Improving Dispatch Operations

The dispatch operations within a trucking organization are truly a core value that will make or break a business. Dispatch operators that are able to be agile and communicate well are simply a requirement. Providing dispatch with the right tools to be efficient, cost effective and analytical will help these key resources provide significant added value to the operation. The Cimatruck dispatch module has many features that can benefit a dispatch team, even for a dispatch operation that appears to be operating with perceived effectiveness. It is important for a trucking company to realize dispatch has the most ability to increase revenue and improve service with a client and should be clearly regarded as an integral piece of the trucking business.

The Cimatruck Dispatch Module Functions

Users of the Cimatruck dispatch module will benefit from many process improvements and revenue generating tools. Cimatruck provides trip selection tools, quoting applications, work order assignment systems, documentation generation and much more. These tools will help guide the dispatch coordinator towards looking at the load as more than something they simply need to book. Dispatch needs to view their roles as strategic. With dynamic tools to assist them in their positions, a client will appreciate the effectiveness of dispatch while the trucking company will enjoy an increase in profits.

Before implementing Cimatruck, FTR, a leading commodity hauler in Mexico, did not have the proper strategic focus on their dispatching team. FTR saw a 9.6% increase in new clients with the implementation of Cimatruck’s software. Additionally, the FTR trucking company saw the volume of work orders increase by 21% annually. These extraordinary improvements are directly correlated to the process improvements provided by Cimatruck.

Improvements in Load Booking

The trip selection function of the Cimatruck solution will help to organize load data for a dispatcher. Trips can be pre-programmed or manually entered providing versatility for dispatchers rather than having to maintain scheduled load dispatcher groups and un-scheduled load dispatcher groups. Data entry is also minimized for dispatch coordinators by adding check box options for normal, dedicated loads, milk runs or cross-dock types of loads. This also improves data integrity and consistency. Additionally, there are functions in the trip selection process which allocate expenses, vehicles and drivers which again, improves overall revenues.

The working order requirement function of the Cimatruck dispatch module allows dispatch to have visibility in to asset availability. Dispatch coordinators will be able to optimize truck usage with tighter controls on the availability of equipment, tractors and trailers. Cimatruck also has the capacity to assist with yard management, showing the location and empty or loaded status of trailers. The module also provides indicators to show unmet load requests, reducing the incidence of dropped loads and improving overall customer service.

Benefits to the Customer

Many trucking companies hesitate to invest in their dispatch team because it is not perceived to be an added value that is tangible to the customer. However, this is entirely the wrong idea. Improving all the operational functions and excluding dispatch will result in continued process compliance issues and business growth for a trucking company. Cimatruck recognizes how critical the dispatch module is to an organization and consequently integrates operational functionality that will touch nearly every piece of the trucking business- including the customer.

Customers will appreciate the increase in response times to load requests. Customers will also benefit from an improvement in the number of options for moving a load such as providing the fastest mode along with a more cost effective option that may be more optimal depending on the needs of a client. The customer will ultimately benefit from overall reductions in load expenses. With the availability of real time reporting data, a customer will easily be able to see their cost savings accumulating and will be inclined to continue to use the same trucking company providing such incredible results.

The Cimatruck solution offers trucking company’s valuable tools to assist their dispatch teams in providing cost efficient results for a client. Dispatch teams touch nearly every facet of an operation and need to have adequate support in order to be the most effective. FTR has experienced extraordinary results with the implementation of Cimatruck software, including year over year continuous improvements in their customer service, route management and overall revenues. And most importantly, dispatch should be regarded as the strategic component that they truly are to a trucking company, with the ability to bring long term value to an operation.