Posts Tagged “load tracking”
By Jake Diana ALC San Francisco
The vast majority of individuals, both here in the U.S. and worldwide, have come to expect the seemingly guaranteed step-by-step updates that large distributors provide with each and every order submitted. So much so that it often feels like the end of the world when we don’t have that fresh “out for delivery” update on the day of projected receipt. In a world where everyone prefers to be as up-to-date as possible, it makes perfect sense that logistics and trucking companies would be required to provide tracking, right?
One of the biggest hot button topics in freight today is the exponential growth of thefts and scams. Given the integration and volume of texting and email into all walks of life, the evolution of 3PL carrier relationships is in a natural progression. While a general understanding of so-called “instant” communication would lead one to believe this makes the jobs of 3PL employees easier, the reality is that we are often faced with the scary question of “Where is my truck, and who is actually operating it?”
These days, tracking is no longer the eye-catching benefit it once was. Instead, it is now the standard, a bare minimum expectation when it comes to the growth of a 3PL customer relationship. The ability to go above and beyond tracking mandates is just as important as competitive rates or long-standing relationships. Prior to the last two to three years, carriers viewed tracking as bothersome, a form of micromanagement that signaled distrust. In just a short time, carriers are now not only familiar with tracking, but expect it. In a field full of uncertainties, what was once a selling point has rapidly developed into a pillar of the industry.
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Jake Diana graduated from the University of Oregon in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Social Sciences. He joined the ALC San Francisco office in August 2022 as a broker’s assistant before being promoted to carrier sales representative and, most recently, carrier sales manager. Jake is a high-energy individual with a passion for competition, teamwork, and tech.
jake.diana@allenlund.com
by Allen Lund Company
ALC Logistics, the software and logistics division of the Allen Lund Company, introduced a customized Transportation Management Software (TMS) specific for produce.
Built on a platform that has been in place for five years, the TMS produce specific solution is now available to the industry. The software enables companies to have control over their transportation spending and includes customized programming to fit each customer’s needs. Specific to produce, customer’s will have control over: load tendering, dock scheduling, spot pricing, and live load tracking.
The ALC TMS Sales team is headed by Kenny Lund, Vice President, Chetan Tandon, CIO, and providing sales and implementation, Kevin Peterson. “We are very excited to roll out this product, at what, we believe, is the right time to help those that transport produce,” stated Lund. He added: “38 years of experience transporting produce have gone into this software which adds visibility, creates efficiencies, controls costs and eases the challenges of produce transportation. There is nothing like it on the market; it works with your systems and adapts to your business processes to ultimately save you time and money.”
About Allen Lund Company: Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and over 390 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers across the nation to transport dry, refrigerated (specializing in produce), and flatbed freight; additionally, the Allen Lund Company has a logistics and software division, ALC Logistics, and an International Division.
Established in 1976, the Allen Lund Company received the TIA 3PL Samaritan Award for 2011 and was placed in Transport Topics’ “2013 Top 25 Freight Brokerage Firms.” The company managed over 288,000 shipments in 2013. The NASTC (National Association of Small Trucking Companies) named Allen Lund Company the 2010 Best Broker of the Year. More information is available at www.allenlund.com.