Logistics And Transportation: Smart Site Management With Vizito

In the hustle and bustle of a logistics site, every minute counts. Trucks come and go, drivers queue up to load or unload, the site buzzes with activity 24/7 – and time is of the essence. More and more transportation and logistics companies are discovering Vizito’s ability to bring order to chaos.

Did you know that Vizito goes far beyond visitor registration and management? Many of our customers use the system for yard management – one of the reasons for our growing popularity in the logistics sector. More than 100 transportation companies now use Vizito in around 200 locations worldwide.

In this article we look at yard management and how Vizito can help you manage your yard effectively:

• What is a Yard Management System (YMS)?
• Why yard management?
• How can you use Vizito as a Yard Management System?

What Is A Yard Management System (YMS)?

Things can get hectic in a logistics site, warehouse, or distribution center. Trucks are constantly coming and going, looking for a place to park, waiting in line to pick up or deliver goods, drivers are waiting for instructions… Without a good system to manage all of this, it quickly becomes chaotic and confusing. Waiting times increase, loading and unloading docks become congested, and the likelihood of errors increases.

A Yard Management System (YMS) is a digital tool that helps companies map, organize and schedule all logistical movements on the yard. Some examples:

• A YMS records and controls when trucks arrive and depart. If a truck arrives earlier or later than scheduled, the system can send notifications to allow for timely adjustments.

• During peak times in the parking lot, the YMS determines where trucks should park and when they can proceed to load or unload. This prevents chaos with vehicles crisscrossing each other.

• To keep everything running smoothly and efficiently, you can provide drivers with a detailed map of the lot and important rules in advance.

Why Yard Management?

The logistics industry is facing huge challenges. Today, rapid delivery is the norm, with customers expecting packages within days. Add to this the growth of e-commerce, traffic congestion, stricter environmental regulations, labor shortages, and cost-cutting pressures, and you’ll begin to understand the stress logistics sites are under.

While site operations could once be run without tight management, today’s high volumes and speed requirements make it unthinkable. Without the right tools, today’s logistics yard operations would quickly become bogged down, resulting in chaos and delays.

A yard management system is the solution. It reduces wait times, improves scheduling, and eliminates errors such as incorrect loading or unloading locations. It also improves site access management by controlling who and what enters your site, reducing congestion and improving safety in high-traffic areas. This translates into lower operating costs and higher customer satisfaction – essential in an industry where time is of the essence and margins are often tight.

How Can You Use Vizito as a Yard Management System?

Vizito offers functionality beyond standard visitor management. In a previous blog post, we discussed how Vizito, combined with the right integrations, can be used to improve security on your sites. In addition, more and more transportation and logistics companies are using Vizito as a tool to efficiently manage the flow of trucks and drivers on their sites. In this way, Vizito is not only a visitor management tool, but also a powerful solution for improving safety and logistical efficiency.

These are some of the key benefits of using Vizito as a YMS in practice:

1. Record Trip Times

When a truck driver arrives or departs, the exact times are automatically logged. This provides a detailed record of trip times, showing who was there and for how long. This insight can help you identify peak times and delays to optimize planning and scheduling.

2. Track Parking Time

Vizito doesn’t just measure driving times, but also the time trucks spend in the parking lot before they can proceed to a loading or unloading point. By tracking parking time, you can gain insight into parking usage and identify unnecessary idle time – which is useful to optimize the use of parking facilities.

3. Reduce Wait Times

With Vizito, you can monitor driver wait times in real time. This not only provides insight into bottlenecks, but also allows you to proactively reduce wait times. By responding quickly to delays or overcrowded waiting areas, the flow can be improved. Less wait time means less stress and frustration for drivers and a better work experience.

4. Pre-register Freight and Cargo

A good way to avoid delays is to process the details of incoming trucks before they even arrive. Carriers can pre-enter license plate numbers, cargo information, and load details for faster access at the gate.

5. Automated Check-ins with License Plate Recognition

An added benefit of pre-registration are fully automated check-ins through Vizito’s integration with license plate recognition systems. When a truck approaches the gate, the system recognizes the license plate and automatically registers the driver. The driver can then proceed without manual registration or additional checks. Needless to say, this saves a lot of time.

It can also be useful to deploy the system at different locations around the site, allowing the driver to access only the locations he or she needs to be at, such as a specific unloading location. This not only increases safety, but also helps reduce unnecessary movement around the site.

6. Integration with Automated Gates

Vizito can also be integrated with automatic gates, a convenient complement to license plate recognition. Pre-registered drivers can pass through the gates without manual intervention. This not only ensures a smoother flow during peak times, but also reduces the risk of waiting times and administrative errors. Only pre-registered and pre-approved drivers are granted access to specific locations. This means that sensitive or congested areas are only accessible to authorized drivers and their vehicles.

7. Integration with Scheduling Tools

Vizito can sync with any scheduling tool you are using. For example, an early-arriving driver may need to wait in a designated area until it’s time to check in. This information is synchronized with Vizito. This way, you have all the data in one place – efficient and convenient.

8. Send Advance Information to Drivers

Do you have a large site and host many drivers? If so, it can be helpful to provide them with a detailed map of the site in advance. That way, they won’t have to search for the correct loading or unloading location on site, which saves time and reduces the risk of misunderstandings.

You can also provide drivers with other important information in advance, such as specific rules and instructions. Good preparation makes the entire logistics process smoother and safer.

9. Welcome Drivers In Their Own Language

Many drivers come from abroad and may not speak the local language. Vizito breaks down the language barrier and makes it easy to display login screens and instructions in the driver’s native language. This ensures that all safety rules and guidelines are clearly understood and followed.

Conclusion

The logistics industry is under constant pressure to work faster, more efficiently and more safely. In the daily hustle and bustle, well-organized yard management has become crucial. Vizito helps you with your yard management by streamlining the logistic movements on your premises.

Whether you’re managing a warehouse, distribution center, or logistics hub, effective warehouse management is critical. Vizito complements your existing systems by streamlining processes like site access management, ensuring smoother operations across the board.

With features such as automatic license plate recognition, integration with planning tools and clear communication in the driver’s language, Vizito goes beyond standard visitor management. The system ensures smoother operations, reduced wait times, and improved safety, while enhancing the driver experience.

Want to see what Vizito can do for your business? Start a free trial or book a demo to find out how we can help you.