Rules and regulations for the safety of vehicles keep on updating. Find out how you can comply with them effectively with a vehicle tracking system.
The Importance Of Compliance
With a growing need to keep the safety and securities check for vehicles, the carried items, the drivers, and the organizations require constant surveillance. New rules and regulations are getting introduced by governing bodies almost every other day to make sure that the services provided by logistics companies comply with the safety concerns of customers and their end customers (where items are delivered to).
From a business perspective, maintaining all the protocols can become a difficult task. But it is necessary to ensure that all of the safety protocols are abided, and the company runs smoothly. Companies can use vehicle tracking systems/features within a transport management software to ensure that compliance is followed through and through without any hassle. One of the most effective ways to ensure this is by enabling your transport management or vehicle tracking system for your vehicles so that you are informed about all kinds of necessary updates regarding your carriers on the road.
A vehicle tracking system here is not so much about a telemetric system but focused on the ongoing delivery status and activities with updates covering delivery assignments, dispatching, and finally the delivery progress and confirmations.
When Issues Emerge
Businesses associated with logistics face obstacles due to a variety of reasons. To understand what they experience, we contacted Mr. Stephen Chew, an expert in the field of logistics planning and this is what he had to say:
“There is a wide range of factors that we need to take into consideration when operating a logistics company. When you are in charge of delivering orders for two or more businesses, you just can’t make a mistake. Businesses depend on us to do it right for them. We are obliged to relay the updates on their delivery orders. This includes telling them where the items are at a specific time and the condition of the goods. Moreover, we have to differentiate the trucks that we send for operations – some of them contain hazardous materials. When unloading from the truck, the frontline agents need to have a clear idea of how to unload certain products. Not to mention, the vehicles can’t be overloaded or damaged, the trucks face road bans and other obstacles, and we have to do everything while satisfying specific demands from our clients.”
Mr. Stephen Chew
Strategy and Planning Manager
Issues And Solutions
Indeed, managing logistics can be quite tricky. But humans have always plowed through all obstacles so far, and this is just another barrier waiting to be shattered. Or has it already been? From our discussion with Mr. Stephen, using software with a one-stop solution for the problems is the way to go. So let’s be specific about the issues and see how they can be solved:
Constant update on the goods – Having a vehicle tracking system or transport management software that connects the service provider with the clients is a sure-fire way to establish the reliability they want by updating them regarding the condition of the packages and providing total visibility online.
Need for a systematic way to differentiate the vehicles – Some trucks may carry brittle materials while others may carry unsafe chemicals. Grouping the vehicles using software and stating the requirements for unloading goods from those trucks can make it so much more efficient for both parties.
The necessity to avoid road bans and restrictions – Some roads can be damaged due to construction or seasonal changes. This can be a big issue for delivery trucks. Having access to information which includes truck-specific road limitations e.g. height, width, weight as well as road bans e.g. no access during peak hours as well as company specific road choices e.g. avoidances of specific road types based on customer requirements makes the planning so much easier but importantly much safer for the driver and the customer’s goods.
Update on the intricate details of the vehicles – Before starting a journey, proper planning needs to be done so that the checklist is met and no obstruction takes place amid work. So, creating a checklist during the planning phase and getting timely reminders for every objective can boost efficiency for not just the service personnel but the entire business.
Necessitate for real-time data – Managers often get the wrong information and make the wrong decisions due to untimely operations by the service providers. But this can be avoided by getting a real-time update on the location of the trucks using a vehicle tracking system. This way, managers can have access to a planned view and actual view and strategize accordingly.
Practical capacity planning – Nobody wants damaged goods. However, without proper planning of how many items should be loaded in a truck, it can turn out to be a significant loss. If one has software that can track the capacity of the vehicles, it can drastically reduce the chances of mismanagement.
Preference of drivers for safety and compliance issues – When we receive service from a particular individual, we tend to trust them more. When dealing with a large number of items for delivery, it is only natural for end-users to ask for the most trusted man. This can quickly be done if the information is registered in software that will notify the requirements of the clients.
Rest needed for drivers and vehicles – Services can become inefficient if the service providers do not operate in their peak state. This applies to both the driver and the cars. This issue can easily be solved during the planning process to set reminders for resting based on the length of travel.
Risk of getting side-tracked – Your company may want the deliverymen to operate within a specific area. However, one can quickly know about the breaching of geofencing with the help of smart software.
Safety of vehicles – Long travels can be uncertain. The quicker companies know about any kind of accidents on the road, the better they can take action to mitigate the problem. Getting updates on the location and safety of your vehicles can surely ensure peace of mind.
License expiry and vehicle servicing due dates – To comply with the rules, you and your drivers need to be vigilant about the expiry dates of their license and servicing. But all these worries can be left for smart software to handle. Simply get a reminder for them in due time.
The Antidote to the Problems
Mr. Stephen strategizes, according to the eleven points mentioned above. Indeed, all the solutions are noted down from his experience in the logistics arena. He further stated:
“While it’s a difficult task to handle, things have become much easier with a one-stop solution software. From conveying all the relevant information to my clients to ensuring the safety and efficiency of my service, our brand value in the market has increased by a significant margin. To be frank, it makes my work a lot easier and interesting.”
Mr. Stephen
Your Multilevel Solution
With state of the art technology for the vehicle tracking system, Custella provides all the necessary features required to keep all the compliance-related obstacles at bay for you, your drivers, and your customers. You, as a manager, will be able to get real-time data on your vehicles and use it to plan ahead of time to satisfy your target customers and grow at an accelerating rate.
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Need a field service management system like Custella? If you’re in Malaysia, Indonesia, or the ASEAN region, drop us an email to schedule your demo: ask@custella.com.
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