“Had we had an automated system that would have effectively researched and secured the most lucrative yet strategic and efficient loads, we might still be in business.”
Alyson Otto, a former truck company owner
Alyson was running a small trucking business that ultimately failed. Here are the learnings she shared:
“For a small trucking business owner, the struggle of managing a logistics company is real. Juggling the many components at a single moment, from front-end dispatch through to final billing, not to mention all the maintenance, licensing, and transport checks in between, can be quite a workload, even for a mini-sized company.
One of our biggest pain points is streamlining dispatch for maximum efficiency – scheduling the best-paying jobs while reducing empty trailers and minimizing downtime. I can’t tell you how many times our drivers had deadhead miles, whether it was due to a lack of jobs in those areas or a lack of time for us to find and dispatch them.
The loss of time and income eventually sunk our business. Had we had an automated system that would have effectively researched and secured the most lucrative yet strategic and efficient loads, we might still be in business.”
Automation of just this one area of trucking is a game changer for small and medium companies. In an instant, robotic process automation (RPA) bots can search for the best loads with the desired rates in specific areas and timeframes to maximize the truck and driver’s hours. This reduces wasteful deadhead miles, overnight stays, and frustrated drivers.
RPA helps logistics management improve operations and increases the bottom line. Think about data entry, business-to-business setups, load scheduling, truck maintenance, billing, analytics, advertising, and more! All of these could also be automated.
Automating even a few components can make a huge difference:
- Data entry is an excellent example – no more time-consuming and error-prone manual entry that costs you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars!
- Inventory can be another area that has your head spinning. Automating orders, distribution, and restocking issues can be solved by using technology to track and sort your inventory.
- Billing is another common challenge. Imagine having purchases itemized; load weight, mileage, and time calculations seamlessly processed, invoiced, and paid out in much less time than it could be done by a handful of employees.
Every business has its unique pain points. Addressing those brings the difference between just barely making it and a huge success! Check out Automation Advisor for Logistics to see how automation can take your business to the next level.
Lizzie Mullikin, CEO, CytrusAI