How to Evaluate Different Dispatch Providers

If you are facing hectic operations because of a handful of power units for your trucking company, it’s time to consider using innovations to alleviate the process. There are lots of transportation dispatching software that offer a wide variety of features, so you need to narrow down the list to choose the right one. Each feature provided is not universal, so you must evaluate different dispatch providers and figure out what your company needed the most. Before proceeding to the main discussion, you must first know what a dispatch software is and why you must use one.

What is the Dispatch Software?

No matter how small or big your fleeting and trucking company is, a dispatch software can provide a lot of advantages, mainly efficiency and profitability. It is also in demand for shippers and freight brokers as it gives visibility to trucks by using a dispatch track feature. With dispatch software’s thorough data reports, it keeps your taskforces stay compliant due to growing numbers of regulations.

Dispatching software also enables automated processes for routing and scheduling for efficient route and delivery management. Manual handling is time-consuming and more prone to costly errors.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Dispatch Software

For your trucking and fleet company, hundreds of dispatch software products that you can avail to alleviate your business operations. However, the price, quality, and aptitudes of these products may differ depending on its features and perks. Below are several things to consider in selecting the right dispatching software for you:

1. Easy to Use

It is better to choose a dispatch software that detects truck locations, drivers’ availability, and scheduling trips with ease. Aside from the software’s layout and user experience, select a system that lets you enter and get orders quickly. It is also advisable to do a free demonstration to test the product’s ease of use, dispatch track feature, and intuition.

2. Integrity

A functional integration comes when a software syncs up with your systems effectively. Find a platform for your chosen software that connects well with accounting on QuickBooks, as most trucking companies use this type. You can also choose a software product that has its accounting modules for accurate tracking of your fleet’s invoices and payments. Meanwhile, some software has specialized systems that are preferable to use with complex trucking businesses.

3. Experience

Choosing dispatching software is like choosing a business partner, so evaluate the expertise and knowledge of its provider as well. Know the company’s years of business and its staff’s experiences.

4. Immediate Data Retrieval

Before financing a software product, learn how it collects information and the type of data it uses. Reliable software can provide real-time transparency to your fleet, so consider a dispatch software that has an efficient dispatch track feature. Know whether it relies on one or more satellite providers in the tracking process. It is preferable to choose a software that can create daily reports accurately and on-time.

5. Versatility

You can highly benefit from dispatch software offering numerous fleet functions aside from dispatching, like accounting, IFTA reportage, etc. If a software solution can perform several tasks, it can reduce workforce and administrative costs.

6. Affordability and Cost Savings

Budget and monetary issues always matter in every business, so it needs much attention to prevent excessive expenses. Dispatch software cost varies depending on its forms and features. However, do not compromise the functionality and scalability of the product over lower prices. Avoid being impulsive upon entering an agreement with a software provider and assess the costs and risks the software has. Understand your operational needs well to find a dispatch software product that addresses those needs with the least cost.

7. Accessibility

Every trucking company needs dispatch software that suits its operation processes. If your chosen software is accessible enough, you can have faster and less complex transactions that save time and money not only to your trucking company but also to your clients. As soon as possible, know how many employees and drivers’ “seats” are necessary to use the software. Note that the more users you have, the higher the cost your company needed.

Key Features of Good Dispatch Providers

1. GPS Tracking and Mapping

GPS tracking is essential in monitoring your drivers’ current location and status, so it is one of the top dispatch software features available today. In addition to predicted traffic conditions and routing’s advanced system, it works to guarantee that your cargo arrives in time.

2. Automated Scheduling and Notifications

One of the most advanced innovation today is the automation system utilized in dispatching software. If the tasks are automated, manual labors in your organization run efficiently. By scheduling dispatch, you can manage the delivery progress while tracking booked jobs and drivers available. For better convenience, dispatch systems have tools that automatically notify dispatchers to avoid missed delivery.

3. Mobile Access

You can never imagine how a mobile application gives ample benefits in utilizing your dispatch software. Smartphones’ app provides your drivers with informative route instructions and automatic data collection and storage of their progress. With this perk, it takes lesser time to document transactions with minimal errors as data are promptly visible to managers. Drivers and dispatchers can also communicate quickly, making more convenient check-in.

4. Billing Support

Keeping track of billing while dealing with a lot of trucks is too daunting to deal with, but dispatch software has a billing support feature to help you. With billing support, you can skip with a variety of demanding processes, like calculating transportation costs. Dispatching software also provides quick and accurate billing for usage of assets, accruals costs, and even recognition of revenues.

Conclusion

Every trucking and fleet business management has become increasingly complex and costly. Having the right dispatch provider can avoid failed operations and bankruptcy without spending too much time and money. With the top features like GPS tracking, automation, and BI applications, your dispatching business will be way easier to manage than before.