Allocation
A calculated contractual quantity of rental packaging required to support a customer’s rental packaging demand.
Business Hours
The period between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time, on any day excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays observed in the jurisdiction where the Service is provided.
Calendar Days
All consecutive days in a month or year, including weekends and public holidays, beginning at 12:00 a.m. and ending at 11:59 p.m. local time.
Consumables
Single-use packaging materials made from corrugated fiberboard, including boxes, inserts, dividers, and other components intended for one-time use in or on the Gentoo boxes.
Damage
Any physical harm, deterioration, or impairment that negatively affects the condition, functionality, or appearance of the Rental Packaging, excluding normal wear and tear resulting from proper and intended use.
Delivery
The transfer of possession of Rental Packaging or other goods from the Service Provider to the Customer or their designated recipient at the specified location, whether by the Service Provider, a parcel carrier partner, or other authorized agent.
End of Rental
The rental period ends when the rental packaging is returned to the designated location, and the Rental Packaging serial number has been scanned as received, ending the individual transaction. The end date may also be determined by the completion of a predefined rental term, as outlined in the rental agreement.
Example CSV
A CSV with example data present. It is meant to provide a reference to end-users on what the Template CSV should look like after being filled out and before being uploaded. The values in this CSV are not meant to be re-uploaded as-is.
Fleet
The collective inventory of temperature-controlled Rental Packaging systems and associated accessories owned or managed by the Service Provider and made available for temporary use by Customers under rental agreements.
Fleet Management
The organized tracking, maintenance, and coordination of a company’s inventory of reusable temperature-controlled packaging systems—such as insulated boxes, containers, and pallets. Instead of managing vehicles, this version of fleet management ensures that cold chain packaging is available when needed, preconditioned properly, returned after use, and kept in good condition. For example, a pharmaceutical distributor might manage a fleet of insulated shippers used to send vaccines across the country, making sure each unit is cleaned, inspected, and redeployed efficiently.
Incoterms
A set of 11 internationally recognized rules which define the responsibilities of the sellers and buyers, specifying who is responsible for paying and managing the shipment, insurance, documentation, customs clearance, and other logistical activities.
Inspection
The process of examining Rental Packaging to assess its condition, cleanliness, and functionality, conducted by the Service Provider after return from Customer rental use.
Inventory Transfer (Stage-1)
The real-world shipment acting as Stage-1 in the Rental process. This shipment travels from the rental supplier (i.e. Inmark) to the customer's warehouse. Inventory transfer may occur as a bulk-shipment or be performed for a single packaging rental.
Invoice
A formal document issued by the Service Provider to the Customer detailing the charges for rental services, fees, and additional costs, including billing address, remittance information, payment terms, and general terms and conditions.
Loss Rate
The percentage or amount of Rental Packaging that is reported lost, unreturned, or irreparably damaged during a specified rental period, as determined by the Service Provider.
Lost Box
A unit of Rental Packaging that is not returned to the Service Provider within the agreed rental period and cannot be located or recovered through reasonable efforts.
Order
A confirmed request submitted by the Customer to the Service Provider for the rental and delivery or pickup of specified Rental Packaging, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable rental agreement.
Organization
Represents the company or group acting as the end-user for the Inmark Rental System. Contains all relevant information required to configure the application for use.
Outbound Shipment (Stage-2)
The real-world shipment acting as Stage-2 in the Rental process. This shipment travels from the Warehouse of the Organization to the customer's location - or Organization's intended payload destination (defined in the CSV during the upload process).
Phase Change Material
A substance that absorbs or releases heat when it changes from one state (like solid) to another (like liquid). PCMs are used to control temperature in products like thermal or cold chain packaging because they can store and release large amounts of energy during the phase change. The Inmark Rental Program uses PCM in their Gentoo high performance product line to control temperature.
Pick-up
The collection of Rental Packaging from the Customer, the shipment receiver, or a designated location by the Service Provider or its parcel carrier partner or authorized agent, typically occurring after the completion of a shipment or the end of the rental period.
Preconditioning
The process of preparing temperature-sensitive packaging components—like gel packs or phase change materials—by bringing them to a specific temperature before use. This ensures the packaging system can maintain the required internal temperature during transit. For example, phase change materials might be preconditioned in a freezer and/or cooler for 48 hours before being placed in a shipping container for vaccines, helping to keep the contents within a safe temperature range.
Purchase Order (PO)
A formal, Customer-issued document authorizing the procurement of Rental Packaging or related services from the Service Provider, specifying quantities, delivery terms, pricing, and other relevant purchase and billing details, and subject to acceptance by the Service Provider.
Receive
The act of taking physical possession of Rental Packaging or other goods by the Customer, the shipment receiver, or an authorized party at the designated delivery location.
Receiver
The individual or entity designated by the Customer to accept delivery of the Rental Packaging or shipped goods at the specified delivery location.
Refurbishment
The process undertaken by the Service Provider to clean, repair, and restore returned Rental Packaging to a condition suitable for reuse in accordance with quality and performance standards.
Rent
The fee paid by the Customer to the Service Provider for the temporary use of Rental Packaging during the Rental Term, as specified in the rental agreement.
Rental
The data in the application grouping the real-world shipping solution being rented out and its various real-world shipments or steps. A single Rental contains information on a single Inmark product along with enough data to identify where it is and what condition it may be in.
Rental Group
A set of configuration options for making the processes of uploading Rental data smoother. Primarily, it defines the set of numerical ranges for classifying Rentals and their current status.
Rental Packaging
Temperature controlled packaging system and associated accessories used for the purpose of packing, storing, and/or transporting temperature sensitive customer goods.
Rental Refurbishment Center
A facility operated or authorized by the Service Provider where returned Rental Packaging is received, inspected, cleaned, repaired, and prepared for subsequent rental use.
Rental Service Customer Portal
A secure, web-based platform provided by the Service Provider through which Customers can manage orders, track shipments, view rental activity, access documentation, and communicate with customer support.
Rental Shipments
The real-world shipment occurring as one step in the Rental process. This can currently be one of two types; Outbound Shipment (Step 2) or Return Shipment (Step 3)
Rental Start
The rental period begins when the customer scans the rental packaging and submits a file containing shipment information for the used rental packaging. This submission serves as the official trigger for the start of the rental term.
Rental Term
The duration, as specified in the rental agreement or order, during which the Customer is authorized to use the Rental Packaging, beginning on the date of delivery or Scanned Start and ending upon return to the Service Provider Rental Refurbishment Center.
Repair
The process of restoring Rental Packaging to its original functional condition by fixing damages or defects caused during use, excluding routine cleaning or refurbishment.
Return Shipment (Stage-3)
The real-world shipment acting as Stage-3 in the Rental process. This shipment travels from the customer origin (defined in the CSV during the upload process) to the specified Inmark Warehouse.
Return
The act of delivering Rental Packaging back to the Service Provider or its designated agent at the end of the Rental Term or upon early termination, in accordance with the terms of the rental agreement.
Return Logistics
The process of transporting goods from the end user back to the service provider, seller, manufacturer, or recycling point. In the context of temperature-controlled packaging, return logistics often involves retrieving reusable insulated containers or cold chain packaging—such as those used to ship vaccines or perishable food—so they can be cleaned, reconditioned, and used again. For example, a pharmacy may return specialized cold boxes after receiving a vaccine shipment, helping reduce waste and control shipping costs.
Safety Stock
A reserve quantity of Rental Packaging maintained by the Service Provider to ensure availability and uninterrupted service during periods of high demand, delays, or unforeseen circumstances.
Scan
The electronic capture and recording of data from barcodes, QR codes, or other identification markers on Rental Packaging to start a rental, track its location, status, and movement throughout the rental lifecycle.
Special Inspection Process
An enhanced examination procedure conducted by the Service Provider beyond standard inspection, triggered by specific conditions such as returned Customer product, waste, foreign objects, contamination, or non-compliance, to determine the suitability of Rental Packaging for continued reuse. This form of handling may require the Rental Packaging to be returned to the Customer for the proper removal of the object(s) in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure and/or Work Instruction.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
A documented set of step-by-step instructions established by the Service Provider to ensure consistent and compliant execution of tasks related to the handling, inspection, maintenance, and management of Rental Packaging.
Statement of Work (SOW)
A detailed document outlining the specific services, deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities agreed upon between the Customer and the Service Provider as part of the rental agreement.
Supplemental Invoice
An additional invoice issued by the Service Provider to the Customer to cover charges not included in the original invoice, such as fees for lost, damaged, or late-returned Rental Packaging.
Template CSV
A CSV with one header row to define column data. It is used to upload information about Rentals and track their progress. It is left to the end-user to fill out and re-upload. Information regarding the columns can `be found here.
Tracking Details
Tracking details, in a general sense, refer to the data used to observe and follow the status, position, or movement of an object or individual. This information may include timestamps, geographic locations, and other pertinent data related to the item being monitored. In more specific scenarios—such as in shipping—tracking details typically denote the information that allows a package or shipment to be traced throughout the logistics and supply chain process.
Vacuum Insulation Panel
A high-performance insulation material made by sealing a rigid panel inside a vacuum. Because there's almost no air inside, VIPs dramatically reduce heat transfer—providing up to 5 to 10 times better insulation than traditional materials like expanded polystyrene (EPS). VIPs are commonly used in temperature-controlled packaging, such as boxes that keep medicines or vaccines cold during shipping. For example, a VIP-insulated cooler can keep contents frozen for several days, whereas a similar EPS cooler might only manage a day or two.
Warehouse
A location with pre-defined address data that can act as both an origin and destination for Rentals. Both Inmark and Organizations can own Warehouses
Wear and Tear
The natural and gradual deterioration of Rental Packaging resulting from normal, proper use over time, excluding damage caused by misuse, negligence, or accidents.
Work Instruction (WI)
A document that provides detailed step-by-step instructions to complete a specific task.