In Order To Get The Most Out Of Your Yard, You Need A Yard Management System

In a yard, distribution center, or warehouse, a Yard Management System (YMS) is a piece of software that keeps track of trailer movements. As a connection between transportation and storage, yard management software has the potential to give enormous flexibility and efficiency benefits.

As a result of the current supply chain instability, several firms are looking for methods to enhance their yard operations. One of the most important tools for optimizing a warehouse's yard is some sort of yard management software. This software can be an addition to an existing WMS or a stand-alone program. It's critical to know your options before making a choice that's good for your business.

 

Problems of yard management in the 21st century

The size of the company and the yard, the objects in the yard, and many other factors influence yard management challenges, but these are the most common problems we've heard from yard workers throughout the world.

 

Trailer invisibility

Trailer transportation is inefficient, resulting in increased expenses and worse jockey efficiency, because yard crews are unable to see available trailer assets (and maybe inventory).

 

To not be able to track shipments

As a result, yard personnel lose time and money since they don't know when trucks will come to load or unload. The number of people queuing at the entrances and the amount paid in demurrage and detention fees have both skyrocketed.

 

Asymmetry in the flow of work

Systems that are either not updated on a regular basis or are not digitally maintained at all govern transportation, warehouse, and yard procedures. As a result, these activities are reactive. Stakeholders can't see what's happening in real time, which wastes warehouse dock doors, labor, and equipment, and also raises pricing. Long wait times, higher pricing, and delays are all consequences of poor transportation resource utilization.

 

Yard jockey incompetence

One reason why yard jockeys aren't used properly is because of a lack of knowledge about how the yard works. As a result of this, there are more violations and charges, as well as wasted jockey effort and poor planning.

 

Visibility

There must be a clear view of yard operations and assets in order to properly analyze and manage inventories. By not having to search the yard for "lost" trailers, you'll save time and effort. Software that connects with other systems gives organizations a greater understanding of their performance and assets (TMS, WMS, in-transit visibility platform, etc.).

 

The improvement of the procedure

There are a number of manual processes that current yard management systems assist to automate, including gate-in, gate-out, and appointment scheduling operations. To make benchmarking easier, inputs and outputs are more precise. A modern YMS, which provides reporting and analytics, may enable shippers and 3PLs set and measure KPIs. When performance goals aren't met, managers may quickly determine which supply chain operations require assistance. As a result of enhanced process management, organizations may expect greater material movement through a facility, allowing them to maximize their yard and warehouse staff.

 

Savings

One of the most important roles of a yard management solution is to reduce costs in a company's yard operations. Demurrer and detention expenses can be reduced by using a YMS system that automates procedures and digitally controls appointments. As a result of this, businesses will see a reduction in labor costs since yard workers will spend less time calling, searching for things, performing physical tasks, and waiting around.

 

A thorough examination of the shipper

The ability to monitor the performance of the whole supply chain is essential to ensuring that it is always improving. Carrier commitments, on-time performance, wait time and unload time may be used to make crucial decisions about carrier selection and how to effectively employ dock staff for rapid loading and unloading.

 

Asset locations and operational status, including dwell times in various states, may be accessed in real time using Velocity A YMS. It's possible to streamline operations by keeping an eye out for any delays over the course of a visit, such as finding vacant trailers to use for incoming freight.

 

Respect for the procedure

Good YMS can verify that every trailer, tractor, and driver that enters and quits the facility is checked in and exited in the same manner every time. In addition to inspecting the seals and documenting any damage, the trailer number is also connected to the shipping information.

 

The process of improvement is never-ending

It is possible to construct and measure KPIs using a modern YMS that provides reporting and analysis. When performance goals aren't met, managers may quickly determine which supply chain operations require assistance.

 

The scout's/yard jockey's efficiency

Shuttle drivers no longer rely on radio transmissions to receive, accept, and confirm move instructions when using a YMS, which reduces the time it takes to relocate spotters by half.

 

Carriers working together

Top shippers and 3PLs work together with their carriers. Due to this partnership, carriers will have access to the YMS and will be notified in real time when shipments are being shipped.

 

Safety/security

A YMS can improve security by eliminating the need for workers to walk about the yard doing manual checks. On-vehicle instrumentation keeps tabs on yard truck drivers' speeds, safe driving practices, and shift lengths of service. The YMS assists with yard security by documenting all movements from check-in through check-out.

 

Yardage

Firms that have several yards are unable to view their operations from a unified viewpoint without a Yard Management System (YMS). Network views allow companies to combine resources like empty trailers and yard cars to better see how their operations are doing across all locations.

 

Cross-dock efficiency

It is possible to cross-dock huge volumes of products and resources more effectively by using a YMS, dock-door scheduling, WMS, and labor management.

 

Accurate information on public transportation

Cargo scheduling and on-time delivery may be improved by using visibility technologies that provide more accurate and consistent information regarding transportation.

 

Appointment scheduling that changes on the fly

Supply chain interruptions have highlighted the need for yard management software to increase accuracy and carrier empowerment through dynamic appointment scheduling. Carriers can update appointment windows and get notifications when another stakeholder's calendar changes.

 

Automated gate processes

In order to protect carriers and front-line supply chain employees, yard management systems have used gate automation. By eliminating the possibility of human error at the gate, it improves both accuracy and speed, as well as safety.