It depends on the type of business and individual needs which improvements will produce the best results. For carriers, the possibility of adding loads, the proper securing of cargo and consideration of the GVW and axle loads is essential. Manufacturers and forwarders want to maximise the use of cargo space and minimise the number of vehicles needed, while loading them quickly.
How can the loading process be optimised?
Almost every transport company struggles with the impact of warehouse operations on the efficiency of the loading process. Companies with their own facilities use more or less modern loading and unloading equipment and, above all, systems for warehouse management. Recently, loading dock booking systems have appeared on the market to avoid waiting in the loading queue.
In the end, the human aspect is the most important, i.e. the employees, whose performance directly affects the business.
Goodloading: semi-trailer loading simulator
The process of planning the loading itself is usually more efficient when it involves standard europallets. For orders with multidimensional loads, it takes a little longer, even for a skilled planner, to check whether the goods will fit on the semi-trailer at all. In addition, when loads are to be distributed as efficiently as possible, the whole process becomes much more complicated.
Goodloading is a tool that should be considered when looking for ways to optimise loading. The application, which can be accessed via a browser, supports the process of distributing the load over the surface of a semi-trailer or container. It is up to the user to add the cargo and vehicles he or she wants to load and based on this, the application will calculate the necessary data. The application is dedicated to transport companies, forwarders, logistics departments and warehouses. Availability of a number of features will improve the workflow for companies with various business profiles.
The main functions of the application include:
• verifying that the load will fit on the semi-trailer;
• distributing the load in such a way as to make maximum use of the available space;
• arranging the loads in accordance with the capacity of the semi-trailer;
• providing information on possible overloading of axle loads of the vehicle;
• recommendation of another vehicle or container that can accommodate the load;
• presentation of the load distribution project in 3D visualisation;
• recalculation of data related to free and occupied LDMs, m2 or load volume.
All these functions let the user check in a few minutes if they are willing to take on a particular job or how to plan loading efficiently. By having all the information in one place, the whole process becomes more convenient and efficient.
What are the benefits of optimising the loading process?
Above all, the optimisation of loading helps to save space and time, and thus reduce costs considerably. More efficient planning of loading, the use of a smaller number of semi-trailers than originally planned or the possibility of taking on extra load results in the elimination of empty runs and greater savings.
Increasing the efficiency of individual activities allows companies to ensure a higher quality of services, which translates into better relations with contractors and business growth.