When we’re expecting a tradie to visit, we often spend a lot of time waiting around being unproductive…this is what happens at our loading docks too, but that lost productivity has much greater impacts on cost and customer service. Dock scheduling software is a game changer in this space, ensuring your dock managers know what to expect for the day, so they can adequately align the resources and capacity that is available to the activity expected on the Docks. The key here is to allow the carriers to automatically book time in line with the operational policies of each site. This generates the expected demand and resource at your facilities – which is the catalyst for enabling the successful execution of subsequent back of house operations in the delivery of services to customers or end users.
In this article, we explore the two key scenarios that occur daily in loading docks across Australia, the impacts this has on your costs and efficiencies, and the how dock scheduling can provide a solution.
Back-Of-House planning – where complexities arise
As a patron to sports stadiums, theatres, shopping centres or even airports, we often don’t consider the extensive back of house areas where goods are received, stored and staged, before we see them served to us. The effective management of back of house operations is crucial for balancing operational costs with customer service levels. We typically see two common challenges with loading docks: too many deliveries to handle at one time, or too many idle resources waiting for inbound deliveries.
Influx of deliveries exceed capacity
Where unexpected influxes of deliveries occur at once, many of these cannot be serviced which results in:
- Holding up drivers in queues for extended periods,
- Operational shortcuts and workarounds in an effort to process quicker (i.e. staff disregarding safety procedures, manually dismantling pallets where forklifts are unavailable),
- Congested processing and storage areas, creating a bottleneck in goods flow processes,
- Cold chain compliance risks, and
- Perpetual and compounding delays to BOH operations downstream of the loading dock.
Over committing resources to prepare for unexpected delivery volumes
When we don’t know what’s coming, we will tend to err on the side of caution and prepare for the most we think we need. Over investment in dock resources means:
- More congestion at the dock with under utilised people and equipment,
- Excessive labour costs and inflated cost to serve,
- Increased maintenance and upkeep costs, and
- Clustered and ad hoc deliveries at suboptimal times.
When we don’t lock in delivery times, suppliers and drivers will show up when it suits them – not when it aligns with our own operational needs and workflow efficiency. No schedule means no control, and the resulting impact this can then have on the operational value chain through to our customers is significant.
Dock scheduling software as an enabler to strategic back of house design
A major enabler for combatting the above loading dock issues is distributing dock demand over the day to account for our capacity and align with our operational needs (e.g. for a hospitality business, we want our Loading Dock resources focused on processing fresh food deliveries earlier in the day to allow kitchen production processes). This is where the concept of dock scheduling software comes in – by facilitating a scheduling system for truck arrivals to the dock, organisations can plan when suppliers will arrive and ensure there is appropriate space, equipment, and labour to receive goods and avoid queues and backlog.
Not only can dock scheduling keep your loading dock running smoothly, it also provides an opportunity to further optimise, such as reducing dock hours all together, and reducing manual administration requirements.
Mobiledock – the Loading Dock Management software solution
Mobiledock is an Australian developed, highly configurable web-based Loading dock scheduling platform that provides ‘air traffic control’ for loading docks, transforming operations from bottlenecks into streamlined, secure, and synchronised logistics hubs.
Mobiledock provides:
• A comprehensive booking and automated approvals system that provides carriers with an instant confirmation of loading dock timeslots which are also optimise dock usage and labour hours.
• Real-time visibility on an intuitive timeline interface for dock staff and business managers to prepare for receival of goods
• Powerful reporting tools to gain insights and drive performance improvements such as arrival times and turnaround times across partners and dock operations
• Enhanced site security through pre-authorisations for drivers, contractors, and service agents requesting access to the loading docks.
• Easy appointment setting, freeing up time for higher-value tasks.
The cost benefit outcomes of implementing Mobiledock have proven substantial.
• Alignment of Loading Dock resources to “when” specific deliveries are needed
• Reduction in required manned hours on dock, significantly reducing labour costs
• Distributing arrival times leads to a reduction in required bays
• Scheduling through Mobiledock streamlines various methods of communication from suppliers, reducing manual hours and improving overall communication.
With 32 retailers, 9 high rise buildings, and only one loading dock entrance, the 22-hectare Barangaroo precinct tackles loading dock administration with ease using Mobiledock automated entry processes.
“This enables the Dockmaster to focus on operations rather than conducting manual checks and administration. These advancements in technology get vehicles off the surrounding streets and into our facility […] reducing local road congestion.” – Mark Hedges, Property Services, Barangaroo.
To read more about the ‘Barangaroo Effect’, click here.
Next steps
Trace Consultants is a trusted partner for organisations looking to optimise BOH operations through loading dock process optimisation and management systems. With experience across stadiums, integrated resort style precincts, event centres, hospitals, universities, and more, we can provide tailored solutions to meet your unique circumstances.
Our Services Include:
• Dock layout design and optimisation
• Process mapping, review and optimisation
• Implementation and integration of dock management systems
• Customised training and change management for staff
• Performance monitoring and continuous improvement support
To read about Mobiledock and proven implementation results, head to the Mobiledock website.
To discuss opportunities for dock scheduling software and other back of house optimisation strategies, contact us at Trace Consultants here.
