McLeod Software stands out as a leading choice for enterprise carriers. Despite its 0.86% market share in the fleet management and logistics sector, McLeod has managed to secure a significant presence and reputation among top-tier companies.
As of 2024, McLeod Trucking Software serves over 354 companies, with a dominant 94.84% of its clientele based in the United States. Remarkably, McLeod is placed #11 in the trucking logistics software market. It stands in front of other companies like SAP Transportation Management and Omnitracs. Aimed at an audience of dedicated fleet users, McLeod's fleet management solutions have found a core support base among users, in spite of the fact that SMEs-imposing such as USPS or UPS dominate the big picture.
With major clients including Shamrock Trading Corporation, SpartanNash Company, and R+L Carriers Inc., McLeod's appeal is evident in its ability to cater to diverse and sizable operations. This blog will explore why McLeod continues to be the preferred TMS for many enterprise carriers. It will examine its unique features, customer satisfaction, and the strategic advantages it offers over its competitors.
What is McLeod Software TMS?
McLeod Software is a robust TMS solution designed to streamline operations for trucking, private fleets, brokerage, and 3PL companies. The flagship product, LoadMaster TMS, offers a comprehensive suite of tools to enhance various aspects of transportation management.
Here’s a closer look at what McLeod Software’s LoadMaster TMS provides:
- Integrated Operations Management: LoadMaster TMS facilitates the management of dispatch, accounting, billing, equipment maintenance, driver payroll, and analytics through a unified platform.
- Key Features: The system boasts a range of functionalities including load management, routing and optimization, accounting, document management, CRM, and reporting, among others.
- Efficiency and Productivity: By automating manual processes, improving customer service, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance, McLeod’s TMS aims to boost overall efficiency and productivity for transportation companies.
- Seamless Integration: Like Truckbase, McLeod’s TMS can integrate with other technologies via API, ensuring smooth data flow across different platforms.
McLeod’s LoadMaster TMS is particularly favored by mid-sized and large trucking and logistics companies, serving as a central software system that meets diverse operational needs.
What Makes McLeod Software Stand Out as a Leading Choice for Enterprise Carriers?
New TMS update 24.2 with advanced AI capabilities
McLeod Software has recently updated its transportation management system (TMS) with version 24.2, which includes new features and partnerships that enhance its services for freight brokers and carriers.
Greenscreens.ai and Parade.ai are partnering with McLeod to improve its 24.2 upgrade. This partnership will give PowerBroker users access to real-time market data and help streamline their work.
AI Partnership with Greenscreens.ai:
- Provides real-time market rate data to PowerBroker users
- Offers three new modules for easier access to pricing information: Rate Index, Pricing and Bid, and Market Rate Export
AI Partnership with Parade.ai:
Parade.ai's Capacity CoDriver uses generative AI to automate carrier load inquiries. This helps to:
- Streamline the inquiry process
- Improve response efficiency
- Optimize load booking processes
CEO's Thoughts on these new AI integrations:
“The new AI integrations mark a significant step forward in McLeod’s journey into the ‘new era’ of TMS,” stated Tom McLeod, CEO & Founder of McLeod Software. “These advancements allow us to offer our users more precise data, improved efficiency, and increased overall value, extending the benefits they gain from using McLeod.”
Enhanced Existing Features:
1. Samsara Reefer Tracking: This update helps manage temperature-sensitive shipments better, ensuring compliance with regulations.
2. SMC³ Communication: Improvements in this area enhance communication between brokers and carriers regarding rates and order tracking.
3. EROAD Maintenance: The EROAD integration update makes it easier to schedule maintenance for trucks. This change allows:
- Improved tracking of tractor odometer readings
- Easier scheduling of maintenance activities for trucksUpdates here improve how maintenance schedules are managed based on vehicle usage.
Trimble Mapping and Routing Update
Trimble has made improvements to its mapping and routing tools, PC-Miler, and MileMaker Web Services. These updates make it more accurate for calculating distances and finding the best routes.
McLeod Software has achieved something remarkable - they have created a safety-driving culture in their transportation management system (TMS). But how did they do it?
Understanding the Challenge:
It's easy to imagine a culture of safe driving, but it's actually quite difficult to implement. It requires a combination of the right tools, procedures, and mindset changes. Mcleod has a clear understanding and full dedication to improving its TMS culture and ensuring the safety of its employees and the public as the utmost priority.
At Mcleod, they understand that establishing a safety culture is crucial for reducing accidents and improving overall efficiency in transportation.
Strategies Used by McLeod to improve their TMS safety culture:
- Data-Driven Approaches: They use data analytics to track driver behavior and identify areas that need improvement. By analyzing data, they can pinpoint specific issues and develop targeted solutions.
- Training Programs: Mcleod Software Training places a strong emphasis on providing training for their drivers. They offer extensive training programs that teach drivers about safety protocols and best practices, making sure drivers have the necessary knowledge to operate safely.
- Technology Integration: McLeod utilizes cutting-edge AI technology in their TMS to monitor safety performance indicators. This enables them to give immediate real-time feedback to drivers, assisting them in making changes to enhance their safety performance.
By using these strategic approaches, McLeod Software and TransportPro have achieved significant safety improvements, including:
McLeod for Companies that Own Their Trucks
Medium-sized trucking companies that possess their fleet of trucks must carefully select the appropriate transportation management system (TMS). This decision holds importance as the right TMS plays a role, in enabling a trucking company to expand and adjust to market fluctuations. McLeod Software, with its LoadMaster solution, stands out as an extensively utilized TMS that empowers small, to mid-sized carriers to optimize their business operations effectively.
1. Automating the process:
McLeod Software empowers its clients to establish complex workflow rules that can automate various operational activities, such as dispatch, billing, reporting, and more, without the need for human intervention. This level of automation is particularly useful for large companies with intricate process rules and exceptions, as they can customize McLeod Software to adapt to their unique needs.
2. Easy and Robust Integrations with other software:
McLeods Transportation Management System (TMS) offers an API and EDI interface, for integration with various software platforms. This enables the exchange of data in both directions between the TMS and other systems streamlining operations by eliminating data entry and manual tasks. With McLeod TMS, you can integrate with a wide range of systems, including:
- Accounting software to keep your finances up to date
- Telematics systems to track your vehicles and drivers
- Warehouse management tools to streamline your inventory and logistics
- Sensor platforms to get real-time data on your shipments and cargo
3. Financial Management Made Easy with McLeod TMS:
McLeod Transportation Management System (TMS) simplifies financial management for transportation companies. It automates tasks like invoicing and revenue management and connects with popular accounting platforms. This helps companies:
- Track what they owe others (receivables) and what others owe them (payables)
- Improve the visibility of their cash flow
- Connect billing and accounting systems
- Analyze profitability by customer or route
- Run financial reports to make informed decisions
4. Customer Support around the clock 24/7:
McLeod offers attentive customer service to help users of their freight Transportation Management System (TMS) maximize the benefits of their software. Whether you are familiar with technology or require assistance with a task McLeods support team is ready, around the clock to provide help.
McLeod Software Launches TopMatch Technology with More Advanced Artificial Intelligence
TopMatch is a digital matchmaking tool that helps brokers and logistics providers find the best carriers to haul their freight. It's part of McLeod's PowerBroker freight-matching platform, which combines multiple carrier search methods into one comprehensive search.
How does it work?
With advanced AI powers it develops a scoring system based on the search criteria, The tool uses a scoring system to match carriers with brokers based on various factors, including the carriers' past performance, their experience hauling freight in the same lane, and their truck availability. The tool then provides a list of the top carriers for each load, making it easier for brokers to find the best option for their needs.
“Robert Brothers, the manager of product development at McLeod, says that TopMatch helps brokers collect data that makes it easier to match capacity with the right carriers. It gives brokers more control over their carrier selection process.”
Prioritized List:
Based on the scorecard, brokers will receive a list of carriers to offer the load to first. TopMatch then feeds this data into PowerBroker's automated Waterfall Tendering software, which offers the load to the top carrier. If that carrier doesn't respond, the load is offered to the next carrier on the list.
New Driver Choice Tool by McLeod
McLeod Software has created a new tool called the "Driver Choice Tool" to help trucking companies give their drivers more options and control over their work.
- Driver Preferences:
The tool allows drivers to choose their preferred loads, routes, and schedules. This means drivers can select what works best for them, leading to greater job satisfaction. - Improved Communication:
The tool enhances communication between drivers and dispatchers. Drivers can easily share their preferences, making it easier for companies to meet their needs. - Increased Retention:
By giving drivers more choices, companies can improve driver retention. Happy drivers are more likely to stay with a company, reducing turnover. - User-Friendly Interface:
The Driver Choice Tool is designed to be easy to use, making it accessible for all drivers, regardless of their tech skills.
