Supply and logistics is a vast arena that requires supervision of moving goods and containers. Now as this is the era of online ordering, the demand for goods supply has surged to an extent where all things sought to be well synchronized like a chain of events.
But on many occasions, a number of suppliers or distributors cannot keep up the pace with transporting the containers all at once. Managing the containers’ shipment in the niche of time becomes an interlaced process. In this manner, the suppliers fail to keep sight of tracking the transport operations.
This is where the need for a vehicle booking system is seen as a prominent part of the logistics layout. Booking for a suitable vehicle to carry out the containers eases the freighting pathway more convenient than struggling to find the carrier for days.
Hence, an ample number of supply and logistics businesses are opting for custom software development services to integrate vehicle tracking systems. Since it aids in their integral administration, the system becomes a backup for database records to keep the user in the picture.
In this blog, we will explore the basics of the vehicle booking system and other factors that leverage the supply route.
What is Vehicle Booking System Software?
Vehicle Booking System (VBS) is a program set up that enables the admin to schedule the transportation of goods and services. The scheduling application integrates several nodes into a central system within the logistics chain.
The VBS software, also commonly called a vehicle tracking system or truck appointment system (TAS), eliminates the need to swing between many logistics tasks at once. It provides a timesaving route to sequence the arrival and movement of goods and services according to the admin’s dated time. In fact, the system can be also accessed through mobile phones by the user. However, to have a secondary and personal look at the admin dashboard, hiring a mobile app development company can provide relief in checking the process anywhere.
Vehicle Booking System Features
1. Systematic Scheduling
Slotting is the primary feature of the Vehicle tracking system. The software allows a self-booking function for the drivers or carriers to export the containers at their convenience. They have to comply with the business-specific rules and regulations to handle a designated number of resources according to the available capacity.
2. Gate Management
Usually, printing out the driver’s details is a time-consuming segment. Nevertheless, they can get relieved by using the truck appointment system. It enables the carriers to pre-register themselves with the necessary details and simply showcase them at the terminal gates.
3. Billing and Invoicing
Admins can share the payment details along with the order invoice’s file. The documented file encloses information such as the quantity of the resources, survival duration, type of vehicle for transport, and so on.
4. Documentation
Journaling the other dealer’s or carriers’ data would be useful even in the future. Moreover, files like invoices, payment history, billing, and other aspects can be stored as data of the affiliated partners or clients.
Benefits of Installing Vehicle Booking System Software
1. Efficient Supply and Logistics
For swift logistics channeling, the conveyance of goods and services is compelled to be ahead of deadlines. However, achieving consistency is difficult when the channel process gets foiled at a point. To make it uncomplicated, the vehicle tracking system provides on-time updates to oversee the delivery location and resource availability.
2. Simplifies Transportation Monitoring
Through vehicle verification, gate sensors, and real-time location updates, the users can keep a systematic record of exact time, and date, and even communicate it forward to the affiliated channel partner. The data also involves the driver’s background information.
3. Reduces Congestion
If the terminal slots are unorganized and instead scheduled for irregular timings, it can cause disarray leading to congestion. For centralizing the system, this congestion needs to be avoided through slot reservations for timely delivery and minimal delays.
4. Transparency
The connected stakeholders of the business can remain briefed about the shipment status, container stocking, and resource availability at the current location. They can directly communicate about the transport conditions and estimation of delivery at the terminus.
5. Database Records
Integrating the system will provide both historical and current data to analyze the uncertainties in logistics networking. It will give users an insight into the progress or regression of carrier routing.
How To Find Uber-Like App Development Costs?
How Does the VBS(Vehicle Booking System) Work?
1. Admin Registration
The user, or admin for logistics management, has their own portal where they can administer day-to-day conveyance tasks. The dashboard includes details like logistics location, admin profile, address, contact details, and so on.
2. Details and Allocation of Resources
Without having the right data, the admin cannot accurately determine the supply route. It involves the details of the truck driver, vehicle number, types of equipment, number of containers, and other involved resources.
3. Appointment Request
Before hauling the bulk, carriers need to book their vehicles on a slot through the truck appointment system. They need to mention the type of service, comfortable time slot, and other requirements.
4. Real-Time Updates
It displays information like terminal address, name of the driver, the loading/unloading of the containers, and the time of departure or arrival.
5. Data Analysis and Predictions
VBS software amasses the data through various networks in one centralized system’s database. This information is later viewed by the user to analyze and calculate the performance metrics overall.
6. VBS Integrations
Assimilating the vehicle tracking system with the below-mentioned operations from a software development company can streamline back-office maneuvers.
7. Terminal Operations Integration
Integrating VBS with the terminal operations system showcases every single activity of shipment. From container scheduling to cargo sorting, and even the details of accounting, the up-to-the-minute details sustain the operational tasks.
8. Telematics System
It displays information on transportation vehicles, specifically of the trucks. The telematics system collects the current data on aspects like fuel consumption, live location, truck servicing, and the driver’s bio details. Such data helps logistics providers in decision mankind for fleet management.
9. Gate Operation System
Evaluating the bypassing vehicles, especially the trucks, requires zoomed evaluation of their minute details. The gate system has all the necessary functions like self-service booths, automated security barriers, OCR cameras, intercom connectivity, and even information displays. By this means, the driver’s data can be shared and approved within the organization.
10. OCR Software
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system is an indicator of the incoming or outgoing vehicles during carrier loading. It records the vehicle’s details by noting its information such as:
- License plates
- Trailer numbers
- ISO codes
- Container numbers
- Chassis numbers
- Containers status (whether empty or loaded)
- Door direction
- IMDG hazardous goods labels
Conclusion
In the logistics domain, smooth sailing the packages through containers is heavy-knit work to make them reach their destinations. Given that escorting these huge units can be a hassle, Vehicle booking system software leads the users with time-saving mechanisms and database upgradation.
VBS software’s capability of inventory and fleet management will leverage the businesses in the subsequent time. Their optimal functions and modules can network with multiple networks at the same time to streamline the logistics channel.
However, building such custom software applications will need a systematic structure to draw out a system that can proficiently deal with integral logistics functions.
So to instill the Vehicle booking system software, approaching a software development company will emphasize the pivotal features and integrations needed in the application. They can guide you on the business logic to be implemented in your tracking program.
