Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Share information with other transportation management software users

Look for blogs and networking sites that attract small business owners looking for quick and efficient means to communicate with other like-minded professionals. Find an Internet blog or website that provides trust-worthy information on transportation software programs.

I recommend: Check out the chats on the latest trucking software and how it’s working at Truck Flix. Get news and features about transportation logistics software from one of the many newsletters, news feeds and magazine for the trucking industry at Manufacturers Business Technology.

Read up on changes in transportation applications

Transportation software news and trends continue to dominates many of the transportation publications available online and in print. It's a good idea to stay on top of the industry as whole so that you can know about changes that may be ahead of your current transportation scheduling software provider's abilities.

I recommend: Logistics World is a site that keeps up with the technology that drives the transportation industry. Keep up with the latest news and trends affecting the industry at Trucking Info.

Receive transportation logistics software alerts

While most business owners are trying to clear out their in-boxes to save time, you should allow at least one information provider to get into your email with alerts about changes and upgrades that others in the industry are employing. Keep an eye on the trends so that you can take advantage of emerging technology when it arrives.

I recommend: Subscribe to the Urban Transportation Monitor for regular in-depth reporting on the emerging technologies affecting your business. Join others in the supply chain, of which transportation news is vital, in keeping up with the trends at Supply Chain Management Review.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To save time and make sure that you aren't missing out on important information, ask each of your employees to regularly read at least one transportation planning software newsletter or magazine and share the news and trends they've uncovered at staff meetings.

Guide to Transportation Software

Streamline the delivery process with the right transportation technology

By Betty W. Stark, Business travel consultant and columnist, Stark Consulting

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find transportation software that works with your current technology

There are plenty of transportation technology software products that are designed to integrate with common office accounting software programs like QuickBooks Pro and Peachtree.

I recommend: Look into Prophesy Dispatch & Accounting software (they offer a discount on the QuickBooks software too).

Use mileage and routing transportation software

Finding the quickest and most economical path to get your vehicles where they need to go is key to profitability in the transportation business. That's why transportation software that includes routing features is so popular.

I recommend: Dynamic Routing Solutions is a transportation logistics solution that specializes in vehicle routing for companies with anywhere from five to 500 vehicles. Paragon Software Systems offers a number of routing software solutions. For a list of mileage and routing software providers, check the Business.com directory.

Find LTL transportation software solutions

LTL (less-than-truckload) carriers have unique needs in the trucking industry. Look for transportation technology providers that offer solutions designed specifically for this market.

I recommend: Tell Systems offers a complete integrated transportation software solutions for LTL carriers. AR Traffic Consultants promises that their CalcRoute software will save you up to 50 percent of your freight costs on LTL shipments. The LTL software solutions from Carrier Logistics are customizable to fit your unique transportation needs.

Choose transportation technologies designed for smaller businesses

Although many transportation logistics applications are geared to larger businesses, some providers target smaller operations

I recommend: I recommend: Tailwind Management Systems and Ayers Rock Software offer transportation management software solutions for small and mid-sized businesses.

Get things rolling with dispatch software

There's no shortage of transportation software options available to help you track your fleet on the road and your staff in the field. Some dispatch software is either free or offers an online demonstration or free trial period.

I recommend: Check out dispatch software, such as DrDISPATCH or VehiclePath — easy to use fleet-tracking technology and no contract required. Look into transportation logistics solutions at Cheetah. For more dispatch software options, visit Business.com.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't rule out the advantages of using 3PL providers who can offer multiple transportation technology benefits.
• •  The size of your business and complexity of your shipping requirements should determine whether your chosen transportation technology solution is simple or sophisticated.
• •  Don't lock into a transportation technology contract that restricts your growth options.
• •  Some companies that specialize in transportation technologies bundle services to meet specific transportation logistics requirements.
• •  Routinely critique the quality of performance you're getting from your transportation management software. If it's not doing the job, change it.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Avoid waste with good transportation software programs

Through your sales figures and logistics reports, you should have a good handle on what are the most appropriate transportation software solutions for your company and where you could use assistance from a new software program. If you can't see big results, you should consider upgrading or replacing your transportation automation software.

I recommend: Find trucking software for various applications at TransCore. Request information from each vendor directly from one source. Find information about the multitude of areas that can be converted to software modalities with the most popular trucking software by Prophesy.

Go online for Web-based transportation scheduling software

For many of the newer online programs you don't even have to download any special software to your systems if you choose to engage Web-based transportation software programs. These operations typically allow you a trial period, which you should take advantage of as well.

I recommend: Get free downloads and reviews of the latest trucking software at CNET for Trucks. Make the most of your time by going to CSI Road for software that can be integrated with other transportation applications for easy interfacing and qualified reviews.

Bring in a transportation logistics software consultant

If you want to ensure that you're making the most of transportation management software, consider bringing in a consultant to help you choose the right platforms for your use. Specialists can set you up and train you and your staff, giving you time to enjoy your new operations without as high of a learning curve.

I recommend: AR Traffic Consultants can help you get started with the best transport solutions for your particular needs. Let the experts at Alloquor come in and help you design the perfect software solutions to keep your company most profitable.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Let your key employees try out the free demos of transportation management software before you make a final decision. Ask for their input so that they will feel more invested in the new business tools when they arrive.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Transportation software

Transportation software manages all forms of transportation, including airlines, trains, shippers, and moving companies. This software consists of modules where the manager can manage all phases of vehicle maintenance, such as warehousing, fuel costs, routing and mapping.

I recommend: Bitpipe defines transportation software and talks about the different modules.

Logistics

Logistics helps the transportation company manage the flow of goods, services, and information. This involves mapping the flow of goods and services from the point of origin to the point of consumption. Logistics integrates inventory, warehousing, material-handling, transportation, and sometimes security.

I recommend: Visit UPS Logistics to read how transportation software can reduce transportation costs.

Routing

Routing involves moving a certain amount of goods from one location to another. Companies will use transportation software to help find the best routes to deliver these products. This is important because companies have to consider the time frame and fuel costs.

I recommend: Go to Integris and learn more about automated routing solutions.

Warehousing

Warehousing involves storing goods in a commercial building. Located in industrial areas of cities and towns, warehouses usually have loading docks so that employees can load and unload goods. These buildings also have forklifts, cranes, and pallets.

I recommend: Red Prairie provides information about warehouse management.

Fuel cost

Fuel cost consists of the trip's length, fuel price, and fuel consumption. Using transportation software helps drivers to adhere to the company's fueling plans.

I recommend: TMW Systems talks about how its transportation software will cut down on fuel costs.

Mobile communications

Mobile communications consist of long-range electronic devices. These devices can be cell phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), or smartphones. Transportation software can communicate to drivers the best route to the customer's location through mobile communication devices.

I recommend: Visit Integrated Decision Support and learn how transportation software can integrate with the company’s existing mobile communications system.