A few weeks ago I was on the ground at Manheim Kansas City, talking with some car haulers about the industry. It struck me when Dan of DHI said:
I think we get away from talking to our customers, more now. They say ‘here you go, here’s the load it’s all on your app. And we don’t talk no more. We used to talk all the time. I mean this load here? I’ve had to work to get it loaded, and I don’t even know the customer.
Dan doesn’t use Super Dispatch, but this is a sentiment I have heard more than once. I have also heard the opposite expressed: our customers have said that people still run the computers, and nothing will take away from the relationships you have today.
These arguments are just an extension of the question: is technology any good for car hauling?
We believe that it is. And here’s why:
It Helps You Move Faster
Car haulers are constantly out of time – not enough time to load, haul and finish paperwork. A car hauler can only load or drive so fast, but shortening paperwork is possible.
Haulers save hours on paperwork after switching from paper to Super Dispatch. Sometimes they save time by simply not training their drivers to fill out endless paperwork.
“Just since I’ve taken on Super Dispatch I’ve been able to go from 1 truck to 3 trucks. Just based on eliminating paperwork,” said James Glass, founder of Glass Hauling. “If I had to train a guy on a 3-part carbon copy bill of lading, you’re talking at least 15 pieces of paper at least for 3 cars. Then double that coming home. That’s 30 pieces of paper to keep track of, for one driver.”
But with Super Dispatch, car inspections can be done in minutes. These car inspections include time-stamped photos, marked damages, completed BOLs, and customer signatures. Once finished, a completed inspection and invoice can be emailed to one’s dispatcher, broker, or customer immediately. That means no end-of-day faxing, mailing, or emailing. When the cars are unloaded, your paperwork is already done.
Just since I’ve taken on Super Dispatch I’ve been able to go from 1 truck to 3 trucks. Just based on eliminating paperwork.
It Helps You Stay Organized
Auto transport requires searching for loads, creating trips, dispatching loads, loading cars, inspecting cars, completing legal work, invoicing customers, paying taxes, and paying yourself or employees. Actual driving might define the job of a car hauler, but it is only a small part of the job.
Technology like Super Dispatch allows owner-operators and fleet managers alike to save significant time and energy by automating and simplifying these various tasks.
“Without all the paperwork and the drivers trying to find a fax machine after a load, I save at least an hour a day not worrying about paperwork,” said Tiko, owner of Cars Inc. He also estimates that Cars Inc. saves an hour per day per worker because of Super Dispatch’s streamlined electronic BOL and invoices.
Without all the paperwork, and the drivers trying to find a fax machine after a load, I save at least an hour a day not worrying about paperwork.
All activity is also logged within Super Dispatch. If your driver can’t remember sending the invoice, check the load activity log. If a dispatcher needs to change a pick-up or delivery location, all changes are immediate, and notify your driver. This allows car haulers who use Super Dispatch to appear more organized to their clients.
“I use Super Dispatch to process loads for small individual brokers and they’re all thrilled every time I do that because they have the photographs with damages marked, the invoicing details, and so forth,” said Chris Routh, the owner-operator of Blue Moon Transit.
It Helps You Understand Your Business
Super Dispatch has reporting features like Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Company Revenue, so you know exactly where your money is at all times. Fleet managers can calculate driver pay with Driver Pay Reports. Rather than hunting down invoices and BOLs, Super Dispatch keeps everything organized within one easily searchable place.
A lot of these guys are not computer savvy…they lose a lot of money because they lose track of who owes them and who doesn’t owe them.
“A lot of these guys are not computer savvy…they lose a lot of money,” says Reg Bravo, the owner-operator of X2 Transportation. “I talk to these guys all the time. They lose a lot of money because they lose track of who owes them, who doesn’t owe them.”
Just a few years ago, advanced technology was a way for you to get ahead of the game in car hauling. But now, with more haulers and shippers using it, it’s all but necessary. Without it, car haulers will fall behind and may be unable to keep up.
Your successful car hauling career starts with Super Dispatch. If this seems like a tool that’s right for you, then consider trying a free trial today!