With so much technology to aid us in our everyday lives, truckers have many options to
advance their efficiency through the aid of technology. My recent blog on truck specific GPS highlighted how technology can help us navigate more efficiently and help with their many other truck specific tools programmed internally. Right along with GPS, a smartphone can be very useful in trucking. With a wide range of applications (apps), the possibilities are endless when adapting them to your operation.
For being as techno-savvy as I am known to be, I will admit that I was at first a bit reluctant to jump on the smartphone bandwagon. I was skeptical when it came to issues of information security and of course the high cost of data plans. When it comes down to it though, the cost has far been outweighed by the usefulness and simplification it has brought to my life. The tools available are endless and I use it for many trucking and non-trucking functions.
A lot of people I talk to about truck specific GPS do not like the fact that buildings are not displayed in satellite view. I tackled this problem with the help of the Google Maps app on my smartphone. If going into an unfamiliar area to pickup or deliver, I just punch in the address and boom, aerial satellite view right in front of me! With the aid of this tool I can now see fences, buildings, docks, and pick proper driveways to better prepare my trip plans.
For those who haul under their own authority, there is one use for a smartphone worth its weight in gold. Anytime you may need to haul board freight, it is accessible in real-time directly through a variety of freight board apps. Not only can you see loads that you can filter to your exact desires, but you can also contact someone to book the load directly through the app in most cases.
I happen to use apps for entertainment on the road as well. Where most people pay for satellite radio, I happen to use free radio apps that allow me to tailor what I listen to based on my own listening preferences. I am a big pusher of free apps, as long as they get the job done and are from reputable developers. I listen to all my favorite music all day long and it doesn’t cost me anything over whast I pay for my data through my cell phone service provider.
Need to find the cheapest fuel in the area where you are planning your next fuel stop? There’s an app for that as well! I happen to use Fuelbook (truck diesel) and GasBuddy (auto gas and diesel), which are just examples of the many apps out there that are free and can be used to track fuel and gas prices. Apps can also be downloaded for free from almost all of the major truck stop networks (TA, Petro, Pilot, AMBEST, Loves, etc.), as well as CAT Scales.
From the time I joined the smartphone carrying world to now, it has become a major part of my daily life. I use it to play games, keep in touch with relatives, manage banking, share pictures, shop online, manage my calendar, pay bills, and most importantly run my business “smartly”! Don’t be afraid of the intimidating factors involved in purchasing and using a smartphone. The benefits of conquering these obstacles can lead to you finding an easier way to not only live your daily life, but also save money and time in your business dealings. If you make a few mistakes in learning to use it, power through and know it will get easier and become more routine as you use it more and more.