Choosing a Truck Dispatching Company – What You Need to Know

General Synopsis:

• Truck dispatching is the process of managing freight transportation, finding and booking loads, communicating with drivers, brokers, and shippers, and handling paperwork.
• Truck dispatching can help owner-operators and small trucking companies save time, money, and hassle by outsourcing some of the administrative and logistical tasks to a professional partner.
• However, not all truck dispatching companies are created equal. Some may have little to no experience in the industry, charge high fees, or provide poor service with little to no support.
• To choose the right truck dispatching company for your business, you need to consider factors such as their reputation, track record, rates, services, communication, and technology.
• AFT Dispatch is a truck dispatching company that has been in the industry for many years and has seen many good and bad markets. We have the expertise, experience, and resources to help you grow your business and achieve your goals.

What is Truck Dispatching?

Truck dispatching is the process of managing freight transportation for truck drivers or carriers. It involves finding and booking loads that match customer set criteria, availability, and equipment. It involves communicating with drivers, brokers, and shippers. A lot of planning and negotiating goes into truck dispatching. Brokers want to sell you the load of as little as possible, we’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen. Scheduling pick-ups and deliveries, tracking the load progress and updating the freight broker are among the daily tasks of a truck dispatcher. A truck dispatch service should also be handling paperwork and compliance issues related to load planning and Hours-of-Service (HOS).

Truck dispatching can be done by the driver or carrier themselves, or by a third-party service provider. A truck dispatcher can work with company drivers or other motor carriers and owner-operators. Go through some of the linked articles in this post as we’ve taken quite a bit of time to produce helpful content for newer carriers and owner operators looking to get into the trucking business for the first time.

Why Do You Need Truck Dispatching?

Truck dispatching can offer many benefits for owner-operators and small trucking companies who want to save time, money, and hassle by outsourcing some of the administrative and logistical tasks to a professional partner. Some of the benefits of truck dispatching are:

• Finding more loads: A truck dispatcher can help you find more loads that suit your needs and preferences, using their network of contacts, load boards, and personal connections. They can also negotiate better rates with brokers and shippers on your behalf.
• Saving time: A truck dispatcher can take care of the back-office tasks such as your broker setup packets, insurance certificates, broker credit checks, broker check calls, as well as billing and invoicing. This can free up your time to focus on driving or other aspects of your business.
• Reducing stress: A truck dispatcher can help you plan efficient driving routes based on traffic congestion or weather delays. They can also handle any issues that may arise during the transportation process, such as breakdowns, accidents, or disputes. They can provide you with guidance and support throughout your journey. You should really think of your truck dispatcher as a partner who’s working on your behalf and to your benefit.
• Increasing productivity: A truck dispatcher can help you optimize your load capacity, reduce empty miles, and increase your revenue per mile.

How to Choose the Right Truck Dispatching Partner?

However, not all truck dispatching companies are created equal. Some may have little to no experience in the industry, charge high fees, or provide poor service and support. To choose the right truck dispatching partner for your business, you need to consider factors such as:

• Reputation: You want to work with a truck dispatching company that has a good reputation in the industry. You can check their reviews online, ask for references from other drivers or carriers, or contact their previous or current clients. You want to avoid any company that has a history of complaints, disputes, or lawsuits.
• Track record: You want to work with a truck dispatching company that has a proven track record of success. You can ask them for their performance metrics such as load volume, load-to-truck ratio, average rate per mile, average revenue per driver or carrier, etc. You want to see evidence that they can deliver results for you.
• Rates: You want to work with a truck dispatching company that has reasonable and transparent rates. You can compare their fees with other companies in the market and see what they offer in return. You want to avoid any company that charges hidden fees or commissions that eat into your profits.
• Services: You want to work with a truck dispatching company that offers a range of services that suit your needs. You can ask them what types of loads they specialize in (e.g., dry van, reefer, flatbed), what regions they cover (e.g., local, regional, national), what types of drivers they work with (e.g., company owner-operator), etc. You want to find a company that matches your needs and preferences.
• Communication: You want to work with a truck dispatching company that has excellent communication skills. You can test their responsiveness availability and professionalism by calling texting or emailing them. You want to find a company that is easy to reach, friendly, and helpful.
• Technology: You want to work with a truck dispatching company that uses technology to enhance their service. A company that uses modern and reliable technology to make your life easier. Unfortunately many truck dispatchers aren’t very well equipped.

Why Choose AFT Dispatch?

AFT Dispatch is a truck dispatching company that has been in the industry for many years and has seen many good and bad markets. We have the expertise, experience, and resources to help you grow your business and achieve your goals. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose AFT Dispatch as your truck dispatching partner:

• Experience: We’re one of the very first truck dispatch companies in the industry and practically pioneered the concepts now known as truck dispatch services. We have worked with thousands of drivers and carriers across the country and have built strong relationships with brokers, freight forwarders, and the like. We know the ins and outs of the industry and can help you navigate any challenges or opportunities.
• Expertise: We have a team of highly-trained, professional, and knowledgeable dispatchers who truly understand freight transportation. They can find you the best loads that match your criteria, negotiate the best rates, and handle all the paperwork from the initial setup packet and all the way to billing and invoicing. They can also provide you with advice and tips on how to improve your efficiency and profitability.
• Service: We offer a full range of truck dispatching services that cater to your specific needs. Whether you need dry van, reefer, or flatbed, we can find the load for you. Whether you are a carrier operating under your own MC authority or an owner-operator, we can work with you.
• Communication: We value communication as the key to a successful partnership and are here to answer your calls, texts, and emails. We keep you updated on every step of the transportation process, from load confirmation to delivery.
• Technology: We use load boards, GPS tracking, electronic logging devices and more to find loads, track shipments, and generate invoices. We also use cloud-based technology to store and access your data securely and conveniently.

So What Now?

Truck dispatching is a vital service that can help you save time, money, and hassle; however, as stated earlier, not all truck dispatching companies are created equal. AFT Dispatch is a truck dispatching company that has been in the industry for many years and has seen all sorts of good and bad markets. We have the expertise, experience, and resources to help you grow your business and achieve your goals.

If you are interested in working with us, we would love to hear from you. We offer a free consultation where we can discuss your needs and preferences, and show you how we can help you find the best loads, rates, and routes for your trucking business. All you need to do is fill out our short online application form, or call or text us at (801) 448-6363. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your trucking business to the next level with AFT Dispatch!