Have you discovered that the trucking business is more stressful than you thought?  Some days, you feel that you haven’t broken even.  Bad weather, bad roads, bad food, and irate customers.  It can be difficult to deal with at times.  

Ask any trucker and he’ll tell you, there’s gonna be days like that.  You’ll spend far too many hours each day doing paperwork and math.  Sometimes, you’ll miss the IFTA due dates and end up paying fines.  Plus, your truck needs unexpected repairs that will eat up your available cash.  Or, you’ll deadhead for hundreds of miles trying not to think about the wasted fuel.  

But, many of these situations can be prevented or minimized with a trucking management software (TMS.) You’ll make more money and have time to spend at home if you get organized.  Plus, your customers will love you.  In short, a reliable TMS trucking system will optimize each aspect of your operation.  Here’s how.

Top 5 Reasons to Use a TMS

Stress is inherent in the trucking business.  If you’re still using manual methods such as paper map routings and a shoebox full of receipts, then it’s time to consider an upgrade.  After you use a TMS for a while, your stress level will decrease.  Here’s what you can gain from TMS technology:  

1. Reduced expenses: You’ll know where to cut costs to improve your bottom line.
2. Improved cash flow: Automatic invoicing helps you get paid faster.
3. Efficient dispatches and route planning: You will save fuel and time when you’ve got current data about routes and dispatches.
4. Accurate reports and stats: Know where your business stands financially.  When you face an audit or inspection, your data is at your fingertips, not back in the office. In a drawer. In a shoebox.
5. Improved customer service: Customers will know when to expect deliveries.  Plus, drivers won’t have to wait to unload.

Each function is there to help you run a smooth and profitable business.

How a TMS Makes You a Better Business Owner

When you feel more in control of the daily routine and know where your money’s going, you’ll see a dramatic improvement in your trucking business.  Your main goal is to build a reputation as a reliable freight carrier. Keeping customers coming back is what puts money in your pocket.  To do that, you need real-time data.  

A TMS, integrated with an ELD, helps improve your entire operation.  It gathers your HOS and RODS data such as:

• Vehicle locations
• Mileage and fuel use
• Engine speed, hours, load, and idle time
• Safety-related info

This real-time data helps to improve the efficiency of your business in many ways.  For instance:

Dispatch and routing: Have all your trip’s data in one easy to access place – no more lost papers or confused delivery addresses. Enter it once and the data is everywhere the driver needs it to be.

HOS: Automatic recording of hours of duty status eliminates paper logs. The ELD Mandate requires most commercial motor vehicles (CMV) to have an ELD for this specific purpose.  No one can edit the data other than authorized carrier staff.

Safety: Making sure your rig is compliant with the safety standards.

Maintenance: Whether it’s tracked by time or by mile, your equipment maintenance has to be done on a regular basis. A good trucking management system will track what’s been done and keep the records. A great TMS will tell you when it’s time to do it again.

IFTA reporting: Your TMS uses ELD data to calculate fuel use taxes and ensure IFTA compliance.  This function eliminates errors and helps prevent fines or penalties.

TruckingOffice Wants You to Succeed in the Trucking Business

There’s no doubt that TruckingOffice TMS will help you succeed in your trucking business. If you’re still not convinced that it’s worth the cost, we can help.  We offer a free TruckingOffice TMS trial so you can discover firsthand how our system makes the trucking business easier and more profitable.  Give it a try today and get started making your job less stressful.