Truck dispatchers leverage a wide range of equipment and technologies to carry out the vital services they offer in the trucking industry.
This will most often include GPS and truck dispatch software. A good truck dispatcher will need to have the expertise and capacity to use these technologies effectively.
If your plan is to offer this service as a freelance or independent truck dispatcher, you will be expected to stay in line with the numerous legal provisions.
For instance, you might be expected to apply for an Employer Identification Number and select your business structure, such as an LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.
Nevertheless, the task or job of a truck dispatcher is never easy. You more or less have to deal with the entire trucking industry on a daily basis. Howbeit, to make the job easier, it can be helpful to have the right equipment to help streamline everyday activities.
Equipment You Need to Be a Truck Dispatcher
Most often, the duties of these professionals encompass dealing with both truck drivers and customers at once, placing enormous responsibility on the dispatcher’s shoulders. As such, they tend to depend on various tools and software to track, view, and manage dispatch activities. The most important equipment includes;
1. A computer
This is one of the most critical equipment used by these professionals. Note that the right one for this job will have to be fast and easy to access. Without this critical tool, you will find it hard to carry out your business activities.
2. A phone
The essence of this tool is to keep the truck dispatcher in contact with either Truck Drivers or Brokers to negotiate loads, and keep them updated when it comes to where the Truck Driver will pick up or drop off. It also ensures that the dispatcher can obtain good deals and secure them.
3. Truck routing and scheduling software
The primary duty of this software is to establish and schedule new trips for drivers. It is meant to provide a map view that gives dispatchers the flexibility they require to modify trips and add stops in real time in order to avoid wasting time and resources.
4. Fleet management
This is another essential tool for truck dispatchers especially since it helps streamline the tasks that come with fleet management.
It also works to make sure that the truck dispatcher provides better driver management, incident tracking, and route optimization. It also helps to maintain records of every communication transmitted within the trips.
5. Truck locator
The primary essence of this software is the capacity to aid dispatchers in locating the closest driver, minimizing time wastage. This tool is very important for truck dispatchers especially since it makes it easy to search for a driver.
8. Trip locator
The truck dispatcher will need this tracking software as it works to identify all the trips in progress. Note that this software ensures the truck dispatcher makes more informed and efficient decisions.
7. Share directions tool
This tool has become quite prevalent among truck dispatchers especially since it communicates the directions to a new stop. It ensures that drivers can efficiently maximize their time and promptly get to all necessary destinations
8. A database/archive
This is another vital tool that helps to collect and save all your information. Keep in mind that without this tool, a truck dispatcher’s quality of service will be inconsistent and lack organization. In this line of duty, truck dispatchers need to have an organized archive to be able to work and find documents in minutes.