Technology and business go together perfectly; a business is the ideal place for tech to be rolled out for the first time, plus it’s something that business owners are going to be happy to adopt – once they’ve done their research, that is.
Tech can improve businesses in all kinds of ways, from helping them save money to making their customer service efforts better, so it’s no wonder that business owners like to use it where they can. But can all businesses benefit? Can a trucking company be improved through the use of tech? The answer is yes, and here are the reasons why.
Electric Vehicles
There are many positives about running a trucking company, and it can be a fantastic option if you’re a particularly organized person who likes logistics. However, there is one big issue that you just can’t shy away from: trucks pollute wherever they go. They’re big, they send out emissions, and they use a lot of fuel, and for anyone who is looking at ways to protect the environment, trucking companies won’t be at the top of their list of the good guys.
However, you might be able to change this point of view (and the damage the trucks are doing) by opting for electric vehicles. Although the technology isn’t quite there yet, there are definitely strides being made in that direction, including work from an electric vehicle truck prototype manufacturer, so it’s something you can keep in mind for the future. Do your research, and you’ll be ready to switch over when the time comes.
Route Optimization
While you’re waiting for electric trucks to become a reality, you’ll need to consider how to optimize your fuel usage and essentially have the trucks on the road for less time. There are loads of reasons for doing this, including the environmental benefits and the fact that a truck that’s driven less will need less maintenance (so you’ll save money).
Using technology to help plan out the best routes that will take the least time and fewest miles is a great idea. GPS is already doing this to some extent, but most of the time, this tech – which is vital, of course – will only be working on the shortest route without taking anything else into account. When you also use route optimization technology, you’ll be able to factor in things like the load you’re carrying, the weather, and the delivery schedule to get the ideal route for your drivers.
Predictive Maintenance
If your trucks aren’t roadworthy, you’ll lose money. If they’re off the road for a long time, you’ll lose customers. People who want things delivered aren’t going to be able to wait for your trucks to be fixed – there are deadlines to stick to, after all – so they’ll have to find another trucking company, no matter how much they might prefer to use you.
Using technology like predictive maintenance can help massively. This tech uses sensors and analytics to monitor the health of your vehicles, and if it’s determined there’s a problem brewing, you’ll be alerted before it actually happens. It’s far easier, quicker, and cheaper to deal with a small issue than it is to deal with a big one.
