Integration for the Win: The Benefits of Data Flow Between Systems
By Carolina Ruiz • Published June 3, 2022 • 5 minute read
Trucking companies are accustomed to using different web portals to manage their operations — one for driver communications and ELDs, another for dispatch software, another for fuel cards, another for trailer tracking, and so on. But what happens when these different portals and systems don’t connect to one another? Think of the time it can take to toggle back and forth between portals to transfer or verify information as needed.
Think of the number of people needed to gather, analyze, and report out data from all of those disparate sources. It’s time-consuming, it’s resource-intensive, and it’s completely avoidable with modern solutions.
People are the most efficient and make smarter decisions when they can stay within their native transportation management software (TMS) environment and have all the data they need to manage drivers and assets in one place. This is possible through the power of real-time integration.
5 benefits of data flow between systems
It’s as simple as this—rather than having to search and mine for data across portals and platforms, it’s right where the team needs it, already combined and aligned with relevant data from other sources, in one location.
The benefits of integration for trailer tracking are vast:
- Improved accuracy and efficiency: Fleets can automate detention tracking at customer locations, for example. Rather than having to go back and figure out what time drivers arrived to unload and how long it took, a modern system can automatically track arrivals and departures of trailers by combining trailer locations with dispatch data, including truck, driver, customer, and ELD data, to verify that a driver was detained by a shipper. The event can be integrated with the TMS system to trigger automatic communications to the shipper to warn of a detention event, to document the event, and automate billing. This removes any guesswork and, ultimately, improves both the accuracy and efficiency of operations.
- More time back: The integration of trailer tracking systems with a TMS can eliminate time-consuming tasks. Teams won’t need to have someone look through a website to find how many trailers are at each location, such as customer facilities or company terminals; they’ll know that one is available and where it is located and can provide the driver with exact information on where the trailer is located before sending them to a location to pick it up. This greatly reduces time spent coordinating logistics and, again, removes the guesswork.
- Greater visibility: With an integrated system, teams can verify that the trailer is loaded or unloaded more easily within the TMS. If a system automatically captures pictures during loading and unloading events, fleet managers can verify that cargo was properly secured by the shipper and reference those images as needed during or after the load. This is a great feature for helping to prevent, investigate, and dismiss any potential cargo claims as well.
- Improved maintenance: Integration with fleet maintenance software systems allows fleets to track trailer mileage and utilization, set maintenance schedules based on use, and ensure they are leveraging the right trailers at the right time. They can also use smart sensors that track tire pressures as well as lights and brakes that need maintenance, feeding this data directly back to fleet maintenance software systems to create work orders and schedule repairs.
- Enhanced driver experience: Fleets can leverage integrations with mobile driver apps to help drivers locate trailers when they arrive at a customer location. This saves drivers time and helps avoid any problems from drivers misreading trailer numbers. A driver can type in the trailer number they’re assigned, and the app connects with the database to share the exact position of the trailer with the driver. This is especially helpful in large locations that can include hundreds of assets to sort through.
Accelerate ROI today
Data flow between systems is sure to improve operations, enhance the workforce experience – whether in the office or on the road – and have an overall positive impact on the business.
Contact SkyBitz today to get started on your journey and discover which trailer tracking and cargo monitoring integrations are waiting for you.
Also Read our Case Study: Cargo Transporters Maximizes Trailer Utilization and Driver Experience with SkyBitz
