5 Steps to Better Load Management

Posted by Vertrax on Jun 5, 2017 12:44:45 PM

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Tired of struggling with overbooked drivers and miscalculated routes? Want to find a way to track your fleet data to search for cost savings solutions? These are commonplace issues effecting every trucking company no matter how big or small. Fortunately, through years of trial and error, along with ample research, the logistics industry has come up with several viable solutions for improving load management. Implement the following steps into your fleet management system to boost efficiency and save both time and money.

 

Step 1: Be Compliant

Commercial trucking falls under the guise of the federal government via the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation. In order to keep your trucking business up and running you must comply with all of the requirements and regulations set by the FMCSA. If you do not you risk running illegally, and during DOT inspections your company is likely to get dinged with fines and penalties. These fines, which according to Overdrive have increased this year, can be extremely costly. Protect your load by being compliant at all times.

Step 2: Use The Right Technology

The benefits of a sophisticated fleet management system is that your drivers will be compliant to DOT regulations involving the hours of service system. Furthermore, your dispatchers will be able to eliminate violation-worthy problems before they become a risk. A mobile software system keeps your entire fleet operation on the same page, which only increases the efficiency of your load management.

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Step 3: Use a Variety of Load Boards

Gone are the days when trucking dispatchers depended on telephone calls and truck brokers to get loads picked up. The internet has increased load board efficiency substantially. Now you can log on to one of many load boards, such as DAT or ComFreight, to find trucking loads for your company. This has made a huge difference in the ability for customers to find local freight management companies, as well as for dispatchers hoping to secure new customers. A tip here is to use a variety of load boards to ensure you get the greatest swath of trucking loads.

Step 4: Bring Your Own E-Device

As the previous steps suggest, technology is taking over the trucking industry. Truck drivers now depend on cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices to get the job done. Trucking companies are also including tech equipment as part of their sign-on benefits. However, research shows that drivers prefer to use their own phones and tablets. This is in part due to privacy concerns, while another reason is that every driver has his or her own preference for the type of operating system they use.

For example, while some drivers are more comfortable using Apple products and Mac operating systems, there are just as many drivers with Android phones and Microsoft computers. Yet drivers need to have this type of technology to improve their deliveries by finding updated routes and contacting customers as needed. For trucking companies that want to capitalize on this technology, the best bet isn’t to provide it for drivers though. Give your drivers the go ahead to BYOD or bring your own device.

Step 5: Team Players

A major distress between dispatchers and drivers is the inefficiencies in getting load information and with scheduling orders. This causes stress for truckers who are stuck on the open road with incorrect information that can lead to lost productivity. Meanwhile dispatchers back in the office have their hands tied if they are unequipped to handle the situation. This is where the right technology comes in. Dispatchers and drivers can depend on an intelligent load management to take the guesswork out of routes and deliveries, which makes for a happier workplace in trucking.

 

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Topics: trucking technology, load management