Best Yard Management Software

Guide to Yard Management Software

Yard management software (YMS) is a type of warehouse management system designed to help manage the movement, tracking and control of inventory in outdoor yards. It utilizes advanced technologies such as RFID, GPS and location-tracking to automate functions such as gate transactions, trailer check-ins/outs, and asset tracking. This enables yard managers to increase efficiency by streamlining their processes with automated workflows and real-time data visibility.

YMS can be used for both inbound and outbound operations, allowing users to track trailers from supplier delivery to customer receipt. It provides detailed information about each trailer’s location, arrival time, current status, loading/unloading history, its assigned berth and other pertinent facts related to its journey from origin to destination.

An effective YMS also includes features that allow for vehicle parameter optimization within the yard itself. This means operators can specify size restrictions for certain berths or load combinations; set up access rules for specific areas; and provide priority scheduling for certain tasks or shipments. All of these capabilities are meant to maximize throughput while meeting service level agreements (SLAs).

When integrated with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system or an order management system (OMS), a YMS can further enhance productivity by providing centralized control over supply chain activities and routing decisions in real-time. This allows companies greater agility in responding quickly when changes occur on the production floor or at endpoints along the delivery route — reducing costly delays while ensuring accuracy throughout the process. In short, a good YMS helps organizations become more agile while optimizing utilization rates of their assets and labor personnel within their yard environment.

Features Provided by Yard Management Software

Yard Management Software provides a number of features that make it an ideal tool for sites with large amounts of inventory and assets. These features include:

• Asset Tracking: Yard Management Software allows users to track the location, movement, and status of items or assets in real-time. This helps ensure accuracy in inventory control and can provide valuable insights into how the yard is being used.
• Inventory Management: The software can also be used to manage inventory levels, ensuring you never run low on key supplies or materials. It will allow users to set minimum stock levels they must maintain, so they don't run out of necessary items.
• Automated Reporting: Yard management software can also be used to generate automated reports that provide visibility into what's going on with your yard operations. Reports can cover various time periods, such as daily or weekly updates, allowing you to quickly identify any issues or opportunities that require attention.
• Automated Ordering: The software enables users to automate ordering processes based on predetermined thresholds, reminders regarding re-stocking needs, and alerts when inventory drops below certain levels. This helps ensure that orders are placed in a timely manner and reduces the risk of running out of essential resources due to forgotten orders or delays caused by manual order entry.
• Data Analytics & Dashboards: With its powerful data analytics capabilities, YMS helps users gain actionable insights from their yard data. By visualizing trends over time in intuitive dashboards and charts, users can get a better handle on their operation’s performance metrics like efficiency and throughput rate for more informed decision-making within their business operations.
• Security & Compliance: With YMS, users can also maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations by ensuring secure access to their sensitive data. The software is built with features to protect against unauthorized access or misuse of confidential information.

What Types of Yard Management Software Are There?

• Yard Management Software: This software helps optimize yard operations by tracking, monitoring and managing the movement of goods in a trucking and warehouse environment. It automates yard processes such as gate management, inventory control, loading/unloading and trailer tracking.
• Gate Management: This type of software manages the flow of vehicles in the yard, including entry or exit times, number plate scanning, vehicle identification and other data points.
• Inventory Control: This software helps to keep track of goods that are stored in a warehouse or on a truck in the yard. It can generate reports on current stock levels and identify items that are running low or have been depleted.
• Loading/Unloading: This type of software helps to ensure goods are loaded or unloaded quickly and efficiently by providing real-time information about cargo weight, size and location.
• Trailer Tracking: This kind of software tracks trailers that are moving in the yard, allowing operators to identify any issues with the route or delivery time frame. It also enables them to monitor trailer movements and adjust operations accordingly if necessary.
• Advanced Features: Some yard management software also includes more advanced features such as automated route optimization, predictive analytics, alert systems and driver apps.

Yard Management Software Benefits

1. Automation: Yard management software helps to streamline operations and automate manual processes. This reduces human effort and speeds up the process, allowing organizations to do more in less time.
2. Improved Visibility: Yard management software provides real-time visibility into yard operations and offers insight into current stock levels, helping businesses make more informed decisions.
3. Optimized Space Utilization: This type of technology helps optimize the usage of available storage space, which can help reduce costs associated with expanding physical storage capacity. Additionally, it ensures that your yard is organized and that all items are stored efficiently.
4. More Accurate Tracking: With a yard management solution in place, businesses can accurately track shipments from origin to destination. This eliminates human error and increases accuracy for inventory tracking purposes.
5. Enhanced Security: Yard management software promotes greater security by employing barcode scanners for performing real-time audits on items entering or leaving the yard area. It also enables better control over who can access certain areas of your facility and helps ensure that only authorized personnel are allowed in restricted areas.
6. Improved Record Keeping: Automated record-keeping makes it easier to keep track of all activities within a warehouse or yard system such as shipment arrivals/departures, inventory levels, etc., providing an organized overview at all times while saving time on time-consuming paperwork tasks.
7. Improved Customer Service: Yard management software increases visibility into the movement of goods, enabling businesses to provide timely updates to customers on the status of their orders. This helps improve customer satisfaction and builds trust.
8. Enhanced Efficiencies: Automated processes reduce the need for manual labor, thus ensuring that tasks are completed quickly and efficiently. Additionally, real-time data allows for increased accuracy when it comes to planning and forecasting future supply needs.

Who Uses Yard Management Software?

• Warehouse Managers: Warehouse managers are responsible for overseeing warehouse operations and ensuring that the shipping, receiving, storing, and distribution of goods are done efficiently. They typically use yard management software to keep track of deliveries, monitor inventory levels, generate reports and manage warehouse personnel.
• Fleet Managers: Fleet managers use yard management software to maximize efficiency in their yard operations by tracking vehicles, creating appointment schedules, and managing driver logs. They can also analyze data to optimize fleet performance and increase profits.
• Shipping & Receiving Clerks: Shipping & receiving clerks utilize yard management software to record incoming shipments, create manifests and generate invoices. They may also be responsible for generating reports on shipment delivery times, adjusting inventory levels, and monitoring product expiration dates.
• Logistics Coordinators: Logistics coordinators use yard management software to plan routes for vehicles carrying goods or materials from one point of origin to another in the most cost-effective manner possible. This may include scheduling vehicle arrivals/departures from yards or loading docks as well as determining turn-around times at each stop along a given route.
• Yard Workers: Yard workers utilize yard management software to facilitate the movement of goods through a facility or across properties. This includes loading/unloading trucks, checking orders for accuracy against manifest documents, scanning barcodes on incoming items, and tracking vehicles throughout the facility grounds using GPS technology.
• Security Personnel: Security personnel use yard management software to monitor and secure yards from any unauthorized access. This includes setting checkpoints, inspecting vehicles entering/exiting yards and tracking employee movements throughout the facility grounds.

How Much Does Yard Management Software Cost?

Yard management software can be priced in a variety of ways, but typically, costs range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands depending on the features and complexity. Generally speaking, the cost of yard management software is based on several factors such as the number of users, size & complexity of the yard or warehouse being managed, and number/type of integrated applications (if any).

For instance, an entry-level system with limited functionality may cost around $5K - 8K. For a more robust system with advanced allow customization and integration capabilities, costs can reach up to $20K - 40K or more. These prices are for the initial set-up and deployment fees only; many companies offer additional services such as support & maintenance plans which incur additional charges over time.

The best way to get an accurate estimate of your specific needs is to contact one or more vendors directly. Be sure to inquire about any hidden costs that may accompany different packages before making your final purchasing decision.

What Software Does Yard Management Software Integrate With?

Yard management software (YMS) can be integrated with a wide range of software types, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management (WMS), transportation management (TMS), material handling equipment systems, and document imaging systems. ERP integration allows for cross-functional reporting and data analysis, while WMS integration provides visibility into inventory levels and locations. TMS integration facilitates shipping activities with manifesting features, while material handling equipment software enables YMS to track equipment use and performance. Finally, document imaging integrations allow YMS users to quickly and securely access documents from any device. By integrating these different types of software together, yard operations can realize tremendous benefits in terms of improved process efficiency, accuracy and cost savings.

Yard Management Software Trends

1. Automation: Yard management software is increasingly incorporating automation technology such as robotics, drones, and RFID tags. This allows for real-time tracking and control of vehicles, containers, and other assets in the yard.
2. Mobility: Yard management software is evolving to incorporate mobile technologies. This includes cloud-based solutions that allow for remote access from anywhere with an internet connection, as well as mobile apps for drivers and yard workers to check in, receive orders, and update statuses on their devices.
3. Integration: Many yard management software solutions are now integrating with existing enterprise systems such as ERP and WMS. This allows for seamless data exchange between the yard and other parts of the supply chain.
4. Visibility: Yard management software is providing greater visibility into the operations of the yard. Through analytics, reporting, and dashboards built into the system, managers can monitor activity in the yard in real time and make informed decisions.
5. Security: Yard management software is also incorporating security features such as automated gates and access controls to prevent theft and unauthorized access to the yard.

How to Pick the Right Yard Management Software

Make use of the comparison tools above to organize and sort all of the yard management software products available.

When selecting the right yard management software, there are several key criteria to consider:

1. Features - It is important to select a software with features that meet your business's needs. Consider such features as gate automation, tracking and tracing capabilities, inventory management, optimization algorithms, and reporting capabilities.
2. User Interface - Look for an intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate so employees can quickly become familiar with how the program works.
3. Costs - Establish a budget for yard management software and compare costs between different programs. Depending on the size of your business, there may be low-cost or free options available.
4. Integration Capabilities - Look for software solutions with integration capabilities that will fit into existing systems in order to streamline operations across departments. This will reduce data errors and ensure accurate information flows throughout the organization.
5. Scalability - Make sure the yard management software you select is easily scalable so it can grow as your business needs expand over time. Be sure to inquire about upgrade options when purchasing a program in order to save money in the future if needed.