What is Exotrac?

Exotrac is a yard management technology company that was founded by Jon Donchey in 2005. Exotrac creates customized yard management systems for their clients in the logistics, manufacturing, food, retail, chemical, and trail leasing fields. In being that the logistics industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, it is shocking to know that 80% of them are using an outdated, inefficient paper system. This means that only 20% of the industry is using a technological solution to yard management, but there is no data on if they are using cutting edge, cloud technology. It is safe to assume the perhaps only 10-15% of the 20% are.

 On average, companies who switch to smart phone technology have seen savings in the hundred thousands in terms of the drop in their demurrage and detention costs. Because of this, smart phone technology has found a vital place in the yard.

Why Switch?

With issues such as misplaced paper work, containers that cannot be accounted for, and the increasing number of damaged items, Exotrac’s YardTrac Pro is the solution the industry has been searching for to help increase transparency throughout the yard. YardTrac Pro also allows yard managers to cut out the middle man and have access to the vital information they need anytime, anywhere.

The application is a cloud based system and can be accessed on a phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Yard managers also have access to information that verifies the time their employees spend on property, all containers and trailers at their facility, when the containers are empty, and when the carrier or drayage company picked them up. This is one of the many ways that a YMS app will increase accountability for employees and lower detention and demurrage charges - by cutting down on infrastructure and hardware needed to track containers in the yard. Exotrac truly is a turnkey solution to yard management with their cutting edge, rugged smart phone technology.

Seamless Integration with Preexisting Systems

One of the things that makes YardTrac Pro unique is its ability to seamlessly integrate with many systems by accommodating nearly any type of file transfer protocol. This effectively eliminates the visibility void in the supply chain, and enhances the ability to plan proactively. YardTrac Pro offers tons of customization options so the app can grow with a company’s needs as they change over the years.

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We feel that these three reasons are some of the strongest arguments we have for partnering up with Exotrac. If you are still having trouble deciding if Exotrac is the right YMS system for you, schedule a demo with us today to learn more about our YardTrac Pro. You can do so by e-mailing us at info@exotrac.com or giving us a call at212-989-0171. 

Exotrac was founded in 2005, and is the leading provider of real time logistics management software for the automotive, manufacturing, retail, and supply chain logistics industries. Our innovative and cost-effective yard management software solutions utilize the latest cutting edge cloud based and mobile technologies. For more information on Exotrac, visit exotrac.com.

Why Partner with Exotrac?

Since returning from the Mode X Show in March, we have been asked countless times "why should we partner with you?" To us the answer is easy: you can cut down on costs, have a YMS solution in days rather then months, and we are there with you every step of the way should you need tech support or help with setting up. However, some people prefer working with the old paper trail. Below are three different reasons that we think will persuade even the most technologically illiterate among us.

Cut Down on Costs

More then likely you have heard us claim that by switching to our YMS solution, your company will save money by cutting down on detention and demurrage costs. Studies have also shown that by switching to a paperless system, on average, your company can save $51,000 in being that the demand for paper within your company will decrease.

According to the recent 2016 Garner Report, Yardtrac Pro is also the most cost effective YMS application on the market. This is because your monthly fee is based on a SaaS (software as a service) structure. This means that Exotrac acts as the host to YardTrac which makes it easier for you to collaborate and work with other vendors within the program, global accessibility, and patch management to fix bugs as soon as they pop up. This can help you to avoid capital expenditure. It also allows you to add or take away services on a month to month bases so that as your company grows, we grow right along side you.

Quick Set-Up

Within the initial setup, most companies require a few months to install their GPS trackers into your caddies along with some steep start up fees in order to incorporate the new equipment. Exotrac takes only a few weeks to setup. Your app is customized to your company’s needs, once it is completed the application is installed onto a rugged phone and is shipped to your yard. The phones are accompanied with our Operations Manager who will train your staff on how to use the application and how to perform simple and complex tasks with it.

Reliable Support

In the event that something happens to your application or phone, our tech support team will trouble shoot the problem with you. In the event that the problem cannot be resolved over the phone, a replacement phone will be sent to you within 72 hours. From there your phone will be replaced and shipped back to you as soon as it has been repaired.

We feel that these three reasons are some of the strongest arguments we have for partnering up with Exotrac. If you are still having trouble deciding if Exotrac is the right YMS system for you, schedule a demo with us today to learn more about our YardTrac Pro. You can do so by e-mailing us at info@exotrac.com or giving us a call at212-989-0171. 

Exotrac was founded in 2005, and is the leading provider of real time logistics management software for the automotive, manufacturing, retail, and supply chain logistics industries. Our innovative and cost-effective yard management software solutions utilize the latest cutting edge cloud based and mobile technologies. For more information on Exotrac, visit exotrac.com.

4 Reasons Why the Supply Should Embrace the Smartphone Revolution

Since 2010, the industry has wondered when and how companies would implement smart phones into their yards. The main complaint is that the phones are too fragile and will not be able to handle the day in and day out operations of the yard. The second is that the phones that are ruggedized are outdated and sluggish. Frankly, this is news to us. Exotrac has been around since 2005 and has been the leader of affordable yard management software since then. Below are seven reasons why supply chains should embrace the smartphone revolution. 

1) Integration with Legacy Systems

Since the software is used through an Android or iPhone, companies such as Exotrac are able to customize the application to suit client needs. Select apps such as YardTrac Pro and YardTrac Lite can seamlessly integrate with enterprise legacy systems (ERP, OMS, TMS and WMS) by accommodating nearly any type of file transfer protocol. This effectively eliminates the visibility void in the supply chain and enhances your ability to plan proactively.

Software teams that specialize in smartphone YMS applications can analyze current processes to identify any opportunity for improvement, and can incorporate local terminology to keep it simple.
This allows your associates to feel more comfortable with the change in procedure and reduces the training timeline. As your company's needs change, the application can adapt with you. As the volume or scope of your transactions increases, servers can flex to meet higher demand – eliminating the need for costly upgrades or transfers.

2) Reduce Stress

It may sound outlandish to say that an app can reduce stress for yard managers, suppliers, and carriers. However, two of the top workplace stressors are phone calls and emails. In our YMS applications, users can login from anywhere to access the information they need and therefore no longer have to go through a middle man. This alone can reduce the volume of phone calls and emails by as much as 50%! With apps like YardTrac Pro and YardTrac Lite, carriers can have their own separate login. You set the rules to allow a carrier to make appointments, see their assets at your facility, and update information such as comments and materials management. If a carrier needs to switch a delivery date, they can do so within the app - and avoid the paperwork, e-mail requests and nagging phone calls.

3) Increase Worker Productivity and Safety

Some apps allow you to view metrics and dashboards to assist in keeping track of compliance from your carriers to your security detail. Most companies have monitors to audit essential transactions and procedures and alerts to ensure vital information is communicated. Our apps take advantage of the push notification feature in Android and iOS (a push notification is an automated message that appears over all running applications on the home screen).  According to CNet, push notifications on an app increases worker productivity by 31% since it helps to streamline vital messages (view our previous blog, 4 Reasons Why YardTrac Pro is The Future of Yard Management, to learn more about push notifications and our app YardTrac Pro).

Safety is always the top priority. With Exotrac's on demand Dispatch Move Request, dock users must certify that the trailer is safe to move before the request is sent to the yard driver. The system captures the time stamp and login for the request, which allows for accountability and promotes safe actions. Yard drivers can also be prompted to use chock blocks and certify that trailers are placed safely. In the event that of a mishap or an emergency, a push notification will be sent out to everyone with a smartphone alerting them of the potential danger. This allows everyone to communicate effectively and lowers accident rates in the yard.

4) Real Time Adjustments

Systems like YardTrac enhance your ability to make real time adjustments, resulting in more efficiency transparency. With the touch of a button, you can view all trailer/container contents, the status of each trailer/container (if they have been loaded, unloaded, are empty, need to be moved, were recently moved, etc), aging and the positioning of each trailer/container within the facility. You can even search and sort your trailer pool by specific categories to identify what you need. Some apps equip their yard jockeys with an on demand dispatch move command through their mobile device, allowing you to facilitate movements based upon the changing needs of your operation.

These are just a few of the reasons why logistics companies should get on board the smartphone revolution. If you are still having trouble deciding if Exotrac is the right YMS system for you, you can schedule a demo with us today. To learn more about our YardTrac Pro by e-mailing us at info@exotrac.com or giving us a call at212-989-0171. 

Exotrac was founded in 2005, and is the leading provider of real time logistics management software for the automotive, manufacturing, retail, and supply chain logistics industries. Our innovative and cost-effective yard management software solutions utilize the latest cutting edge cloud based and mobile technologies. For more information on Exotrac, visit exotrac.com.

YardTrac Pro, The Future of Yard Management

Full featured YMS. Android mobility. Powered by Exotrac.

Exotrac builds straightforward, practical applications to manage complex operational needs – powerful tools that are easy to use. Our cloud based solutions are tailored to each client’s specific needs and help them realize many benefits.

Minimize detention and demurrage costs with time stamps and automatic email notifications to carriers. Eliminate manual paper processes and radios by communicating through our native mobile applications. Increase visibility and accountability of all assets by tracking them in real time. Optimize efficiency from the gate, through the yard and to the dock by providing full access to everyone from anywhere. Seamless integration with WMS and TMS creates a powerful end to end solution to take an operation to the next level of success.

Our solution can be installed in weeks rather than months, and no IT infrastructure is needed. Our cloud based software can be accessed through any data connection on any device, providing ultimate visibility and utility to all users at every level.

Exotrac is your one stop shop for cloud hosting, hardware and data wrapped into one low monthly rate.

Yard Management System Works Well with Others

A paperless Yard Management System (YMS) has many benefits when implemented by a company. Some of these benefits include the ability to track your trailers and goods,  relief from manual pen and paper record keeping, and the ability to cut down on costs when switching to a paperless system. YMS can help a facility reduce detention and demurrage costs as well as to help make yard operations more efficient. What really makes the YMS shine, though, is integrating it with the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Transportation Management System (TMS) solutions already in place.

Many times a company will concentrate its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system exclusively on WMS and TMS because those are the most obvious areas. It is virtually impossible to run a warehouse of any size without a WMS, and of course the warehouse is a priority. Likewise, the TMS is invaluable for managing routes, lanes and the economy of the organization’s transportation. What is often overlooked is how the YMS can connect these two and amplify their effectiveness, along with contributing its own value for the enterprise.

There are some WMS and TMS solutions that offer some YMS functions, but none come close to providing the benefit of a true, fully dedicated YMS. An advanced YMS offers many functions to optimize efficiency of yard all yard operations – from the gate, through the yard, and up to the dock. This is often a blind spot for many organizations who are still getting by on pen and paper for security, yard spotters and dock managers.

Optimizing the yard operations with a first class YMS leads to improved throughput, which helps the WMS to accomplish its goals for loading/unloading and staff utilization. In addition, the simple visibility of a load physically arriving at a facility (with real time notifications) is a game changer for allocation planning. Consequently, inbound and outbound loads and deliveries handled by the TMS also benefit from the additional visibility. There is a real synergy between all three systems, and they all work better when integrated together.

Exotrac brings in the New Year with new features and exciting developments in Yard Management

As we commence a New Year, Exotrac looks forward to bringing new functionalities to our Yard Management System for our existing customers while expanding our services to new industries.   

 

Exotrac is the leading provider of real-time Yard Management Solutions for the automotive, manufacturing, retail and supply chain logistics industries. Our Yard Management system can be utilized to improve the yard operations of virtually any industry as shown in the diverse clientele we currently provide YMS.

 

Exotrac’s cloud based, turn-key solutions utilize the latest cutting edge technologies catered to businesses of varying sizes helping them stay ahead of their competition. With real-time view of the logistics process Exotrac offers its clients:

 

·         Increased visibility with Real-time trailer pool & inventory logistics information all the way down to pallet and SKU level

·         Advanced verified measurement tools for enhanced vendor compliance

·         Increased employee productivity and efficiency

·         Door/dock appointment scheduling

·         Customized reporting

 

A new popular feature is our customized geographical mapping of any facility. In addition, using GPS, our system can assign pending moves to the Yard Jockey positioned closest to the trailer on the geographical map.

 

Exotrac strives to continually innovate its solutions to provide the most affordable Yard Management tools on the market. We are hopeful this New Year will bring more collaboration with manufacturing, 3PL and supply chain logistics companies in order to help them grow and achieve their goals in 2013. 

 

For more information please visit www.exotrac.com

 

                                     YMS: The missing piece to the puzzle 

The main goal of Logistics and supply chain management is to ensure the flow of resources, between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. This process involves the integration of information to help manage and organize the data to keep operations running smooth and up to date.  Because of this, companies have implemented technological solutions such as Warehouse Management Systems and Transportation Management systems, but continue to overlook an intricate piece that completes this process; an efficient Yard Management System.  

A yard management system (YMS) is a system that is designed to oversee the movement of trucks and trailers in the yard of a manufacturing facility, warehouse, or distribution center. YMS is a tool which can help prioritize shipment arrivals, identify trailer contents, manage yard jockey activity, standardize yard processes, reduce the time needed to allocate vehicles to loads, and avoid unnecessary vehicle movements.

The Warehouse Management System (WMS) market saw significant growth in 2011, increasing by 10%, according to data from Dedham, Mass.-based ARC Advisory Services. Transportation management systems (TMS) came on the supply chain scene in 1980s and as fuel costs continue to rise there has been a significant increased in usage even in the last few years.  In contrast, as of 2012 more than 60% of yards in America are still conducting their operations manually on paper.

Jon Donchey, COO of Exotrac explains his experience in the field of Yard Management:

“Working in this industry over a decade ago entailed walkie-talkies, clipboards, extended time spent by yard jockeys physically locating trailers, not to mention the documents that were misplaced or weather damaged, all of which, in turn made me realize there was a strong need to have an automated, paperless solution implemented in the yard.”

As technology advances it’s important for companies to keep up with the times and we now find that having automated systems is the best way to minimize human error and increase efficiency. That’s why Exotrac has developed  a real-time, cloud-based yard management software system. This advanced technology can perform field-based functions that can remotely manage items, events, and actions, where information can be viewed real-time on customized reports via the web.

 Show me the money!

Some companies say they don’t feel YMS is a priority or it doesn’t fit in their financial plan mainly due to already having implemented costly ERP’s that have pushed them way over budget. But they are also failing to recognize that with a YMS they see a positive ROI in just a few months due to savings on administrative costs, time reduction and increased employee productivity. Implementing a YMS can often boost a yard's productivity by up to 30 percent.

Another financial incentive for 3PL and Trucking companies is offering Exotrac’s YMS as an add-on service that will provide new opportunities for cross-selling. The companies that have the necessary information systems in place to participate in the market for high-end transport solutions should offer their customers methods for tracking and tracing their cargo.  These companies can capitalize when their customers use Exotrac’s YMS in their yards.

Who’s watching your yard?

In addition to better management of yard operations no company should dismiss the importance of tightening the security of a yard.  With Asset Management we can now plot the real-time asset location on a map and closely monitor movement and operating status. Exotrac’s YardTrac provides better visibility with Graphic displays of  an entire facility including Trailer Location and Status. Without yard management systems companies can lose visibility from the time goods leave the warehouse and arrive in the yard to the time they are unloaded. A system such as YardTrac gives a company visibility throughout the entire process.

Companies that hesitate in implementing a Yard Management System and invest primarily on WMS and TMS are overlooking an intricate piece of the puzzle. Integrating a Yard Management System is usually the missing piece that completes a company’s operations.