Tuesday, August 27, 2013

What You Can Expect from Having Logistics Software

To successfully run a freight or trucking business, having reliable logistics software is a must. This software provides business owners with an efficient and effective way to manage and handle their company's logistics without having the need to rely on third party logistics providers or 3PL. If you're thinking of using such revolutionary software for your transport business, here are some of the benefits that you can expect.

One of the obvious advantages of using such a program is that you can better monitor the condition of your fleet. Being in the business of transporting various goods and supplies, it is very important for you to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your equipment and vehicles. After all, they are the ones that help you consistently generate income. Fortunately, logistics or transport software has functions that let you monitor the status of all your vehicles with a simple push of a button. All you have to do is plug in your vehicle to a computer where the software is installed. Then, the software will run a series of diagnostics that allows you to know everything you need to know about your vehicles.

Aside from helping you maintain the condition of your vehicles, logistics software can also come in handy when it comes to managing the contents of your warehouse. With the help of this software, you can easily keep track of what goes in and out of your warehouse. Thus, it will be much easier for you to ensure that every item in your storage area is accounted for.

Another huge advantage of having transport software is that you can significantly reduce your daily fuel consumption. Believe it or not, this program can also be used as an effective vehicle routing tool. It can help your drivers identify the shortest route to take so they can deliver the goods without consuming too much petrol. And by taking the shortest route to a particular destination, they can finish the deliveries the soonest possible time.

Meanwhile, if you think that logistics software is just for managing your fleet or helping you identify the best routes to take, think again. This program can also help you carry out certain administrative tasks. It can help you manage your drivers' wages efficiently since such software usually has interface for calculating your employees' payroll.

If you want your transport business to become more efficient and productive, then you should invest in good logistics software. Not only it can help you generate bigger income, it can also help you minimise your expenses since you don't have to spend more money and hire 3PLs.



Learn more about the author: James Gasket


Thursday, August 15, 2013

Transport Software: 4 Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers



Transport software offers business owners efficient and cost-effective ways to handle their company's logistics. In a nutshell, such a program provides solutions that a company would normally receive from its logistics department or from a third party logistics provider. The difference, however, is that using this software is more economical than hiring and working with logistics experts.

Despite such benefits, some business owners, including those in the freight and trucking industry, are reluctant to utilise such software. Perhaps one of the reasons for this is that many of them have limited knowledge when it comes to using such software. Some even have misconceptions about the program that prevents them from enjoying its benefits. If you're thinking of investing in a transport management system, especially those that come with cloud solutions, then this article is for you. Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about using a transport management system so you can learn more about this revolutionary technology.

Do you need to be a logistics expert to use the software? Contrary to what others believe, you can fully integrate transport software in your daily operations without being an expert at logistics. Transport programs are usually designed to make it easier for ordinary people to operate them. More often than not, they have user-friendly interfaces and a support system. So even if you or your employees have no prior experience when it comes to using such software, you can easily take advantage of it to make your job much easier.

Does it come with other functions? A transport management system can do more than just help you manage your supply chains and deliveries. Aside from cloud solutions, it also offers other features that can help you accomplish certain tasks with ease. For instance, there are software that come with interfaces that enable you to efficiently manage and maintain your vehicles and warehouse. There are also others that feature accounting and other administrative tools.

What happens if your company's transport needs change? In case your transport company experiences some changes, you don't have to worry about anything when using transport software. It is because the program can be edited and adjusted so it can still fit your needs. This means that you don't have to get another software if there are some changes to your company's transport requirements.

How does it make your company more productive? Using transport software makes it easier for you to integrate various data and manage delivery schedules. What's more, it can help you save valuable time and resources. Thanks to this software, you can get more things done at a relatively shorter amount of time since you don't have to entirely focus your attention on a single task.



Learn more about the author: James Gasket


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

What You Need to Know about Using Fleet Management Software



You have probably heard of fleet managementsoftware but do you know exactly what it is? Well, if you're into the business of transporting various goods and supplies, it will give you a definite advantage if you're going to learn more about this piece of technology. Believe it or not, such software can give your business a huge boost. Read on and find out how.

As the name implies, this software basically includes functions that make it easier for you to manage your vehicles and other equipment that are essential in your daily operations. It usually has interfaces for vehicle maintenance, vehicle tracking and diagnostics, as well as driver and fuel management among other things. What's more, this software also enables you to keep track and record maintenance information in a database that you can access easily. Because of these functions, having such logisticssoftware can help improve your company's chances of generating bigger profits.

Keep in mind, however, that fleet management software is not just for managing your vehicles and equipment. The software can also be used to simplify the administrative duties of a trucking company. By taking advantage of this piece of technology, you can help your trucking or freight business run like a well-oiled machine. What's more, you can minimise your expenses since you don't have to rely on third party logistics providers.

Indeed, having software that is used in fleet management can give your business an edge over your competitors. But before you invest in any kind of logistics software, it is very important that you conduct some research. As you may know, there are many fleet management programs and software that are available in the market today. Therefore, it is only logical that you equip yourself with proper knowledge so you can be sure that you'll get the right software for your company.

One way to obtain important information about fleet management software is to contact their developers. You should check out the websites of the companies that offer such programs and make enquiries. If you want, you can also ask them to send you a brochure or provide you with a walkthrough of the software. With this, you'll know what to expect in case you decide to purchase the program.

It is also a great idea to read customer reviews and testimonials. This way, you'll get the perspective of the people who had actually used the fleet management software. And by learning from their experience, you can avoid wasting your money on a bad fleet management system.


Learn more about the author: James Gasket

Sunday, August 11, 2013

4 Practical Reasons Why Your Company Needs Logistics Software



Believe it or not, reliable logistics software is one of the things that can contribute to the success of your transport business. This is perhaps one of the many reasons why more and more freight and trucking businesses are taking advantage of such technology nowadays. If you haven't taken advantage of this revolutionary technology yet, discussed below are some of the reasons why you should give it a try.

Reason No 1: It gives you more control. Having logistics and fleet management software gives you more control over your business, allowing you to efficiently and effectively manage the transport and delivery of goods. Because most software offers an easy-to-use interface, users don't have to be an expert at logistics just to take advantage of its features. What's more, the software can also be readapted to your company's needs as they change over time.

Reason No 2: It is much cheaper. It is common for some trucking and transport companies to rely on third party logistics providers or 3PL. What they don't realise, however, is that using logistics software is more cost-effective than hiring 3PL providers. It is simply because the software is priced as a software solution and not as a logistics consultancy service. As you may know, buying software is cheaper and more practical than paying for consultancy services.

Reason No 3: It offers integrated logistics solutions. One of the obvious benefits of using logistics and fleet management software is that you'll have access to various administrative and logistics tools. For instance, there are certain brands that come with accounting tools to make it easier for business owners to manage their cash flow and calculate drivers' payroll. There are also those that let them keep track of the contents of their warehouse. With this software, you don't have to look elsewhere since it offers you a one-stop shop for your company's needs.

Reason No 4:  It makes your business more profitable. Taking advantage of such technology can help improve the profitability of your business. For starters, the logistics software helps you minimise costs by removing your company's need to hire in-house logistics professionals. And because it makes it easier for you and your staff to carry out and manage different tasks, the software can help improve business productivity and efficiency, which can contribute to your company's bottom line.

Logistics software can indeed help ensure the success of your business. But before you invest in a particular program, make sure you do your homework well so you can obtain the software that fits your company perfectly.



Learn more about the author: James Gasket

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Transport Software: A Worthy Investment for Your Business?



Installing transport software for your daily operations is an investment. First of all, you need to pay for it and it's not cheap. Next you need to gather your staff for training so they'll know how to use it. Everyone will have to adjust to the new system of operations management. And with all this trouble, you ask: Is it worth it?

It's pretty normal to be discouraged from trying logisticssoftware or any other type of program that can help you streamline operations. It can be troublesome, right? But here lies the better question: If you won't try it, how will you know if it's worth it? Here are some benefits of shifting to transport software and why it can be a worthy investment.

Avoid conflicting data. Won't you appreciate it if you didn't need to look at several spread sheets and try to make out which one of them is the most recent? Won't you appreciate it if you'll no longer need to cross check various sources just to determine which booking is correct? The first purpose of  transport software is to ensure there's only one version of operations data. Since it's entered into the system, it can also be accessed through the system. There's no need to maintain disparate and often varying and confusing records. This saves you and your staff a lot of time and spares you from possible errors.

You can access data in real time. It doesn't matter if it's in the wee hours of a Sunday or at the height of a Monday boardroom meeting. You can pull up the data you need through the logistics software or any type of management program. No need to wait for your staff to finish and organise their records. This is a huge time-saver, especially for managers and executive-level officials. 

Because data is stored through the software, you will need less paper. The return on investment will be apparent as you see slashed costs due to paper purchases. You will also notice that when you start using transport software, you will spend less time processing paperwork. Less time needed also means you will not need to hire additional employees or ask them to log extra hours just to meet deadlines. Again, this is another way to recover your investment in the program.

Finally, transport software allows you to see chinks in the armour, bottlenecks, and company strengths. When data is consolidated, you are able to predict realistic income targets based on actual historical figures. You'll see what areas of your operations need de-clogging. You will also see what particular areas can be improved. All this is possible due to improved data collection and interpretation. And with some programs allowing the integration of modules catering to logistics, fleet management, container freight, accounting, and so much more—you'll be able to monitor the whole business from trucks to warehouses to drivers.

So is it worth it? It is. For a company that can use streamlined operations, less expenses, and better revenue, a software for transport management is definitely worth it.



Learn more about the author: James Gasket