Nations Largest Truckload Carrier Anticipates Increased Driver Retention with New Solution
Beachwood, Ohio and Green Bay, WI TMW Systems, the premier developer and integrator of enterprise management software designed specifically for the trucking industry, has introduced an innovative new management tool designed to strengthen relationships between carriers and their drivers and improve driver retention. This first-of-its-kind solution was developed collaboratively with Schneider National Bulk Carriers, a division of Schneider National a premier provider of transportation, logistics and related services and the nation's largest truckload provider.
DriverZone is the first in a new generation of products designed specifically to enhance driver relations and satisfaction and significantly improve driver retention. The new product is available through TMWs flagship TMWSuiteTM platform. DriverZone provides driver managers with an easy-to-read, up-to-the-minute calendar-based view of all the factors needed to more effectively manage driver relationships including the work schedules and history for each driver, available log hours, current location and scheduled events such as CDL renewal dates and vacation time. The solution also includes the ability to document communications with drivers on non-dispatch topics, such as requests for time-off, pay inquiries and other work issues.
As the shortage of qualified drivers continues to challenge the trucking industry, carriers need to be more responsive and proactive in anticipating the issues facing their drivers before problems surface, said Tom Weisz, Chairman of TMW Systems. DriverZone not only enhances driver satisfaction and retention by humanizing the needs of each driver, but it also helps to ensure an equitable distribution of load assignments.
Schneider National Bulk Carriers began collaborating with TMW more than a year ago to develop the parameters for DriverZone. The tool has enabled Schneiders fleet managers to quickly visualize what tasks they have asked each driver to perform, such as updating their log-hour records, and to see if these tasks have been performed. DriverZone has helped Schneider to improve on-time service since team leaders know right away if a driver is running late.
The visual clarity and intuitiveness of DriverZone enables our team leaders to see small issues before they become larger problems, said Mike Hinz, Director of Operations for Schneider National Bulk Carriers, who added that the tools ease of use has greatly reduced the training time needed for new associates. [DriverZone] allows anyone on our operations team to cover the responsibilities of other team members, which is great in shorthanded situations.
DriverZone also helped Schneider National to achieve the smooth transition of operations from its facility in Reserve, La. to Houston in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The tool enabled managers and planners in Houston to quickly view the status of all Reserve-based drivers including their current and pending load assignments and remaining hours of service information and begin routing these drivers from the alternate location.