Networking was amazing!

We had many great conversations with folks from the freight/logistics space, which allowed us to meet and hear out new people. Networking is a great way to find potential business partners and discover new ways of collaborating to solve specific needs and create new use cases for Gatego. At the end of the day, we all want the transportation industry to move forward so that the community can benefit from the technological changes that are transforming the game for good.

The speakers

In addition to the great conversations we had, there were a lot of great speakers like the visionary science master, Michio Kaku, and the legendary negotiator, Chris Voss. And obviously the one and only, Craig Fuller, who crushed it for 3 days in a row unfolding great and very insightful conversations.

The fun

The F3 event is getting bigger and better every year, and the fun atmosphere was no exception. The Gatego team had a blast at F3! We had the opportunity to hang out with guys from the space and party hard with them. As the quote says: “Play hard, work hard.”, and that is exactly what we did at FreighWaves 2023. We are definitely looking forward to next year’s event, I'm sure it will get even better.

Video recap

To finish off, here is a video recap of Gatego at the event, make sure to check it out and follow us on our socials! See you next year F3!

The logistics industry is on a transformational journey. As with many other sectors, digitization is leading the charge, turning traditional yard management operations into very valuable, data-driven ecosystems. This revolution in yard management involves the integration of digital tools and technologies to improve efficiency, create seamless processes, and enhance decision-making capabilities. The result: Exceptional businesses that deliver world-class services.

Understanding the Digitization of Yard Management

The digitization of yard management involves the use of game-changing technologies like Yard Management Systems (YMS), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning to manage and optimize yard operations. These technologies provide real-time visibility into operations on the cloud, efficient automations, and offer analytics that aid to foresee and manage potential bottlenecks.

Key Elements of Digital Yard Management

Yard Management Systems (YMS)

At the core of digital yard management is a great YMS like Gatego .This software centralizes all yard information, provides real-time visibility into the location and status of assets, and speeds up yard operations like gate check-ins. This enhances critical decision-making and reduces manual intervention.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT devices, such as sensors and GPS trackers, are crucial elements of a digital yard. They provide real-time tracking of assets and vehicles, enabling better resource allocation and reducing time spent locating equipment.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

AI and machine learning algorithms can analyze the massive amounts of data generated by a digital yard and significantly speed up process like capturing trailer and driver information, and eventually fully automate manual labor. AI can also offer predictive insights to prevent congestion, optimize routes, and manage resource allocation effectively.

Automation

Digitization leads to the automation of many tasks, such as gate check-ins and check-outs, dock assignments, and reporting. This reduces errors, increases efficiency and takes yard operations to a whole new level.

Benefits of Digitizing Yard Operations

Increased Efficiency

With real-time visibility and automated processes, yards can operate more efficiently. This leads to faster turnaround times, improved utilization of assets, and a reduction in costs.

Enhanced Decision-Making

With a centralized system providing real-time data and insights, decision-makers can proactively manage operations, rather than reacting to issues after they occur.

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Faster turnaround times and more reliable operations lead to improved customer satisfaction. Digitization also enables information to be shared with customers, giving them real time visibility of the status of their assets.

Reduced Environmental Impact

By optimizing routes and reducing idle times, digitization can help yards reduce their carbon footprint.

Conclusion

The digitization of yard management is an exciting development in the logistics industry. As businesses continue to adopt these technologies, the benefits will continue to multiply, driving efficiency, improving customer satisfaction, and paving the way for the future of logistics. It's an exciting time for yard management, and digitization is just the beginning. If you want to stay ahead of the curve and take advantage of the benefits that technology can bring to your business, book a demo with the Gatego team, and discover how you can collaboratively lead the future of yard management.

The logistics industry is a fast-paced environment where efficiency and cost savings are supreme. One area often overlooked that carries significant potential for savings is yard management. A yard management software (YMS) like Gatego can make all the difference. By optimizing yard operations, it’s possible to prevent detention and demurrage costs, lower demurrage fees, reduce detention costs, and support your bottom line.

What makes a YMS an essential asset in yard operations efficiency? The answer lies in its features aimed at streamlining processes and making the most of available resources. Let’s dive in and explore the benefits of a YMS, its return on investment (ROI), and the strategies it provides for yard management cost reduction.

The Economic Benefits of a Yard Management Software

A primary benefit of a YMS lies in preventing detention and demurrage costs. These costs increase when trucks remain in the yard longer than scheduled, leading to steep fees.

With a YMS like Gatego, yard management becomes a finely-tuned operation, ensuring the swift movement of trucks and avoiding expensive overtime. This superior level of control reduces delays and congestion, leading to lower demurrage fees. By improving yard organization, Gatego facilitates trailer turnarounds, significantly reducing detention costs.

The Return on Investment (ROI) of a Yard Management Software

Investing in a YMS like Gatego profits substantial dividends. The ROI of a YMS manifests in numerous parts of operations.

A streamlined yard leads to faster turnarounds, reduced waiting time for trucks, and optimized resource utilization. All of this converges to improve logistics operational efficiency.

By preventing detention and demurrage costs, decreasing demurrage fees, and curbing detention costs, the financial savings from using a YMS like Gatego are significant.

Additionally, the real-time data provided by the YMS equips management with actionable insights to make informed decisions that positively affect operations and costs.

Implementing Cost Reduction Strategies with a Yard Management Software

Incorporating a YMS in your yard management strategies welcomes a new era of optimized yard operations. A YMS offers several avenues for this transformation like the prevention of blockages, optimal resource allocation and yard capacity control.

Also by making specific processes more agile, like gate check-ins, a YMS speeds up the process, saving costs while boosting accuracy and productivity.

The Business Benefits of a Yard Management Software

Beyond cost savings, a YMS like Gatego offers significant business benefits. In an industry where time is money, a well-organized yard provides you with a noteworthy competitive edge.

Faster turnarounds and reduced delays lead to increased customer satisfaction, promoting business growth. Gatego is also designed for scalability, making it a practical investment for future needs.

The potential of a yard management software like Gatego in the pursuit of logistics operational efficiency is unmistakable. By preventing detention and demurrage costs, decreasing demurrage fees, reducing detention costs, and enhancing overall operational efficiency, it’s a compelling solution for businesses seeking to achieve cost savings and maintain a competitive edge.

Data & Analytics with a YMS

A remarkable aspect of modern YMS lies in its ability to leverage the power of data and analytics. Having access to historical data and real-time updates helps businesses make proactive decisions about resource allocation and other critical aspects of yard management.

Businesses can also anticipate potential delays or disruptions in their operations by reporting and giving the whole team visibility of issues. As a result, organizations can take preventative action, such as reorganizing schedules or reallocating resources, to avoid expensive downtime and maintain seamless operations.

The Integration Capabilities of a YMS

A YMS can also excel in integrating with other enterprise systems. This enhances its operational reach, amplifying its positive impact on cost savings and efficiency.

A YMS can often seamlessly connect with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, among others.

Such integrations enable a holistic approach to logistics management for consistent data flow across different systems and departments. For example, when integrated with a TMS, the YMS can access transport schedules, allowing operators to optimize yard activities based on arrivals and departures.

Integration with a WMS, on the other hand, can help synchronize yard activities with warehouse operations for a smooth transition of goods. These integrations reduce the chances of delays, enhance coordination, and further contribute to operational efficiency.

Enhancing Transparency through Real-Time Tracking

A feature that sets apart YMS like Gatego is the real-time tracking feature. By providing a continuous stream of information about the movement and status of trailers within the yard, a YMS promotes transparency, making it easier for managers to monitor and control operations.

Real-time tracking eliminates guesswork from yard operations. By knowing exactly where a trailer is and how long it has been there, detention and demurrage fees can be effectively controlled. It also allows for quick issue resolution. Any problem can be identified and addressed promptly, reducing disruption and preventing the escalation of costs.

Streamlining Operations for Profitability and Growth

By integrating the latest technologies and intelligent automation, a YMS like Gatego can help businesses navigate the complexities of yard operations easily.

These solutions go beyond managing gate entries and exits. They offer a comprehensive view of the yard, enabling more informed decision-making and strategic planning.

As logistics businesses continue to evolve, supporting operational efficiency becomes more challenging. However, by implementing a YMS, organizations can increase visibility, manage resources more effectively, and drive down costs.

As a result, companies enhance their yard operations efficiency and ensure long-term sustainability and growth. A YMS like Gatego is an investment that can pay off exponentially in the form of increased efficiencies, reduced costs, and boosted customer satisfaction.

As the logistics industry grows more competitive, businesses must explore every opportunity for optimization. A YMS delivers that opportunity for better operational outcomes, cost reduction, and, ultimately, a more robust bottom line.

The strategic adoption of Yard Management Software can drastically reduce operational costs, yield significant savings and boost operational efficiency. The software is an effective solution to lower demurrage fees, reduce detention costs, and streamline yard operations.

By investing in the right yard management tools and strategies, your business can achieve notable financial benefits and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving logistics industry. Book a demo with Gatego to see how we can help transform your business.

This article will help you understand some of the best practices for YMS implementation so you can transition as smoothly as possible.

Benefits of Using a Yard Management Software

Yard operations is a fast-paced environment with lots of moving parts. You may have a well-oiled operation, but how agile is your process when challenges arise? Yard management software (YMS) solutions exist to keep movements flowing efficiently, even when things get tricky. So, ditch the pen and paper and see how a solution like Gatego can level-up your yard operations.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish there were two of me,” as you multitask and manage operations, then a yard management software solution can be your greatest ally. With benefits like real-time insight into yard movements, the software gives you more time and a second set of eyes to keep operations moving smoothly.

The software can even flag problem areas you may not be aware of, allowing your team to proactively manage operation weaknesses. In turn, you’ll begin to improve efficiencies. For example, log all your movements rapidly with autofill and have complete visibility of your assets to avoid repeated yard checks. When you have access to real-time data to monitor and manage yard operations, yard managers can save both time and company resources.

These efficiencies mean fewer hiccups in your workflow, and even in the event of a problem, the software helps you stay ahead of trailer and truck issues with fast issue logging and asset condition transparency, enabling you to solve them quickly before they become major complications. The use of software also means less likelihood of human error. So, you can confidently use the resources in your yard management system, knowing you’ll be making educated decisions with real-time data.

How to Implement a Yard Management Software

The evidence proves you need yard management software, but now you may be wondering how to get started. Before you begin a full implementation, make sure the leaders in your organization all understand the new software capabilities. Schedule a demo with us to maximize the team’s understanding of the platform.

Step One: Develop a Timeline and Implementation Plan

Preparing for YMS setup means developing a clear plan of action. First, evaluate your current pen and paper operations. Recognize what data points need to be converted and what process flows need to be set up. Then, work with us to ensure the yard management software has all the correct form fields and workflows. You should account for a fast gate check-in process, inventory across all yards and carriers, and issue reporting functionality.

Once your plan articulates the software needs and expectations, you can develop the timeline. Within your timeline, set target dates for the completion of software development and data conversion, release dates for communication, power user training and all staff training, the go-live date, and then the evaluation timeframe.  

Step Two: Develop a Communication Plan

You must plan to inform all stakeholders – including staff, vendors, and customers about your software conversion. Communication will keep everyone informed about new expectations, the benefits of the conversion, and the go-live date.

Step Three: Allocate Staff Resources

Develop “power users” who fully understand the paper-to-electronic conversion process. After receiving training from the software providers, the power users will conduct staff training. Additionally, power users should be assigned to work on-site during each shift. Having a power user nearby to troubleshoot challenges will comfort the rest of the yard staff during the transition process.

Step Four: Conduct Staff Training

This leads to step four. User training for YMS is essential to help everyone smoothly transition from the pen-and-paper process to the software adoption. Your company’s power users will train the rest of the staff.

It will be comforting to staff to have familiar faces leading the transition. In fact, having leaders and respected staff engaged in the transition process will create buy-in from all staff, making the transition easier.

All training requirements should be completed before the software goes live and the transition is complete. Giving everyone advance training will make it easier for all staff to feel supported and prepared for the new protocols and expectations.

Step Five: Go Live and Evaluation

Ok, the software is deployed, and the staff is trained. It’s time to go live. On the day you go live, plan a lighter schedule of movements to give your team time to get acclimated. Have more than one power user on standby to assist with challenges. And plan a celebration at the end of the day to reward staff for a successful initial transition.

Of course, on day one, the work has just begun. So keep the power users on standby for staff for the coming weeks. Check in with staff to verify that the software performs as expected and inquire about confusion or frustration with software management. Recognize that it may be necessary to retrain staff on portions of the software if needed, so have time allocated for additional training opportunities.

It won’t take long for staff to get acclimated. As you evaluate your team’s progress, you will be able to determine when staff competence is high. Once the trailer yard is operating efficiently with the new software, you can move training to an onboarding requirement or annual review. It’s also ideal to still do a yearly evaluation to gauge staff satisfaction with the software and workflow processes. Your willingness to engage staff feedback will help your company continue to recognize efficiencies and maintain employee engagement.

Staff Support During Yard Management Software Implementation

Software adoption can feel overwhelming for staff. Ensure your teams feel supported during the transition. Consider ways to energize your company culture during the implementation and transition. Increase employee recognition. Set team goals and celebrate milestones or accomplishments. And stay attuned to employee needs so that the company leaders can manage the emerging needs of staff.

Successful YMS Integration

You'll reap the benefits of improved productivity and efficiency when you have successfully integrated your yard management software solution into your operations. So, what are you waiting for? Choose a trusted partner, like Gatego, and take control of your yard with an easy-to-use platform built with your business in mind.

Yard management requires monitoring various activities, including the flow of incoming and outgoing freight. Traditional manual methods are cumbersome and inefficient, which is why you may be considering adopting a yard management software.

What is a Yard Management System?

A yard management system (YMS) is a software application designed to monitor the movement of trucks and trailers in a facility’s yard, warehouse or distribution center. A YMS provides real-time information on trailer locations within the yard. This information enables yard workers to move trailers from staging to docks and fill orders efficiently.

Why is a YMS Important

To optimize efficient supply chains and reduce demurrage costs, having a YMS is the key. There are a hundred more reasons why you should consider getting a management system, and below are some of them.

Cost reduction on yard operations

A YMS helps to ensure timely loading and departure of trucks and trailers. This, in turn, helps to avoid overtime demurrage and detention charges. YMS reduces labor costs since manual management tasks are eliminated; no more time is lost in making calls, searching for inventory, or waiting.

Improves management of yard assets

A yard management software gives a clear picture of yard operations and assesses how resources are utilized. This eliminates the need to search for misplaced trailers in the yard, thus saving time.

When used together with transport management systems (TMS) and warehouse management systems (WMS), a YMS can precisely analyze performance and assets.

Carrier and time analysis

With a yard management system, you can monitor each carrier’s commitments, wait-time, unload time, and on-time performance. You can then make appropriate decisions for each trailer and organize dock labor for quick loading and unloading.

It also allows the user to track en-route delays in real-time and streamline operations. For example, if the trailer you were expecting experiences a delay, you can identify an empty one for outbound loads.

Yard Management Systems ensure safety and adherence to facility procedures

A YMS facilitates consistent checking in and out of carriers and drivers entering or leaving the facility. It also checks seals, records damages, and tracks shipment information alongside trailer numbers.

The check-in and check-out system ensure that no unauthorized persons access the yard, improving security. It also tracks speed, safe practices, and drivers’ working hours, protecting your drivers and others on the road.

Management of multiple yards

A YMS can allow an organization with multiple yards serving different drop yards, plants, and warehouses to access data from all yards in one place.

What to Look for in Software as a Service

When looking for any Software as a Service, it is important to review what kind of services they offer. To help you choose the right one, here are 7 factors that you should consider before selecting one.

Software cost and features

Don’t make a decision based on price alone. Considering the features offered by each system can help you get value for your money. Begin with a budget, then make a list of the features that are nice to have, those that are necessary, and those that you don’t need.

Sometimes the cost is higher for software with the most features. However, you may not need all those features, so you should pick a product without focusing on the sheer number of features.

Choosing software that will serve you long-term is the best you can do for your business (and your wallet).

Customer support

Before purchasing software, it is important to find out the level of support each vendor is willing to offer before and after installation. You should also ask them about their availability and how to reach them, often something like Intercom provides a seamless customer support experience.

Since you intend to use the software for all employees, it is crucial to consider whether your potential software companies offer training.

Compatibility with other supply chain systems

It is important to choose the software that suits your needs and your size. There are stand-alone YMS solutions and YMS add-on modules. For example, a small yard with a few operations can do with a stand-alone system, but a busy yard requires a YMS compatible with other systems such as TMS and WMS. Make sure APIs are always available.

Software update

As technology advances, companies update their software to keep up with current changes. Check how frequently different vendors update their software to make sure their technology doesn't fall behind. Often the more years in the market the more archaic the software tends to be.

The reputation of the software vendor

Reputable software vendors are known for their quality products. They are also often willing to fix issues that you may encounter while using the software.

Read customer reviews about your target software to get more insights about software issues and the company’s method of handling such concerns.

Customizable software

Your company’s needs and systems may change with time, so you should choose customizable software.

Highly customizable software can be difficult and costly to adopt. On the other hand, a simple system can be daunting to adjust to meet your company’s needs. It is best to choose a customization level that’s workable for your unique organization.

Software security

Security is a priority for any software. You need to know the process of data collection: how it’s secured, stored, and shared.

You wouldn’t want your company’s data to land in the wrong hands, so you should review the security page of your target software. Make sure they have a secure website and basic encryption mechanisms are implemented.

7 Best Yard Management Software

There are many yard management software systems and it's challenging looking where to start so we compiled a list of the best seven.

#1 Gatego

Gatego is the most modern choice for shippers and trucking companies.

Pros

• Gatego offers features for fleets with drop yards for guards to keep track of issues
• Allows for control and visibility of trailers across multiple yard inventory
• Share accurate and timely information with your team to empower them to provide the best service your brand can offer.
• Log in and out of your yard anytime and monitor your trailer performance in real-time. Gatego also provides you with an elaborate record of movements with pictures, trailer status, attachments, and more.
• Gives you real-time visibility of your inventory across multiple yards and multiple carriers. The unified dashboard gives you simultaneous access to all your yards.
• Quick access to past data in the history section, and you can grant access of entry to carriers using a specific yard.
• Track maintenance requirements and arising issues to keep your fleet dependable. This helps your fleet avoid DOT violations.
• Free plan so that you can try Gatego risk-free!

How Gatego Works

• Uses a smart autofill system that speeds up the check-in process.
• AI ID scanning is fast, ensuring there are no queues.
• Gatego uses a cloud-based system, so you can access your data on any modern device.
• Keep your data safe through foolproof AES 128 military-grade encryption.
• Gatego is always available to help you via live chat.

#2 C3 Solutions

C3 offers dock scheduling and map view though expensive.

Pros

• Improves visibility of yard assets and shipments.
• Increases gate throughput
• Increases the productivity of yard drivers
• Reduces dock congestion and optimizes door utilization
• Reduces detention costs

Cons

• User Interface not as refined
• Expensive for small warehouses

#3 Pinc (Kaleris)

This multi-mode rail and truck yard management software solution works for both liquid and dry bulk shippers and their receivers.

Pros

• Streamlines gate procedures and facilitate proper check-in and check-out process.
• Traffic managers and drivers can communicate effectively via the system.
• Real-time visibility of assets and carriers from the manufacturer to the customers’ yards.
• The system is compatible with other systems such as WMS and TMS.

#4 Fourkites

Fourkites offers real-time monitoring of in-transit and in-yard freight.

Pros

• Provides a full view of your yard to help you take the right measures to increase productivity.
• With 100% visibility, you can create business agility.
• It helps you reduce detention and rental costs.
• A data-driven foundation that allows you to make innovative changes in your yard

#5 Yard Commander

This YMS is an affordable choice.

Pros

• Simple, clean, and easy-to-use interface.
• Eliminates the need to use spreadsheets, paper logs, and notes and is compatible with other systems such as WMS.
• Shows your trailers’ location, status, and contents.
• Monitor multiple yards, facilities, and locations in real-time from a centralized system.
• Helps you reduce demurrage and detention charges.
• Locate trailers or stock without searching the yard.

#6 Yard Management Solutions

This YMS solves basic needs but lacks a modern user interface

Pros

• Allows for instantaneous yard visibility
• Possible to manage multiple yards
• Keep track of time, gate operations, and shuttles

#7 Yard View Pro

Yard View Pro is an intelligent yard management software that offers map visibility.

Pros

• Complete visibility and integrates with other systems
• Sends email & text alerts for crucial events
• Provides real-time information on the location and status of your carriers

Conclusion

Yard management software can make a huge difference to the efficiency of running your yard. When choosing a YMS system, remember to think about how the software will function for your use case.

Gatego offers a highly customizable software solution that provides AI-powered, cloud-based, real-time tracking of your yard and assets, along with superior analytics to help you get the best out of your business. Book a demo to see how Gatego can work for you!

Things have changed a lot in the freight industry in just a few short years. Carriers have had to adapt, whether it’s more straightforward navigation and fleet tracking with GPS or changes to regulations. Regulations, laws, cross-border freight rules, and more have changed dramatically. While it’s mainly for the best, it does require constant change within organizations that work to move goods throughout North America.

CTPAT or Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism is just one of those changes, and, while it’s been around since 2001, additional legislation and changes to international shipping regulations mean it’s become more important than ever to become CTPAT certified. So, let’s look at precisely what that means, what it takes, and what you can do to build CTPAT best practices into your carrier business.

What Is CTPAT?

CTPAT is a government program created to protect U.S. borders against terrorism by improving supply chain security.

This system covers all U.S. borders, including those with Mexico and Canada, as well as ports and other points of entry. Companies that apply for CTPAT certification must implement rigorous and comprehensive security protocols, ensuring that the freight carriers carry will not be used in any illegal or terror operations in the U.S. or the countries its carriers supply.

Vehicle inspections under the CTPAT program are designed to ensure that only the items listed on the shipping manifest actually make it onto the vehicle.

If you’re a freight carrier that regularly transports goods overland borders with Canada and Mexico, it’s an excellent idea to consider CTPAT certification. Certified carriers have shorter wait times at borders, less invasive and time-consuming inspections, access to FAST lanes, and more benefits.

It might take time to get certified and a little work to stay compliant, but it can dramatically speed the process of crossing land borders to and from the U.S.

How to Get CTPAT Certification

If you own or manage a highway freight carrier operation that frequently crosses the border with Mexico or Canada (or both), it’s a perfect idea to apply for CTPAT certification. There’s no cost to become a CTPAT partner, and companies of all sizes can use it, but there is a fixed process to apply. Once approved, you will have to continue to meet security standards to remain CTPAT certified. The most important steps to note are:

• You must be a carrier that regularly crosses the border with Mexico, Canada, or both.
• Your application will be based on the country you ship to (Mexico or Canada), or if you ship to and from both, you will apply under the Mexico criteria.
• Submit business information required by CTPAT, based on the country your business is located.
• Businesses in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico can all apply for CTPAT certification.
• There are CTPAT field offices in Buffalo, New York, Houston, Texas, Los Angeles, California, Miami, Florida, New York City, and Newark, New Jersey.
• There is also a digital CTPAT portal to submit and manage your application and account.
• Have a six-digit DOT number and a four-digit SCAC Code
• Designate someone in your company to be your CTPAT security official
• Complete and sign the CTPAT-Partner Agreement to Participate Voluntarily
• Create a supply chain security profile on the CTPAT portal – this outline how you will comply with CTPAT requirements
• Remain in good financial standing with CBP

Once you are accepted to the program, you will need to implement several administrative and other processes and procedures to ensure you keep your CTPAT certification. There are also minimum inspections that need to be done for each shipment, which includes:

• A complete review of your vehicles before they are packed for transportation, including the walls, floors, ceiling, doors, and other parts of the container or vehicle
• Full inspection of all tractors and trailers, including bumpers, fuel tanks, cab, and interior, fifth wheel and other storage compartments, and more

These inspections are conducted to ensure that no modifications have been made to conceal any contraband material and that nothing has been hidden. CTPAT members must also search for any potential agricultural pests and contaminants.

By conducting these inspections before every shipment, CTPAT members help to ensure that nothing other than their manifest listed cargo is present on their vehicles. Helping to maintain the security at borders, and in return for their diligence, carriers get expedited processing at borders most of the time.

There’s no guarantee that your vehicles won’t be required to undergo additional inspection if you are a CTPAT member, but in most cases, border crossings will be quicker and easier if you are.

Technology and CTPAT

As with any regulatory process, being a member of CTPAT has pros and cons. The pros are that your vehicles will almost certainly spend less time waiting at border crossings and can get expedited processing in FAST lanes. The cons are that the application process can take some time, and you will need to build inspections and checks into your loading process.

Fortunately, these days, we have technology on our side, and one of the ways you can automate and expedite this process is to use a system like gatego.

Gatego is a software solution designed to make compliance with CTPAT as quick and easy as possible. A simple, automated process allows all of your vehicles to check in digitally when ready to load and then allows your security team to conduct inspections, upload images and data, and complete all required processes in real-time. As soon as the checks are complete and the vehicle is ready for loading, inspection data is available digitally on gatego. So, you can analyze, store, and share it as required.

This simple to use system streamlines the process of inspecting all of your trucks and trailers and ensures that you’ll never load a trailer that hasn’t been cleared. Data for the truck, trailer, driver, and shipment is stored securely in the cloud, so you can access it whenever you need it, and you can add as many images as required.

Even better, with secure sign-in for your inspection team, and a paperless system, there’s no risk that documents will be forged, falsified, or lost, so there’s accountability built into every shipment, every step of the way.

In fact, while you could do things the old-fashioned way, you’ll probably find that a digital yard management system like gatego gets the job done faster and better and cuts down the time required to get your vehicles cleared for loading. Time is money, and in this case, technology that helps you to comply with CTPAT will put more profit in every shipment.

Even better, because gatego is cloud-based, you can use it at all your yards, facilities, and warehouses. So, your processes are always uniform, and you can always access information from anywhere you need it.

For a free trial and up-front pricing, without the pressure of long-term contracts, visit gatego.io.

Many people use these two words interchangeably, but they have different meanings in the world of logistics. What are they, and how do they differ?

What Is a Shipper?

A shipper is also referred to as a consignor. This individual or company arranges to have goods shipped between locations. Most often the shipper supplies or owns the product.

The shipper has to pay for the cost of transporting goods, and this cost is often passed along to the consumer.

What Is a Carrier?

An individual or a company that carries, transports, or moves goods between two locations is a carrier. The carrier has legal permission to transport items by land, water, or air.

Goods can be delivered via two main methods:

· Common Carrier: A transport provider allowed to offer services to anyone.

· Contract or Private Carrier: A transport services provider working under contract for a specific shipper.

The Main Differences Between the Two

Essentially, then, the shipper makes all the arrangements for transporting goods. A shipper is in charge of scheduling and paying for transportation services. Shippers can be, for example, sellers, exporters, distributors, or employees working in an organization’s shipping and receiving department.

The carrier is the entity that does the actual transporting of the goods. A carrier is in charge of physically moving goods from one point to another and holding it temporarily when necessary. Carriers can be service providers offering transportation via trains, trucks, ships, planes, and other means.

Both shippers and carriers play crucial roles in distributing goods, and both can benefit from using yard management software like Gatego.

How Gatego Fits In

As a simplified yard management solution, Gatego helps carriers and shippers manage their trailer yards efficiently. Gatego replaces clipboards and Excel sheets, streamlining the process of tracking yard logistics, including who went in, who went out, and how many trailers are inside.

Gatego enables you to exercise more control over your yards and warehouses. You’ll know which trailers are empty and ready for use and which have been sitting in your yard for a while and require unloading.

Being able to track trailers lets you locate them quickly. Gatego allows your personnel to maintain better control at the gate and report any damages to trailers right away. Schedule a quick demo to see how Gatego can streamline your operations and modernize your workflow.

If you run or work in a trailer yard, you’re aware of the numerous logistics behind operations. Regardless of the size of the yard, challenges abound, including:

• Keeping track of trucks and trailers
• Locating qualified workers
• Finding the right trailers for the job at hand
• Locating empty trailers that are ready to be used
• Scheduling when trucks arrive, load, unload, and leave
• Coordinating with all parties involved
• Keeping track of shipments
• Training new employees
• Fixing and maintaining trucks and trailers

Challenges like these exist in all types of truck yards, including at distribution centers, warehouses, factories, truck rental companies, delivery centers, trailer drop yards, carrier facilities, and other locations.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s involved with managing a trailer yard.

Basics of Yard Management

Efficient yard operations are key to companies being able to successfully transport goods in a timely manner. What’s integral to any operations in a trailer yard is movements. Those in charge are responsible for moving the following in the most effective manner possible:

• Trucks, trailers, and other vehicles
• Shipments and pallets
• People who work in the yard

With so many pieces of the puzzle in motion at any given moment, coordinating everything for smooth operations is not easy.

The basics of yard management involve:

• Directing inbound and outbound trucks
• Tracking, moving, loading, and unloading shipments
• Ensuring everything keeps moving smoothly
• Tracking, training, and managing personnel
• Avoiding costly delays
• Quickly locating open docks and available trucks and trailers

To coordinate all these moving parts, a solid process must be implemented. Without one, chaos quickly ensues.

Where Issues Can Arise

The truth is that issues can arise everywhere. With so much in motion at any given time and so many possible delays that can happen, the system can fall apart quickly if it isn’t managed well.

These are just some of the many issues that can arise when a truck and trailer yard is mismanaged:

• Shipments may not be delivered on time
• Unexpected operation or arrival delays can occur
• Delays can cause serious issues, including spoiled goods
• On-the-job accidents may increase
• Untracked trailers may sit idle
• Urgently needed vehicles may not be located
• Personnel may be overworked one day and underutilized the next
• Shipments can get lost
• Trucks and trailers that should be offline for maintenance may mistakenly be kept active

Having a strong system in place is essential to the success of a trailer yard. It’s necessary for doing business in a world where consumers increasingly order products online and businesses depend on each other for the successful completion of a finished product.

How Automation Creates Solutions

No matter how good your yard management system is, automating it can make it better.

Computer software platforms are great at handling tasks that are repetitive or involve multiple elements in motion. Automated yard management software takes the best of what computers have to offer and incorporates it into a smart system that can be used to coordinate everything much better than even the best yard managers could do manually.

Automation creates solutions by:

• Reducing or eliminating human error
• Handling complex logistics
• Tracking vehicles, shipments, and people in real-time
• Flagging problem areas you may not be aware of
• Improving scheduling
• Enabling managers to better balance workloads for yard personnel
• Ensuring safety measures are in place and being followed
• Avoiding compliance violations
• Leading to more efficient use of trucks, trailers, and other vehicles
• Alerting yard teams about incoming trucks
• Showing what’s happening in your yard at any given point in real-time

In short, automation leads to better solutions by removing inefficiencies and speeding up processes while maintaining smooth coordination between all the moving parts involved.

The right yard management software platform essentially gives managers extra eyes, providing them with the ability to know exactly where everything is, what’s being underutilized, and what resources are available right now.

If you keep using a clipboard to keep track of who is going in and out of your trailer yard, you will quickly fall behind (if you haven’t already). More and more companies are turning to yard management software solutions to streamline processes, track resources, resolve problems faster, coordinate operations better, and ultimately, save time while making more money.

A Look at Gatego

Wego Technologies, known for simplifying the transportation industry through targeted software solutions that increase productivity and efficiency, has developed a trailer yard management system to automate and simplify operations.

Called Gatego, this software helps eliminate the biggest time-wasting issues that often arise in yard management, helping yard managers track and utilize resources better while coordinating tasks more agilely. Gatego ultimately helps trailer yards run better so they can enjoy more profits, better growth, and positive recognition in the industry.

Lets You Take Back Control

The Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to supply chain disruptions globally in a growing number of industries. Many factors are creating these problems, from a shortage of needed materials to increasing energy and shipping costs. When you add the latest supply chain issues to all the variables involved in running a trailer yard, it can leave people in charge of yard operations feeling like they’ve lost control.

If you’re in this situation, get back control of your yard through automation. Gatego doesn’t leave things up to chance. This software lets you and your employees easily track and control everything, including:

• When a truck arrives at the gate, with the time, truck number, carrier, trailer number, and other pertinent details logged consistently for each arriving truck
• The condition of each arriving trailer through photos taken at the gate
• Having the ability to capture all pertinent data about incoming trucks before the gate will open
• Being able to review recorded info on trailers and trucks to check for damage, aging inventory, current yard capacity, and more in real-time

When you have better control of what’s coming and going, as well as an easy-to-access panel that gives you up-to-date information about your yard at a glance, you can make better decisions faster for improved operations.

Provides Full Visibility of Your Resources

One of the key ways that Gatego lets you take back control is by providing you with complete visibility of your resources. Before a truck is even allowed to enter your yard, your gatekeeper takes just a few minutes to retrieve key details and enter them into the gatego progressive web app. This creates a record of every truck and trailer, complete with identifying numbers, driver’s name, and photos of the trailer.

By having access to these details at your fingertips, you’ll be able to:

• Quickly locate any trailer on your premises
• Know when each trailer arrived
• Access information about how long different trailers have been there
• View photos showing the condition of each trailer
• Avoid losing or misplacing trailers on your property

If a trailer has been sitting in your yard for longer than it should, you’ll know, and you can make the necessary calls to expedite shipment or learn whether the trailers’ contents can safely remain in your yard longer.

Knowing more about the comings and goings of trucks to your location, where the trailers are located, which ones are being used, which ones are ready to load, and other relevant details enables you to use your resources wisely and take the appropriate course of action when it’s called for.

Platform Is Easy to Use

Another thing that’s great about Gatego is how easy it is to use the software platform’s dashboard. Those who are entering data have a convenient, easy-to-follow menu to go through to input pertinent information.

The menu serves to streamline the process, enabling the gatekeeper to intuitively move from one item to the next without trying to remember what to do. By following the menu, the gate worker won’t forget to include important data like the driver’s name or the trailer’s serial number.

Yard managers then have immediate access to information about the trailer yard, readily available through the dashboard. At a glance, managers can see:

• Who has checked in and out of the yard
• What tasks each individual completed or reported
• Which carriers have trailers stored in your yard
• How long each trailer has been in your yard, and when it arrived
• All outstanding damage reports and issues
• How many trailers are loaded or empty
• The number of trailers and trucks currently in your yard
• The yard’s remaining space capacity

You’ll know exactly who has arrived and who has left, who has just finished loading a trailer, who reported trailer damage (and what the damage is), and other important details to alert you to what needs immediate attention and what can be scheduled for a later time.

The intuitive dashboard provides you with instant access to information that lets you manage your yard most efficiently while maintaining a high level of integrity in your operations.

Lets You See Long-Term Trends

In addition to giving you an immediate snapshot of the current status of your yard, Gatego gives you insights into long-term trends. Periodically reviewing these trends lets you make changes to processes to improve your trailer yard’s operations. The analytics provided by the collection of data accumulated over time can show you where to make improvements, such as:

• Which of your workers can benefit from more training
• How much additional business your yard is capable of handling
• Which carriers are the best to work with and which may not be worth your time
• Where you can set loading or unloading stations for greater ease and efficiency
• What specific policies you might need to implement
• Who should get special recognition for going above and beyond

Without accessible data, you may not notice trends that are taking away from the efficiency of your yard or draining money away from the business. Gatego gives you easy-to-access, cumulative data to help you make business and policy decisions that will benefit you and all the parties involved in the process.

Many Ways Gatego Can Serve You

By automating key portions of your operations, Gatego serves you in many ways. This platform enables you to:

• Maintain control at the gate
• Track all trailers
• Know what your workers are doing
• Maintain damage reports
• Make better use of your yard
• Reduce errors
• Simplify and speed up the check-in process
• Uncover trends
• Get a real-time summary of your yard
• Scale your business
• Increase profits
• Gain a favorable reputation in the industry
• Innovate in order to advance

To Get Started

The best way to see for yourself how the power of automation can help your trailer yard business is to schedule a Gatego demo. We’ll walk you through the platform so you can better understand how it works and determine how it might help you run your yard better.

Once you’ve seen Gatego in action, you’ll likely have questions, which we’ll be happy to answer. You can customize Gatego to meet your specific needs, and our support team can address any questions or concerns you might have.

Book your demo today to see how Gatego’s automation can transform your yard by streamlining operations and creating order. In a constantly changing world, yard automation can help your business grow to the next level and thrive.