Is it easy to run a trucking business? If you are reading this article, you know that this is a difficult job, especially when you don’t have box truck dispatch services, as they say on this site. But still, box trucks have some advantages — they have no downtime and no need to get a commercial driver’s license.
But the main secret of success is profitable shipments and bids, the ability to coordinate trips, and the ability to contact new customers. This can become a real problem only if you do not use the services of dispatchers.
The greater the amount of your time is spent on the work that you should not do. Moreover, maybe you don’t know how to do it, and that’s fine. Only some people can quickly search for loading, competently make a route for a trip, negotiate favorable terms with customers, deal with documentation and coordinate the work of truckers. The dispatcher can do this while you are doing your job.
But what exactly is the role of a truck dispatcher? Read this article to learn all about these specialists.
Truck dispatch service — what is it?
The cargo dispatcher is an intermediary between the cargo owner and the transport company, whose duties include properly organizing the entire transportation process. He must not only bring the customer and the carrier together but also find out all the nuances of cargo delivery, fill out all the necessary documents for transportation, and inform the carrier of the place of loading and unloading.
The truck dispatcher’s job is to find suitable orders. As a rule, this search is carried out using various sites. The dispatcher calls the customer, arranges for loading on a specific truck from a particular city to another, gives him all the information about the truck and the driver, sends a confirmation of the loading to you, and plans the route.
Box truck driving is unpredictable, so dispatchers have a new set of daily tasks. Their job is to identify problems early and solve them quickly. How do dispatchers search for cargo for you? It’s simple; they use unique loading boards and ads on the Internet. These specialists have access to those platforms you do not have access to. The dispatcher’s experience and established contacts also play an essential role. How does the dispatcher work? After he has found the cargo, he calls the drivers and finds out if they can work today and if they need to look for loading. If the answer is yes, the dispatcher starts a search, which can last in different ways.
There may also be various emergencies that the cargo dispatcher will have to solve. For example, a truck breaks down or arrives at the loading point, but no one loads it, and so on. The dispatcher must understand what is happening and solve the problem in such a way as to satisfy the requests of all parties – the carrier and the client.
Dispatchers track where the trucks are on their delivery routes. In addition, they can keep records and follow driver logs to ensure they arrive on time.
They also find new regular customers and negotiate with them about the terms of the transaction. This essential duty saves the business owner a lot of time. Communication takes a lot of time and effort. The dispatching service can do it.
This type of interaction is also possible. The truck dispatcher is looking for the highest-paid cargo for the trucker through a broker for the minimum distance of transportation and conducts negotiations between the broker and the driver, agreeing on the terms of cargo delivery and pricing policy. The goods are sent as soon as the transaction is completed.
The difference between a truck dispatcher and a freight broker
Transport companies hire different specialists to search for orders: someone employs freight brokers, dispatchers, or independently searches. Many business owners with box trucks need help understanding the difference between the two specialists because they do the same thing. Yes, in a sense, they do similar work but with different goals and objectives.
A freight broker connects shippers with carriers. Truck dispatchers work for the carrier, which means it is in their interests to find a favorable rate and more orders for you. Finding freight brokers is also more difficult because they need insurance and a license. Dispatchers do not need these documents, which means you can not worry about paperwork.
The truck dispatchers are on your side and act in your interests. How long does it take to get CDL? For you, none. But you need to spend more time handling your business. So…
Why do you need dispatchers for box trucks?
Thanks to these specialists, you get the most favorable rates for cargo. Why? Truck dispatchers work for a commission in percentages from each order. This means it is in their interests to find you reasonable charges in large quantities.
They also help with a wide range of services and finding cargo for your fleet. For example, they coordinate drivers and plan routes so that it is convenient, fast, and profitable.
With the truck dispatch service, you will save time and money and eliminate the hassle in your business. You don’t have to wait for invoices, make a schedule for drivers, plan their route, search for orders and negotiate profitable deals. The dispatch service does all this for you.
You get a range of services at once — shipping, document management, IFTA, compliance with security and DOT requirements, and communication with brokers and shippers.
