A Day in the Life: How a Carrier Manager Uses Alvys TMS

As a former manager at a carrier operation overseeing 35 trucks and 2 dispatchers, I can attest to the importance of efficiency in ensuring smooth operations and timely deliveries. During my work there, Alvys TMS became an integral part of our daily workflow, providing a range of features that helped us save time and move more freight. In fact, I liked the Alvys software and team so much, I recently joined the team as an Enterprise Project Manager! In this blog post, I’ll share how I used Alvys TMS to maximize efficiency from creating loads to getting them paid.

Step 1: Load Creation

The load lifecycle began with load creation. After booking loads through load boards or our relationships with brokers and shippers, I used Alvys’ upload feature in the “New Loads” section to quickly create load profiles by uploading rate confirmations. This feature automatically populated the load info from the rate con, and allowed me to split loads along the route and assign Dispatchers, Trucks, Trailers, and Drivers in a single workflow, ensuring that all necessary information was captured from the start.

For our contracted volume of repetitive shipments, I relied on Alvys’ load template feature. By creating templates for these recurring loads, I could generate them effortlessly, saving valuable time and effort. This was particularly useful for our local volume, as I could build out an entire week’s worth of loads for our 12 local trucks in just a few clicks.

Step 2: Load Management and Optimization

Once loads were created, Alvys’ Dispatch Planner and Load Board became my go-to tools for managing and optimizing our operations. The Dispatch Planner provided a comprehensive view of driver assignments, allowing me to make informed decisions about load allocation and route optimization. When challenges arose, such as breakdowns or driver issues, I used the Optimize feature to quickly jump loads between drivers and set new stop requirements. This ensured that our deliveries remained on track and downtime was minimized.

Throughout the load lifecycle, I relied on Alvys’ real-time in-transit tracking capabilities to monitor the progress of our loads. The Load Board provided a clear overview of which drivers were on the road, upcoming deliveries, and the next day’s schedule. This visibility allowed me to proactively address any potential issues and keep our customers informed about the status of their shipments.

Step 3: Load Completion and Invoicing

As loads reached their final destinations, Alvys streamlined the completion and invoicing process. Once a load was completed, my dispatchers added all relevant paperwork within Alvys and escalated it to me for invoicing and accounting purposes. Alvys’ invoicing workflow ensured that all expenses, such as lumpers, linehaul, and stop off fees, were accounted for, minimizing the risk of missing payments or incorrect invoicing.

The Assignments feature in Alvys also allowed me to quickly review asset history, including driver assignments, making it easy to track equipment damage, breakdowns, or rejected product. This information was invaluable when it came to managing our fleet and ensuring that our equipment was well-maintained and ready for the next load.

Conclusion:

By leveraging Alvys TMS software throughout the load lifecycle, I was able to maximize efficiency and streamline our carrier operations. From load creation and management to optimization and invoicing, Alvys provided the tools and features necessary to keep our business running smoothly. As a result, my average work week was reduced to 50 hours, and my dispatchers transitioned from salary to hourly, working a manageable 40 hours per week. With Alvys, we could focus on providing exceptional service to our customers while driving our success forward.