Trucking software for carriers (also known as transportation management system) helps trucking companies improve efficiency, reduce costs, and comply with regulations. It also allows carriers to manage and track their financial performance, communicate with drivers and dispatchers, and book loads.
In this post, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about trucking software for companies, so you can choose properly.
Type of TruckingSoftware for Carriers
Carriers can use several types of trucking software to manage their operations and improve efficiency. Some common types of trucking software include:
Fleet Management Software
Fleet management software helps trucking companies track and manage all aspects of their fleet. These include vehicle locations, fuel usage, maintenance schedules, and driver performance. It can also help carriers optimize routes and reduce costs by identifying inefficiencies and suggesting alternative routes. Additionally, fleet management software includes real-time tracking, geofencing, and automated alerts for vehicle maintenance or driver behavior issues.
Dispatch Software
This type of software helps carriers plan and optimize routes, assign loads to drivers, and communicate with drivers in real time. It also helps carriers track delivery status and ETAs and generate reports on delivery performance. Some dispatch software includes integration with GPS tracking, equipment matching, and real-time load updates.
Load-Matching Software
As its name implies, load-matching software helps carriers find and book available loads. It searches for loads based on the carrier's equipment type, location, and availability. In many cases, load-matching software helps carriers negotiate rates with shippers, track payment and billing, manage load history, and improve customer relationships.
Accounting Software
Accounting software helps carriers manage their financial operations. These include invoicing, expenses, and payables. It can also generate reports on financial performance and help carriers manage their cash flow. Some accounting software for trucking companies includes fuel tax reporting, IFTA calculations, and integration with dispatch and load matching software.
Compliance Software
This kind of trucking software helps carriers track and manage regulatory requirements, such as hours of service, driver qualifications, and vehicle maintenance. It also lets carriers track and report on safety performance, such as incidents and accidents. Some compliance software includes features such as electronic logbook tracking, driver qualification file management, and safety scorecards.
Benefits of TruckingSoftware for Carriers
Trucking software can do a lot of things for carriers. Here are the top benefits of trucking software for carriers:
Improved Efficiency
Trucking software helps carriers optimize operations, increasing efficiency and productivity. For example, dispatch software can help carriers plan and optimize routes, reducing fuel costs and delivery times. Meanwhile, load-matching software can help carriers find and book loads more quickly, reducing deadhead miles and increasing revenue.
Cost Savings
Trucking software helps carriers reduce costs in several ways. For instance, fleet management software can help carriers track and minimize fuel consumption. It also schedules maintenance more efficiently and identifies inefficiencies. On top of that, trucking software lets carriers find and book high-paying loads, increasing revenue and reducing operating costs.
Compliance
Trucking software helps carriers track and manage regulatory requirements. These include service hours, driver qualifications, and vehicle maintenance. By doing this, trucking software for carriers helps companies avoid fines and other penalties for non-compliance.
Better Communication
Trucking software allows carriers to communicate more effectively with drivers, dispatchers, and other stakeholders. For example, dispatch software allows realtime communication between drivers and dispatchers. This helps resolve issues more quickly and improves delivery performance.
Enhanced Visibility
Trucking software provides carriers with better visibility into their operations. This helps track and analyze key performance metrics. These metrics include delivery times, fuel consumption, and driver performance. It can also help carriers identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about their operations.
Improved CustomerService
Trucking software also helps carriers provide better customer service by enabling real-time tracking and delivery updates. This can help carriers address customer inquiries and resolve issues more quickly, leading to higher customer satisfaction.
Higher Safety
Trucking software lets carriers track and monitor driver behavior. These include speeding and harsh braking. It also alerts drivers of potential safety issues, which reduces accidents.
Data Analytics
Many trucking software systems include robust data analytics capabilities. These capabilities help carriers track and analyze key performance metrics. They also identify trends and patterns in their operations. When combined, these allow carriers to make data-driven decisions about their operations.
Integration With Other Systems
Many trucking software systems integrate with other systems, such as accounting software and logistics platforms. This helps carriers streamline their operations by eliminating the need to switch between multiple systems.
Better DriverManagement
Trucking software helps carriers manage their drivers more effectively by providing tools such as electronic logbooks, driver qualification file management, and driver performance tracking. By doing this, trucking software ensures that the drivers are qualified and adhere to regulations.
Improved load-tracking
Trucking software can help carriers track and manage their loads more effectively, including real-time monitoring of delivery status andETAs. This can help carriers provide better customer service, resolve issues more quickly, and improve delivery performance.
Enhanced DocumentManagement
Trucking software lets carriers manage and track critical documents. These documents include invoices, contracts, and regulatory documents. This can help carriers streamline their operations and reduce errors.
Improved Billing andInvoicing
Trucking software also helps carriers manage their billing and invoicing processes more efficiently. They can generate invoices, track payment status, and manage accounts receivable. These things help carriers improve cash flow and reduce errors or disputes.
What Should You LookFor in Trucking Software for Carriers
By looking for software that includes the following capabilities, you can choose a solution that meets your needs and grow your business.
Here is a list of capabilities to look for in trucking company software:
Fleet Management
Fleet management capabilities include:
● Tracking vehicle locations and movements
● Monitoring fuel usage and performance
● Scheduling maintenance
● Tracking driver performance
Dispatch
Dispatch capabilities include:
● Route planning and optimization
● Load assignment
● Real-time communication with drivers
● Delivery tracking
Load Matching
Load matching capabilities include:
● Searching for available loads based on the carrier's equipment and availability
● Negotiating rates with shippers
● Tracking payment and billing
Accounting
Accounting capabilities include:
● Invoicing
● Expense tracking
● Payables management
● Financial reporting
Compliance
Compliance capabilities include tracking regulatory requirements such as hours of service and driver qualifications and providing alerts for potential compliance issues.
Real-time Tracking
Real-time tracking capabilities help carriers track vehicle locations, delivery status, and other key performance metrics in realtime.
Data Analytics
Data analytics capabilities help carriers track and analyze key performance metrics and identify trends and patterns in their operations.
Integration WithOther Systems
Integration with other systems, such as accounting software, CRM, and logistics platforms, helps carriers streamline operations and improve efficiency.
User-FriendlyInterface
A user-friendly interface makes it easier for your team to adopt and use the software, reducing the learning curve.
FlexTMS: TruckingSoftware for Carriers
FlexTMS boasts a user-friendly dispatch board for managing and monitoring tasks related to dispatching. It also features a user-friendly app for drivers to access their load assignments.
In addition, FlexTMS has strong security measures and partnerships that can streamline reporting and integrate with other tools. It can also be customized for large trucking businesses through an enterprise plan.
Why Choose FlexTMS
FlexTMS is one of the best trucking software in the market. One of its key features is its dispatch board.
The board provides an all-inclusive view of dispatch-related activities. It also allows users to monitor service activities and identify the priority of tasks.
On top of that, FlexTMS' dispatch board can review and modify the drivers and schedules assigned to a dispatch team. It also allows carriers to view a list of un dispatched loads.
The dispatch board is user-friendly, making it easy for you to track everything and ensure that your business runs smoothly. FlexTMS also allows you to double-check any dispatch-related tasks and modify schedules or assignments as needed.
FlexTMS also includes a user-friendly app for drivers, which allows them to access their load assignments and other important information on the go. This can be particularly useful for drivers out on the road for long periods who need to stay updated on their assignments.
Another critical aspect of FlexTMS is its focus on security. As a trucking software, it handles a lot of sensitive data. This date includes loads, schedules, and financial transactions.
To protect this data and keep it safe from potential hacks or leaks, FlexTMS partnered with AWS (Amazon Web Services) and complies with security regulations around the globe. Hence, your data is secure when using FlexTMS.
In addition to its advanced TMS features, FlexTMS offers a range of other valuable tools and services. For example, it can streamline expense reporting by sending invoices to clients right after delivery, which saves time and makes it easier to track and manage expenses.
It can also integrate with various other tools, including Apex and QuickBooks, allowing businesses to customize their system to meet specific needs.
For businesses looking to scale their operations and achieve higher levels of success, FlexTMS offers an enterprise plan.
The plan features a private server environment, custom programming, accounting integrations, fuel integrations, factoring integrations, and the option to create a custom mobile app.
Conclusion
Are you looking for all-inclusive trucking software that's cost-efficient and effective? FlexTMSis a useful trucking software for carriers looking to take their business to the next level. Check out FlexTMS now!
