The Vanishing Paper Trail

For a number of years now, motor carriers have been among the many companies ridding their operations of paper. They have done so for a number of reasons: improved efficiencies, streamlined processes and even a desire to “go green.”

According to Matt Johnson, senior product manager at Omnitracs, the key ways document capture improves a carrier's efficiencies include increased driver productivity during downtime, fewer stops (for courier services and LTL carriers), and improved billing payment cycle because delivery documents get to the back office sooner.

Fleets use various technologies to automate driver paperwork, says Pete Allen of MiX Telematics. Workflow apps, for instance, allow fleets to turn documents into digital forms drivers can fill out with their in-cab mobile device or a smartphone or tablet. The MiX Go forms app is one such product, providing easy data entry and allowing drivers to capture signatures, scan barcodes or take a picture.

The paperwork burden varies by particular segment, application and load type. In truckload, the paperwork involves loads and trips. LTL carriers look at paper “a little differently,” explains Ben Wiesen, vice president, product at Carrier Logistics Inc. “It's more about flow. The difficulty the LTL industry has is keeping the paper flow up with the freight flow.” Document management systems help “close the gap between the paper flow and the freight flow,” he says.

While fleets use less and less paper, the information — the data — that used to be on a piece of paper still needs to be captured, stored, and applied to everyday business functions, from the truck to the back office, shop, HR and management. As paper use has dropped, fewer filing cabinets line office walls. But fewer pieces of paper do not mean less data. In fact, there is more data than ever being collected and managed, because technology ...Read the rest of this story

MacroPoint Freight Tracking Added to GlobalTranz TMS

MacroPoint's load tracking solution has been fully integrated into the GlobalTranz proprietary transportation management system platform, allowing users to automate track and trace capabilities

With MacroPoint enabled, GlobalTranz now has the ability to receive real-time location updates, along with arrival and departure times at shippers and consignees. GlobalTranz is a logistics company specializing in freight management services, including LTL truckload, supply chain management and domestic air/expedited shipping.

“Track and trace automation allows our carrier sales team to focus on procuring new capacity for our growing network, booking more transactions and increasing loads per rep performance,” said Ben Buchanan, vice president of truckload operations at GlobalTranz. “Additionally, MacroPoint technology reduces outbound calls from carrier sales staff to carrier partners. With MacroPoint communicating real-time location updates, we are able to enhance and improve our overall customer satisfaction.”

MacroPoint's freight tracking software is designed to give shippers, brokers, 3PLs and carriers real-time visibility into load status.

“Tracking thousands of shipments for GlobalTranz will enable them to leverage the value that our patented freight tracking and real-time location monitoring solution provides,” said Dave Halsema, senior vice president of MacroPoint. “We are pleased that GlobalTranz has chosen MacroPoint to help them continue growing their business while improving the service they provide to shippers.”

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Grote Offers Snap-In Cover Plates for Lights

Grote's Snap-In Cover Plates are a quick and simple to install light cover for retrofits and lighting upgrades on commercial vehicles.

The cover plates feature snap tabs that accommodate plate thicknesses from .125 inches to .250 inches, reducing installation time by as much as 60%, according to Grote.

The plates are available in two standard sizes - 4-inch round, 6-inch oval - and colors - gray, black - and come in sets of two. Each set includes a foam gasket to minimize moisture intrusion as well as the standard Grote flange mounting hole pattern for screw mounting and added security.

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Roadcheck 2016 Scores Record Low in Out of Service Violations

Photo via CVSA

For the second year in a row, out-of-service violations were issued at record-low levels by inspectors during the 2016 Commercial vehicle Safety Alliance International Roadcheck.

In Level 1 inspections, drivers were given out-of-service violations just 3.4% of the time and vehicles were placed out-of-service at a 21.5% rate. This just bested last year's rates of 3.6% and 21.6% respectively, which were also the lowest rates that CVSA had seen since 1991 when it began tracking data on violations.

The rate is important because the total number of inspections was also lower this year - 62,796 compared to over 69,000 in 2015 – so a lower total number of vehicle violations does not necessarily indicate a better result. Of the inspections, 42,236 were Level 1, which is the most comprehensive vehicle inspection level.

“CVSA's annual 72-hour International Roadcheck initiative highlights the commitment of our inspectors who work hard every day to ensure unsafe vehicles and drivers are removed from our roadways,” said Collin Mooney, CVSA executive director. “It's also an opportunity for our inspectors to inspect, acknowledge and document the safe, fit and compliant commercial motor vehicles traveling our roadways by placing a CVSA decal on the vehicle; indicating that a particular vehicle has passed CVSA's rigorous inspection standards.”

Brake adjustment and brake system violations were the most common reason for vehicle out-of-service violations this year, representing 45.7% of the total. The top driver out-of-service violations were for hours of service and false logs, representing 46.8% and 16.4% respectively.

Every International Roadcheck has a focus and CVSA chose to place a special emphasis on tire safety for 2016. Tire and wheel violations accounted for 18.5% of the total percentage of out-of-service violations. In the U.S., tire violations represented 13.7% of the out-of-service violations.

“International Roadcheck is an annual reminder of the diligence and dedication of ...Read the rest of this story