TMW Systems, a developer and integrator of enterprise management software designed for the trucking industry, has introduced a management tool designed to strengthen relationships between carriers and their drivers and improve driver retention.
This solution, called DriverZone, was developed collaboratively with Schneider National Bulk Carriers, a division of Schneider National, a provider of transportation, logistics and related services and the nation’s largest truckload provider.
TMW says DriverZone — available through TMW’s flagship TMWSuite platform — provides driver managers with an easy-to-read, up-to-the-minute calendar-based view of all the factors needed to manage driver relationships more effectively, including 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 Schneider’s fleet managers to 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. Schneider says DriverZone has helped 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 tool’s ease of use has 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.”
Schneider National says DriverZone also helped the carrier facilitate a smooth transition of operations from its facility in Reserve, La. to Houston in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. According to Schneider, the tool enabled managers and planners in Houston to view the status of all reserve-based drivers — including their current and pending load assignments and remaining hours of service information — and begin routing those drivers from the alternate location.
