How Computer Software Revolutionized the Trucking Industry

The technological revolution has changed everything from how people shop to how they communicate. It has also significantly impacted how businesses operate, and the trucking industry is no exception.

From the logistics of supply-chain management to scheduling vehicle maintenance, computer software has simplified operations. Here’s how.

Asset Management

Assets include things like trucks, equipment, software, and supplies. Anything that enables a company to operate effectively and contributes to their value is an asset.

Surprisingly, many companies do not effectively utilize their assets. It could be that a manager is unaware of purchases made and equipment that may be available. At other times, materials or staff could be misidentified, preventing them from being used for their ideal purpose. When staff aren’t aware that an asset is available, they may allocate different resources that do not work as effectively. This can cost a company time and money.

For example, if a staff person who lacks specific experience is assigned to a task, it may take them longer to complete it. Those hours could potentially be saved by assigning an experienced team member. In the event that the wrong equipment is used because staff aren’t aware of more suitable equipment that’s available, it may take them longer to complete a job.

Effective software systems can help companies develop and maintain a thorough inventory of assets. By deploying the right staff or equipment, companies can save time and money, and potentially ensure a safer working environment in the process.

Maintenance

There are several potential repercussions from poor maintenance schedules. This is an issue that also relates to asset management. When companies don’t keep track of their resources, then they will not schedule those resources for repairs or routine maintenance checks. This can lead to failed inspections, mechanical breakdowns, and even accidents.

Companies may incur higher insurance premiums and additional repair costs, and they may even lose time and money by having vehicles and other equipment that aren’t approved for operation until it passes inspections.

Maintenance isn’t limited to machines and vehicles. Staff may also need maintenance. In some industries, credentials must be renewed and the trucking industry is no exception; CDL licenses expire. Without a current license, truck drivers cannot operate vehicles requiring a CDL license. One way that companies can ensure that all of their staff have current licenses and are ready to work is to maintain a record of expiration dates and set up a system that involves reminding staff in advance of the expiration date to ensure that their license is renewed.

Effective trucking software can also be used to document maintenance and repairs and track expected maintenance required. Companies can also use software to create inspection schedules. These systems can simplify the process of scheduling inspections on time and enable companies to complete any anticipated maintenance and repairs before the inspection to ensure that their vehicles pass. By utilizing software like FleetPal Connect, companies can improve safety, increase efficiency, and save time and money.

One other advantage of using software to address maintenance issues is that each vehicle or piece of equipment that is registered in the program can have its warranty information included. This means that a person in an office who may be hundreds or thousands of miles from where a vehicle currently is can still confidently schedule service that’s still under warranty, because all of the relevant information is at their fingertips.

Logistics

The trucking industry specializes in taking items from one place to another place. While a truck driver may only need to think about picking up the load they’re assigned and transporting it as instructed, someone behind the scenes has to determine what needs to be moved, where it needs to go and when it needs to get there.

Those people are logisticians. When a person orders a product online or when a store puts in an order for merchandise, a logistician will identify the need and determine the best way to meet the demand. Computer software can help logisticians involved in the trucking industry locate vehicles, locate products, and identify optimal transport routes. For example, if they have a product that needs to get from Phoenix to Las Vegas, and they realize they have a truck that has space and time available (that is scheduled to go from Phoenix to Los Angeles), they may be able to have that vehicle transport the items to Las Vegas before carrying on to complete its original run.