The Impacts of Transportation Management Technology

Computerization, interconnectivity and other technological advances have altered nearly every aspect of the global economy and our daily lives over the past two decades. Now, they are disrupting the way that the hauling transport service industry operates as well. Transportation management systems (TMS) allow logistics coordinators and business owners to ensure the timely, safe and cost-effective delivery of their goods and components.

Many TMS operations are now being automated for greater accuracy and more cost-effectiveness. Below, you can find just some of the ways that technological advances are shaping freight management in Aurora, CO!

Fleet management and telematics

Freight transport management service providers have been using GPS to track their trucks for quite some time. Now, however, software advances and increased access to accurate, real-time locations is allowing logistics companies to optimize their routes according to current traffic conditions or roadwork.

Additionally, logistics operators may be able to set up geo-fences that alert them when a truck goes out of the service area, or grows closer to its final destination. These tools can be used to enhance speed and make shipping operations more cost-effective.

The internet of things

The internet of things (IoT) is used to describe the increasingly large network of practical devices that are now connected to the world wide web. This increased interconnectivity allows freight management companies to monitor a wide range of important statistics.

For instance, internet-enabled truck monitors can communicate the health of a vehicle’s engine, and alert operators to unnecessary fuel consumption.

Sensors can also be used to tell operators about the vibration levels that goods within trucks are experiencing, or if the temperature in a refrigerated shipping container is remaining suitably consistent.

Overall, IoT technologies will allow businesses to provide higher quality goods at lower rates.

Driverless cars and drones

Outside of heavy load transport, one of the most labor-intensive aspects of any supply chain is the final delivery process. This involves a fleet of smaller trucks moving from a distribution center to retail outlets or customers’ front doors.

While the necessary technologies are still being developed, some high-profile companies are beginning to experiment with the possibility of using driverless vehicles and drones to carry out the final stages of delivery. These technologies will allow freight management firms to substantially reduce labor costs and cut down on their environmental footprint.

Computing in the cloud

Cloud-based computing allows businesses to host all of their operations on a centralized server in a safe and secure location. This means that your operations are not susceptible to power outages or computer errors, and that you won’t need to make capital investments in complex computing equipment.

Cloud-based computing also makes it possible for your TMS to be managed remotely from nearly anywhere in the world, reducing your labor costs and allowing businesses to be as involved as they would like to be in their supply chain.

Osage Specialized Transport provides high-quality heavy-haul transportation services across the entirety of North America. To learn more about our strategies for freight management in Aurora, CO and beyond, and how we can help ensure a cost-effective and timely delivery of your goods or components, reach out to one of our knowledgeable logistics professionals today!

• Category: Freight Management