate bulk mode is not needed.
📚 Pallets scanned in previously will show in the light green highlight
Scan on Trip in Tap-Based Mode
OPEN the overview of trips with associated pallets.
TAP a pallet to either store it in the depot or load it onto a trip.
ENTER the trip name (or scan it) to assign the pallet to that trip.
Flows That Still Require Scanning
Free scan and depot scan flows are unchanged and still require a barcode scan to look up pallets.
In tap mode, the unload vehicle option without a trip sheet is hidden, keeping the unload flow consistent with the load flow (which is always trip-sheet based). Other scanning modes, such as free scan, remain available.
‼️ Trip discovery (a filterable, searchable trip list) ships as a separate feature. In tap mode, the trip number is entered manually or by scanning to start a flow.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Guidance |
Tap confirmation controls are not visible | Tap mode is not enabled for the tenant or depot. Contact Qargo to request activation. Qargo Mobile App requires updating to supported version. |
The unload-without-trip-sheet option has disappeared | This is expected when tap mode is enabled. The unload flow is trip-sheet based, matching the load flow. Use free scan for ad-hoc lookups. |
A pallet movement does not appear on the customer portal | Tap confirmations generate the same statuses as scans. Confirm the pallet checkmark was tapped and the trip completed. |
The physical pallet count differs from the expected list | Flag the discrepancy in the flow. Detailed handling follows the cross-dock incident question paths. |
Location cannot be entered for a pallet | A location is optional unless configured as required. A custom location can be typed into the location field, or a predefined location selected. |