How to Use Technology to Find Loads
Some dub the rush to offer fleets, shippers and drivers load-finding apps as the “Uberization” of freight. There’s a plethora of apps offering matching services for fleets and drivers looking for loads and for shippers with cargo that needs to be delivered. Here is a roundup of nine popular load-finding apps currently on the market.
Some dub the rush to offer fleets, shippers and drivers load-finding apps as the “Uberization” of freight. There’s a plethora of apps offering matching services for fleets and drivers looking for loads and for shippers with cargo that needs to be delivered. Here is a roundup of nine popular load-finding apps currently on the market.
Trucker Path: This is a free service that helps carriers find and book truckloads and that connects brokers with carriers. Truck drivers can use the app to scan the surrounding area for new truckloads or view them as a list. The drivers or fleets then make an offer on the available loads. This triggers the negotiation between the driver or fleet and the shipping party. After both parties reach an agreement, they receive all the relevant information about each other and the freight.Dispatcher: This app uses refined user preferences and historical activity to guide what’s on the screen when load operators open it The company is not a broker but rather should be viewed more as an independent dispatcher acting as a concierge service for trucks, says A.J. Balance, who heads the company. Dispatcher is working on new updates to the app with new ways to browse loads with a map view of the hot areas according to available per-mile rates. It is geared toward those operating on longer hauls. My DAT Truck: In addition to showing drivers nearby truck stops, travel plazas, diesel fuel prices, trucker-friendly hotels, rest stops and CAT Scales, the app also shows drivers available loads from the DAT Extended Network. The DAT Extended Network displays a subset of the millions of loads found annually on DAT Load Boards.Cargomatic: This app connects shippers and truckers in real time via a smartphone. The on-demand load matching service is for local and regional freight on the West Coast and in the New York City area. The app allows shippers to locate nearby trucks who have available freight capacity. The shipper can then track its freight online in real time. The company plans expansion into other areas including Atlanta, Chicago and other major hubs.Keychain Logistics: The company positions itself as an automated brokerage between shippers and carriers. The app provides drivers with a direct line of communication to shippers and gives shippers the ability to secure loads at the touch of a button. Keychain directly deposits payment into the driver’s bank account within one business day of delivering a shipment.Transfix: Owner-operator users receive offers for loads pushed out to them when TransFix’s internal ranking system sees they’re in the best position to cover an available load from shippers. When the company gets a tendered offer from a shipper, the system will rank all the drivers based on a variety of factors to determine those who are a good match. It will then go directly to the owner-operator or dispatcher via a push notification or a text message with an offer they can accept or reject.Getloaded: This app says it brings all the essential core features available at Getloaded.com to the driver’s fingertips. It has GPS-based Loads Near Me and Take Me Home features. The app allows drivers to quickly browse all available loads with a simple touch. It is easy to return to a past search with the Recent Searches feature. 123 Loadboard: Drivers can find loads and freight throughout the U.S. and Canada. They can search by city, state and zip code and can find backhaul loads from their current locations. The driver can call the dispatcher directly from the app and can save trucks loads for future reference.ITS Trucker: This app allows drivers to access Truckstop.com’s large load board. Drivers can store preferences in their user profile and can save favorite searches. A Get Me Home button quickly displays loads to get the driver back to his home base. Drivers can post their trucks with a click of a button.Originally posted on CCJ and Hard Working Truck
