Top YMS Strategies For Trucking Companies

Join hosts Colin Mansfield, VP at Yard Management Solutions, and Seve Carnera as they explore the critical role of yard management systems in trucking terminals. In this special episode, we're thrilled to welcome our first guest, Mindy Groves, a seasoned expert with over 25 years in transportation, logistics, and 3PL services. Mindy, who has been with Yard Management Solutions for over a year, shares her deep insights into the challenges faced by trucking companies and how dedicated yard management systems can make a transformative difference.

Episode Highlights:

• Understanding Terminal Yards: We kick off by discussing the unique nature of trucking terminals compared to other yard operations, such as warehouses and distribution centers. Mindy outlines key challenges, including the critical need for visibility in managing assets like trucks and trailers that frequently come in and out without set appointments.

• Key Challenges in Terminal Yards: Mindy highlights the two biggest challenges trucking companies face: visibility and maintenance. She explains how lacking visibility can lead to operational inefficiencies, poor customer service, and missed delivery windows, ultimately affecting a company’s bottom line and customer satisfaction.

• Innovative Solutions with YMS: We dive deep into how Yard Management Solutions can address these issues. Colin and Seve discuss tools like Eagle View, the core feature of YMS that offers real-time mapping of assets, including statuses and locations. They explore how features like visual alerts and maintenance tracking can simplify complex operations in trucking terminals.

• Importance of Data in Yard Management: Seve emphasizes the long-term benefits of data tracking in yard management, going beyond just real-time visibility to enable predictive decision-making. We discuss how data-driven insights can help companies optimize asset usage, reduce downtime, and foresee potential issues before they escalate.

• Integration and Flexibility: We talk about the importance of integrating yard management systems with other technologies like GPS and maintenance systems. Colin stresses that while GPS can provide asset location, it often lacks detailed status information that a dedicated YMS can offer, making integration a powerful tool for comprehensive yard management.

• Safety and Efficiency Improvements: Seve shares how YMS can help improve safety in the yard by minimizing unnecessary movements and efficiently guiding drivers to their vehicles or loads. We also touch on customer stories where integrating technology reduced chaos at the gate, enhanced driver communication, and improved overall safety.

• Future of Yard Management in Terminals: We wrap up by looking ahead at the future of yard management, including the increasing use of GPS tags, QR codes, and automated gate systems. Seve provides insights on how these technologies will continue to evolve, offering even more robust solutions for terminal yards.

• Real-world Impact: Mindy shares a powerful insight from her experience, explaining how not having a yard management system leaves significant money on the table. She encourages companies to consider the untapped savings and efficiency gains from implementing a dedicated YMS, bridging the gap between TMS and WMS systems.

For more about Yard Management Solutions, connect with us on LinkedIn or visit yardmanagementsolutions.com. Interested in discovering how much you could save with a yard management system? Contact us for access to our ROI calculator, which can provide a personali