features give shipper partners the freedom to schedule and manage their own appointments. Carriers can see current inventory and asset status, and drivers can initiate a check-in before or upon arrival at the facility. “The YMS manages all these inputs to help shippers craft an optimal operations plan and execute it while keeping stakeholders informed,” Holland says. Kaleris’ clients span a wide range, including large enterprise shippers with 25 to 50 facilities, regional shippers with 6 to 12 sites, and single-site operators— all using the Kaleris YMS to optimize yard operations. For example, a national auto parts retailer launched the Kaleris YMS across their network of yards in 2023 and has successfully reduced detention charges, resulting in signi cant cost savings. Meanwhile, the number-one producer of refrigerated sides in the United States leverages
experience,” Holland says. “We serve a wide variety of customers across all verticals, including food and beverage, grocery, automotive, CPG, manufacturing, and retail, and are extensively familiar with each operation’s unique needs. “Our team of subject matter experts guides customers on how to realize the most value from the solution,” he adds. “Kaleris understands the importance of future-proof resources, and we build emerging trends and technology into our roadmap.” YMS SOLUTIONS CONTINUE TO EVOLVE Yard management systems are evolving into collaborative hubs that invite external partners—vendors, suppliers, carriers, freight forwarders, and drivers—into the process to create connections that reduce friction between nodes. “Shippers of choice leverage two- way communication via the YMS to share important information that improves productivity,” Holland says. “Self-service features enable partners to make business decisions powered by real-time data without the need for manual administrative activities from the shippers.” For shippers considering a YMS, Bolumole advises that they should ensure it can integrate seamlessly with their existing logistics tech systems. Yard management systems can look at real- time data to help optimize operations including arrival rates of trucks, space allocation in the yard, how many doors are available relative to how many trucks are received, how much labor is available to empty those trucks, and the number of workers on shifts relative to when trucks arrive. For companies that struggle with meeting performance goals tied to those metrics, a yard management system is a particularly worthwhile consideration. “If you cannot seem to match space allocation with arrival rates, or to match turnaround time with detention penalties,” Bolumole says, “then a YMS might top the list of things to consider.” n
asset’s status on a dry-erase board as it moves through its yard lifecycle, Asset Operations optimizes the process digitally. By simply clicking on the asset, the system guides the facility team through the work ow, automatically updating the status after each step and simultaneously tying in other execution functionality. “This is a great example of leveraging technology to connect processes and people for increased productivity,” Holland says. “The team is clear on what actions to take, making it easy for them to follow a process ow that optimizes yard utilization.” With the Kaleris YMS, self-service A YMS, like the one oered by Kaleris, can help shippers eectively plan, schedule, and coordinate yard activity, bringing greater agility to yard operations. YMS benefits include reductions in fuel costs, detention charges, and dwell time, among others.
the Kaleris YMS to reduce its reefer load hours by nearly 40%, saving almost $500,000 in fuel in three months while also improving loaded-trailer tracking. Eliminating the operational visibility gaps that act as obstacles to mitigating yard disruptions is a common challenge that Kaleris’ YMS users are targeting with the solution. “By leveraging the Kaleris YMS, shippers are now able to proactively monitor and manage operations around assets, shipments, appointments, and drivers in the yard,” Holland says. “With watches, alerts, and noti cations con gured to their KPIs, such as managing trailer pool targets or mitigating detention, they can take preventive action.” Kaleris YMS users also bene t from the seasoned team behind the solution. “The Kaleris YMS is a proven solution, backed by more than 20 years of deep industry and on-the-ground
58 Inbound Logistics • May 2024
Powered by FlippingBook