The less than truckload (LTL) industry hasn’t always been fast adopters of technology. But as we enter 2019, it’s striking to see just how much of an impact technology is making in the LTL and transportation industries.

Technology in LTL

While some may look to software platforms like Amrate as the benchmark for technology adoption in the LTL industry, it’s far from the only area technology touches across the industry as a whole. Amrate and other software platforms like it empower business and the warehouse  managers within those businesses to source and track shipments from a variety of carriers.

Once those shipments are accepted by the carrier, though, a driver in a truck still needs to move the freight from point A to point B. Throughout the journey, the driver will log his or her hours, stops, service, etc. This used to be done on forms which were manually filled out by the driver. Such isn’t the case anymore. In 2015, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandated that truck drivers replace the pen and paper and move to electronic logging devices (ELDs). The ELD mandate forced the industry to adopt the technology they might not have otherwise. Now truck drivers log everything electronically. In many cases, this logged data is delivered to cloud-based software platforms so shipping managers have near real-time information regarding shipment and driver status.Additionally, ELDs are forcing drivers to adhere to to a “maximum hours” rule, preventing them from driving more hours than they are legally allowed.

By the end of the year, all trucks on the road will be required to have an ELD device installed. As with any technology mandate, some are eager to adopt while others are resisting. The older drivers who are used to doing things with pen and paper aren’t happy about the ELD mandate, while the younger, more tech-savvy drivers have been more open and accepting of the modernization.

Transportation Management Systems

As we mentioned above, software platforms focused on shipping management are at the heart of most of the advances being made in the LTL industry. As supply chain logistics demands increase, 3PLs and carriers are forced to adapt to meet this demand.

Larger companies are adopting TMS systems internally, while smaller businesses are looking to companies like Amware to provide them with a cloud-based solution. Unlike other 3PLs, though, Amware is able to integrate their Amrate platform into existing TMS systems. This integration is proving invaluable to companies as shipping managers are able to pinpoint where shipments are arriving on-time and where they’re not. By utilizing these data points, shipping and logistics managers are better equipped to make decisions which will positively impact their supply chain.

Partner with a 3PL Who Has the Right Technology

As a 3PL with over 20-years of LTL and shipping experience, Amware knows LTL. Whether it’s sourcing carriers for shipments, tracking LTL shipments, or managing claims on lost or damaged freight, Amware can do it all.

Amware’s newly updated LTL software platform; Amrate, helps clients source, track, and manage LTL shipments in the cloud or as an integrated part of their transportation management system. For a free 30-day trial of Amrate, click below and see why you’ll needn’t look any further for your LTL shipping solutions.