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.