Drivers are the backbone of the supply chain. They are the everyday unsung heroes who deliver the goods day in and day out, without which business and society cease to function.
Yet even in this highly digital age, with AI and cloud computing transforming business across industries, manual yard processes still create unnecessary frustration, delays and increased costs. Long wait times at check-in/check-out and at the dock, unclear instructions, and cumbersome paper-based documentation hinder drivers’ ability to operate efficiently and safely.
While some drivers may be perfectly happy with physical documentation and forced human interaction, most are not, especially younger ones. They’re on a tight delivery schedule, with a number of stops many miles apart. A delay at one stop can domino quickly through the rest of the schedule. This can push some deliveries out to the following day, angering customers and impacting loyalty.
FreightRoll, creator of an innovative, AI-enabled yard execution system, has a solution that brings the self-service experience to truck drivers in the yard, removing these cumbersome barriers that keep logistics operations stuck in the past. By digitizing key processes such as driver check-in, documentation (bill of lading, proof of delivery, etc.), and driver communication, FreightRoll’s platform revolutionizes the driver experience, improving efficiency, safety, and satisfaction.
Drivers Deserve Better than Today’s Yard Experiences
Manual check-in and checkout processes are naturally prone to causing delays at the gate and the docks. The long waits that ensue mean drivers are losing valuable time as bottlenecks create havoc with yard workflows. Imagine the check-in line at the airport, but multiple lines per trip and multiple trips per day.
These types of processes also cause communication issues. A lack of clear instructions or miscommunication leads to confusion. Language barriers are also a problem. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, immigrants make up 18.6% of employed truck drivers. English proficiency also varies by region. For instance, 60% of immigrant truck drivers in Atlanta are proficient in English, but that figure is only 32% in Los Angeles.
There are also safety risks associated with outdated processes, requiring drivers to physically walk the yard to deal with shipping/receiving personnel. In addition to the delay aspect, this can prove hazardous with trucks and yard equipment continually moving about.
Manual handling of paperwork such as the bill of lading (BOL), proof of delivery (POD), and other documentation can lead to delays and errors. It can be lost, torn, smudged, or ruined by spills in transit, making it difficult to verify deliveries. Handwritten documents can be hard to read, contain missing details, or be filled out incorrectly. This paperwork is important for payments and legal liability recourse, meaning that bad actors have also been known to forge it.
FreightRoll: Streamlined Yard Experiences for Enhanced Driver Experiences
Given advances in technology that address yard management and carrier-related workflows, there’s really no need to stay stuck in the past with all the attendant issues of manual processes. FreightRoll’s innovative platform delivers a superior driver experience that fosters loyalty, as well as greater overall yard efficiency and throughput.
FreightRoll’s browser-based interface helps foster greater driver adoption as there is no app download required, making onboarding quick and easy. It meets all the authentication requirements of an integrated app, while ensuring ease of use for all drivers.
Touchless, Self-Service Check-In/Checkout
FreightRoll’s digitalGUARD solution automates the check-in/checkout process, eliminating costly wait times. Drivers can stay in their trucks for most interactions, improving safety and convenience. It also helps eliminate confusion at the gate and in the yard, with universal digital tools that seamlessly guide drivers through the process.
Digital Documentation
FreightRoll’s digitalBOL solution streamlines the handling of shipping paperwork such as BOLs, POD, and forms for over, short, and damaged (OS&D) claims. Also, standardized processes help minimize confusion and eliminate manual errors.
Real-time synchronization with existing systems (TMS, WMS, ERP, CRM, etc.) means reduced delays and claim disputes, improved transparency and greater data accuracy. It also means less foot traffic and fewer manual touchpoints in the yard.
Benefits for Drivers
With FreightRoll, drivers can get in and out of facilities faster (by up to 50% faster in some instances), allowing them to focus on deliveries and keep on track with their daily schedule.
The no-app approach of FreightRoll means easier adoption and participation by all drivers. Seamless workflows help reduce driver stress and frustration, increasing job satisfaction. And clear, efficient processes create positive driver-facility interactions, improving the overall experience.
FreightRoll’s digitalCOMMS, an automated communication tool, orchestrates driver interactions with real-time instructions and streamlined workflows. It reduces human interaction and errors and eliminates language barriers, making for a smooth, intuitive process for drivers.
Beyond the Yard: Smoother Driver Processing Improves Supply Chain Efficiency
FreightRoll’s ability to create a driver-first yard experience leads to higher driver satisfaction, helping companies attract and retain top carriers. This increases their ability to secure adequate capacity when the market tightens due to seasonality or other factors.
Greater Efficiency, Better Sustainability
Faster driver processing at the gate and dock leads to less dwell time, increasing throughput and making inbound and outbound logistics more efficient. It also helps organizations meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements by reducing carbon emissions.
By enhancing delivery through automated processes, and creating a digital chain of custody on goods in transit, companies can improve inventory accuracy. Also, a smoother yard flow contributes to improved on-time performance for outbound orders.
Improving Driver Satisfaction With Automation Has Many Knock-On Benefits
A poor reputation among drivers due to outdated gate and dock processes can quickly blow back on facilities operators. Low ratings due to delays and poor workflows mean drivers passing on loads. This quickly signals to their carrier employer that a shipper is interrupting their freight flow, negatively impacting other customers.
FreightRoll enhances driver satisfaction by automating yard operations, reducing delays, and eliminating manual paperwork. Faster check-in/check-out, digital documentation, and real-time communication improve efficiency and safety while reducing language barriers. With its streamlined yard workflows, FreightRoll strengthens carrier relationships, helps improve supply chain flow, and positions companies as a coveted “Shipper of Choice.” To learn more, contact FreightRoll today.
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