What Is Yard Visibility in Supply Chain Management?

Yard visibility in supply chains means tracking and monitoring assets in real-time within a yard. It’s essential for efficiency and operational control. In this article, we’ll explore key technologies, practical applications, and benefits of enhanced yard visibility.

Understanding Yard Visibility in Modern Supply Chains

Yard visibility refers to the ability to track and monitor assets and shipments in real-time. This capability is essential for modern supply chains. Unlike supply chain visibility, which spans the entire journey of goods, yard visibility zeroes in on the critical juncture where transport meets storage. This is where the magic happens, as enhanced yard visibility and shipment visibility can drastically improve responsiveness and maintain control over logistics.

In large distribution centers and even in smaller yards, the yard serves as the heartbeat of operations. Improved yard visibility not only ensures that the right finished goods are staged at the correct dock, but it also enhances throughput, keeping operations on schedule. The first step towards achieving this level of visibility is mastering the fundamentals of digital yard management.

Consolidating information allows businesses to better track yard resources and improve operational efficiency. Supply chain leaders benefit from improved decision-making, reduced idle time, and a seamless flow of goods.

Leveraging Real-Time Location Data

Real-time location data is a game-changer for yard management. Imagine knowing the exact location of every right trailer, truck, and container at any given moment—this is the power of real-time tracking. GPS and RFID technology provide yard managers with immediate access to required assets, significantly reducing delays and idle times.

For yard operations, this real-time visibility translates to improved asset management and optimized decision-making. It allows for precise coordination of trailers and yard trucks, ensuring that every piece of equipment is effectively utilized. Whether it’s a large facility or smaller yards, the benefits are clear: reduced dwell times, enhanced efficiency, and a more streamlined operation.

Implementing a robust yard management system that leverages real-time tracking can transform yards into well-oiled machines. Yard managers can quickly identify and address bottlenecks, ensure timely gate check-ins, and maximize the use of space. In the end, it’s about creating a seamless, efficient environment where every asset is accounted for and utilized to its fullest potential.

Key Technologies Enhancing Yard Visibility

Advanced technologies are the digital backbone of modern yard management systems, driving increased visibility and operational efficiency. From RTLS to GPS and RFID, these technologies offer a suite of solutions that cater to different aspects of yard management.

Each technology has its unique strengths and applications, making it essential to understand their roles as a critical component in enhancing yard visibility.

RTLS for Precise Tracking

Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) provide pinpoint accuracy in tracking assets and vehicles within a yard. The scalability of RTLS, from single yards to multiple sites, makes it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. For instance, Sewio RTLS offers real-time location tracking with an accuracy of up to 5 meters, significantly reducing the time spent searching for assets.

RTLS is particularly beneficial for tracking high-value materials and vehicles, regardless of their surroundings. Key features include:

• Pairing each car’s VIN with a unique tag
• Using alerts to manage key operational steps, ensuring nothing goes overlooked
• A mobile app that enhances efficiency by enabling users to locate assets easily, even in harsh environments.

Moreover, RTLS tags are designed to withstand tough conditions, being both waterproof and capable of handling heavy weights. This durability ensures that the system remains reliable, even in the most demanding yard conditions. Alerts triggered by RTLS can prevent potential issues before they arise, making it a proactive solution.

GPS Tracking for Comprehensive Coverage

GPS tracking offers a holistic view of yard operations by providing reliable and accurate location data and trailer data. It ensures that moving trailers’ movements are continuously monitored, eliminating the need for manual checks and reducing the likelihood of errors. This real-time visibility into trailer location and movement history allows yard managers to stop hunting for trailers and make informed decisions quickly, especially with tracking trailers.

Integrating GPS tracking into yard management systems helps businesses streamline dock assignments, gate check-ins, and overall yard operations. The ability to track multiple sites simultaneously ensures comprehensive coverage and enhances operational efficiency, making GPS tracking an indispensable tool.

RFID for Efficient Asset Management

RFID technology revolutionizes asset management by automating the identification and tracking of trailers and equipment. Unlike barcodes, RFID does not require a direct line of sight and can read multiple tags simultaneously, speeding up the asset identification process significantly. This makes it ideal for high-volume yards with numerous third-party carriers, where efficiency is paramount.

However, RFID does have its limitations. Passive RFID only works within a few meters of an RFID readers, and natural factors like metal containers and bad weather can interfere with signals. Despite these challenges, the technology remains a powerful tool for enhancing yard visibility, especially when combined with other systems.

In regions such as Europe, the adoption of RFID has been limited. This is due to stricter data privacy rules and higher hardware costs. Yet, for many businesses, the benefits of RFID—such as reducing manual checks and increasing operational efficiency—outweigh the drawbacks. With an accuracy rate of 85% to 90% in real-world applications, RFID continues to be a valuable asset in yard management.

Implementing a Yard Management System (YMS)

Implementing a YMS is a strategic move that can transform yard operations. A YMS is designed to enhance the flow of trailers and equipment, focusing on operations like dock scheduling and asset tracking. Integration with warehouse management systems and transportation management systems further enhances logistics efficiency and responsiveness.

For example, a national retailer implemented an appointment portal allowing suppliers to track deliveries in real-time, improving delivery confirmations’ accuracy. Automated check-ins and driver authentication through a YMS enhance safety by minimizing unauthorized access and human errors. Better coordination of dock scheduling reduces wait times and maximizes space utilization, leading to more efficient yard operations and the use of paper logs.

Enhancing Yard Operations with Advanced Features

Advanced capabilities within yard management systems can greatly improve yard operations. Automated check-in processes with touchless technology, for example, can eliminate 90% of documentation errors, streamlining entry and exit tracking. Digital yard maps with drag-and-drop functionality allow operators to quickly adjust asset locations, improving management efficiency.

AI-driven insights can:

• Suggest the next best actions, helping yard teams prioritize tasks and improve overall operational efficiency.
• Provide real-time visibility features that facilitate quicker gate check-ins.
• Direct drivers to the appropriate docks or parking areas immediately, thereby reducing idle time and enhancing coordination.

These advanced technologies transform chaotic yard operations into streamlined inefficient processes, increasing efficiency and control.

Reducing Costs and Delays with Improved Yard Visibility

Enhanced yard visibility is a powerful tool for reducing costs and costly delays. Real-time visibility minimizes delays and enhances overall efficiency in the supply chain. By identifying and addressing bottlenecks, businesses can significantly lower detention fees and reduce delays, leading to fewer idle dock slots and better resource allocation.

Automating dock assignments helps use parking space more efficiently, decreasing overall operational costs. Key benefits and insights include:

• Tracking key performance indicators such as dwell times and space utilization rates provides measurable insights into yard efficiency.
• Improved yard visibility helps identify delays and congestion issues.
• Ensures smoother operations.

The financial benefits are clear: reduced detention charges, lower operational costs, and improved customer experiences. By leveraging yard management technology, businesses can enhance dock utilization, eliminate bottlenecks, and ensure timely departure times, leading to happier drivers and more efficient operations, despite the potential for higher costs. Additionally, these strategies can help reduce costs.

Safety and Productivity Benefits of Yard Visibility

Improved yard visibility offers significant safety and productivity benefits. By reducing unnecessary trips and preventing accidents at the dock door, businesses can ensure a safer working environment. DataDocks offers drivers personalized instructions and safety protocols prior to their arrival. This approach improves overall safety for everyone involved.

Structured yard management mitigates accident risks by ensuring an orderly flow of traffic within the yard to ensure safety. Effective yard management allows yard jockeys to maintain focus on key tasks without unnecessary interruptions, boosting productivity and ensuring operations run smoothly.

Real-World Applications and Case Studies

Real-world applications and case studies illustrate the transformative power of yard visibility technologies. A consumer products company used a cloud-based scheduling system to enhance compliance with trade regulations and improve accountability among supply chain partners. Similarly, a fruit and vegetable supplier integrated scheduling software with their warehouse management system, significantly reducing driver wait times and improving dock turnaround.

A manufacturer gained visibility into shipments by implementing a cloud-based scheduling system, enabling better planning and communication with their distribution center. A retailer improved logistics by granting their Customs broker access to a scheduling system, facilitating real-time updates and reducing reliance on email communication.

These examples demonstrate how advanced technologies and actionable insights can drive efficiency and improve yard management.

Summary

In summary, yard visibility is a critical component of modern supply chain management. By leveraging advanced technologies and real-time visibility, businesses can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety. Implementing a yard management system and following best practices can transform yard operations, ensuring a seamless and efficient flow of goods. Embrace these innovations and elevate your yard management to new heights.