Have you ever asked yourself, what are the needs of a modern fleet? A modern fleet makes use of various types of technological solutions in its day-to-day operations. We have written a lot about how important it is to integrate technology into your operation. Fleet management systems, transport management systems, routing and dispatch tools, and electronic reports are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to technological solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Tools are great, but using multiple platforms creates gaps\nin visibility with how information is presented and how it is communicated.\nFleets must worry about interoperability issues, but they must also worry about\nhow their truck drivers will receive a particular tool. A truck driver who is\nusing a route planning tool, for example, might not have access to\nnotifications from other systems. Constant juggling between different\napplications, each of which with its own design and setup, creates further\nopenings for potential problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Focusing on Truck Driver Workflow<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps what your fleet needs is a comprehensive truck\ndriver workflow application. You need a solution that combines everything your\nfleet needs into one place. You also don\u2019t want an information overload. It is\nvery easy to opt-in to a piece of technology simply for the sake of doing so.\nThat doesn\u2019t mean you actually need said piece of technology. Focus on one\nthing at a time, such as truck driver workflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As technology improves, and with the coming 5G network\ncapabilities, many trucking companies will find that their current tools simply\nno longer make the cut or stop working entirely. What does this mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n That now is the best time to bring your fleet together by\nupgrading to a modern truck driver workflow solution. You need something that\nkeeps the needs of today\u2019s truck drivers in mind while meeting the demands of your\nfleet. There are a lot of strains operating in the current socio-economic\nconditions. How will your operation adapt?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider a truck driver workflow upgrade. Consider that an\nupgrade is only as good as the platform you it is tied to. So, what makes a\ncomprehensive driver workflow platform? Furthermore, how can fleets know they\nare investing in a best-in-class solution? There are plenty of truck driver\nworkflow solutions out there. Which one do you choose?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Look at the Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first thing you need to consider when shopping around\nfor truck driver workflow solutions are the platform requirements. A solution\u2019s\ndashboard is the first thing a truck driver sees as soon as they hop into the\ncab and get their day started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The dashboard needs to deliver key information in as clear a\nmanner as possible. This can include customized messages from the fleet manager,\nload details, specific routing information, hours of service status, vehicle,\nand equipment status, and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One must be cognizant of information overload, however. You\nwant a system that has a clean layout and a customizable interface. These are\nnot just idle considerations. They are important. A truck driver should be able\nto easily scroll through their dashboard each day to understand their tasks and\naction items. Not only will this create more efficiencies within your\norganization, but your truck drivers will be more satisfied operating within\nthe system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also consider a customizable interface. Of course, different routes will present different workflow requirements. A short haul driver who drives the same route every day may not need an application that helps them plan stops and rest breaks as much as a long-haul driver on a multi-day trip. Especially if said trip is on unfamiliar roads. In both cases, however, customizability means that you can decide the parameters and profiles to quickly configure the app for each type of truck driver within the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [wp_ad_camp_2] <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n What Are Their Needs?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan on investing in a truck driver workflow\nsolution, consider the needs of your truck drivers. After all, you all will\nneed to use this solution together. Different workflow applications allow for\nmany different configurations, so there should be no excuse for getting it\nwrong. Let us take a closer look at what you need depending on the type of\noperation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Above all, you want to be able to tailor the workflow\ndashboard to specific categories of truck drivers. This allows fleet managers\nto target the exact needs of different workforce segments. These changes will\nincrease efficiency and result in happy truck drivers who stick around for the\n\u2013 dare we say \u2013 long haul. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s About Truck Driver Retention<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Truck driver retention remains one of the top concerns among\ntrucking\ncompanies<\/a> across the country, and this is supported by research. Just ask\nthe American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). According to their 2019\nstudy<\/a>, keeping truck drivers on is not only harder than ever, but it takes\non even greater importance considering how many aging truck drivers are in the\nsunset of their careers. Trucking companies must focus on effective retention\nstrategies, and they should look to technological solutions to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Truck driver workflow solutions are inherently designed to\nimprove communication and transparency between truck drivers and fleet\nmanagers. Task management is often something fleet managers lament about.\nWorkflow solutions help with this, both in terms of task management and\non-the-road messaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fleet managers can set up workflows that allow them a bird\u2019s\neye view into what the truck drivers are doing. This could include internal,\nreal-time guidance for specific loads and runs. Your truck drivers will thank\nyou after they gain key knowledge about their load, their route, and other information\nthey need to get the job done and get it done on-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There should never be a situation where a truck driver feels\nthey do not have all the information they need. If you must provide additional information\nto avert a problem, you have already lost. Consider that these occurrences only\ncreate more frustration and damage trust between truck drivers, fleet managers,\nand others within the organization. Adopting a solution should never lead to\nmore frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider Integration and Interoperability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn\u2019t matter how sophisticated your workflow solution\nis because even the most sophisticated driver workflow solutions can\u2019t do\neverything. They must work in concert with other systems. Therefore, you should\nfind solutions that take an open platform approach towards interoperability\nwith other applications your trucking company uses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A truck driver workflow solution that integrates with your\nTMS and ELD will greatly improve communication between fleet managers, truck\ndrivers and in the end, it will enhance the overall transparency of your\noperations. Your reputation stands to improve from these efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ideal truck driver workflow solution should have\nintegrated truck-safe navigation and customizable routing features. There is a\nspecific reason why this is important. While other popular map applications are\nuseful, they are largely designed for passenger vehicles. Truck drivers have\nunique challenges and face different road hazards. You need a solution built\nfor truck drivers and with truck drivers in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the end, a truck driver workflow solution can play a significant role in shaping how a truck driver performs and whether they stay with their employer or not. Uninformed and cluttered layouts, communication delays and not being able to get the required information at the required time results in significant driver dissatisfaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n [wp_ad_camp_2] <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The benefits of an all-in-one, customizable workflow\nsolution improves operations, opens the way for greater efficiency, and\nprovides drivers with the information they need in a way that is well-designed\nand easy to understand. Workflow solutions that embrace this combination of\nflexible customization and robust features can help you take your fleet into\nthe future. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"