Smart phones have dramatically changed the way we use technology in our everyday lives. But in recent years, mobile apps are also changing the way we work, and that’s no different for HGV drivers and transport managers. Using driver apps can improve the communication between drivers and the transport office, and also help with compliance and infringement ratings too.
At TDi, we’ve developed a range of apps to aid drivers with some of the everyday challenges of being a HGV driver, and to help transport managers make their transport operation run more efficiently. This year we’ve done some major updates to make our apps more accessible for drivers, including a complete overhaul of vehicle-check, and adding new features to our TransMaS app too. But here’s just a few ways apps can help your business run more smoothly.
Improve communication
All our apps have been designed to work together in real time with the transport office. By using the TransMaS driver app, drivers can view their work for the day and all the information they need at their fingertips. Meanwhile the transport office can get notified when drivers have arrived and left jobs so they can keep an eye on the day’s schedules and make changes where necessary.
As well as this, walkaround checks can be done on vehicle-check and sent to the transport office instantly when completed, which means that when defects are reported, transport managers are able to book in any work needed quickly and efficiently. The vehicle-check app also allows the transport office to get instantly notified when their drivers are involved in incidents by logging incident reports, which include information, images and any witnesses.
Stay on top of compliance
Staying compliant can come with a lot of difficulties with different rules and regulations to comply with. Our disc-check app allows drivers to view and monitor their drivers hours and remaining driving time available within the app, so they can know exactly when their next driving break is due. The app also allows drivers to view and acknowledge infringements on the go. This can be especially helpful when drivers are spending many days on the road at a time, and may not remember the specific details of when an infringement takes place.
Vehicle walkaround checks are also a big part of compliance, and all drivers should do a full safety check of their vehicle before setting off. By using vehicle-check, checks can be completed and defects can be logged with images and notes and sent directly to the transport office as soon as they are completed.
Digitising your transport operation
All our apps have been designed to help digitise your entire fleet, and to help eliminate the need for physical paperwork, and therefore reducing the risk of important papers getting lost or damaged.
Not only this but any documents can be uploaded to our apps. Drivers using our TransMaS app can upload PODs and any documents relating to jobs to the app. This can then be viewed against the job within the transport office. Driver’s can also view all their work and delivery details on the app which means they no longer have to check several bits of paperwork to find the details they need.
Acknowledged infringements through the disc-check app can be viewed within reports instantly, and any infringement acknowledged on paper can then be scanned back into the system and the document will be stored safely and securely so no paper trail is needed.
A big part of vehicle-check is to log and store all vehicle defect reports on one system. The benefits of doing this means not only are checks stored all in one place, but a log of all past defects on a vehicle can be viewed together making it easier to find defects and fixes at a future date. Within vehicle-check, documents can be uploaded to any defect to help keep track of any work carried out so transport managers have a complete log of defects from first reported to fixes all in one place.
Time and location stamps
Knowing where your drivers are at any point can be crucial when it comes to planning and monitoring your fleet. From knowing that your drivers are completing checks before their shift, to knowing when drivers arrive on site for collections or deliveries. By knowing this, you can make sure drivers are staying compliant and drivers are on time or running late so you can communicate to customers when issues arise.
The vehicle-check app shows both when and where checks are taking place, so you can make sure checks are being completed when and where they should be. It also means that if drivers log an incident report, you have the exact time an incident took place, and you’ll have the coordinates of where it took place too.
Whilst TransMaS doesn’t track exactly where your drivers are when they’re driving, it can show you when they are on a site and when they have left, from this, it can let you know when they are due at the next location, so you can make customers aware if they have been delayed at previous jobs and make changes to drivers schedule if needed.
All our apps are now available to download on both iOS and Android devices, and come included with a TDi Software subscription.*
*disc-check and vehicle-check apps are included free of charge, Extra charges apply for drivers using TransMaS app.
