According to Truck Freighter, self-dispatching refers to “the ability for owner-operator truck drivers to select and manage the freight loads they haul.” In other words, self-dispatch allows haulers to act as their own dispatchers and select specific vehicle loads that they want to transport.
Curious to know how self-dispatch can streamline your transport business? You’re in luck. These are the top three crucial benefits of self-dispatching for transporters.
Why is self-dispatching so important?
Self-dispatching is valuable to not only transporters but dealers and individuals as well. From a hauler perspective, using a self-dispatch feature allows the most convenient available loads to be chosen. This decreases deadheading, something that is always a transporter’s primary concern. Self-dispatch is also beneficial for automotive dealers and retail consumers because it decreases the wait time for vehicle shipments. Since haulers can dispatch without delays or a third-party intervening, dealers are able to deliver consumer vehicles faster. Self-dispatch allows for a more efficient transport process for all involved.
Ease and efficiency
With Autosled, self-dispatching takes just a few simple steps. Once haulers have signed up with Autosled, it’s easy to log into the Autosled app. From there, available loads are displayed on a map, based on the driver’s current GPS location. Transporters can then view details like price, mileage, pickup, and dropoff location for each available vehicle. Haulers simply confirm the loads they’d like to accept and watch them assigned in the Autosled app. It’s that easy.
Saves Time
One of the greatest advantages of self-dispatch comes down to saving time. As every good transporter knows, time is money. The traditional process often involves calling to claim loads, bidding, competing with other haulers, waiting for confirmation, or working through a middle-man like a dispatcher. All of these processes involve longer wait times and less autonomy for transporters. With self-dispatch, haulers decide what works best with each specific route, and begin hauling without these obstacles.
Additional choices and control of your business
Besides reducing wait times, self-dispatch provides haulers with greater control and increased confidence when running their business operations. With a dispatcher, transporters don’t get much of a say in the loads that they are moving. However, working as their own dispatcher, haulers can make choices that best serve their delivery needs. In addition to not having to bid on loads or make additional calls, transporters don’t need to rely on others to secure business. They can also avoid competing with other haulers when utilizing a self-dispatch option.
In the automotive logistics space, Autosled strives to improve the lives of our customers, through increased autonomy, efficiency, and ease. Autosled’s self-dispatching load board allows haulers the flexibility to claim vehicles already on their routes without added delays from calls or bidding. With Autosled, haulers don’t have to hunt for loads. This enables truckers to keep their trucks as full as possible- increasing their earnings and reducing deadheading. To learn more about how Autosled can serve you, visit Transporters – (autosled.com).
A bill of lading (BOL) is a detailed document issued by a carrier to a shipper providing information on the destination, quantity, and type of the goods being carried. Unlike traditional BOLs that resemble a printed invoice or receipt, Autosled uses picture and video BOLs.
Autosled’s video BOL is the first of its kind. With no physical paperwork required, it provides video documentation uploaded by transporters within the Autosled platform. Haulers show a 360-degree view of the vehicle and talk through the condition of the car being shipped, noting any flaws. Transporters then directly upload BOLs into Autosled’s app, where they can be viewed in real-time by the vehicle owner (dealer or retail consumer).
Transparent and Descriptive
Pictures and videos provide first-hand experience of the subject. Instead of reading about the vehicle’s condition, automotive dealers and individual vehicle owners can see the current state of each car, truck, or motorcycle themselves. If there’s any damage (either prior to shipping or during the journey) the video BOL shows where the damage is and the level of severity. Damages cannot be concealed or overlooked in video BOLs.
Transporters are able to provide additional detail and commentary while creating a video BOL as well. This information is not captured by BOL printouts. Autosled’s video BOLs provide transparency between transporters and vehicle owners throughout the shipment process.
Real-Time
Video and photo BOLs also create unique timestamps that cannot be duplicated with paper BOLs. For example, if a vehicle is damaged sometime during transport, the time frame can be pinpointed based on the pickup and dropoff BOLs. It also helps to determine who is liable for the damage. If damage is noted upon pickup, for example, and no new damage is recorded at dropoff, then the transporter wouldn’t be liable.
Besides the timestamps for video and photo BOLs, Autosled also provides real-time GPS tracking so customers can follow their vehicles from pickup to drop off. Instead of having a vague timeline of a vehicle’s delivery- usually stretching over multiple days, Autosled’s customers can determine the dropoff down to the hour!
Autosled’s network of transporters is vetted and insured so vehicle owners can rest knowing that their cars and trucks are in good hands.
Besides being convenient for Transporters, video and photo BOLs are ideal for dealers and retail consumers. These BOLs are descriptive, real-time, transparent, and much easier to keep track of because all of the detail is found in one place. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, digital BOLs protect dealers and consumers against vehicle damage and ensure the appropriate person is liable for the vehicle’s condition. Not using video or photo BOLs yet? Then it’s time to check out Autosled’s video BOL! Register your account to get started today.
Vehicle shipping, as every auto dealer knows, is a critical factor in turning inventory faster. With that said, the details behind this process are often overlooked by non-haulers. This is a detriment to dealers because it ends up meaning added costs, negative environmental effects, and a decrease in overall transport efficiency. Here’s why components like maximizing a transporter’s load matter for retail automotive dealerships.
Save Money
Besides benefiting transporters, keeping a hauler’s truck full can be equally valuable for Franchise and Independent Dealers. The advantage of filling a hauler’s truck completely lies in the cost savings.
Similar to the way open shipments cost less than enclosed shipments, pickups or drop-offs along popular routes cost less than those that are out of the way or customized. For example, if you are shipping a standard vehicle that can be transported on a larger truck with other vehicles, the cost is much less than when shipping a vehicle that requires its own truck. Dealers also pay less to ship a car to a popular trucker destination like Los Angeles or Atlanta than when shipping a car to smaller metropolitan areas.
Autosled’s load optimization technology allows transporters to pick up additional loads along commonly traveled routes, so their trucks stay full with little hassle. With Autosled, dealers save money with zero subscription or sign up fees, while transporters enjoy fuller trucks.
Efficiency
Besides saving money, Autosled aids auto dealers in moving cars to and from their lots faster. Time saved on vehicle shipments means additional money saved at the dealership. No dealer wants to watch their vehicles depreciate on the lot.
With Autosled, transporters see suggested loads in their local area and can self dispatch. This makes transporters more likely to pick up a vehicle quickly. This is beneficial for dealers because it means their vehicles are likely to get dispatched faster and transported more quickly overall.
Environmental considerations
In the big picture, load optimization for transporters matters when it comes to environmental conservation, greener dealership practices, and efficient resource uses. Deadheading refers to when a transporter drives with an empty carrier. This negatively impacts dealers when it comes to price. Often, transporters will charge a dry-run fee if a vehicle is not ready for transport, or will charge higher rates per mile to offset wasted gas when driving long distances with an empty truck.
Maximized trucker loads not only minimize costs, eliminate wasted fuel and curb unnecessary trips, but they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of trucking significantly. In today’s automotive market where fuel prices are high and rising and material scarcities persist, conserving valuable resources is necessary. Dealers today also see an increasing push in the automotive industry toward sustainable practices and electric vehicles. By helping to maximize a transporter’s truck capacity with Autosled, dealers are taking a valuable step toward a greener future.
Keeping transporter trucks full may seem like a hauler issue, but the effects ripple through retail automotive dealerships. Dealers can benefit from striving to maximize hauler’s truck capacities. Maximizing truckers’ loads lead to more sustainable and seamless vehicle transport as well as better overall dealership practices. Ready to ship your next vehicle with Autosled? Start your free dealership registration now.
Autosled is a digital transport management system and marketplace for dealers, transporters, retail consumers, dispatchers, and auctioneers. Our goal is to streamline and digitize vehicle transport to bring visibility and ease to our customers. We are seeking a skilled Marketing Content Coordinator to join our team! You will be responsible for growing Autosled’s brand presence to drive more traffic and reach new customers.
Responsibilities:
Create original content for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Schedule daily social media posts for our various platforms
Assist with event logistics and planning for conferences, meetings, and trade shows
Draft blog posts and weekly marketing recaps
Work with Graphic Designer to create and provide feedback on marketing collateral for events and sales meetings
Conduct ongoing competitive market research to identify areas of opportunity
Perform analysis of product strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
Develop and implement innovative marketing email and text campaigns through our CRM
Update and distribute prospect lists to Sales as needed
Support Sales and Customer Service teams with content as needed
Update website content and imagery on WordPress
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Marketing, Communications, Business or another related field
1-3 years of Communications or Marketing experience
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Savvy social media skills – know how to use hashtags, images, and mentions effectively
Detail-oriented, and flexible working within a fast-paced work environment
Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative data collection
Strong critical thinking, communication, and presentation skills
Ability to work well cross-functionally and think outside the box
Experience with WordPress, MailChimp, and Google Analytics
Experience with CRM as both a Sales and Marketing tool
Preferred:
Familiarity with SEO optimization a plus
Familiarity with Automotive or Transportation a plus
Benefits:
Competitive salary
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Flexible schedules
Opportunity for growth within the company
Autosled is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Autosled is the next generation automotive transportation logistics platform and marketplace that provides a new level of technology-first capabilities and efficiencies for the new and used car ecosystem including dealers, transporters, and auctions. Based near Pike and Rose Center in Rockville, Maryland, our team supports thousands of transporters and dealers across the country. Come help us grow into a leading logistics company!
About the Role: The Human Resource Generalist will run the daily functions of the Human Resource (HR) department including hiring and interviewing staff, administering pay, benefits, and leave, and completing and enforcing company policies and practices.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
May oversee the scheduling, assignments, and daily workflow of subordinate staff in the department.
May assist with constructive and timely performance evaluations.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Reviews, tracks, and documents compliance with mandatory and non-mandatory training, continuing education, and work assessments. This may include safety training, anti-harassment training, professional licensure, and aptitude exams and certifications.
Recruits, interviews, and facilitates the hiring of qualified job applicants for open positions; collaborates with departmental managers to understand skills and competencies required for openings.
Conducts or acquires background checks and employment eligibility verifications.
Implements new hire orientation and employee recognition programs.
Performs routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programs including but not limited to compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development.
Handles employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors, referring complex and/or sensitive matters to the appropriate staff.
Attends and participates in employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
Performs other duties as assigned related to people and office needs.
Required Skills/Abilities:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate.
Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Google, Slack, or related software.
Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS and talent management systems.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
At least one year of human resource management experience is preferred.
SHRM-CP is a plus.
Startup, growth experience a plus
Physical Requirements:
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Autosled is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
