[alert-announce]The Best Trucking Software Programs to Help You Earn More[/alert-announce]
Whether you’re an independent trucker or a trucking company, you’re always looking for new ways to improve your bottom line.
Maximizing the number of loads you take on, keeping a close eye on maintenance and ensuring that your accounting needs are taken care of can go a long way in helping you boost your earnings.
The great news is that you no longer have to do these things manually.
There are trucker software programs that can streamline the process in a virtually effortless way. We’re going to take a look at some of the best programs on the market to help you maximize your earnings.
Truck Dispatch Software
The best dispatch software can help you manage virtually all aspects of your trucking business from invoice creation to customer information and shipping information. Some of the top programs in this category include:
Dr. Dispatch
With Dr. Dispatch, you can track and manage your loads with ease, and entering loads takes just a few seconds. The great thing about Dr. Dispatch is that loads automatically become an invoice, so you never have to make double entries.
This robust dispatch program allows you to keep track of the status of your load and drivers, and also allows you to post loads that are available to the top Internet load boards, including DAT, Getloaded, 123LoadBoard and Internet Truck Stop.
Plus, you can print and email reports, keep carriers up to date with available loads by sending mass email, and use recurring templates to streamline the data entry process.
Dr. Dispatch takes care of virtually every management task from accounting to contact management, reporting, sales and driver payroll, and even IFTA reporting and compliance.
McLeod Software
McLeod offers a range of different trucking dispatch software programs, but LoadMaster is the most advanced and robust of them all. This is a dispatch operations management program that’s fully integrated and includes a native accounting software solution.
Truckers and trucking companies will love the ease of use that LoadMaster offers, and McLeod allows users to tailor the program to their own unique needs.
There are more than 600 trucking companies using the LoadMaster program today. It’s easily one of the most recognizable and respected trucking programs on the market today.
Prophesy
Prophesy is one of the leading trucking software solutions for LTL carriers, truckload carriers, private fleets and brokers. It’s fully integrated with QuickBooks accounting, so accounting tasks are easier than ever. And with an all-in-one solution, you never have to enter data twice.
All of your information flows in real-time through every aspect of your business.
On top of all of this, Prophesy also offers customer service tools that improves your level of customer service and simplifies the dispatch process.
[alert-success]Why Do I Need Dispatch Software?[/alert-success]
The right dispatch program can help you manage your loads with ease, and will streamline the process to save you time and money in the process. Managing dispatch functions manually can be cumbersome and challenging.
Software programs simplify the process while allowing you to stay organized.
Trucking Maintenance Software
Maintenance is one of the most costly aspects of running a trucking company or working as an independent driver. Trucking maintenance software can help you keep track of vital maintenance tasks that need to be completed and the status of your current fleet. Some of the top programs in this category include:
Tatems
With a robust, easy-to-use interface, Tatems makes it easy to manage the maintenance of your fleet. The company calls it software “stupid simple,” and they’re right: it couldn’t be easier to use this program.
Here’s what Tatems helps you do:
- Keep track of work orders, including repair codes to let you know which maintenance tasks you’re spending the most money on.
- Fuel log to keep an eye on fuel usage and efficiency.
- Lube service reminders to let you know when it’s time to service your fleet.
- Printable reminders, so you never forget inspections, repair services, work orders, inspections/permits, taxes or registration, repairs, driver license renewal, parts inventory and driver physicals.
- Inspection checklists for your 90 day inspections.
ManagerPlus
ManagerPlus makes it easy to manage your fleet’s maintenance.
This robust software program allows you to easily handle all of your preventative maintenance schedules, inventory and even your work orders. You’ll also get custom alerts when service items are due, or when parts need to be replaced.
And you never have to worry about failing another DOT inspection as the program automatically keeps track of all of your work history.
On top of all this, you can complete your work orders from anywhere in the world using a mobile device. And you can plug in your spreadsheets from Excel into the program for quick and easy startup.
ManagerPlus offers a free demo, so you can give the software a test run before making the commitment to purchase it.
collectiveFleet
Another robust asset management program, collectiveFleet allows you to not only keep track of maintenance tasks, but manage your assets with ease.
Smart and intuitive, this program will alert you to preventative maintenance tasks that need to be performed as well as their due dates.
Templates are also included to make it easy to manage vehicles that have similar service schedules. In addition, you can also send and receive email alerts from registrations, services, licenses and other scheduled items that are either overdue or approaching their due date.
collectiveFleet also provides various reports that give you a breakdown of labor, cost, parts use and other data related to your maintenance tasks.
[alert-success]Why Do I Need Maintenance Management Software?[/alert-success]
It can be difficult to keep track of all of your trucking operations, but maintenance can be especially challenging to keep track of. Maintenance management software allows you to quickly and easily keep track of all of your fleet’s maintenance and repair services, so you understand your costs and never fall behind on maintenance.
Trucking Accounting Software
Accounting is a complicated aspect of any business, but is also one of the most important. The good news is that there are accounting software programs designed specifically for the trucking industry, which makes it easy for you to keep track of invoices and payments as well as employee compensation. Some of the top programs in this category include:
TruckingOffice
Designed exclusively for trucking companies, TruckingOffice allows you to keep track of accounting, records for INCA taxes, cash flow, and maintenance expenses and a variety of other financial tasks. Using cloud-based technology, this program allows you to create multiple users for your account as well as a 30 day free trial.
RigBooks
Designed for companies that operate between one of five trucks, RigBooks is great for small truckers and independent operators. Under the basic package, you’ll be able to keep track of profits and costs, but you will not be able to track customers, loads and vendors.
However, RigBooks simplifies the process of performing invoice, preparing IFTA taxes, keeping track of your loads and coordinating multiple trucks. The great thing about this program is that it’s online based, so you can access it from your desktop, smartphone or tablet.And like other programs on this list, there is a free 30 day trial available.
TruckBytes
If you’re on a tight budget, TruckBytes is a great option for you. The basic platform is completely free, which allows owner operators and fleet managers to take care of accounting tasks, verify carrier settlements and even manage customers without incurring any additional expenses.
You can also access TruckBytes from virtually anywhere provided you have an Internet connection, including your mobile device. In addition, the company does not charge a fee for its software for IFTA Fuel Tax service.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks is one of the most famous accounting software solutions on the market, but it is not geared specifically towards trucking. A cloud-based program, you can access QuickBooks from anywhere using any internet-connected device.
The great thing about this program is that you can sync your finances and all of your account information across multiple devices, including the iPhone, iPad and Android.
A free month trial is offered, so you can try the software before you buy it.
[alert-success]Why Do I Need Accounting Software?[/alert-success]
Accounting software will help you streamline your accounting tasks, including invoices, payroll, IFTA taxes and more. Keeping track of these records by hand can be tedious and leaves your business vulnerable to costly errors.
Trucking software simplifies the process of managing your trucking fleet or your rig if you’re an independent operator. The right program will be affordable, will save you time and prevent errors that could cost you more in the long run. As any small business owner can tell you, any piece of software that can help you run your operation more efficiently is the lifeline for being successful.