How to Thrive as a Carrier in a Volatile Market

We need to talk about the state of small trucking. Spot rates are cratering, inflation is crushing consumer spending, and diesel prices are on the rise. It doesn’t seem like there is an end in sight to this volatile market. And small to midsize carriers are taking the brunt of the blow. Why do small businesses take the hit when the economy fluctuates? That’s a question for another time, but interesting to think about.

Small to midsize carriers need assistance. And they need it fast. Today we’re presenting some helpful tips to keep your operation flowing smoothly.

Alvys’ VP of Growth, Domenic Leo, is our resource for this information. Dom has years of experience in transportation technology and has spent time working with multiple TMS (transportation management system) companies. He was recently on FreightWaves’ WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Podcast discussing the problems that carriers are facing today and offering solutions. He noted three main issues carriers have: drivers are stressed, dispatchers are making too many phone calls, and billing is suffering from the confusion of elaborate spreadsheets and multiple data entry points. Watch the full interview below:

Video above: Alvys explains how their TMS helps small to midsize carriers on FreightWaves’ WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

1. Let Your Drivers Sleep

Dispatcher-driver communication is super important. Dispatchers want to be in the loop at all times and rightfully so. It helps the overall process of moving freight smoothly. But, what about when your driver wants to be left alone? What about when they want to sleep? Dom mentioned that drivers need their downtime. They need to reduce stress after a long trip. They’re putting in many hours on the road trying to get the load to its destination. When it finally gets there, they usually need a break. Answering 10-15 phone calls is counterproductive to the goal of resting.

Alvys helps facilitate that rest and rejuvenation with its driver mobile app. It keeps all of the information about the load in one place, and it keeps tabs on the driver so dispatch is always updated on the load. Drivers upload all of their documents through an easy-to-use interface, so everything is organized and easy to find. Updates happen in real-time via the app, so everyone stays up to date on the shipment and drivers get more rest.

2. Stop Calling Drivers

Communication is key for a successful delivery. The load has to get from point A to point B with all the necessary documentation along the way. Carriers have to know where their drivers are, and what the estimated time of arrival is. This is where a good dispatcher comes in. They facilitate the load moving smoothly by checking in with their drivers. Before switching to Alvys, our dispatchers were making approximately 10-15 calls to each driver each day. That’s a lot of phone calls! What if your operation has 50 trucks? That’s 500-750 phone calls a day! Talk about a massive time sink.

Dom highlighted that Skyline Transportation, a midsize fleet that uses Alvys, only calls each of their drivers ONE time per day since they switched to Alvys! That’s a 90 percent call reduction, and it saves an average of 30 minutes of working time per load. Dispatchers can focus on sourcing better freight with that extra time. More freight moved converts to more money earned. The great news is that dispatchers aren’t losing the communication they need to thrive. All of the information they need is right there in Alvys, and it gets synced everywhere it’s needed in real-time. Everyone stays updated on load status in real-time with just a few clicks.

3. Ditch the Complex Spreadsheet

Does that spreadsheet work for you or do you work for it? Look, we get it. The color-coded spreadsheet is the tried and true way of logging data. We also know that it’s inefficient when you need to find quick information about your loads. Billing teams suffer when they spend too much time searching through reconciliations, E-checks, and factoring data. “Our system is set up so billing doesn’t see the load until it’s ready for them,” Dom noted. All the documentation is right there at your fingertips, attached to the load. “You don’t have to scramble for information.” The invoice workflow is designed so your accounting workflows move intuitively.

The small to midsize carrier needs a leg up on the competition to survive the trucking industry. It’s well known that logistics is cut-throat and subject to the whims of other markets. Carriers need a reliable foundation. Something steady that will survive the ebbs and flows of the industry. Alvys is designed for the small to midsize carrier. It’s set up in a way that is easy to use and makes sense. And, most of all, it moves fast. We know time is money, especially in freight. It’s time to supercharge your business with Alvys.