You should consider software technology if your trucking company has more than one power unit.
Dispatch software has many advantages for small and medium-sized trucking fleets. The software can increase efficiency and profit margins and provide visibility to trucks that many shippers and freight brokers are now looking for.
Fleets can also benefit from Dispatch software’s detailed reporting to comply with a growing list of government regulations. The U.S. will require all heavy trucks to track drivers’ hours of service starting Dec. 18. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will require heavy trucks to keep track of drivers’ hours-of service with electronic logging devices. A dispatch software system can make it easier for best trucking dispatch software companies to coordinate fleet scheduling with ELD data and drivers’ availability.
Today, there are many dispatch software products available for trucking companies. These products may differ in their capabilities, cost, and quality.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right software for your fleet.
What should you look for in Trucking Dispatch Software?
It would help if you researched before deciding on the right trucking dispatch software. We have already said that price is not the only factor when choosing the right trucking dispatch system.
Trucking dispatch software should contain
It is easy to use robust features – operational like scheduling/dispatching and time tracking, communication, task management, and more.
No matter how many employees or trucks you have, working with any size company should be easy.
Should work in your trucking niche
Check to see if there are any positive reviews from customers
Take a look at the approach ability of the customer service staff
Every trucking dispatch software is different, so it’s essential to understand your needs and determine your required features before buying.
Now it’s time to review the trucking dispatch software options that meet these criteria and are within your budget. Reduce your list to three, and if you can get a free trial, sign up for it. This will allow you to determine if the software is right for your company. These are the most potent trucking dispatch software options on the market.
1. Define your needs clearly
Brokerage features are not necessary if you are looking for owner-operator options. Be clear about your requirements.
You may only need mileage integrations but not a lot of LTL features. You might be an oilfield company or auto hauler with special needs.
These needs will help you narrow down your software selection.
2. It’s easy to use
Software products for dispatch vary in their design and user experience. Software that allows you to spot trucks, drivers’ availability quickly, and schedule trips are essential. A system should also allow you to enter orders and retrieve them quickly.
Software products may have colour-coded dispatch boards which allow you to check the status of your fleet quickly. It should be easy for you to pull up orders and contact information. Request a demo to ensure your software purchase is easy and intuitive for you and your staff.
3. EASY SCHEDULE & DISPATCHING
Nearly any dispatch trucking software product will be a significant (and welcome!) improvement on using whiteboards and spreadsheets to create a schedule, then dispatch drivers. You should be able complete all your dispatching and scheduling tasks in just a few mouse clicks.
This feature is worth a closer look. Are there any fields that let you specify the type of dump truck you manage? Are you able to bulk order for long-term projects? What about allowing drivers to specify which gate to use at each job site? Your dispatcher can stagger arrival times and load stacks. For your business to be successful, you need this functionality in truck scheduling software. Do not settle for generic software that does not meet your needs.
4. Get a Free Trial
Potential clients are required to test our software for 1 or 2 weeks. There are no exceptions. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for trucking software. We need to collaborate to find the best trucking dispatch software fit.
Before you purchase software that doesn’t fit your company, you should find out!
Try running some accurate data through the system to see how it feels. As you encounter roadblocks, ask for support. They helped you get through them quickly. Are you feeling more efficient?
5. Versatility
Many dispatch software companies claim to be all-in-one and can perform multiple functions for their fleet. These functions may include dispatch, accounting, IFTA reporting and truck maintenance. Software solutions that perform multiple tasks can benefit small and medium-sized best trucking dispatch software companies. This will help to cut administrative costs and reduce headcount.
6. Affordability
Different dispatch software can have different pricing. While some products may only cost a few dollars per month, others might not offer the functionality and scalability your fleet requires as it grows. It is worth taking the time to research different products and find one that offers both the required features and a price structure that suits your needs.
Conclusion
Dispatching software’s key benefits are efficiency and cost savings. The amount of money you can save will depend on how well your company understands its current and future needs.
Before you sign an agreement with a software vendor, evaluate the cost and inconvenience of running your fleet. Are you growing too quickly for your dispatch staff to keep up? How fast do you deliver on time? What does it take to maintain this performance in terms of time, people and paperwork? What impact will switch to ELDs have on your business in the next year?
Understanding your operational requirements will increase your chances of finding dispatch software that meets those needs.