From trucking accounting software to management software, those in the trucking industry need to keep tabs on their money and modes of transportation. Finding those pieces of software can be simple enough, but those in the industry need to stay current with any changes to the software, which is bound to happen due to advances in computers and technology.

If you have a large fleet of trucks, then it is even more important to stay up-to-date on trucking company software changes. By maximizing all that the software has to offer, you can possibly increase profits and watch your business thrive. Consider the following when searching for trucking software education and training information:

1. Take advantage of free training and support from trucking business software vendors.

2. Ask industry leaders about trucking accounting software.

3. Look to owner-operated trucking software, and check out its updated manuals or handbooks.

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Seek free trucking software support and training

Trucking industry software oftentimes requires you to learn a new system, which can be daunting, but you can often find free trucking software support and training from the vendors.

I recommend: The Truckers Helper offers training on its software package through video tutorials and online forums. Pluss Corporation makes the PTM software that allows the customer to utilize more than 2,000 reports to run a successful trucking company. The Pluss University gives online training classes on using trucking software effectively. Carrier Logistics Inc. trains on-site for their transportation software.

Check with organizations to see what truckers software their members use

Organizations and associations are an ideal place to educate yourself about trucking company software. Not only may they have the inside advantage, receiving press releases from companies, but you can pick the brains of other members to see what software works or does not work for them.

I recommend: American Trucking Associations hosts monthly events all over the country. Attend one of these industry events and ask fellow members what easy-to-use trucking software they recommend. Check out the industry news from the National Truckers Association. You might find a nugget of information about a specific trucking management software company.

Download handbooks or manuals to stay current with trucking company management software

Find trucking management software providers that offer clients online manuals or handbooks to improve the training process. Many of these educational tools can be easily downloaded straight from the company's site.

I recommend: Check out Largo Software and its Nautilus IV software. On its site, you can check out many aspects of its user software manual. Look to Channel Communications Systems International, which has a link to its manuals for its DriveRight Fleet Software programs. You can easily download the manuals in PDF form right from the website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many trucking industry software packages can be customized to whatever specifications you need. If you can find a company that has a quality customer service program, this can help alleviate any potential problems you may have in installing your software.

Trucking companies need to make use of trucking software programs to effectively run their businesses. Whether you need trucking accounting software or simply a way to keep track of your fleet of trucks, trucking company software providers are there to help.

Truckers software can provide a variety of functions. They can track the details for each trip taken — including loads carried, gas used, and hours driven. Extended programs may even take care of payroll and contract management.

Before you buy any trucking management software programs, consider the following:

1. Do you need to manage a full fleet of trucks or do you only need owner operator trucking software?
2. How many trucks do you need to keep track of? Large numbers of trucks may require a more robust system.
3. What do you need your trucking business software to take care of?
   

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Consider using free trucking software to save money

Depending on your particular situation, free trucking software may be right for your company. Free programs do not offer as many features as paid programs, but if you 're on a tight budget, they can offer a cost-effective way to manage your business.

I recommend: Truck Bytes offers a free truckers software program that allows you to track loads, manage customers, and create invoices.

Use all-inclusive trucking industry software programs for an easy solution

If you want an easy trucking software solution, turn to all-inclusive programs to meet your needs. These programs contain everything that a trucking company needs to maintain its business including trucking accounting software, truck tracking programs, and customer database management.

I recommend: Truckers Helper offers a full service trucking company software program at two levels — 1 to 10 trucks and full fleet. You can easily download their demo program to make sure that it is right for you.

Contact software developers to have trucking software built with your business in mind

Unique problems require unique situations. If you find that you're not able to solve your company's needs with the software products that are currently on the market, you can have a software program built to your specifications.

I recommend: Universal Software offers a great value for software development. You can also search at Guru.com for a freelance software programmer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Analyze and map out your company's trucking software needs before purchasing a product or developing a new product. This way you can be sure that you're getting all of your needs met with the product that you decide to go with.
• •  Software companies offer different technical support packages. Consider this when choosing the product that is best for your company.
• •  Software often takes time to get used to. Give yourself at least two weeks to try a program out before deciding that it does not work.
• •  Most trucking company software providers offer free demos. Try out the software before you buy it.

Knowing trucking software key terms gives you insight to use programs to their best advantage. Understanding these terms also helps you manipulate data and achieve results that benefit your company. Trucking software addresses different areas and needs from tracking shipments to monitoring payments. When you know trucking software key terms, you can look for software that specifically addresses your areas of interest. If you plan to hire a programmer for unique programming specifications, understanding the key terms helps you communicate the areas you wish to target for record keeping.

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Bill of lading

This is the term for any paperwork that a shipper gives to a driver detailing information about a product such as what it is, where the product came from and the product's destination. It also offers information on the trucking company, or carrier, to indicate how much the product weighs, and it contains an authorization signature for freight movement.

I recommend: Inphinet Interactive Communications offers software options that include areas such as bill of lading. It describes the term and how to work with it in software.

Fleet tracking

Fleet tracking, also called truck tracking, is a team-up of software and hardware using technology installed on vehicles to pinpoint location within a distance of a few meters. The systems generally incorporate alerts and reports for unusual activity.

I recommend: Go to TrackWhatMatters to discover the benefits of fleet tracking. It offers a paragraph on its website dedicated to extolling the benefits of fleet tracking via GPS.

Dispatch

Software programs monitor each dispatch, which means it tracks each transportation of a product towards a designated end destination.

I recommend: BOLT addresses the changes in dispatch software usage and offers the latest technology in the business. You can view the features of its dispatch program at its website.

Accounts receivable

The term accounts receivable, also known in trucking software as A/R, refers to records of money owed to a company for products or services rendered.

I recommend: Computac offers accounts receivables functions as part of its basic package. It provides an example of it A/R module on its website.

Accounts payable

Trucking software also keeps track of accounts payable, also known as A/P. This refers to debts for purchases or services in an open account.

I recommend: The Great Information Factory offers information on its accounts payable program, which handles activities such as invoicing and reporting and automatic check writing. The site details other tasks its A/P program handles in addition to these basic activities.

Routing

One critical component of trucking software is its ability to track routing, which is a specific path from starting point to a destination.

I recommend: PSDC demonstrates ways it maximizes costs in routing with its software, which also monitors fuel purchase and mileage tracking.