Fixing Supply Chains Starts by Solving Transportation’s Utilization Problem

February 2, 2023

Pandemic-fueled disruptions have amplified the need to have a global, transparent supply chain where shippers can get capacity, when and where they need it, at the right price. The first step to make this vision a reality is by solving transportation’s resource utilization problem, said James Langley, senior vice president, Trimble Transportation.

Langley explained Trimble’s platform strategy during a session at the Trimble Insight Tech Conference + Expo 2022 in Orlando, Aug. 15. He then brought product managers on stage to share how connected applications from Trimble can help transportation companies maximize resource utilization.

As Trimble’s platform strategy continues to unfold, more shippers will be working with transportation and logistics providers and using the following applications to offer solutions to optimize their freight procurement, planning and execution processes.

The five connected applications discussed at the session are:

1. Trimble Market Insights. This cloud-based application enables transportation providers to assess what is happening in the market, in terms of freight rates, and modify their internal networks to create optimal yield. Users can analyze their network profitability based on time, rate, and flow metrics to determine if their rates are high enough and provide instant profitability analysis of shipment load tenders.

2. Engage Lane. This is an agile freight procurement platform that brings shippers and carriers together to accurately manage and streamline the bid process, and to award contracts and onboard carriers. The platform has the option for shippers to make EDI connections with carriers to receive order tenders electronically.

3. Connected Locations. Trimble MAPS is currently analyzing millions of precise locations from fleet telematics systems. The project is measuring wait times at shipping and receiving facilities, and the results will give fleets and shippers a standard database they can use to calculate rates based on time factors, just as they now use the PC*Miler database for distances.

4. Connected Maintenance. Fleets typically outsource 30 to 50 percent of fleet maintenance and repairs. Phone calls, emails and other administrative work for managing repair orders with vendors costs about $50 per transaction. The Service Manager application from Trimble connects the TMT Asset Maintenance with the Decisiv platform used by dealerships to streamline repair workflows. It also connects TMT with TravelCenters of America and the International 360 platform from Navistar.

5. Connected Cab. Trimble Driver, powered by the Instinct mobile ecosystem, gives fleets the option to customize driver workflows of core apps that include an ELD and in-motion driving app that presents essential information. Fleets can also use apps from Trimble integration partners like Drivewyze and Tenstreet as well as use their own apps on Trimble Driver. The Service Manager integration can be used as well to give drivers visibility of vehicle repair status.

Transportation and logistics companies that use the connected applications separately or together can significantly improve efficiency and drive higher utilization of resources. The goal is to make better, more profitable network decisions that also benefit shippers by creating optimized capacity solutions.