Technology and automation can help fleet managers unlock better efficiency but their most urgent responsibility is taking care of their drivers.
Automating specific parts of the company, like safety training, dispatch, and payment settlements have been a great timesaver for drivers. Despite advancements in technology, companies just won’t work without that irreplaceable human touch.
Transportation management systems (TMS) play a key role in supply chains, which has a domino effect on every part of the process—from planning and purchase to logistics and lifecycle management.
This broad and accurate visibility is gained because of this powerful system which leads to more efficient transportation planning and execution; this will result in driver and customer satisfaction which leads to business growth. We live and transact in a dynamic global trade environment, so it is important to have a system that will let you successfully navigate complicated processes around trade policies and compliance.
“A TMS can help any business plan, execute, and optimize the physical movement of goods.”
A TMS aids the company in choosing the optimal mode of shipment and the best carrier, based on cost, efficiency, and distance, including optimizing multi-leg carrier routes. A strong TMS can provide information on trade and tariffs, and possible delays because of customs and other trade regulations.
The execution features of TMS vary but can include matching loads and communicating with carriers, documenting and tracking shipments, and assisting with freight billing and settlement. Some advanced TMS provides track and trace services—this allows real-time information exchange among carriers, distributors, warehouses, and customers. These advanced systems may also have the functionality to handle complex international logistics, such as providing proper import and export documentation and ensuring shipments are trade compliant.
Specialists emphasize how the execution of TMS can allow drivers to individually:
Specialists indicate TMS will aid drivers in efficiently overcoming issues:
TMS is able to optimize features such as the ability to measure and track performance with reports, dashboards, analytics, and transportation intelligence.
Specialists explain how drivers can obtain optimization through:
Understanding how the software for the optimization of loading goods on pallets, containers, and trailers increases an employee's competencies and value in many positions related to the transport of goods, especially in light of the extremely rapid development of the transportation industry and the growing use of modern technologies.
Specialists indicate that training the drivers in the efficient utilization of the TMS app is a constant process that is obligatory for each company.
Depending on the TMS app being utilized training manuals or visual tutorials can be provided for first-time use. It is important that these instructions are understood clearly and why it is important to work in accordance with the algorithms incorporated in the chain.
The interface can become simplistic once fully understood. The TMS app will lock its functions if the driver has not fulfilled a task required, such as checking the truck.
When planning your TMS rollout, it’s important to also assemble a training schedule:
The reason for these three recommendations is that people have different learning styles. It is important to ensure training is timely, effective, and verifiable and that the skillsets being learned will create effective workers on the new TMS being installed. Leaving out any of these points will make for a very rough go-live phase of the project.
Even with all the initiatives detailed above, acceptance of the new technology by the drivers could be an issue that you may encounter, this can be especially true with drivers’ who aren’t used to integrating modern TMS apps into their daily routes.
The easy fix to this problem involves clear communication and familiarization with the technology:
There is no real substitute for a skilled driver who knows how to maximize their time on the road without endangering themselves or others around them. Investment in a well-rounded training program that includes in-depth courses on truck safety and the technology solutions that the fleet is utilizing is, therefore, more crucial than ever.
Making the effort to properly train the fleet's drivers, can assist to identify which drivers have negative driving behaviors that need to be changed before they get behind the wheel again. For instance, EBE Technologies' Learning Management Systems (LMS) may give a fleet more advanced digital training resources. For instance, EBE Technologies' Learning Management Systems (LMS) may give your fleet access to digital training resources that are better at retaining drivers.
Reducing the long-term financial costs and tragic loss of life associated with truck accidents will ultimately save the company money. Additionally, having a fleet that is less accident-prone may enhance the company's reputation greatly.
“Drivers are people who have a name. Trucks are objects; they have numbers, that’s a big difference for us. Technology aids us; it doesn’t replace us. Drivers are not interchangeable. Using technology to complement their strengths and compensate for human weaknesses is the best place for the technology.”- Specialist