For several years, cost control has been a top priority for companies operating in the San Pedro Bay Complex. As port authorities sought to improve efficiency, new fees and charges arose. For the truck drivers and smaller OTR carriers, these fees put both FTL and LTL pickup at the mercy of other factors, including how quickly a destination warehouse could accept a container. Still, the appointments set need to be maintained, and the shipping schedule can evolve based on outside influences. Of course, the true trick is maximizing efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Fortunately, AB 2406, which will take effect on January 1, 2023, aims to prevent excess container storage and detention fees, reports Bill Mongelluzzo of The Journal of Commerce. Still, imports and exporters aren’t out of the woods yet, and carriers are vested in reducing the time equipment is away from port or waiting for pickup with an appointment set through a digital platform. That’s especially true as the shipping schedule evolves in response to disruption.

Digital capabilities are natural as more truckers are looking for proactive ways to handle their appointments and manage their schedules. That’s why Supra Distribution has prioritized digital truck appointment scheduling and works to reduce the hassle of delays at the warehouse or yard. However, a digital way of managing the warehouse will have natural benefits that align with the shipping schedule and will effectively reduce the risk of demurrage for long beach vessel schedule delays too. And drivers and network carriers need to understand the benefits of a digital system for managing gate entry/exit and loading/unloading shipping schedules.

Prevents Truck Congestion. 

Reduced truck congestion in your yard and at the gate is among the leading benefits of a digital truck appointment system. Rather than waiting on paperwork to verify authorization and share details with the rest of the team, a digital system identifies the truck, notifies other team members, and ensures everything is ready for pickup or dropoff. This has a natural implication for improved shipping schedule adherence and better warehouse and yard management. Of course, it also depends on the integrity and quality of data shared between your existing systems, including the warehouse management system (WMS), yard management system (YMS), and transportation management system (TMS).

A Safer Pickup and Dropoff

Take a moment to think about a recent incident on the highway involving congested roadways and gridlock. Even in these slow-moving scenarios, accidents still happen, and even more importantly, the risk of an accident increases. Why?

The answer rests with the stop-and-go nature of congestion. People get distracted or do not carefully watch their surroundings. The same applies to a congested yard or warehouse dock. Congestion means hazardous conditions for the truck, driver, and dock workers. However, a streamlined process creates a safer environment for pickup and dropoff, improving adherence with the ship schedule and avoiding delays in overall operations. Further, a clear schedule means that warehouse and gate personnel won’t feel rushed, so they’re less likely to make a mistake that results in a safety issue.

Get Back on the Road Faster

Improved throughput at the yard and warehouse will also help to benefit the overall shipment schedule. Instead of trying to run extra hours once back on the road, trucks arriving and leaving on time will be able to spend more time driving. In turn, that reduces the total accessorial costs for cargo owners, and it benefits drivers at the same time. After all, drive time is the most important factor for so many trucking companies looking to survive.

Around-the-Clock Appointment Set Features

Digital appointment and scheduling tools do not sleep. In other words, they’re available around the clock for drivers and cargo owners to find slots and keep the warehouse operating at maximum levels. In turn, complex loads or hazardous materials can be safely allocated to times when the schedule is less chaotic, further improving safety along the way. This around-the-clock capability also helps drivers stay on time too.

For example, a digital scheduling system for LTL freight shipping, FT, or even containerized goods keps everyone in the know with automated notifications. As a result, truckers know when they need to leave to arrive based on the latest traffic conditions and can also alert downstream facilities when they arrive late. Ergo, it all creates a more efficient truck appointment process that helps to build success throughout the full transportation network, whether for a single LTL shipment pickup for a FTL or moving goods to a nearby rail ramp.

Reap the Benefits of a Digital Truck Appointment Schedule With Supra

There will always be a sense of urgency in the freight market. Today’s truckers deserve to have the latest and greatest technology to help them do more with less. Those facts are alive and well as Supra is working to streamline operations and make it easier than ever for drivers to work with our warehouses and yards. Plus, its benefits will have resounding effects on the downstream supply chain. Learn more about how you can reduce delays while loading and unloading freight by checking out Warehousing and Distribution by Supra, and if you’re ready to tap the power of Supra technology in your next dray, find your next load on the Supra DrayMaster app, and get your quote within a minute:

Or get in touch with Supra’s Sales Team at (424) 267-1155 or by email: rfp@snecorp.com