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A s supply chains face labor shortages, shifting volumes, and rising customer expectations, the yard is becoming one of the most overlooked yet essential points of control. Historically, yards have been one of the last places businesses invest in technology, often still governed by paperwork, phone calls, physical of ce visits, and basic yard management system platforms that merely digitize paper processes. YardView COO Heather Giordano believes that “putting the yard rst” is more than a phrase; it represents a practical strategy for supply chain resilience. “Putting the yard rst means recognizing it as the key to operational ow,” Giordano says. “When yard, warehouse, and transportation teams are aligned through a uni ed system, companies gain measurable ef ciency and stronger supply chain performance.” Efficiency Starts Here The right yard management system can transform your entire supply chain. It can reduce labor costs, streamline operations, improve utilization of yard assets, and yes, increase supply chain eiciency. Putting the Yard First: Why Supply Chain
activities that happen between the gate and the dock door. Its primary purpose is to coordinate, schedule, and direct assets—such as inbound and outbound trucks, trailers, shipments, personnel, and more—within a facility’s dock and yard. As supply chain complexity and velocity continue to increase, using manual methods or outdated tools slows down your yard, leading to higher costs, mistakes, and a lack of visibility needed for data-driven decision-making. The “put the yard rst” philosophy has driven innovation by identifying signi cant opportunities to infuse automation through connecting supply chain and warehouse information
The signs of underperformance in yard operations are often subtle. Prolonged trailer dwell times, congestion, and recurring misloads can creep into daily operations without an apparent cause. Short-term xes may help, but Giordano notes they rarely deliver sustained improvement. “Ef cient trailer and container management keeps docks, warehouses, and transportation in sync,” she says. “That alignment reduces bottlenecks and drives higher throughput.” A yard management system, or YMS, is a software solution designed to monitor the movement of trailers in the yard and dock of a facility, distribution center, or warehouse. The YMS coordinates all yard
signals. These connections inform on-the-ground operations and create more uid end-to-end processes, notes Stephen Dyke, principal solution advisor at FourKites. “For example, when ETAs for inbound trucks are automatically compared to their appointment times, AI can intelligently reschedule time slots to avoid misses and delays, eliminating manual coordination and preventing bottlenecks before they occur,” Dyke says. In today’s yard, a robust YMS is a key tool for management and optimization. Increasing operational costs, detention charges, and other disruptions present opportunities for yard management to improve operational
78 Inbound Logistics • September 2025
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