Real-time monitoring of loading and unloading docks

As we saw in the post “Optimizing warehouse dock management to reduce times”, loading and unloading docks are critical points in the supply chain, since a large part of logistics operations take place there.

Therefore, real-time monitoring of loading and unloading docks has become an indispensable tool to improve visibility and optimize operations. But how do we do it? We see it in this post!

How to monitor loading and unloading docks in real time

The dock management solution brings competitiveness to companies and, in addition, it is very easy to implement.

To monitor the loading and unloading docks in real time and adjust their operation to the actual activity of the company and the rest of the chain, the system simply needs to be connected to a business management solution that allows it to establish a bidirectional flow of information. For example, it can be connected to the transportation management system (TMS), warehouse management system (WMS) and/or enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Thus, whatever the level of digitization of the logistics company, the FIELDEAS Track and Trace dock management module can be connected to all or any of these systems to establish a constant flow of data to optimize slot management.

The loading and unloading dock management module within a SCV

On the other hand, it is also possible to integrate a yard management system (YMS) or a dock management solution to a supply chain visibility (SCV) platform, such as FIELDEAS Track and Trace.

Integrating a supply chain visibility platform with dock management can significantly transform logistics operations, improving efficiency, reducing costs and increasing customer satisfaction.

To be able to do so, the supply chain visibility platform needs to receive data, which can be obtained from different technologies such as TMS, WMS, ERP and also from IoT, RFID, biga data and machine learning technologies, among others.

Benefits of real-time monitoring of loading and unloading docks

Any manager of any company in the transportation and logistics sector, and those whose business depends on the collection and delivery of cargo, assures that the ultimate goal of their investments in technology is to gain visibility.

Visibility enables companies to be more efficient, anticipate potential disruptions, plan ahead and provide better customer service. In this sense, real-time monitoring of the loading and unloading docks provides a clear and constantly updated view of the operations carried out at these critical points.

Obtain real-time visibility of the activity taking place at the loading and unloading docks:

• Improves coordination. By having a dock management tool that brings together all the data obtained from different sources, a better and greater coordination of truck arrivals and departures is achieved, avoiding congestion in the logistics platforms and reducing waiting times.
• Improves planning. By obtaining information in real time, companies can plan more closely to reality and reduce potential drawbacks.
• Increases operational efficiency. Derived from the above points, real-time monitoring of loading and unloading operations at the docks allows to quickly identify and resolve bottlenecks and operational problems as they occur.
• Reduces costs. By optimizing operations and avoiding delays, companies significantly reduce costs associated with downtime and inefficiency.
• Improves customer satisfaction. By gaining greater visibility, you can offer the customer real-time information and greater guarantees in terms of deadlines.
• Improves visibility into the supply chain. One of the most important benefits of real-time monitoring is improved visibility into the supply chain. With up-to-date and accurate data on loading and unloading dock operations, companies can make informed and proactive decisions, resulting in a more efficient and transparent supply chain.
• Improves relations between operators and carriers. Long waits and delays have been a constant bone of contention between loading and unloading point operators and carriers. By optimizing dock management, waiting times are reduced and platform resource management is optimized, significantly reducing friction.

In addition, loading and unloading dock monitoring also has a relevant impact on sustainability.

Dock management can significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by minimizing the time vehicles wait at docks.

In addition, better planning and execution of logistics operations can reduce the number of trips required, reducing fuel usage.

Real-time dock monitoring can also optimize the use of warehouse space, reducing waste and improving overall resource efficiency.

Dock Management Software: FIELDEAS Track and Trace

FIELDEAS has a specific module for the management of loading docks and unloading docks in warehouses and logistics platforms within its FIELDEAS Track and Trace supply chain visibility tool.

The FIELDEAS Track and Trace dock management module directly connects all the actors in the chain and does so in real time, allowing optimization scenarios that would be unthinkable in any other model. The system offers advanced capabilities including:

• Slot request by carrier based on objective planning.
• Approval flows from logistics centers.
• Real-time monitoring of the connected planning.
• Automatic alerts based on deviations from schedule.
• Graphical monitoring of waiting areas and downtime.
• Dynamic reassignment of loading/unloading points.

With all this, the main competitive advantage offered by the FIELDEAS Track and Trace dock management module is optimization, associated with greater efficiency and flexibility, which allows a better ability to react to any possible incident by facilitating collaboration between all actors in the chain, regardless of the level of digitization of the company.

With FIELDEAS Track and Trace Supply Chain Visibility from a single platform all the agents involved in the supply chain, from shippers, logistics operators to the carrier itself, even giving visibility to the end customer, can access all the relevant data within the management of the entire chain, where the optimization of dock management is a key element.