What Tanker Fleets Need in Workflow Software

Tanker trucks are an integral division within the trucking industry and a vital component to the supply chain. From food products to hazardous materials, petroleum to wine, it takes highly specialized processes and well-trained drivers to transport volatile materials that require increased safety standards and customized processes. 

Like most industries, workflow software can help companies streamline their processes, improve data quality, and save employees time and headaches. For tanker fleets, workflow software should include certain features to ensure you’ll make the most positive impacts to your operations and meet very high standards.

Extensive Customization Options

Tank truck fleets have highly specific needs when it comes to daily operations. From extra steps in loading and unloading to increased safety and compliance requirements and even extra considerations in truck operation, tanker fleets need customization options to create their highly specific workflows. Fleets should look for workflow software that allows them to configure their processes exactly how their fleet does business.

• Initial Setup:
  Your workflow solution should be set up to align with every segment of your fleet operations seamlessly. This ensures you gather the precise data points you need and helps define how they’re documented within your workflow software. Your vendor should invest time in sitting down with your team to understand your business operations and daily workflow processes deeply. Together, you’ll uncover opportunities to streamline the workflow, ultimately ensuring you consistently capture the right data every step of the way.
  
  
• Forms and Fields:
  Forms and fields are another space where customization can come in handy for tank truck fleets. It's essential to have the flexibility to require as many or as few fields as necessary, ensuring that safety checks like DVIRs and fueling instructions are included seamlessly.
  
  Additionally, forms should be dynamic, adapting to show your drivers’ specific fields based on their responses. For instance, if a driver indicates there is water in the tank into which they are dropping off their load, the form should dynamically include fields for recording the water's stick level. This level of customization ensures that your workflow software is not just functional but perfectly aligned with your fleet's unique requirements.

Optimized Driver Experience 

A good driver experience not only makes a driver’s day easier and more efficient, it can also improve job satisfaction and retention. Workflow tools should work in the way a driver works, understanding the required tasks and the potential challenges. 

This is especially true for tank drivers, who face additional conditions, calculations, and tasks compared to non-tanker truck drivers. While tanker truckers complete additional certifications and training and are typically more experienced drivers, they still appreciate reduced busywork and the ability to get back to what they enjoy doing most—driving.

• Reduced Data Entry:
  When it comes to tanker truck fleets, minimizing data entry is key to optimizing efficiency. Look for workflow software that helps drivers eliminate unnecessary data entry. For instance, software that automates load information from the TMS, seamlessly carries over data from previous forms, and even automatically handles fuel calculations can help your drivers spend less time on paperwork and more time on the road ahead.
  
  
• Smoother User Experience:
  There’s nothing more frustrating for drivers than grappling with complicated software. When drivers struggle to navigate, it leads to delays and errors. That’s why you’ll want a tank truck workflow software that prioritizes ease of use. Look for software with intuitive interfaces that make it easy for drivers to find what they need. Opt for solutions offering step-by-step workflow guidance and color-coded fuel stop information that simplify every task. 

Increased Safety Enforcement Tools

While all commercial trucking fleets must be concerned with safety, the nature of the loads carried by tanker trucks heightens safety regulations even more. Many of the materials hauled by tankers are categorized as hazardous materials, and an accident could result in not only injury to the driver but widespread evacuations and health impacts to an entire community. 

Additionally, transporting and loading/unloading of fluids entails an entirely different set of guidelines, steps, and restrictions that must be carefully adhered to. Workflow software can assist fleets in meeting these specialized requirements.

• Required Steps:
  With customizable workflows, you can prioritize safety for your tank truck drivers at every turn. Require specific tasks within each job to ensure that safety steps are always front and center. For example, you should be able to include a step mandating a DVIR submission before a driver can proceed further.
  
  
• Improved Instructions:
  Additionally, you should be able to highlight crucial safety instructions such as fueling procedures and yard maps to give drivers all the information they need to stay safe out on the road.

Improved System Integrations & Single Sign-On

While many vendors offer add-on apps and features, it’s vital that these tools all work well together, otherwise, your drivers may face redundant data entry, multiple log-ins, annoying workarounds, and an increased potential for dangerous mistakes. 

Alternately, workflow tools that prioritize integrations help users move from one task and tool to another seamlessly without interrupting the process. Drivers may use five different applications throughout a pickup and drop-off process — like navigation, DVIR, document capture, and media manager — but it should all feel like a single application.

• Optimized User Interface:
  Rather than juggling between five different applications during a pick-up and drop-off, your tanker truck drivers should feel like everything is integrated into one seamless system. You should look for single sign-on functionality, which lets drivers use a singular login to access all necessary applications, and easy access to multiple applications within your workflow application.
  
  Whether your drivers are starting with a DVIR submission, planning their route through their navigation application, or accessing yard maps and fuel locations, every app should flow seamlessly through the workflow experience.

Platform Science Workflow for Tanker Truck Fleets 

As a leader in fleet management and telematics tools for commercial fleets, Platform Science has a deep understanding of and relationships with leading fleets, including those in the tanker truck segment.  We have designed our PS Workflow tool with the needs and challenges in mind, especially those working with tanker trucks.

The result is that PS Workflow can be customized to fit the day-to-day needs of every segment of your fleet. Our team sits down with every department to understand your needs and then build workflows that address each. We can require as many or as few fields as needed, add safety checks like DVIRs and fueling instructions, and include other self-populating fields based on drivers’ answers.

PS Workflow also provides a great driver experience by reducing data entry and eliminating the need for pen and paper, carrying over information throughout a job, automatically completing calculations, and using visual indicators to note what grade of product goes where. It also reduces the amount of manual data entry for drivers by pulling all the information from within your TMS.

‍

‍Download the PS Workflow for Tankers one-pager now, or set up a consultation by contacting us today.