Investing in Supply Chain Technology Will Give You a Competitive Edge

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Investing in Supply Chain Technology Will Give You a Competitive Edge

February 8th, 2022 Emily Newton Leave a comment

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about many changes, some of which were more unexpected than others. Anyone with a stake in the logistics industry saw unprecedented supply chain shortages and disruptions that impacted everyone. Materials foundered in warehouses with no one to transport them to factories for manufacturing. Completed products collected dust because no drivers were available to carry them to their final destination. It even threw a wrench in Christmas 2021, making it harder for consumers to get their hands on artificial trees.

Some of these issues have begun to fade, but there are still challenges facing the supply chain industry. How can investing in new supply chain technologies give companies a competitive edge?

The Last Mile Is Evolving

While 2020 wasn’t the first year where e-commerce and online orders started to take precedence over physical storefronts, adding a global pandemic to the mix made having that option more essential. It allowed people to stay home as much as possible while still ensuring they had everything they needed or wanted throughout the lockdowns. Consumers have grown accustomed to fast delivery, but their definition of fast is different from what most might typically find in the logistics industry.

One recent survey found that 96% of consumers equate “fast” delivery with “same-day” delivery. Barely half of the retailers offer that delivery option, but that consumer definition means it is essential to shorten the amount of time those last-mile deliveries take. Supply chain innovations and new technologies can help bridge the gap between what the consumer perceives as fast and the reality that defines the logistics industry as it currently stands.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is Making Its Mark

The logistics industry as a whole generates massive amounts of data every single day. Supply chain data, consumer information, manufacturing details, and everything in between gets collected and stored. This data is often stored where companies can access it, but it’s usually just a mish-mash of numbers in its raw form. Making sense of that information is often beyond what even the most skilled business owner can manage – at least on their own.

Experts anticipated that more than half of companies in the supply chain industry were planning to begin investing in artificial intelligence systems for their companies by the end of 2021. This is a 15% increase year-over-year for this industry alone. In the long run, AI will likely add trillions in value to the industry in the coming years. This trend is picking up speed, but there is still plenty of time for existing companies to get in on the ground floor and adopt it before it transitions from niche to necessity.

Changing Best Practices With Robotics and Automation

Robotics and automation is a field that often earns a lot of negative attention and press because of its threat to human jobs. People are afraid that robots will steal jobs, and this sort of hidebound attitude has often led to industries that are otherwise on the cutting edge of their field shunning advances. In supply chain operations, experts expect robotics and automation to grow steadily over the next five years, especially in any situation where a robot can take over a dangerous or high-risk task.

Introducing robotics and automation can help companies overcome existing problems, especially regarding functionality and fulfillment. Warehouses that still rely on manual picking methods aren’t going to keep up with the growing demand when competing against companies that have already purchased and implemented automated picking systems.

Removing Humans From Some Equations

A lack of skilled workers, especially in the trucking industry, has presented a unique challenge for those working with supply chains. Having all the materials in the world doesn’t mean much when no one is available to haul those materials from warehouse to factory or from factory to consumer. There was a shortage of 80,000 truck drivers by the end of 2021, and experts estimate that will double by 2030.

The technology is almost ready for self-driving trucks that could help offset this growing labor shortage. They will never fully replace the need for human drivers, but they could help fill in the gaps while the trucking industry makes the necessary changes to rebuild its ranks. The demand for skilled drivers will never disappear, especially when the weather turns sour. Still, these self-driving alternatives could help ensure materials and finished products promptly reach their destinations.

Warehouse Optimization Is Key

Warehouse layout options haven’t changed much in the last few decades, but change is a necessity if companies are hoping to keep up with the increased demand. Warehouse optimization is essential to manage the increasing number of orders. Often, something as simple as rearranging the inventory so the most frequently purchased items are closer to the picking and packing stations can help, but that isn’t always enough.

Warehouse management systems – software designed to sort through and manage all the data a warehouse produces – are one piece of the puzzle. These, when paired with the artificial intelligence and machine learning systems mentioned above, can create a network that will increase productivity and supply chain efficiency. Robotics and automation will also play a role, removing some of the human element, especially in regards to inventory management and picking orders. The goal here isn’t to eliminate human workers entirely, but to make their jobs easier through AI and other advanced supply chain technology so they can carry them out more efficiently.

Overcoming Supply Chain Challenges in the Future

No one could have anticipated the challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, companies need to work to recover from those challenges and overcome any new problems that might occur in the future. New technologies can help give companies an edge in an already ultra-competitive industry. For those that haven’t already started considering these changes, now is a perfect time – the calm between storms – to begin researching how it could work for them.

The demand for e-commerce and the supply chains to support it isn’t going to go away anytime soon. Now is the time to start adopting these new technologies so companies can start getting ahead of the competition.

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Coffee Prices to Stumble After Surging 30% in 2021

January 28th, 2022 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Coffee (Green) – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Coffee prices remain highly volatile. In 2022, the average annual price for Arabica is forecast to decline thanks to expected production growth, while Robusta price will go up on skyrocketed demand from consumers, preferring cheaper alternatives to more expensive counterparts.

Key Trends and Insights

In 2022, the coffee price for Arabica is forecast to drop by about -2% y-o-y to $4.2 per kg, while Robusta will rise by 2% y-o-y to $2.0 per kg, the World Bank’s October forecast states. Expected production growth in Brazil is to push Arabica prices down. The price increase for Robusta is caused by heightened demand after many consumers began to seek cheap alternatives to more expensive Arabica.

The average annual price for Arabica coffee rose by 36% y-o-y to $4.51 per kg in 2021, while Robusta went up by 31% y-o-y to $1.98 per kg over the same period. The average monthly price in December 2021 reached $5.91 per kg for Arabica and $2.48 per kg for Robusta.

Brazil, the world’s largest supplier of coffee with a 35% share of global exports, shipped 1.7M tonnes of coffee abroad from January through September 2021, which was +5.8% higher than in the same period of 2020. In monetary terms, Brazil’s coffee exports totalled $3.95B, increasing by 17% compared to the same period a year earlier. The average export price for Brazilian coffee jumped from $2.10 per kg in January to $2.77 per kg in September 2021.

Global Coffee Exports

In 2020, global exports of coffee in its unroasted (green) form declined modestly to 6.7M tonnes, approximately reflecting the previous year. In value terms, supplies expanded to $16B (IndexBox estimates).

Brazil was the key exporting country that supplied 2.4M tonnes of coffee abroad, approx. 35% of global volume. Viet Nam (1,208K tonnes) occupied an 18% share (based on tonnes) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (10%), Indonesia (5.6%) and Uganda (4.9%). Ethiopia (231K tonnes), Peru (213K tonnes), Germany (211K tonnes), India (206K tonnes), Guatemala (189K tonnes), Nicaragua (149K tonnes) and Mexico (105K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

In value terms, Brazil ($5B) remains the largest green coffee supplier worldwide, comprising 31% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Colombia ($2.4B), with a 15% share of total shipments. It was followed by Viet Nam, with a 12% share.

Top Largest Coffee Importers

In 2020, the U.S. (1.3M tonnes) and Germany (1.1M tonnes) represented the major importers of coffee in unroasted form across the globe, together mixing up 37% of total volume. Italy (565K tonnes) and Japan (390K tonnes) accounted for a further 15% of global international purchases. Spain (287K tonnes), France (229K tonnes), Russia (198K tonnes), Switzerland (180K tonnes), the Netherlands (174K tonnes), South Korea (157K tonnes), the UK (156K tonnes), Belgium (146K tonnes) and Poland (128K tonnes) occupied relatively small shares of the total volume.

In value terms, the largest green coffee importing markets worldwide were the U.S. ($4.2B), Germany ($2.6B) and Italy ($1.2B), together accounting for 45% of global purchases. These countries were followed by Japan, Switzerland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, South Korea, the UK, Russia, Belgium and Poland, which together accounted for a further 30%.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Archives, Global Trade Daily

The Future of Contech

January 28th, 2022 Gonzalo Galindo Gout, Head of CEMEX Ventures Leave a comment

As a “bricks and mortar” industry heavily reliant on equipment, machinery, and a hands-on workforce, the construction sector has been slow to integrate technology. From 1947 – 2010, productivity in construction was at a plateau. But other industries, such as manufacturing and agriculture, were quick to embrace technological advancements and experienced massive increases in productivity. In recent years construction technology is finally having its insurgence.

Construction technology is reshaping the industry, helping meet deadlines, keeping project costs to a minimum, and ensuring worker safety in hazardous environments. It is possible that these new advancements are just what is needed to help manufacturers, distributors, and retailers mitigate the supply chain crisis.

Investment in Contech

By October 2021, U.S. construction technology investor funding reached a record-breaking $2.1 billion, more than a 100% increase from 2020. Crunchbase, an investment information platform, collected Construction Dive analysis data and found that this year early-stage funding in construction technology increased close to 100% from 2020, while late-stage funding jumped more than 150% percent in that same time. This means that early-stage funding in 2021 reached $738.3 million, while late-stage funding increased to $1.1 billion in the United States alone.

Henry D’Esposito, construction research lead at JLL, explained these record-breaking numbers, “Basically two or three years’ worth of construction tech adoption got squeezed into the nine months post-pandemic because everyone was shifting to being offsite, socially distancing and virtual tools.”

Current Contech Innovations

Introducing new technology to the construction field will benefit the entire construction value chain by increasing efficiency. And using big data and artificial intelligence throughout the design and construction process can transform the building sector. As well as help provide sustainable, and affordable housing.

Examples of technology implemented in the field include innovations such as handheld scanning devices. Scanning devices are not only easy to use, but significantly cut costs, and don’t require specialist knowledge or experience to carry out an accurate and highly detailed scan. Other technological advancements in the field include last-mile delivery platforms, digital marketplaces, and planning tools.

Startups, such as GoFor, Voyage Control, and Soil Connect, work to bring innovation to construction technology. Digital technology, like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things, have improved construction design and production. The internet of Things refers to physical objects such as scanners that are embedded with sensors and software that can connect with other devices and exchange data over the internet.

How Contech Can Help Solve the Supply Chain Crisis

The digital transformation of the field is emerging as a powerful tool to help construction contractors to overcome supply chain disruptions and material procurement. Greg Leung, the CEO of Connect Homes, a California-based builder delivering high-tech housing solutions, says that technology strongly impacts the global supply chain.

Peter Jackson, CFO of national distributor Builders FirstSource told Forbes that its manufacturing has increased 50% since the beginning of the year as builders look for ways to take time out of the build cycle with prefabricated solutions. Prefabricated, or Prefab, construction that is powered by digital technology can help safely create sustainable, high-quality housing at speed. Prefab houses are innovatively assembled from components such as walls and roofs that are produced in factories and delivered to the site for assembly. This makes building houses cheaper and more efficient.

Builders FirstSource is actively expanding manufacturing facilities across the country and signing new ones with regularity now, providing open-ended truss systems, roof trusses, wall panels, and other products that take work off the job site for more efficiency. Builders FirstSource also is experimenting with robotics for a more automated process. In 2019, the company acquired Raney Construction, an innovative offsite construction company that reduces time and labor in the home building process.

To mitigate the supply chain crisis, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers must embrace technological advancements in the construction field. The future of Contech is exciting and innovative, with operational benefits to boot. Investments in Contech are growing exponentially with no signs of stopping.

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GLOBAL SHIPPING WOES: THE SAGA CONTINUES

January 24th, 2022 Chris Jones, EVP of industry and services at Descartes Leave a comment

As 2022 unfolds, the pandemic-driven supply chain crunch is showing little sign of relenting. U.S. imports are at record highs and ports are clogged with ships waiting to enter and containers waiting to be emptied. Throngs of workers are off sick with the Omicron variant, severe winter weather is disrupting numerous transportation routes, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) contract negotiations are on the doorstep. Given the current state of affairs, and with the latest forecasts pointing to persistent supply chain bottlenecks, companies involved in international trade should focus on building supply chain resilience to weather the storm long-term.

CONSUMERS WANT THE GOODS

With a strong economy, declining unemployment rate (3.9% in December), and limited opportunity to spend their money on services (e.g., travel, events, restaurants) due to COVID restrictions, consumers are buying more durable and non-durable goods: think flat screen TVs for Netflix bingeing, furniture for the home office, and more kitchen appliances and groceries to cook at home instead of dining out.

Personal expenditures on goods remain high, increasing by 0.1% in December 2021, according to the latest U.S. Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) data. As Omicron spreads like wildfire across the country and service businesses grapple with staff shortages and new restrictions, consumer spending will continue to flow away from experience-based expenditures towards the purchase of tangible goods.

With consumers clamoring for products, retailers are still contending with availability issues, as reflected in the worrisome inventory-to-sales ratio of 1.07 (October 2021, latest update). According to FRED, this problematic ratio is tied with April 2021 as the lowest since the start of the pandemic—not good news for retailers facing aggressive consumer demand and empty shelves.

PORTS ARE STRUGGLING

The intense consumer demand for goods is one of the most significant drivers of high import volumes and the resulting global shipping challenges. While container import volumes declined in December compared to December 2020 and December 2019, volumes still broke records. According to U.S. import data, volumes increased 1% and 25%, respectively. In fact, year-over-year 2021 container import volumes were 18% higher than 2020 and 22% higher than 2019.

Source: Descartes Datamyne™

The record import volumes, coupled with driver shortages and a U.S. workforce crippled by the Omicron wave, continue to wreak havoc at the ports. Despite lower import volumes in December, port delays worsened, according to analysis from Descartes Datamyne™.

Delays reached staggering heights—Port of Los Angeles (15.1 days), Port of Long Beach (15.6 days), Port of New York/New Jersey (11.7 days)—and the number of ships waiting to dock and unload increased in tandem. As of January 7, 2021, there were 105 ships waiting to enter the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, up from 96 at the start of December 2021.

Notably, in response to problematic port delays, importers and LSPs are accelerating their shift away from the large West Coast ports. In fact, the Port of New York/New Jersey processed the most containers in December.

Source: Descartes Datamyne

RELENTLESS PANDEMIC-DRIVEN CHALLENGES

The pandemic continues to leave uncertainty in its wake, dashing hopes for a fast recovery from the supply chain chaos. Importers, LSPs, and ports are contending with record numbers of the labor force away sick or self-isolating. This is greatly impacting the ability to get goods into the hands of consumers—from electronics to beef and everything in between.

In the U.S., manufacturers are bracing for the impact of renewed lockdowns underway in China. As the country attempts to keep the Omicron variant from taking hold, its zero-tolerance policy may trigger another round of shutdowns at Chinese factories and ports, leading to further supply chain disruptions and constraining the ability of supply chains to recover.

At least 20 million people (~1.5% of China’s population) are in lockdown and the Hong Kong airport has initiated a month-long suspension of transit flights from approximately 150 “high-risk” countries; Volkswagen and Toyota have temporarily suspended their operations in the port city of Tianjin due to lockdowns. This “Omicron effect” will continue to exacerbate pressure on an already-taxed global supply chain in the near term.

Even as countries recover from the latest coronavirus variant wave, they will be under enormous pressure to simultaneously catch up on previous trade flows while trying to meet new demand—creating a whiplash effect on global logistics, as monthly TEUs swing dramatically between high and low volumes moving through the supply chain.

LOOKING AHEAD: DÉJÀ VU

If consumer behavior in 2022 mirrors 2021, the demand for goods and the associated logistics services to get them to market will stay at elevated levels through 2022, extending the supply chain capacity crunch and forcing stakeholders to adapt to the new normal. What steps can manufacturers, retailers, and LSPs take to mitigate risk moving forward?

In the short-term, importers and LSPs should track the spread of COVID variants to understand their path and the impact on critical parts of the supply chain. Companies should focus on keeping and nurturing the supply chain resources they have, especially drivers, and prioritize shipping higher-velocity and higher-margin goods to maximize profitability in the face of shipping capacity constraints. In addition, by considering alternate ports, such as eastern or inland ports, companies can hedge their bets against upcoming ILWU contract negotiations.

Shippers should also explore the possibility of shifting the movement of goods to less congested transportation lanes, or using alternative lanes into the U.S. (e.g., entry via northern and southern borders), to improve supply chain velocity and reliability. While total transit time is an important metric, supply chain predictability is a valuable attribute in the face of pandemic-driven volatility.

Thinking long-term, companies should evaluate the location density of their suppliers and factories to mitigate reliance on over-taxed trade lanes. While density does create economies of scale, the pandemic and subsequent logistics capacity crisis has highlighted the downside and inherent risks of this approach.

RESILIENCY HELPS ANSWER THE CALL

With months of shipping backlogs, labor shortages, and increased consumer demand for goods taking their toll on importers, LSPs and ports alike, companies must implement strategies that build resilience into their supply chains. From shifting to more resilient inventory models (i.e., saying goodbye to just-in-time) to leveraging global trade intelligence solutions to determine the most expedient and cost-effective routes and modes of transport, organizations can take steps to evolve their operations to better manage shipping challenges, mitigate supply chain risks, and protect their business from costly disruptions.

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High Purity Manganese Prices Surge as China Consolidates the Industry

January 24th, 2022 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Manganese Ores and Concentrates – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

China dominates imports of manganese ore, and shipments to the country are actively rebounding after 2020’s drop in mining and trade worldwide. The country is strengthening its control over the high-purity manganese sector used in electric car batteries. Chinese manganese producers have merged into a conglomerate enabling the country to influence prices and gain a competitive advantage.

Key Trends and Insights

In 2021, manganese ore shipments to China started to rebound after they fell a year earlier. From January through July 2021, 18.6M tonnes were purchased, which is 19% more than the same period in the previous year. in 2020, China imported 32M tonnes of ore which was 7.6% less than in 2019. at the same time, mining of manganese ore worldwide declined by 6% y-o-y to 60M tonnes due to the slump in demand from the primary downstream market, the steel industry. Global imports fell by 4% y-o-y to 43M tonnes in 2020. The country maintains its position as the largest importer with a market share of 74%.

Significant changes occur in the manganese sector due to its increasing use in the rapidly expanding electric automobile industry. China is the dominating player on the market for high-purity manganese used in car batteries, producing over 90% of the global supply. With government support, Chinese manganese companies formed a cartel-type association, the Manganese Innovation Alliance, to strengthen their positions in the global market. Since the union was created, prices for manganese shipped to South Korea have doubled.

Battery producers’ considerable dependence on products from China could hinder competition in the global accumulator market and enable Chinese products to push out foreign counterparts. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., based in China, currently constitutes the largest electric car battery producer globally. It is followed by the South Korean LG Energy Solution and the Japanese Panasonic, both importing a large portion of their manganese materials from China.

Manganese Ore and Concentrate Production

In 2020, approx. 60M tonnes of manganese ores and concentrates were produced worldwide, down by -2.9% on 2019 figures. in value terms, manganese ore and concentrate production declined rapidly to $8.7B, estimated at export prices.

South Africa (20M tonnes) constituted the country with the most significant manganese ore and concentrate production, comprising approx. 33% of total volume. Moreover, manganese ore and concentrate production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Australia (7.6M tonnes), threefold. Gabon (6.8M tonnes) ranked third in total production with an 11% share.

Manganese Ore and Concentrate Imports

In 2020, global manganese ore and concentrate imports contracted modestly to 43M tonnes, waning by -4.5% on the previous year. in value terms, manganese ore and concentrate imports dropped dramatically to $7.1B (IndexBox estimates).

China dominates manganese ore and concentrate import structure, recording 32M tonnes, which was near 74% of total imports in 2020. It was distantly followed by India (3.5M tonnes), making up 8.2% of total imports. Russia (1.2M tonnes), Malaysia (1.1M tonnes), South Korea (1.1M tonnes), Norway (0.9M tonnes) and Japan (0.8M tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

In value terms, China ($4.9B) constitutes the largest market for imported manganese ores and concentrates worldwide, comprising 69% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by India ($641M), with a 9.1% share of the total value. It was followed by South Korea, with a 3% share.

The average manganese ore and concentrate import price stood at $165 per tonne in 2020, declining by -16% against the previous year. Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. Major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Norway ($206 per tonne) and Japan ($204 per tonne), while China ($155 per tonne) and Russia ($159 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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Boomerangs: What Both Sides Should Consider Before Working Together Again

January 22nd, 2022 Eric Harkins Leave a comment

After months of the “Great Resignation,” another workforce trend is developing – ”boomerang” employees, or those who are returning to companies they left.

In some cases, businesses are pursuing former employees to rejoin them; in others, ex-employees, either unsatisfied with a new job or having been on the sidelines a while, are seeking a return to their old workplace. The reacquainting process in interviewing and rehiring can mean some awkward moments, and for both company leaders and ex-employees, there are important considerations before deciding to work together again.

Boomerang employees can be a powerful force for your company if they come back for the right reasons. If they found the grass was not greener on the other side, a boomerang employee may be your biggest advocate on culture. They save companies time and money in the usual recruiting process and strengthen the business because they’re a known commodity.

And for returning employees, there’s often a renewed sense of appreciation for where they work and whom they work with. They feel more appreciated. But it can be dicey if issues that led to them leaving are still there.

Here are some tips for former employees when considering a return to a company, and also some advice for leaders when weighing whether to bring a former employee back:

For the returning employee

Do your homework. It can be a good thing to go back, but only if the company addressed whatever issues caused you to leave in the first place. If it was leadership, have they fixed that? It’s important to do your homework to find out what changes have been made that would encourage you to want to work there again.

Ask your employer the hard questions. Employees should feel comfortable asking tough questions, such as, “What steps have you taken to make sure I won’t dread coming to my job anymore? Why won’t you allow more people to work remotely? How have you improved the work culture since I left?”

Sell them on the benefits of rehiring you. New employees take both training and time to ramp up at a new job. When ex-employees pursue a job at their old company, they should emphasize their track record with the company and their familiarity with processes and people – strengths that save the company time and money to recruit and interview other candidates.

Be prepared for changes. The job the employee left may have changed, thus when that person returns to his former employer, they may be reporting to new people and using new processes. A real selling point about an ex-employee returning is that person embracing flexibility and having added skills that make them even more valuable. They should promote those while being prepared to view their old job with new eyes.

For the employer

Sharply focus interview questions to determine compatibility. Most importantly, the company needs to identify why the employee left the first time. Do those issues still exist? The leaders should ask specific questions related to the ex-employee’s recent experience and about their whys regarding returning. Have they added a new skill set that makes them even more valuable? If any prior issues with the company are resolved, does the leader sense a long-term commitment this time?

Don’t be desperate. Although numerous companies are struggling to fill open positions, it’s important that the company doesn’t get desperate because of hiring needs and welcomes back a toxic employee. As much damage as they did the first time they worked for you, it will be multiplied by 10 times if a high-performing employee watches the company bring someone back who underperformed and caused issues the first time they were there.

Don’t make it all about money. While many companies are increasing pay packages to find high-quality workers, that shouldn’t be automatic when welcoming back former employees. That could alienate other employees who stayed with the company and have not gotten increases. For the return engagement to work, it can’t all be about money and benefits. It’s important to find out what it is about their overall workplace experience that will help keep them there. Is it a more specific career growth plan, or working from home?

In the movies, they say the sequel is rarely better than the original. But the second time around can be better for boomerang employees and their employers, as long as both sides are upfront and appreciation is equal.

_________________________________________________________________

Eric Harkins (https://ericharkins.com) is the president and founder of GKG Search & Consulting, a Minneapolis-based consulting firm that helps organizations acquire and retain top performers. He is the ForbesBooks author of Great Leaders Make Sure Monday Morning Doesn’t Suck: How To Get, Keep & Grow Talent. During his 25-year career in corporate America, Harkins has held leadership positions ranging from manager to chief talent officer and chief administrative officer. He is a motivational speaker, executive coach, and an expert in helping companies create a culture that high performers want to be a part of.

Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

Ecommerce Behind the Scenes: Efficient Warehouse Management with WMS

January 19th, 2022 Pedro Gordo, Supply Chain Business Manager, Generix Group Leave a comment

In the last year and a half, we have witnessed a profound transformation of the business reality, a rapid transition of organizations to the digital world, and a significant change in consumer habits. The growth of e-commerce is a sign of this transformation. According to the forecasts of the study “Economia e Sociedade Digital em Portugal”, released last year, e-commerce in the B2C (business-to-consumer) segment will continue to grow in Portugal and should reach 10.8 billion euros by 2025. The same trend will be felt in the B2B (business-to-business) segment, where e-commerce is expected to reach 155.8 billion euros in that same year.

This paradigm shift forces companies to be increasingly agile and efficient in managing their operations and supply chains in order to meet the growing demands of consumers and an increasingly competitive business ecosystem. The key to positioning companies at the forefront of competitiveness lies in the adoption of technological and innovative tools that enable organizations to optimally and efficiently manage their operations. And in this field, I would like to highlight the importance of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).

At a time when e-commerce is expanding and delivery times are increasingly shorter, it is imperative for a company to ensure rigorous management of its warehouses and ensure a response, without delays or failures, to customer orders. And it is precisely in this field that WMS systems stand out. These systems allow total control of the logistics operations in the warehouse, through automated and intelligent processes, from the moment merchandise enters a warehouse until it is dispatched.

Among the main advantages of these systems are the following:

-More efficient stock management: Through process automation, WMS systems ensure more efficient stock and inventory management, as well as better optimization of all available storage space

-Obtaining real-time data: The visibility of operations is a feature increasingly valued by companies and WMS systems allow organizations to know in real-time all the essential information about stocks, movements, and other aspects

-Logistics Performance Monitoring (KPIS): In addition to visibility, these systems also allow, through specific modules, to monitor the logistics performance of the warehouse activities. By formatting data for analysis and presenting reports, the systems help managers identify possible inefficiencies and possible improvements that can be implemented to ensure a more efficient and productive warehouse management.

-Ease of integration, configuration and usability: It is a tool that can be easily integrated with other systems that companies use, particularly with ERP. In addition, these systems are typically intuitive and easy to use, to ensure that everyone involved in the logistics operations of the warehouse can use them without difficulty.

-Decreased likelihood of errors and failures: By allowing the automation of processes, WMS systems contribute to the reduction of failures and to a better optimization of human resources allocated to warehouse management.

-Thus, WMS systems are increasingly becoming an indispensable tool for organizations to manage their warehouses more effectively, reducing costs and errors, ensuring faster execution of operations and, ultimately, guaranteeing better customer service.

It is tools like these that help companies navigate this new business environment in which e-commerce is playing a catalytic role in the transformation of business models and corporate value chains. I have no doubt that the incorporation of this and other technologies will be a critical factor for success and raise the levels of competitiveness of organizations in this post-pandemic context.

Generix Group North America provides a series of solutions within our Supply Chain Hub product suite to create efficiencies across an entire supply chain. Our solutions are in use around the world, and our experience is second-to-none. We invite you to contact us to learn more.

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South Korea’s Benzene Exports to Hit Record $2.2B With Rising Supplies to China and Japan

January 19th, 2022 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘Republic of Korea – Benzene – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights‘. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

From January-October 2021, South Korea supplied abroad 2.0M tonnes of benzene, which was 10% more than in the same period a year earlier. Due to rising prices, exports in value terms spiked more than twofold, reaching $1.8B. Most of the increment was provided by expanded supplies to China and Japan. By the end of this year, the total value of benzene exported from Korea could exceed $2.2B, setting a new record.

Korea’s Benzene Exports by Country

From January-October 2021, South Korea’s benzene exports totaled 2.0M tonnes, a 10%-increase compared to the same period in 2020. In value terms, they surged from $875 to $1.8B over that time range.

Compared to the same period of last year, China and Japan have significantly boosted benzene purchases from South Korea this year. China ramped up imports by 31% to $1.15B, while supplies to Japan jumped by 68% to 107K tonnes.

In 2020, approx. 2.2M tonnes of benzene were exported from South Korea, shrinking by -15.5% compared with 2019. In value terms, benzene exports dropped markedly to $1.1B (IndexBox estimates).

China (1.1M tonnes), the U.S. (636K tonnes) and Taiwan (Chinese) (444K tonnes) were the main destinations of benzene exports from South Korea, together accounting for 97% of total exports.

In value terms, the largest markets for benzene exported from South Korea were China ($499M), the U.S. ($327M) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($216M), with a combined 96% share of total exports.

Last year, the average benzene export price amounted to $487 per tonne, falling by -23.6% against the previous year. Average prices varied noticeably for the key foreign markets. In 2020, the countries with the highest prices were the U.S. ($515 per tonne) and Japan ($500 per tonne), while the average price for exports to China ($469 per tonne) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($485 per tonne) were amongst the lowest. In 2020, the most notable growth rate in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Japan, while the prices for the other significant destinations experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Vietnam Strengthens Position in American Plastic Shutter and Blind Imports

January 16th, 2022 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘U.S. – Plastic Shutters And Blinds – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

American imports of plastic shutters and blinds jumped by +11% y-o-y to 97M units in 2020. In value terms, imports grew to $887M, steadily rising during the past decade. Cambodia, China and Viet Nam constitute the largest suppliers to the U.S., accounting for 75% of the American imports. Viet Nam emerged as the fastest-growing exporter of plastic shutters and blinds to the U.S. last year. The average import price for plastic shutters and blinds dropped by -8.9% y-o-y $9.1 per unit in 2020.

American Imports of Plastic Shutters and Blinds

In 2020, imports of plastic shutters and blinds into the U.S. expanded remarkably to 97M units, growing by +11% on the year before. In value terms, plastic shutters and blinds imports rose slightly from $879M in 2019 to $887M (IndexBox estimates) in 2020. Over the past decade, American imports increased from $549M to $887M.

Cambodia (28M units), China (27M units) and Viet Nam (19M units) were the main suppliers of plastic shutters and blinds imports to the U.S., together comprising 75% of total imports.

Among other suppliers, Viet Nam (+74.1% per year) recorded the biggest increases in export volume of plastic shutters and blinds to the U.S. in 2020.

In value terms, Cambodia ($264M), China ($199M) and Viet Nam ($198M) constituted the largest plastic shutters and blinds suppliers to the U.S., with a combined 75% share of total imports.

The average import price for plastic shutters and blinds stood at $9.1 per unit in 2020, with a decrease of -8.9% against the previous year. There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Viet Nam ($11 per unit), while the price for Taiwan (Chinese) ($6.9 per unit) was amongst the lowest. In 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Viet Nam, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Trucking

101 Trailer Tracking Tips From the Experts

January 14th, 2022 Matt Krysiak Leave a comment

Fleet management today requires careful oversight of facilities, vehicles, drivers, and cargo trailers. Since trucks are often on the road for long periods of time, many companies are using fleet management systems to monitor the routes and status of each vehicle. In addition, Yard Management Systems (YMS) can help control the efficiency of each loading area or warehouse. In order to develop a comprehensive trailer tracking and fleet management plan, it’s a good idea to review best practices that have proven effective for other carriers.

It’s always essential to keep compliance in mind when developing trailer tracking and fleet management plans. That includes ensuring that all trailers have rating plates and data plates compliant with applicable transportation industry regulations from the Department of Transportation and other regulatory agencies. Choose a durable data plate material such as Metalphoto® anodized aluminum to ensure that your vehicles’ rating plates remain readable even when exposed to the harsh outdoor conditions in which your vehicles operate.

In this post, we’ll share 101 top trailer tracking tips collected from experts within the industry. You will find an excellent mix of ideas that cover technology, processes, common challenges, and emerging innovations. We hope you’re able to find a few relevant practices that can have a positive impact on your trucking and trailering operations. We’ve organized these tips according to the 5 categories below for easy browsing:

–Benefits of Effective Trailer Tracking

-Tips for Choosing the Best Trailer Tracking Technology

-Trailer Tracking Hardware Tips

-Yard Management Tips

-Best Practices for Effective Trailer Tracking

Benefits of Effective Trailer Tracking

1. Improved Asset Utilization. “Trailer tracking systems help you to improve asset utilization as well as protect them from theft. The telematics technology helps you to understand precisely how your assets are being used because you have full visibility over trailer locations, door openings, temperature changes, what the load capacity is, and plenty more. You can, therefore, get a better sense of the day-to-day productivity and efficiency of your asset utilization, without having to check trailers manually.” – Jackson Hand, Benefits of Trailer Tracking for Your Business, Verizon Connect; Twitter: @VerizonConnect

2. Asset Security and Recovery. “To start with, with a good GPS asset tracking system in place, a fleet manager can know where each trailer is at all times. Assets stop disappearing. Whether they’re out on the road or in the yard, they can be instantly located. This makes for much greater security. Additionally, whenever audits are required to verify assets, GPS tracking will show that they do indeed exist, and exactly where they are.” – Bruce Boyers, Benefits of GPS trailer tracking, KeepTruckin; Twitter: @KeepTruckinInc

3. Maintain Fleet Visibility With Partners. “Though many fleets use telematics in their own vehicles, some trucking companies rely on independent owner-operator contractors to complete a portion of their hauling. This can put fleet managers in a tough spot if the contracted trucks don’t have vehicle tracking in place, especially when employees or customers rely on this type of visibility. To remedy this, fleets can simply use their own GPS trailer tracking solution as a stand-in in the scenario that a contractor doesn’t have vehicle tracking software or simply partners with a different provider.” – Ashley Mrozek, 4 Key Benefits GPS Trailer Tracking Provides Fleets, Samsara; Twitter: @Samsara

4. Third Party Logistics Support. “Reduce supply chain shrinkage, monitor where and when your pallets, cargo, parcels or items are removed from your trailers. We can work with you to automatically detect if cargo has been removed at a location other than its destined delivery address by correlating drop off points with delivery schedules.” – GPS trailer tracking Delivering Real ROI, TrailerTrailers

5. Streamlined Trailer Maintenance. “Maintenance scheduling which is planned routinely by time period, and not based on actual trailer use causes unnecessary trailer downtime. By monitoring actual trailer use maintenance is cheaper and more efficient. A fleet owner can achieve a reduction of 35% in maintenance costs which can amount to around €17,500 for a fleet of 500 trailers.” – The advantages of trailer tracking for fleet management, Route42

6. Improved Incident Response Times. “If a truck breaks down and the trailer has to be switched onto another rig, you can manage this much easier with GPS tracking. You must prepare your business for emergencies of all sizes and possibilities. You’ll know the precise map location of a trailer, be able to dispatch another driver, and have the delivery back in transit as soon as possible. By knowing where every driver is, which trailers are available, and who can pick up cargo, you can resolve situations much faster than if you had to manually call for assistance.” – Josh Wienman, 3 Benefits Of GPS Trailer Tracking, In News Weekly; Twitter: @innewsweekly

7. Transparent Monitoring and Tracking. “Transparent monitoring is one of the big reasons why businesses should install a trailer tracking solution in their fleet, but it’s not the only one. The ability to track trailers, as well as other commercial vehicles reduces the chances of unauthorized use, theft, and promotes better utilization of assets.” – Sarang Pharate, 5 Key Things You Should Know About Trailer Tracking Solutions, IoT For All; Twitter: @iotforall

8. Quicker Recovery of Stolen Assets. “Not only can GPS tracking devices help with identifying where the stolen goods are, but they can also provide necessary information for the authorities for investigation and relocation of the merchandise. A process that can otherwise be long, complicated, and costly. Most importantly, they can prevent and stop thefts before they happen by giving fleet managers complete control and visibility of their trailers and assets.” – Elizabeth Pare, The Importance of GPS Trailer Tracking, Anytrek; Twitter: @AnytrekCorp

9. A Reduction in Insurance-Related Costs. “Most of the prominent insurance corporations out there have come to see how important GPS fleet tracking can be and are all strongly advocating for its implementation. In most scenarios, trailers that have GPS devices can have their insurance premiums decreased from ten percent to as much as thirty percent. Insurance providers are looking at GPS tracking as a reliable option. One of the reasons being it can quickly find out when vehicles have changed their route and immediately alert the supervisors.” – The 5 Proven Benefits of GPS Tracking Your Fleet of Tractor Trailers, Lonestar Tracking; Twitter: @LoneStarTrackin

10. Identify Trends Using Analytics. “By applying analytics to GPS tracking data, you can spot operational trends and take action to correct or continue them as appropriate. For example, you might see that one of your locations appears to have a trailer shortage while another has trailers sitting idle. If that is the case, you can reallocate resources to resolve the issue.” – How GPS Tracking Improves Trailer Fleet Management, Boxwheel Trailer Leasing; Twitter: @boxwheel

11. A Reduction in Manual Paperwork. “Trailer tracking uses GPS technology with cloud-based applications that keep a record of everything. The information is organized and stored in the cloud and can be accessed via any mobile device at any point in time. It’s time-saving, cost-effective, as well as environment-friendly. It also eliminates the chances of loss or any discrepancy, as the data is recorded in real time.” – Emma Pauline, Trailer Tracking – Important Things To Know, Matrack; Twitter: @matrackinc

12. Automated Alerts and Updates. “These features keep you up-to-date with each and every trailer in your fleet. This means you can customize alerts on how often you would like to receive them. For instance, an update on the trailer’s movement every six hours, every 8-hours, or even after a whole 24-hours.” – Trailer GPS Monitoring Benefits & Features, Wireless Links; Twitter: @wirelesslinksnj

13. Optimized Trailer Capacity. “With a manual logging system, it is hard to make a waterproof system that tells you exactly how your trailer fleet is used. Errors easily slip in and you struggle to have a full overview of your trailers. A solution in place will help you understand the use-rate on your fleet. In other words, it will provide you with reports and alerts for the allocation, rotation, and retention of your trailers.” – Trailer tracking: What and how?, Sensolus; Twitter: @sensolus

14. Comprehensive Fleet Mapping. “Make sure your GPS tracking system gives you that ability to view all of your trailers on a single map, including their location history. Knowledge is power and the more information you have, the better able you will be to manage your valuable assets.” – 7 Features to Look For in a GPS Trailer Tracker, GPS Trackit; Twitter: @gpstrackit

15. Decreased Loading and Unloading Times. “Loading and unloading trailers can be a time-consuming logistical nightmare. A trailer utilization solution can help you pin-point the exact cause of inefficiencies so you can make changes to your operational processes and save valuable time.” – The 10 Big Benefits of a Trailer Utilization Solution, CloudHawk; Twitter: @CloudHawk

16. Track Events Within The Trailer. “With the use of trailer tracking devices comes the opportunity to track numerous pieces of information, including door open/close events, trailer temperatures in refrigerated trucks, trailer power status, and more.” – Brian Dziuk, 3 Reasons to Use a GPS Trailer Tracking Solution (+ Top Devices), Rastrac; Twitter: @Rastrac_GPS

17. Highly Scaleable For Future Needs. “If you’re more experienced with telematics, you’ll know how important it is that you find a solution that can be configured to your needs and, more important, is scalable and can grow along with the size and the changing operational realities of your fleet. With the availability of cost-effective trailer tracking solutions, there is little reason why trailers should remain the forgotten asset, and, instead, be top-of-mind as your fleet fulfills its daily mission to serve its customers.” – Tracking the Forgotten Asset: Using Technology to Improve Trailer Management, GPS Insight; Twitter: @gpsinsight

18. Optimized Route Planning. “Today’s tracking systems, via their onboard modules, calculate routes on the go and continuously, taking into account unexpected issues such as traffic jams. These real-time GPS trackers are able to recalculate each route and ETA with fine-tuned precision, thereby reducing the total distance travelled, limiting transportation costs and improving delivery visibility for customers.” – How GPS tracking benefits the bottom line, Trailermatics; Twitter: @Trailermatics

19. Control Vehicle Movements With Geofencing. “When shipping high-value, high-risk and time-sensitive freight (such as medical devices, high-end electronics, smartphones and banking documents), the ability to track every move the trailer makes is vital. Carriers with geo-fencing technology can monitor a trailer’s location every step of the way, ensuring the equipment doesn’t stray from the pre-determined route or go unnoticed if it does. If for some reason it exits the invisible barrier, the carrier can quickly contact the driver to determine why and take the appropriate action. Geo-fencing technology gives shippers a more secure experience and more on-time deliveries.” – Paige Brooks, The Importance of Geo-fencing Technology in the Trucking Industry, ArcBest; Twitter: @ArcBestCorp

20. Track Staff and Truck Work Histories. “Maintaining effective control of a team of mobile workers and their associated vehicles and equipment is critical to the success of any business. Without firsthand knowledge of the real-time and historical activities of your people and equipment, your operations staff is basically blindfolded.” – Rover TT GPS Trailer Tracking, FQWireless: Twitter: @fqwireless

Tips for Choosing the Best Trailer Tracking Technology

21. Choose Which Monitoring You Require. “As you decide between GPS fleet trackers, you’ll need to consider what metrics you want to track. While you can expect GPS trackers to monitor your assets and vehicles’ locations, you may want to receive more information about your fleet. Some trackers can let you know the temperature of a cargo hold, provide information on the vehicle’s performance or send reports about driver safety.” – What GPS Tracking Device Is Right for Your Fleet?, Track Your Truck; Twitter: @TrackYourTruck

22. Does The Device Report Data Consistently. “If you’re not consistently gathering data, your trailer tracking ROI goes out the window. Still, many suppliers have products where as much as 15% of trailer telematics devices aren’t reporting. That’s a giant data gap that makes it hard to get the most out of a trailer tracking solution.” – Luke Roney, 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Trailer Tracking Solution, EROAD; Twitter: @EroadGlobal

23. Focus on the Overall Value of the System. “Price is important, but value is the ultimate measure. Most often, clients have a whole array of mobile assets alongside their trailers, whether it’s trucks, vans or company cars, or even other kinds of high-value assets. You’d be better off (over the long term) considering suppliers that can meet all of your fleet management needs now and in the foreseeable future.” – 3 Key Factors For Choosing the Right Trailer Tracking Solution, MiX Telematics; Twitter: @MiXTelematics

24. Review All the Technology Factors That Affect Cost. “When it comes to deciding on a trailer tracking system, many factors are at play, and most of them affect cost. For example, if real-time tracking isn’t critical to your fleet, a money-saving option may be to choose a battery-powered system that sends back location reports on an hourly basis, or even less frequently.” – Jeff Miller, What is trailer tracking and why do you need it?, KeepTruckin; Twitter: @KeepTruckinInc

25. Consider After-Sales Service Support. “When you buy your first trailer GPS tracker, things should not stop there. You need to make sure that the makers offer technical support should you need it. This technical support can be in the form of email, live chat online or even a direct phone call. The people working in the tech team are very knowledgeable when it comes to the products and are in a position to answer any questions or queries you may have regarding managing your device.” – Features To Look For When Buying GPS Trackers, Lonestar Tracking; Twitter: @LoneStarTrackin

26. Pursue Temperature Data Loggers for Refrigerated Trailer Loads. “When transporting perishable goods, your reputation depends on product quality. Food spoilage accounts for $35 billion in losses and 1.3 billion tons of waste, with about 12 percent of this waste coming from changes in room temperature. When food spoils on the truck, it hurts your reputation, but more importantly, it hurts your customers’ businesses. This is why temperature data loggers can be the difference between several hundred pounds of food spoilage and peace of mind.” – A Comprehensive Guide to Tracking Your Trailer Loads, Samsara; Twitter: @Samsara

27. Look for Geofencing Capabilities. “Geofencing is an incredibly important feature to have because it can allow you to see if the trailer or assets go outside of the boundaries of where they are supposed to be. This can help in a few different ways. For one thing, this can help you recover a trailer if it was stolen. It can also help to determine if an accident happened, allowing you the time you need to get help and another truck to continue the delivery. Lastly, this can help you see if your drivers are staying on the route they are supposed to.” – How to Select the Best Trailer Tracking Devices for Cold Chain Location and Conditions Monitoring, Eelink; Twitter: @e2link

28. Choose from External, Battery, or Solar Powered Devices. “Also, trailer tracking devices must be externally powered (for powered or motorized trailers), or powered by batteries or solar cells (for non-powered or non-motorized trailers). The only other device needed to track your fleet’s trailers is a Web-connected smartphone, tablet, or computer to access the trailer tracker software.” – Justin Schmid, FAQ: Your Top 6 GPS Trailer Tracker Questions, GPS Insight; Twitter: @gpsinsight

29. Motion Sensing Capabilities Can Improve Battery Life. “Your trailer tracking solution should do more than mark a spot on a map. Rover TT monitors movements with motion-sensing capabilities. Fleet owners can track cargo movements in their trailers, protecting valuable assets against theft and employee ‘side jobs.’ Motion-sensing capabilities can also increase battery conversation, with the option to program the device accelerometer to wake from its power saving ‘sleep’ upon detecting movement.” – You Asked: “What Should I Look For in a Trailer Tracking GPS System?”, FQWireless; Twitter: @fqwireless

30. Choose a Platform That Allows Real-Time Communications. “Trailer tracking gives you the ability to receive regular updates on the progress of shipments, because you’re able to see your asset’s location during the entire route. This transmittal of information via GPS trailer tracking allows you to cut lead times and maximize efficiencies with up-to-the-minute shipment status updates.” – Trailer & Equipment Tracking, Rhino Fleet Tracking; Twitter: @rhinofleets

31. Look for Technology That Enables Automation and Fleet Efficiencies. “This new technology helps our dispatch team identify tractor and trailer inconsistencies, making diagnosing and fixing these mismatches easier. This helps our customers identify the real-time location of our trailers, whether they are in yards or en route.” – Jeff Pries, Trailer Tracking Technology – Simplifying The Tracking Process For Customers And Drivers, Bison Transport; Twitter: @Drive4Bison

32. Prepare for the Sunset of 3G GPS Tracking. “It’s important to note that while a particular carrier may say when their 3G network will be discontinued, it’s possible that their 3G service will be inconsistent before that date. This is because many carriers have ‘roaming agreements’ that let them use the towers of other carriers at times. If those other carriers have discontinued 3G, service may be unavailable in certain areas. The bottom line: You should make the transition away from 3G as soon as possible.” – Is Your Fleet Prepared for the “Sunset” of 3G GPS Tracking?, Boxwheel Trailer Leasing; Twitter: @boxwheel

33. Consider the Ease of Installation. “Making minor modifications to the vehicle can appear impossible to most people. And, it’s reasonable that several people prioritize ease of installation when choosing a Trailer GPS tracker. Fortunately, a reliable Trailer GPS tracker should be compact and lightweight enough to be mounted on a vehicle. Using the best GPS tracker needs to be as easy as hiding a plastic full of pencils in your boot. Unless you want to do some sort of extra advanced installation.” – Trailer GPS Tracker: Top 5 Best Systems (Reviews & Scores), ELD Devices; Twitter: @elddevices

34. Mobile Connectivity Is Critical for Dispersed Fleets. “Many businesses are hopping on the trend of mobilizing their workforce by having their employees use mobile phones and tablets on the job. This trend is more applicable in a vehicle fleet than anywhere else as drivers are perpetually on the go! Therefore, GPS fleet tracking software should be easy for drivers to use on their mobile devices while they’re on the road.” – 4 Features of Successful GPS Fleet Tracking Solutions, SkyBitz; Twitter: @SkyBitz

35. Review Integrations With Your Existing Software. “Many transportation companies rely on other software systems for a multitude of business needs, like for dispatch capabilities. Make sure you identify a GPS provider that can work to integrate their trailer tracking software to your existing software.” – The 5-minute Trailer Tracking Guide, Spireon; Twitter: @spireon

36. Look For Quality Reporting Features. “A GPS tracking solution should provide you with the data and reporting capabilities necessary to make informed business decisions. One key to reporting is flexibility. If a vehicle tracking system doesn’t allow you to automate reports on a weekly or monthly basis while also giving you the ability to generate reports instantly, cross that one off your list. The reports should be concise and easy to understand. Reports should be available in your choice of formats: download to spreadsheet, email or online. Important reports should include vehicle starts and stops, excessive idling times, speed violations and much more. Information should be archived for at least 1 year and customizable by time and date.” – Robert Drucker, The 5 Most Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Vehicle Tracking System, Boston Global Tracking; Twitter: @bostongps

37. Check The Quality and Availability of Location Data. “Would your trailer inventory benefit from real-time tracking, or is a single location ping every five to ten minutes sufficient? Additionally, would it be helpful to have the option to switch between real-time or interval alerts?” – How to Use a GPS Tracker for Trailers to Improve Your Fleet Management, Samsara; Twitter: @Samsara

38. Find a Solution That Gives You Complete Control. “Look for a telematics provider that can give you, as partner, full control over the platform. This means you’re better able to support your clients — reducing administrative delays, minimising waiting times and making sure they’re up and running quickly AND efficiently.” – 7 factors when choosing the right tracking platform, Telematics Wire; Twitter: @telematicswire

39. Dispatching Can Be More Efficient with Real-Time Data Tracking. “Effective dispatching is possible with Real-time solutions. It is possible to know the status of each vehicle and the location of the drivers on a map. This feature allows you to take actions on emergency or other situations and to effectively manage the day-to-day operations.” – 7 Things to Consider When Choosing a GPS Vehicle Tracking Device, Edsys; Twitter: @EdsysEducation

40. Prioritize Fuel Tracking and Analysis. “As a leading expense line for many businesses, the right fleet tracking software will track fuel spend and monitor fuel usage to identify wasteful behaviors, such as excessive idling and aggressive acceleration with real-time alerts.” – Fleet Tracking Software: The Ultimate Buyers Guide, Teletrac Navman; Twitter: @TeletracNavman

41. Look for a Balance of Features and Cost. “Be aware that the GPS tracking and telematics industry is no different than your industry. The low price leader is forgoing something (features, service, financial stability, etc.) to be at the lowest price point. By using the checklist you will overcome the temptation to go with the low price leader which may not be the best long-term partner that will maximize your return on investment.” – GPS Tracking Buyers Guide, Fleetistics; Twitter: @fleetistics

42. Preventive Maintenance Features Can Reduce Equipment Downtime. “When maintenance isn’t planned for, it keeps trailers off the road longer than necessary, which can equate to less business won for your company. Taking preventative measures with GPS trailer tracking will allow you to schedule maintenance and receive alerts with enough time to plan around that trailer’s downtime. Companies also turn to GPS trailer tracking for the capability to schedule maintenance based on of a specific date for annual inspections.” – Lance Holt, GPS Trailer Tracking – Optimizing Your Productivity, GPS Insight; Twitter: @gpsinsight

Trailer Tracking Hardware Tips

43. Install a Device That is Difficult for Thieves to Track. “Most GPS trackers can be detected, however the LoneStar Tracking system is one of the most difficult trackers to detect. If a thief is scanning for a tracking device, it will only detect the GPS tracker if the unit is transmitting location information. Because the LoneStar Tracking GPS trackers sleep when the trailer is not moving, there is no signal for the thief to detect.” – GPS Trailer Tracker, Lonestar Tracking; Twitter: @LoneStarTrackin

44. Water-Resistant Housings Help Protect The Device. “Additionally, our trailer tracking device has an amazing water-resistant quality that works flawlessly in any bitterest situation that the truck driver may face on the road. One of the crucial reasons why most people make use of this device is it increases the security of the trailer and cargo. It also reduces the driver’s detention time. – Oscar Bernard, How does a trailer tracker function?, TXT E Solutions; Twitter: @TXTELD

45. Hardware Tracking Prevents Equipment Hoarding. “Stop wasting money on idle equipment. Equipment hoarding has become a common practice on today’s job sites. Sometimes it’s accidental, but sometimes it’s very intentional. It can be tempting to keep a piece of equipment onsite for a ‘just in case’ situation, but if that equipment isn’t working for you, it’s losing money. Asset tracking allows you visibility of all your assets, so you can optimize workflows and make sure valuable equipment is being put to use.” – Brittany Wooten, 4 Benefits of Asset Tracking for Fleet Management, EROAD; Twitter: @EroadGlobal

46. Ensure Your Hardware Supports Low Battery Alerts. “You never want your GPS tracker to die on you, so an asset tracking system that lets you view your battery’s status is a must. Notifications let you know the moment your battery is low or disconnected so you can keep on track.” – Introduction to Asset Tracking For Trailers, CallPass; Twitter: @_CallPass

47. Choose The Proper Installation Option. “GPS tracking devices are integral to your fleet’s operational efficiency. They monitor your vehicles in real-time providing you with data related to everything from location and speed to excessive idling and aggressive driving. Installing GPS fleet tracking devices isn’t difficult, but there are choices to make: Plug-n-play devices connect directly to an OBD-II or JBUS port. Hardwired vehicle tracking devices require a three-wire connection. Self-powered devices run on batteries or solar power.” – Comparing Installation Options for GPS Fleet Tracking Devices, AutoConnect GPS; Twitter: @PlugNTrackGPS

48. GPS-Enabled Taillights Can Add Covert Tracking. “Once installed, the unit can help fleets locate trailers that are dropped off at the wrong spot, lost, or stolen. The sensors typically broadcast their position over standard cellphone networks every five minutes when moving and charging, every 15 minutes when moving and not charging, and every six hours when idle.” – GPS-enabled taillights double as covert tracking devices, DC Velocity; Twitter: @dcvelocity

49. Use An ELD-Compliant Device For Paperless Compliance. “The roll out of Electronic Logging Devices as required by the ELD mandate is now complete with the AOBRD transition period over. ELD paperless log books can be set to automatically collect driving data, allowing drivers to maximize driving time by recording in single-minute units, not the traditional 15-minute increments. Roadside inspections are often quicker and more efficient too.” – Kevin Aries, Nine Ways to Make Truck Fleet Management Smarter, Verizon Connect; Twitter: @verizonconnect

50. Research Emerging IoT-Enabled Hardware. “However, new IoT-based applications can provide even better real-time operational efficiency for fleet managers. After all, fleet managers can leverage far more than just track-and-trace capabilities. There’s been a rise in ‘smart trucks’ that carry various sensors and devices bumper-to-bumper, collecting data and generating insights that are providing tangible value to fleet managers.” – Cody Lirette, The Role of IoT in Fleet Management, ORBCOMM; Twitter: @ORBCOMM_Inc

51. Consider Devices With Removable Batteries. “GPS is powered by a built-in or removable battery. The ability to use additional (removable) batteries is preferable because it will help to avoid a lot of problems connected with the built-in battery failure. This is a significant advantage, and preference should be given to such GPS trackers. But even in the case of an external power source, the GPS tracker will operate not longer than a few hours. For stable operation without any failures, the GPS unit needs to be connected to the car onboard network via the adapter. Therefore, the car adapter is a mandatory item in your GPS system.” – How To Build Your Own GPS Vehicle Tracking System, Cprime Studios; Twitter: @CPrimeStudios

52. Use Hardware to Monitor Engine Idling Time. “For example, by combining location with engine idling data, fleet managers can pinpoint problem areas and remind drivers to turn off their engines. Visibility into an entire fleet can help dispatchers deploy and monitor vehicles more efficiently, reducing empty miles and improving overall vehicle utilization. Leading fleet tracking systems can be configured to generate custom reports and real-time alerts to hone in on specific problem areas.” – 5 Benefits of Modern Fleet Tracking Systems, Lytx; Twitter: @lytx

53. Choose Between Short-Term and Long-Term Tracking. “Are you looking for something that would be ideal for tracking of a few days or weeks, or are you looking for a GPS fleet tracking device that can track for months or years at a time? Your answer will help you to determine the type of power supply you will need for your GPS tracker. Battery life can vary between fleet management trackers, which makes being able to choose from portable, battery-powered trackers, hard-wired trackers, or even solar power trackers particularly helpful.” – Brian Dziuk, 5 Tips for Choosing the Right GPS Fleet Trackers for Your Needs, Rastrac; Twitter: @Rastrac_GPS

54. Be Sure To Follow All Instructions for Any DIY Installations. “If you do opt to install the device yourself, make sure you follow all the instructions precisely and check the device carefully to ensure it works after the installation. Be aware that DIY vehicle tracking installation means you will have no external support available if something goes wrong, so make sure you are confident with how to deal with any issues that may arise.” – Amanda Thomas, Guide on How to Install a GPS Tracker on Your Vehicle: Plug-In or Hardwired?, Trackimo; Twitter: @trackimo

55. Use Vehicle Data For Fleet Replacement Planning. “The latest vehicle sensors and devices can deliver timely alerts about engine problems and many other diagnostic issues while alerting routing centers when your vehicles are out of service. Note that the cache of vehicle data is likely to help with drive fleet overhaul as well as replacement planning, which is convenient.” – Everything you need to know about telematics and fleet management, GPS Wox; Twitter: @gpswox

56. Consider a Critical Event Video (CEV) System. “Advanced technology has allowed dash cameras to go to the next level. The Critical Event Video (CEV) Camera is an improved version of the dash camera. Fleets can track vehicles, monitor driver behavior, access video footage, and optimize fleet management with these intelligent dash cameras. The CEV camera enables fleet managers to see how their drivers behave in real-time. With access to driver performance, managers can easily detect high fuel consuming behavior.” – Aspen Rogers, 6 Ways to Advance Your Fleet, Gentrifi GPS; Twitter: @GentrifiGPS

57. Collision Mitigation Technologies Can Supplement Tracking Devices. “Today’s systems are also eliminating the false positives that the old technology reported. For many companies, collision mitigation systems are becoming standard on new trucks and can be retrofitted to older trucks as well. Collision mitigation technology also serves as a way to monitor more of what’s going on around a truck as the truck’s speed and control in various conditions changes, offering the ability to take autonomous emergency action if necessary.” – Up to Date Fleet Solutions Require New Tech, WEX Inc.; Twitter: @WEXIncNews

58. Choose a Proper Location to Install The Device. “Firstly you must decide the place of installation for the tracker. More often, businesses prefer to get their fleet tracking device installed where it is easy to hide from the view of thieves as well as drivers. Placing the device under the dashboard of trucks or vehicles can be a good idea. Make sure that the high-end imports under the dashboard do not have a metal foil or else the decision to fix the device under the mount of dashboard may not work. Keep in mind that the GPS signal has the ability to penetrate glass, foam, plastic, wood, and fiberglass.” – How To Set Up A GPS Fleet Tracking System, Fleetroot; Twitter: @FleetrootInfo

59. Understand the Major Hardware Options Available. “GPS tracking requires you to integrate hardware into your fleet vehicles and equipment. There are three types of hardware you should be aware of: OBD II or ‘plug and play’ devices, hardwired devices, and battery-operated devices. You can also install dash cameras for better security and visibility. Here’s a breakdown of each.” – Karen Bradley, The Real Cost of Vehicle Tracking for Fleets, EcoTrack Fleet Management

Yard Management Tips

60. Use Trailer Tracking to Simplify Yard Checks. “Have your yard jockeys ever walked to a trailer only to discover it wasn’t the right one? Or that it was parked somewhere else? GPS trailer tracking shows you exactly where the trailer is, simplifying yard checks for sites. On-site cameras complement these checks with historical video footage. You can also receive proactive alerts notifying you when there is unusual activity in your yard.” – A Step-by-Step Guide for How to Track Trailers in the Yard, Samsara; Twitter: @Samsara

61. Monitor Driver Performance and History. “It is essential to know that your drivers are not behaving incorrectly behind the wheel. By examining your driver’s performance, you can prevent the amount of damage done to your vehicles. There is affordable technology in the trucking industry that can track speeding over the limit, braking harshly, and even excessive idling. Keeping these events to a minimum will save you money in the long run.” – Araceli Santos, 5 Tips For Trailer Maintenance In Your Fleet, Anytrek; Twitter: @AnytrekCorp

62. Track Trailer Arrivals and Departures With Geofencing. “In addition to determining the location of your trailers with GPS tracking, you can use geo zone alerts, or geofence alerts to also receive information about the arrival and departure times of your cargo. Geo zone alerts can even be automated to notify your team when a shipment is approaching a customer’s loading dock, for example. This way, you know when the cargo is delivered and an order has been completed without having to call your team.” – Simon Austin-Beckett, Trailer tracking benefits for your fleet, Verizon Connect; Twitter: @VerizonConnect

63. Improve Driver Efficiency With Efficient Monitoring. “Improving the process with efficient monitoring can greatly help drivers understand what trailers they’re connecting to. If these pieces function in the right order, your back office can quickly connect with drivers who are getting ready to start their trips with the wrong trailers. Happier drivers often equate to lower turnover rates, which can all result in terrific ROI for your business.” – Andrew Hicks, Webinar wisdom: Maximize your margins with trailer and asset tracking, Omnitracs; Twitter: @OmnitracsHQ

64. Manage and Optimize Trailer Utilization. “Where fleet utilization is an understanding of the percentage of your fleet that is being used for the purpose of fully optimizing resources, trailer utilization is even more granular, relating to the percentage of a trailer that is being used. Embracing IoT sensor technologies can help improve your trailer utilization, empowering fleet managers to increase their overall operational efficiency and revenue per mile.” – Trailer Utilization: The Key Word Every Fleet Manager Should Know, CloudHawk; Twitter: @CloudHawk

65. Hire A Capable Yard Manager. “Your ideal yard manager is organized and detailed oriented. They keep a board on the location of every trailer and know what each one contains. They also need to be an excellent strategist who can find what’s needed quickly. They monitor, schedule, track, and communicate with your drivers, providing efficient and clear direction to keep the yard running with no complications.” – Chadwick Heard, 4 Secrets To Yard Management Efficiency, RBW Logistics; Twitter: @rbwlogistics

66. Assign Parking Within the Yard. “Yard coordinators can prioritize and track trailer positions, arrivals and departures across distributed or centralized yards. The ability to assign parking and quickly locate trailers in the yard increases efficiency in operations. Workers don’t waste time hunting for trailers, or parking trailers in the wrong location.” – Four Ways to Improve Yard Management, Descartes Systems Group; Twitter: @DescartesSG

67. Take Advantage of Auto-Inventory Reconciliation Capabilities. “Today’s yard management systems may come with auto-inventory reconciliation, meaning the location of assets/trailers in the yard is automatically updated as the yard truck goes about its operations, reading RFID tags and associating the tag with the current GPS location. If a trailer is not in the position in which it was last seen, the system automatically updates the location, eliminating the need for manual yard checks.” – Seve Carnera, Top Challenges in Yard Management and How to Solve Them, SupplyChain247; Twitter: @SupplyChain247

68. Use Spotting and Shuttling Services to Streamline Management. “When high volumes of trucks and trailers need to enter or leave a yard, congestion can drastically hinder productivity. As an extension of the facility or transportation operation, spotting and shuttling services can improve communication between drivers and facility operators, mitigating disruptions and enhancing distribution.” – Tips on Managing the Yard, NFI Industries; Twitter: @nfiindustries

69. A Yard Management Systems (YMS) Can Improve Fleet Visibility. “Two main roles come to mind—visibility and communication. Today’s best systems offer visibility into basic information including the location, status, and contents of assets on the yard. They are also able to offer more detailed information including historical data, load detail down to the SKU, and accountability of who is performing tasks and when.” – Nathan Harris, Improving Operations With a Yard Management System, Inbound Logistics; Twitter: @ILMagazine

70. Have Drivers Check-In With a Smartphone Device Upon Arrival. “When drivers check in with their smartphones, they can also activate their global positioning systems so that yard personnel can track their whereabouts. That information gives warehouse managers the ability to plot the location of every truck on their lot, avoid the time-intensive process of searching for vehicles that may be parked in the wrong spots, and fit more drop-offs and pickups into each day.” – Ben Ames, Five tips for getting drivers through your yard faster, DC Velocity; Twitter: @dcvelocity

71. Consider All Vehicle Parameters To Optimize Parking. “To find the optimal parking space for each car, it is important to consider not only where you have space on the yard, but take into consideration what the next steps are for that individual vehicle. Will the vehicle undergo modification? Is the vehicle damaged? What is the next mode of transportation? These questions must be considered to optimize parking and keep costly kilometers off the odometer.” – Luisa Walendy, 5 Tips For Vehicle Yard Operators, INFORM; Twitter: @inform_software

72. Use Multi-Technology Solutions. “In the yard, the lift truck is equipped with RFID readers. These are onboard computers with a cellular modem and a GPS device that allows dispatchers to assign move tasks and track driver performance. In addition, it also provides drivers with the ability to perform automatic, drive-by yard checks, manage move tasks and assign trailer locations based on GPS coordinates. By using this multi-technology solution, the 3PL was able to attain the required yard functionality in a cost-effective fashion.” – Chuck Papa, Organizing Yard Management Flow, Material Handling & Logistics; Twitter: @MHLeditor

73. Ensure Yard Drivers Are Onboard With Your Chosen System. “Absolutely key to the success of your implementation are the yard drivers. If they are not on board the system is sure to falter. They are typically a very skilled team who know how to manage a yard. So it’s very important to help them understand that the YMS is there to help, not take away their autonomy or worse—their job.” – Gregory Braun, A Practical Guide: Purchasing and Implementing a Yard Management System, C3 Solutions; Twitter: @c3solutions

74. Implement Efficient Labor Management Techniques. “If you visit a traditional yard (the one managed by a manual system with all the paperwork), you will see trucks waiting for their turn to be unloaded or uploaded. That is due to the waiting time since the manager has to manually find a place for a container, or where the truck should be loaded with goods. A YMS system is a lot more effective since managers direct trucks to sections where they should upload or unload goods prior to their arrival.” – Bethany Watson, The Importance of Digitizing Yard Management, Global Trade; Twitter: @GlobalTradeMag

75. Develop an Efficient Yard Layout. “Create a layout of your workspace. This can include which bays or loading ramps that you have which can receive trucks for loading and unloading. The plan should also outline the location of each storage space for storing products. Plan out these areas in blocks and give them labels. When everyone is knowledgeable about the yard plan, you can communicate much easier as a team, and as a result operations become more efficient.” – Best Practices In Yard Management, Dura-Ramp; Twitter: @duraramp

76. Integrate Yard Management Systems With Warehouse Technlogy. “For a yard management system to work optimally, it must have some capabilities that allow it to integrate with other technology that you have in place already. These would be things such as cloud integration, scheduling software, and billing tools. Additionally, if you use RFID or Bluetooth extensively in your warehouse, will the YMS be able to communicate with the devices that operate through that technology.” – What Is A Yard Management System?, Redwood; Twitter: @redwoodlgistics

77. Provide Training For Employees, Drivers, and Vendors. “Inform all team members, drivers, vendors and other personnel involved in yard operations of proper procedures and protocols, including how to use appropriate YMS functions to streamline the arrival, loading and unloading, and departure of trucks. The should also include a thorough review of all your businesses ‘Green,’ such as reducing fuel costs by eliminating the number of hours a perishable shipment sits in a running truck in your yard.” – 7 Ways to Overcome Yard Management Challenges, Veridian; Twitter: @VeridianInfo

78. Verify Technology Before Making a Purchase. “When working with potential vendors, make sure that you can do a test run on the system before it is incorporated into the organization. This is because you could settle for a system that doesn’t address all your needs, but have already made the purchase. Is there an advantage to common operating systems with their technology? How will the solution being provided address your business needs? Make sure you have someone with a technical background with you when examining the systems.” – Sunit Nandi, Tips on Choosing a Yard Management System, Techno FAQ; Twitter: @Techno_FAQ

79. Consider Using Dock Delivery Appointments. “A best practice, which is more common in Europe, is to have carriers book delivery appointments within a narrow window, the load is tipped on arrival, and the driver departs with an empty trailer. This practice is less common in North America, where yards are larger and can accommodate drop trailers waiting to be unloaded. Trailers tend to sit in the yard for a couple of days. However, having fully loaded trailers sitting in the yard acting as a safety buffer between transportation and warehouse processes is inherently poor practice.” – Steve Banker, How to Improve Yard Management, Logistics Viewpoints; Twitter: @logisticsviewpt

80. Combine YMS and Intelligent Truck Systems. “To further support yard operational efficiencies, organizations are also turning to intelligent truck supply control systems that automatically respond to unexpected workflow disruptions. In operation, these software solutions review truck time slot schedules after each event in real time and make adjustments, when necessary, via a web portal where sites and carriers are coordinated.” – Yard Management & Intelligent Truck Control: A Dynamic Duo, Advanced Fleet Management Consulting

Best Practices for Effective Trailer Tracking

81. Track Trailer KPIs To Improve Fleet Utilization. “The average American long-haul trucker travels over 100,000 miles in a year, showcasing the distance that fleets cover as they transport cargo. Tracking trailer KPIs such as percentage of loaded miles versus empty (deadhead) miles can go a long way in boosting profit margins, considering the amount of time truckers are on the road., considering the amount of time truckers are on the road.’ – Cody Lirette, 3 Reasons Every Fleet Manager Needs to Set Trailer KPIs, ORBCOMM; Twitter: @ORBCOMM_Inc

82. Also Consider Tracking For Other Non-Powered Devices. “From shipping containers, ISO containers to IBC tanks, fuel tanks, and other non-powered equipment, implementing asset tracking for your operations can give you the data and information you need, when you need it. Make sure that the GPS asset tracking devices you choose are catered to the needs of your operations.” – Sandra Meekins, Truck & Trailer (Large Equipment) Asset Tracking, Geoforce; Twitter: @geoforce

83. Fleet Data Can Improve Safety Awareness. “Trailer Tracking is a vital part of fleet management. Together, they allow managers and owners to operate their fleets at maximum capacity and improve profitability. It also ensures that all assets are utilized properly and maintained periodically. The reports generated are accurate and help in tax compliances and safety protocols.” – Emma Pauline, Trailer Tracking And Fleet Management – What’s The Difference?, Matrack; Twitter: @matrackinc

84. Use Dynamic Tracking To Reduce Maintenance Costs. “Trailer mileage can also be tracked digitally with fair accuracy. Additionally, when a trailer is inward bound to a lot, the fleet manager will know this ahead of time and can prepare to pull it off the line for maintenance, inserting another trailer in its place. With Flex, you can always know where your trailer is, not just where it was.” – Cory Halbardier, Cutting maintenance costs on trailers with dynamic asset tracking, Geotab; Twitter: @geotab

85. Address Service Issues Using Trailer Tracking. “Operating efficiency, asset utilization, and safety all impact the number of loads and tonnage a fleet can haul. Addressing service issues like low tire pressure has a big impact on fuel costs and tire wear.” – Gregg Wartgow, Nine ways new trailer tracking solutions benefit a fleet, FleetMaintenance; Twitter: @fleetmx

86. Use Fleet Data To Improve Training Effectiveness. “The data collected by fleet management software, as well as from GPS tracking and dashcams, can be used for training. It can also be used as a way to record good behavior and reward employees accordingly—one of several non-finance-related things proven to boost employee motivation.” – 5 Ways Telematics is Transforming the Landscaping Industry, Fleet Complete; Twitter: @fleetcomplete

87. Set a Clear Budget and Tracking Goals. “At the end of the day, installing vehicle trackers is about saving money. With GPS tracking equipment, you’ll be better able to dispatch efficiently and manage fuel use, which reduces waste and saves the company serious amounts of cash. As such, it’s important to choose GPS fleet trackers that make sense for your business– if you choose a model that’s too expensive, or that doesn’t have the features you need, you could actually end up losing money.” – Getting Started: Beginner’s Tips for GPS Fleet Tracking, Titan GPS; Twitter: @titan_gps

88. Focus On Your Customers. “Customer focus ensures the satisfaction of your company’s most important people — its clients. Fleet managers need to keep this in mind when making decisions regarding fleet operations. For instance, when acquiring new vehicles, a transport fleet manager should consider whether a rental car company customer would prefer to have a luxury vehicle or a small, compact model.” – The Ultimate Guide to Fleet Management, Rand McNally; Twitter: @randmcnally

89. Tailor The Use of Fleet Management To Your Business Needs. “Different industries may take advantage of fleet management software in unique ways. If a client schedules a pick-up, the nearest truck can easily be assigned to the job. Without this data, you might otherwise waste fuel and lose time selecting a truck that’s further away. Efficient dispatch times will increase customer satisfaction, and automatic delay notifications will reduce client frustration.” – Ryan Birdsell, how gps tracking can help improve fleet management, SATX Technologies; Twitter: @satxtechnology

90. Remain Compliant with Hours of Service (HOS) Rules. “Aside from ensuring fleet productivity, operators and managers also have to ensure the safety of their drivers and compliance with government regulations such as Hours of Service (HOS) rules. Fleet management software should alert drivers and managers to unsafe or problematic driver behaviors. At the same time, the solution should automatically be tracking HOS (hours of service) so drivers don’t exceed the allowable working hours under HOS rules, as well as keeping track of fuel usage on a state-by-state basis to simplify fuel tax payments.” – 7 Things to Look for in a Fleet Management Solution, DispatchTrack; Twitter: @dispatchtrack

91. Improve Vehicle Inventory Accuracy. “For bigger fleets operating in different locations, very often in the construction sector, it is necessary to exactly locate equipment for logistical and security reasons. Tracking your mobile assets is an invaluable aid to planning your daily schedule and cutting out the superfluous movement of assets from one place to the other. This can be achieved in a far more intelligent way!” – Eleonora Malacarne, 5 great asset tracking tips to keep tabs on your fleet, Transpoco Telematics; Twitter: @transpoco

92. Look for Cloud-Based Tracking Solutions. “Cloud-based fleet management software keeps users current on product updates with little to no downtime. Plus, no hardware means no overhead, maintenance costs or headaches for IT.” – Rachael Plant, 8 Advantages of Cloud-based Fleet Management Software, Fleetio; Twitter: @fleetio

93. Use Privacy Authorization to Protect Data. “Such business related information must be shared only with the authorized people like customs officers during the shipment, police for clearances. During the fleet operations, wherever authorization is needed, the company or the organization must e-verify the company vehicle and the person driving the company’s vehicle for a secured operation.” – 6 Tips to protect your Fleets from GPS signal jammers and scramblers, Vamosys

94. Consider Employee Morale When Implementing A Tracking System. “Implementing this software may result in employee pushback. Drivers may not want to be monitored and could view the decision to use GPS fleet tracking systems as a sign their employer doesn’t trust them and a violation of employee privacy. If you decide to use a fleet tracking system, consider how you plan to inform your employees that you’ll be implementing it.” – Matt D’Angelo, Choosing a GPS Fleet Tracking System, Business News Daily; Twitter: @BNDarticles

95. Create Standard Vehicle Replacement Schedules. “Proper replacement of vehicles is not only a financial issue. Substandard vehicles compromise the safety of your employees and others. A proper life-cycle analysis will help you determine the criteria for appropriate replacement schedules.” – The Most Effective Fleet Management Best Practices, GPS Trackit; Twitter: @gpstrackit

96. Remain Focused on Long-Term Fleet Management Goals. “It’s easy to get caught up in the mundane activities of fleet management. However, it’s important to stay focused on your long-term strategic and business initiatives as well. For example, utilizing a fleet management system to monitor vehicle use rates, as well as maintenance and repair costs, ensures you’ve set aside enough funding to replace vehicles and plan for other future expenses.” – Brian Dziuk, Fleet Management Best Practices to Improve Operations and Efficiency, Rastrac; Twitter: @Rastrac_GPS

97. Link Restraints to the Master Control Panel. “The traditional alternative to restraints are chocks, which are manually attached. This can cause injury during the attachment process, there is a high risk of error, and they don’t secure the trailer as strongly as restraints do. Today’s restraints are automatic, so there’s minimal risk of error or injury. Modern restraints can also be linked to the master control panel. This centralized system prevents any unloading actions until the trailer is firmly locked in place, and it also refuses to let the driver leave until all the unloading has been approved. It can also link up to the system’s lights to signal the driver and loader of the process status to ensure continuous communication.” – Top 7 Loading and Unloading Best Practices, Redwood Logistics; Twitter: @redwoodlgistics

98. Use Unique Tracking Numbers For Each Asset. “It’s possible that an asset’s serial number will be identical to that of another asset. If the serial number is used as the tracking number, the duplicate numbers will cause confusion because there is no way to tell the two assets apart. This can compromise data integrity and lead to inaccurate customer balances and inventory, reduce your rental income and impact customer satisfaction. Using a unique tracking number different from the serial number eliminates these problems. In the rare event that a tracking number is lost, the asset still can be looked up using its serial number and re-labeled properly to retain the asset’s history. – Tim Fusco, Top Five Asset Tracking Best Practices, TrackAbout; Twitter: @trackabout

99. Take Steps to Reduce Vehicle Drag. “Haulers and dump trucks are massive, so they consume a ton of fuel. And whether or not a mammoth vehicle like this is aerodynamic has a huge impact on its overall fuel consumption. In fact, drag alone can waste as much as half of a truck’s total fuel. For large truck fleets, that’s a huge budget consideration. To make your heavy duty trucks as fuel-efficient as possible, regularly assess all aerodynamic devices. Make sure you minimize any gaps between the tractor and the trailer, and monitor tire pressure consistently.” – Curtis Lederle, 13 fleet truck fuel management best practices, Contact Tread Technologies; Twitter: @treadapp

100. Assign Clear Ownership For Maintenance Work. “Sometimes vehicle maintenance doesn’t get taken care of simply because everyone assumes someone else is in charge of it. Avoid this mistake by clearly dictating who is responsible. It often works well to put drivers in charge of their vehicles, since they have the most control to monitor and manage them properly. But this decision will be fleet-specific. The key is to put a system in place that ensures proper accountability for the needed maintenance of each vehicle.” – Top 5 Tips For Effective Fleet Maintenance Planning, Track Your Truck; Twitter: @TrackYourTruck

101. Store Additional Vehicle Data Such as License Information. “Additionally, fleet management software can store a wide variety of information about vehicles in your fleet. Using this information, you can set up notifications about upcoming fleet license renewals and more so you don’t have to rely on memory or outdated paper logs.” – 5 Ways To Make Your Fleet More Efficient, MiX Telematics; Twitter: @MiXTelematics

This article originally appeared here. Republished with permission.

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