Carrier Logistics Inc. launched a trailer inventory system designed to improve efficiency in operations for asset-based less-than-truckload trucking companies.

With the CLI Yard Management System, LTL carriers can manage the yard operations at their terminals, dispatch trailer switches to yard personnel, and maintain full visibility of each trailer at that terminal’s facility. 

The software includes a mobile app that dispatches trailer move assignments, including dock door and yard slot locations, to yard personnel. Once a move assigned in the app is completed, the system also immediately notifies a supervisor that the trailer is available to be loaded or unloaded.

“Yards are largely black holes of information, managed with clipboards and cell phone calls, which hampers efficiency,” said CLI President Ben Wiesen in a press release. “With today’s supply chain issues, enhancing the productivity of yard operations and providing full visibility of each trailer’s location is more important than ever. CLI’s new Yard Management System provides LTL carriers a computerized, organized solution, and coordinates cross dock activity with required yard moves. The result is that LTL carriers immediately improve efficiency across their facilities and operations.”

The new CLI Yard Management System is available with the company’s FACTS freight management software. It can be deployed as a stand-module integrated with FACTS as well as coupled with CLI’s Dock Management System and Dock Management Board.

“Traditionally, yard operations have not been automated or computerized among asset-based LTL carriers, and with that creates inefficiency and lack of visibility,” said John Cesario, VP of operations at CLI. “Our unique Yard Management System is designed to  provide efficiency boosting execution tools, reduce the incident of lost or delayed trailers, and measure yard productivity.  It was developed because we had inquiries from several customers about this capability and because we saw a need in the market that CLI was perfectly positioned to address.”

Carrier Logistics FACTS is a solution for meeting the transportation and freight management needs of asset-based LTL carriers and the last mile industry. FACTS includes online customer shipping tools, dispatch and driver management, a superior rate engine, cross dock management, and a full back-office suite that give transportation professionals the tools they need to operate cost-effectively while providing improved freight visibility to their customers, CLI officials said.