Avoid These TMS Implementation Pitfalls For The Betterment Of Your Business

Although there is a lot of logistics software designed for businesses and there has been a substantial growth in awareness of digitalization and visibility, logistics professionals still face challenges. Why? 

In a time of cost-saving, productivity, and visibility, digitising your staff could seem alluring. However, making significant modifications to any current process has its own set of difficulties. Companies installing TMS systems frequently don’t plan properly, which leads to errors and difficulties with their project. In order to help you escape the pitfalls of wrong TMS implementation, let us explain some typical mistakes to avoid.

Not understanding the needs of your business:

Many companies opt for transport software as a temporary fix in the hopes that it may address capacity issues and rising shipping prices. However, not every stand-alone solution can achieve the long-term objectives of the business. Poor procurement processes are frequently the result of neglecting to examine the business’s demands and take into account the company’s current supply chain processes.

While a problem you want to solve may have initially motivated your search for transportation management software, there are a number of additional factors to take into account when making your decision. For instance, what solutions you are looking for? Do you need data analytics and shipment tracking services in addition to freight management features? Do you need to migrate your platform in order to make room for the new system?

The process of implementation will be impacted by the answers to these queries. Therefore, when you purchase your transportation software system, you must completely grasp your internal process and align with the stakeholders if you want the project to succeed. The optimum solution for your business will be determined by examining your current workflow and practises, performing a tech audit, talking with the appropriate stakeholders about your goals, and laying out an implementation strategy.

lack of a testing and training strategy:

Every step, including the training and testing phase, must be described in depth in a great TMS implementation strategy. There is a propensity for businesses to adopt the “just go with it” mentality as the deadline draws near and look to address the issues later.

A practical strategy to guarantee that everyone is informed about the changes is to provide your team leads thorough training so they can share their expertise with their team. In order to help employees adjust to the new system, we also advise creating a comprehensive guide outlining the work procedures and features of the transport management software.

Everything You Need To Know About LTL Freight Tracking

The world of logistics is adopting more of manufacturing’s lean methods. That surely includes LTL trucking & tracking.

In fact, you may argue that LTL trucking evolved from the lean concept of “best practices.” The same holds true for each of the 3 major over-the-road shipment classes. Each caters an exact best purpose that is suited for a certain goal. These categories are parcel, less-than-truckload and full truckload respectively.

Irrespective of which class of trucking we are talking about, the immediate query is always the same: “where is my freight?” And without any hesitation, of the 3 classes of freight, LTL is the most difficult to track.

What’s LTL Carrier tracking & why does it matter?

LTL tracking is the procedure of employing consignment-specific info to determine the present location of a load of freight. As such, LTL tracking is helpful in forecasting the estimated time of arrival of freight.

Perhaps you are pondering what is the big deal about Less-than-truckload tracking. It is all about timing. Most LTL carriers offer online tracking. But because of the nature of LTL freight, LTL schedules can lack accuracy. LTL tracking screens freights & lends precision to a delivery process that can be imprecise.

The accurate timing of deliveries is becoming more imperative as the logistic industry falls more & more into lockstep with manufacturing trends.

How to track an LTL shipment?

There’re many ways to track an LTL consignment, and they all involve a number. The key to tracking your LTL freight is finding out which exact number is allocated to your consignment. They typical numbers you’ll require to reference to track your LTL fright include the following:

Bill of lading number (BOL): A BOL is a form that records and describes the freight being shipped from one location to another. In Less-than-truckload, this is crucial since fright involves several stops & changes.

Progressive number: The carrier employs the PRO number to recognize freight when they pick up a consignment. As this number is allocated by the carrier – and barcodes are scanned into a carrier’s system – the PRO number is a pretty dependable way to track & trace the up-to-date checked status of your LTL fright.

Purchase order number: PO numbers are standard in the entire business sphere, not just freight. Every purchase order gets assigned number by a customer. You should include a PO number on all documents surrounding a particular order.

We have witnessed the critical role LTL freight plays in the value stream of commerce. The next time you discover yourself dealing with indecision of tracking LTL, use the best LTL Freight Tracking software out there.


Source from: https://www.great-articles.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ltl-freight-tracking/


What Are the Features of Top Truckload Software?

Companies that employ large semi-trailers to haul their products require a little extra support to get the most out of their shipments. Truckload software works best for firms that produce enough freight to use full truckload shipping.

Truckload logistics software is easy to set up and is done so by professionals. Companies that offer this software make it simple to integrate into existing systems. The upfront cost of purchase & set up is fractional compared to the amount of money saved on shipping.

A truckload software is well-researched & developed with number of useful features. It’s completely based on the advanced technology and is a pretty efficient tool to conquer your truck loading issues which is a massive challenge in the current transportation industry.

Manage load plans more efficiently:

The container loading issue had been a persistent challenge for the cargo firms operations from the different locations in the country. Fortunately, now you can eliminate this issue with the use of an efficient truckload software. Now you can plan, create, edit and manage your loading plans for the widest range of goods with the best truckload software.

User-friendly system:

Truckload software programs are pretty efficient load planner for container loading, truck loading, and trailer loading. Since loading has been a primary concern for the cargo, transport, and fleet management firm, the introduction of truckload dispatch software will surely alleviate their worries to a great extent.

Time & volume management:

The highly efficient & feature loaded truckload software features time & space saving management which aids a company in different ways. It not just saves space and time but also decreases operational expenses resulting in a significant boost in annual profit.

Preloading space calculation:

The pre-loading space calculation feature in truckload software surely plays a pivotal part in the elimination of challenges associated to loading in the transportation business. It helps in calculating the total available space in a specific vehicle including trailer, truck, container, etc.

Truckload software makes employees time more manageable, shipments less costly, and the entire process more productive. Every time you pay for shipping, the company will be getting the most reasonable priced service. Overpayment on shipments & the additional work needed to get the best deal are a problem of the past. A logistics application will enhance full truckload management within your company and can save thousands of dollars per year. Time saved by not having to frequently research carriers, routes, and costs can be utilized for other more beneficial company tasks.

Three Things You Most Likely Didn’t Know About Brokerage Software

Truck brokering maximizes the money earned in the freight hauling by letting trucking firms negotiate cargo hauling with other freight firms. And this process made easier by truck brokerage software. And owner keen in growing their business must learn a few things to begin this profitable addition to freight hauling.

What is the responsibility of a truck broker?

Also known as a fright broker, a truck broker is the middle man. He is in a settlement between a transporter who has merchandises to transport & a carrier who possess the capability to move the load. While many transporters in the US have direct contacts with trucking firms to ship their cargos, employing a truck broker can provide transporters more flexibility. This will not just help with their shipments but also save them money. Freight brokers don’t have their own drivers and trucks. Nonetheless, some owner operators also choose to get their truck broker license. Instead, freight brokers arrange for dependable freight carriers within their network to service consignments.

Becoming a freight broker is an excellent chance to augment your profit. Now is as good a time as any to obtain your freight broker license. Apart from getting a decent salary, freight brokers are crucial when it comes to transporting cargo and goods. And NOVA’s brokerage software makes it easier than ever to grow your business & negotiate consignments with other freight firms.

Why become a freight broker?

So you get a call for a big load – superb! But the issue is, all your trucks are already on the road with other loads. Thinking about all the profit you could have collected from that freight? This is where fright brokering comes in. If you’ve got a brokerage license from the FMCSA, you can deputize that cargo to another trucking firm, and take a small commission. Usually, a trucking firm can only negotiate their own load, which provides them a two-part opportunity cost: the lost job itself, and the brokering charges they could have collected for organizing alternate goods delivery.

What brokerage software does?

NOVA’S truck brokerage software eliminates some of the unwanted functions, like maintenance records. It’s streamlined to aid you concentrate on the critical parts. It’ll assist you in keeping your brokerage & regular trucking loads detached, particularly in regards of financial records. This software is geared towards organizing histories, both of loads & of customers, to let you access previous info quickly. With this Brokerage software you can broker your excess freight or manage your whole brokerage division.

Qualities to Consider When Looking Purchasing a Dispatch Software Solution Sometimes Called TMS

If your trucking firm does not run a TMS and you do not have the visibility to see your whole fleet easily. Maybe it’s time for you to take into account employing a software program to help manage your fleet. Dispatch software gives many benefits to small & medium-sized trucking fleets. The software alone can create efficiencies & boost load productivity; it offers the visibility of trucks that are now demanded by several shipper & freight brokers.

There’re hundreds of dispatch software products available on the market these days for trucking firms.
The quality, cost and abilities of these products can vary dramatically. Listed below are some things to take into account when you look for the right software for your fleet:

Ease of use:

Dispatch software differs significantly as far as their layout & user experience is concerned. You should look for software that makes it effortless to identify truck sites, driver accessibility and trip scheduling. Also you will need a system that lets you quickly enter & retrieve orders.

Some software offer color coded dispatch boards that let you verify your fleet’s status within seconds. When shopping for dispatch software, take your time to get a free demo to make sure that the product is instinctive and simple for you as well as your staff to use.

Experience:

Like any business associate, the experienced & industry knowledge of a software supplier is critical. How long has the firm been in business and how long has it catered to the trucking industry? Some of the finest dispatch software products available on the marketplace these days were developed by trucking pros, who comprehend how to handle a fleet. A software product with that sort of industry knowledge would be simpler to use & more gainful for your organization.

Real-time data:

You need dispatch software that’s dependable & offers real-time visibility of your fleet. Before buying a product, explore how the software accumulates info and what sort of data it employs. Does the product depend on just a single or more than one satellite suppliers to track & trace your trucks? Does it let you create end-of-the day reports & collect other data that’s precise?

Dispatch software is only as good as the info it collects. Ensure you understand how this software collects data and displays it. Is the data coming from web entries, Electronic Data interchange (EDI) or manually entered along with accountability of orders entered and changed?

Versatility:

Some dispatch software firms promote themselves as all-in-one suppliers that conduct multiple fleet functions. Besides dispatch, these functions can encompass IFTA reporting, accounting, EDI capabilities, DOT safety compliance, truck maintenance and more. Small & medium sized trucking firms can make the most out of a software solution that performs many tasks, helping to decrease headcount & administrating expenses.

What Is LTL Shipping & How It Works

LTL shipping is the transport of freight that inhabits only a part of the whole trailer. More than one shipper share space on the same truck only paying for their portion, making LTL an affordable procedure of shipping freight.

Advantages of LTL shipping:

LTL provides you advantages beyond reduced shipping expenditures. Some of the major advantages of LTL shipping include:

Environment Friendly – LTL not just keeps cost to minimum, but also cut down the carbon footprint by sharing space with other shippers on the same truck.

Additional Service Options – Those who ship LTL have access to comprehensive services such as inside pickup & delivery, liftgates, non-commercial delivery and notification options.

Trackability – Freight services usually offer an estimation of transit days & track shipment in real time.

Shippers gain access by referring to the bill of lading number, PRO number, PO number or shipment reference number.

What is the difference between LTL & TL?

They both have benefits, but one is better suited depending on the freight details – primarily weight, size and distance. Usually, you may take into account full truckload when freight surpasses 15 thousand pounds or when over 24 feet of trailer space is needed. If the distance to deliver is not more than five hundred miles, truckload may be a suitable option even for shipment below 15 thousand pounds & inhabiting less than 24ft. Also Truckload is a good choice when commodities are time-sensitive since it can move from shipper to consignee without having to offload and reload at terminals along the way.

How Less Than Truck Load Work?

LTL shipping runs on a hub & spoke model where local terminals are the spokes & larger terminals are hubs. Spoke terminals congregate local freight from the different shipper & merge that freight into outbound trailers. Then goods move to the hub terminal where freight is either sorted or consolidated for further transportation.

Who needs LTL?

When a firm has a significantly small load of freight, they usually pick an LTL carrier to ship their merchandises. These carriers are familiar to moving palletized freight that can be divided into smaller units. Also they transport drums & freight that’s properly crated.

Relying on your freight & delivery needs, LTL shipping could be the ideal substitute for your freight that doesn’t need a whole trailer. If you are looking for professional LTL software to simplify your shipment process, feel free to get in touch with Aurora Software.

Author bio:

This article is written by Aurora Software – a leading supplier of LTL software.

Why Every Company Must Use Payroll Software

Payroll is the sum of all financial records of salaries for an employee, which includes wages, bonuses & deductions. To make sure that all employees get their wages or bonuses, companies generally use calculators or, thanks to the technological advances, software that can decrease the burden of understanding complex payroll legislation & payroll systems operation to do what we call a payroll.

Payroll software facilitates the automated calculation of gross wages due to aworker based on hours worked at set hourly rates of pay or a set periodical salary. Payroll Software automates the application of payroll legislation to make the essential tax deductions to transfer the right net pay to the employee either by means of cash, cheque or credit transfer. Employers are obliged under legislation to then remit PAYE, National Insurance, Pensions and attachment order deduction to the relevant HRMC, pension provider or court on a timely basis.

Time tracking:

Have you ever wanted to comprehend your labour expenses better? Perhaps you want to compare department labor expenses by location, or you want to know how much labour costs were for a certain project or profit center. This is where time tracking comes in handy. Great trucking payroll software gives you tracking options, so you’ll always be able to run reports that help you understand the details about your labour expenses.

Customizable reporting:

One size doesn’t fit all, and that is especially true with reporting for your business. The option to generate & save reports with the information you want to see is important, and any great payroll software will allow you to do so.

Updates that really matter:

As we all know, tax tables change, payroll laws change, and things can take place more quickly than a business has time to deal with. That’s why it’s important to select a great payroll software application-one that quickly responds to the changing tax tables & laws so your payroll software is up to date when it’s time to run payroll. Payroll software that keeps up with the times will benefit your organization in the long run, by saving you time, and decreasing the possibility of costly errors.

In order for you to benefit from employing payroll software, you’ll wish a system that can be flexible to take care of your specific needs. There’re many payroll software programs available in the market today, you can find standalone programs that you can use with your general ledger or if feasible, payroll software that fully integrates with an accounting system is even better.

Truck Scheduling Software – A Revolutionary Solution to Trucking Problems

The trucking industry has faced several challenges and the major issue is keeping track of the truck routes. And to solve these issues several truck scheduling and tracking software have been developed that help truck companies in many ways. From real-time tracking to optimizing man hours, trucking tracking software make trucking process hassle-free.

The trucking industry is going through a revolutionary phase where even a simple twist in the process can make a huge difference. Adapting a truck scheduling software is one of them. Trucking industry is introspecting their methods and practices thoroughly due to the varying market trends and the shrinking margins.

Some of the primary reasons why trucking giants are looking out for most efficient practices include stringent environmental regulations, constant and growing shortage of drivers and decentralization of manufacturing facilities. Trucking companies are not only adopting to advanced technology but also looking for the solutions to long-standing problems.

One of the major problems that trucking companies face is vehicle routing problem (VRP) and hence they are finding ways to tackle the issue by incorporating trucking tracking software into their system. VRP has been a major issue that the trucking industry is facing for ages. With the help of satellite communication and quicker reach the VRP issue is not same as before. Now it is necessary to keep track of the truck routes while spending the minimum fuel and man hours in the process.

However, truck scheduling software is not just limited to the planning of routes through GPS, but it has developed to cater planning and delivery problems as well. With the varying truck routing practices VRP is also spreading its wings by including pickup and delivery issues along with multiple time windows, diverse fleet and re-optimization of routes.

How the Truck Scheduling Software Benefits the Trucking Companies?

Real-Time Tracking

Real time tracking helps in following up with the trucking consignments. And it becomes even more important if any change in the plan is made due to freight management or any other reason. Real time tracking offers a strategic advantage in planning the travel and estimate the expected time of arrival for the deliveries. This feature also helps in asset management and status update of the deliveries at different stop points which was not possible with manual updates.

Dynamic Re-Routing

One failed delivery attempt should not hamper the performance of other deliveries. Planning steps after one delivery failure is challenging. And the challenges of arranging pickup and drop for everything are overcome with dynamic re-routing. It also helps trucking companies to take into consideration any unexpected delay or change in route due to unavoidable reasons like bad weather conditions, accidents, vehicle failure or repair works causing setback in road transportation.

Fuel Saving

An efficient trucking tracking software helps in saving fuel up to 20 to 40%. The advanced routing algorithms of the software helps in figuring out where the precious miles are getting wasted and close those loopholes by devising an efficient route plan. Hence, saving your fuel.

Fast paced scaling

Truck tracking and scheduling software not only automates the process of route planning but also ensures that you are getting more business done with fewer resources. Less detention time for trucks and multiple driver shifts on the same asset scales up your confidence without even investing much in building up the infrastructure. Optimizing your tracking software is also easy hence keeping your trucks running 24/7 becomes easier with the help of more contract drivers.

Besides these truck scheduling software also helps in optimizing man hours, enhancing customer service, complying with standard practices and figuring out hidden opportunities.

Author Information:

This article is written by Aurora Software that has come up with NOVA, a latest transportation software release, that they are extremely proud to offer any trucking company. NOVA is an innovative truck scheduling software.

Electronic Data Interchange Software Is So Famous, But Why?

Staying updated with the technology is the key to success in business and other aspects of life. And Electronic data interchange software is one of the most popular solutions that every business needs to integrate in their system. From reducing costs to lessening errors and more, EDI makes business transactions quicker and easier.

Have you been wondering why and how Electronic Data Interchange software (EDI)  has become so famous among business owners? How it helps businesses? Then check out the post below that will give you a brief idea about Electronic Data Interchange technology and its benefits.

What is EDI technology?

EDI can be simply defined as an exchange of business documents via computer-to-computer in a standard electronic format between different business partners. Electronic Data Interchange software offers various benefits such as reduced costs, automated workflows, quicker document processing, less errors, and much better relationships with partners and customers. EDI data comprises of crucial information regarding business transactions.

What is EDI Integration?

EDI integration is created when an EDI workflow is set up between the business partners. It can be attained via two steps:

  • Setting up EDI documents, transactions, protocols and endpoints that will be used for data exchange with business partner
  • Converting the EDI data into a format that can be used in backend technical ambiances.

Why go for EDI Integration?

To keep up the pace with the current hyper-digital business world, EDI integration helps businesses in handling crucial B2B transactions efficiently. By utilizing the EDI integration to its fullest potential businesses can reap automation rewards via enhanced visibility over business partner transactions.

What are the advantages of EDI integration?

EDI software integration has a variety of reasons that makes it famous among the businesses. Let’s have a look at some of the top advantages of Electronic Data Interchange software below:

  • Cost Saving

Using an EDI software helps businesses in executing workflows that reduces costs. Expenses such as printing costs, reproduction, storage and postage costs are eliminated. With a streamlined documentation process companies comply with EDI service standards that helps companies to avoid fines due to SLA violations and other performance issues.

  • Speed

EDI software enables companies to cut processing time via automation which further speeds up business cycles. Particularly, the order to shipment cycle time gets reduced by 60 to70 percent. Moreover, transactions are exchanged in few minutes instead of days or weeks that often seen with manual transfers.

  • Accuracy

EDI software helps organizations in eliminating errors, which are common with manual jobs. EDI solutions automate the burdensome processes and eliminate errors caused by humans.

  • Efficiency

EDI is fast and accurate which makes it a popular integration and automation method to companies everywhere.  It also improves relationships with customers, lessen the errors, and accelerates delivery of goods and services.

  • Security

With EDI software integration companies feel safe and secure as these solutions are designed for ensuring security and allows only strict access to authorized users and are often equipped with document tracking and audit trail capabilities. Besides that companies can also share data securely across several communication protocols and security standards for ensuring compliance with global business mandates.

Author Information:

This article is written by Aurora Software Inc. After reviewing several translation packages, Aurora Software, Inc. has entered a partnership with the Kleinschmidt Company, a third party Value Added Network (VAN), which specializes in EDI processing. This partnership saves their clients money by allowing them to take advantage of Aurora’s EDI transaction volume discount.

IT Maintenance Services – The Backbone of Any Business

Managing and maintaining hardware and software contracts is a daunting task to carry out. These are linked with an enormous amount of administrative work and requires a lot of ongoing support. Every time the asset of your business begins to grow,  there is an increase observed in your entire IT infrastructure making it challenging for you to keep track of it properly.

 Managing all your assets can be extremely overwhelming for you and may increase the chances of error. Even a minute mistake can lead to huge damage for your business. Therefore, working with a professional IT maintenance support service is the best way to secure your assets and manage them effectively so that you can use them continuously to drive more business.

What IT maintenance services can do for your business?

IT maintenance service providers can manage almost any aspect of your business’s IT department that include:

  • desktop to server migration
  • cloud services
  • data backup and storage
  • database management
  • infrastructure management
  • network and security
  • end user computing

Thinking of outsourcing your IT maintenance support? While looking for an experienced and expert IT maintenance Singapore services to manage and maintain your IT systems efficiently make sure to check their background and experience.

Advantages of outsourcing IT maintenance Singapore services

Several advantages are associated with outsourced IT maintenance Singapore services that include the following:

Money Saving Approach

When your business’s data is managed by experts it becomes easier to tackle several difficulties regarding maintaining contracts allowing you to prioritize what is important for your business. By having a IT maintenance support team you can keep track of your assets efficiently. Moreover, the team will also help you determine whether all the information is up to date or not and identify those areas that can be reassigned resulting in cost reduction.

Expert and Experienced Technicians

By outsourcing IT maintenance in Singapore to a reliable team, you get assured that your IT system is in safe hands. Such technicians are highly experienced and expert in handling different networking equipment. Therefore, instead of handling all the IT maintenance support in-house outsourcing experts will help you get better services at lesser costs.

Time Saving Approach

When you outsource IT maintenance support for your business, it saves a lot of your time allowing you to focus on other essential aspects of your business. In addition to that when you hand over your IT maintenance job to experts you get a peace of mind that you will be receiving proper reports that will help you further in making the best decisions concerning your business.

Genuine Analysis

By having an expert team to handle and manage your IT part it becomes easier for you to identify all the aspects that need immediate attention and what can be done to remain compliant and run smoothly. These experts will provide you with thorough reports and analysis of all your information helping you make the best decision for your business.

Author Information:

This article is written by TeleAce, a leading IT maintenance Singapore firm with years of experience and a team of trained professionals.