Trucking companies are privy to a wealth of telematics data, fuel transactions, and TMS/ERPs holding information about clients and routes. The trouble is that data are disconnected and in different formats, such as paper, Excel sheets, and various planning interfaces. This all limits operational visibility.
To address the issue and improve efficiency for their current operations, some fleets are turning to digital data-sharing strategies to streamline their access to running costs and drivability records. Whether you’re considering where to put electric vehicle chargers or finding the ideal location for another depot to avoid deadhead miles, fleets can utilize current technology to:
- Map the data landscape
- Capitalize on the benefits of centralizing data
- Illustrate proofs of concept
Let’s uncover how leveraging a fleet’s data through digital platforms can boost their efficiency.
Increase mileage and revenue
A big challenge still faced by almost every trucking company worldwide is deadheading. But monitoring mileage developments and waiting times at loading stations in one data hub and strategically deploying trucks can transform capacity usage and profits.
Trucking companies can calculate the real price per mile driven by leveraging data to evaluate empty versus full mileage, paid versus unpaid trips, and time for loading/unloading. They can also review the load profitability per customer, commodity, trade lane, etc.
With a clear picture of the best-performing routes, logistics planners can start thinking more strategically, moving trucks to locations with more orders: They can consider distributing orders between fleet and subcontractors based on the price per kilometer, optimally allocating their fleet, and achieving a constant flow of profitable orders, high utilization, and scalability.
One way to do this is through automated tools like FleetMetrics, which can help truckers obtain a live view of their fleet, customers, and route performance in a user-friendly map to help select and distribute their next deliveries.
Decrease trucking direct costs
Reducing operating costs is a top priority for 89% of trucking companies in 2024. Fuel efficiency and optimal planning are two key areas to bring overheads down, two tactics that can be boosted by centralized data access.
In order of impact, cargo weight (45%), vehicle configuration (20%), driver behavior (15%), road gradient (10%), traffic speed (5%), and weather (4%) all drive up fuel costs. While things like weight, traffic speed, and weather are out of truckers’ control, driving technique and contingency planning can help avoid fuel-consuming trips.
For example, if you are due terrible weather, reschedule your trips. You can build flexibility into your schedule with dynamic routing, offering wider delivery windows, and creating a pool of drivers who can quickly fill in for unexpected vacancies in key locations.
Read more: Gaskins: Cut operating costs with data analytics
Advanced scheduling software and telematics that tell you where your assets are in real time allow you to proactively adjust agendas accordingly. It’s important that these updates are shared with drivers, either via built-in systems or driver mobile apps, in a user-friendly format that doesn’t distract them from their journey. Integrating scheduling with driver availability and delivery assignment helps trucking companies comply with the latest ELD mandate.
Additionally, fleets can track vehicle health data, reducing their maintenance costs by bringing trucks into the shop before they have to be serviced on the road.
Automate back-office activities
Finally, trucking companies can decrease the gap between gross and net profit with automated reporting, scheduling, and driver salary compilations.
Let’s say it takes on average 30 minutes to load a truck. That’s four trucks in and out within two hours, continuously loading and unloading at the warehouse or dock. But if a particular delivery is taking an extra 20 minutes to pack, any deliveries scheduled after this one will run 20 minutes behind.
There are lots of parameters to consider when scheduling deliveries, from load complexity and time of day to traffic, weather, and driver availability. This causes a huge headache for logistics planners, and constantly returning to the drawing board can get exceedingly tedious. Automated planning software optimizes driver routes, minimizes wasted time, and reduces the need for manual repetition. This translates to fewer labor hours needed for scheduling and being on the road.
Moreover, when the need for manual data entry and analysis is eliminated, whether that’s in scheduling, reporting, or payroll calculations, logistics teams free up their time. They can enjoy accurate reports and correct driver pay, leading to fewer financial discrepancies and costly delays. Their extra availability can then be used for more strategic — and less monotonous — tasks, from analyzing competitors' packages and devising competitive long-term financial plans to exploring new technologies and optimizing their fleet.
All in all, leveraging data with advanced planning and analytics software can help trucking companies optimize routes, improve truck utilization, and reduce costs, boosting revenue. Additionally, streamlined back-office operations through automated data analysis enhance efficiency, freeing up staff for strategic tasks, and cultivating a more competitive and fulfilling work environment.
