Software for small motor carriers





Here's a list of some of the top software and apps that can be incredibly useful for trucking companies looking to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and improve overall management:






  1. Electronic Logging & Dispatch/Routing
    1. Samsara: Offers real-time GPS tracking, route optimization, vehicle diagnostics, and more.
    2. Motive (formerly KeepTruckin): Provides electronic logs, vehicle inspection reports, and dispatch management.
    3. Geotab: Sophisticated single platform for optimal fleet performance.
    4. EROAD: Offers ELDs with added features like driver performance monitoring.
    5. Omnitracs: A comprehensive ELD solution for compliance and fleet management.
    6. TruckLogics: Manages dispatch, scheduling, and route optimization for efficient deliveries.
    7. Route4Me: Optimizes routes to minimize fuel costs and maximize delivery efficiency.
  2. Load Boards
    1. Load boards are used for posting and bidding on spot loads. Spot loads are one-off shipments (i.e. they require single freight haul) in contrast to recurring contracted freight. Examples of the top existing load boards include:
    2. DAT Load Board: DAT, which stands for Dial-A-Truck, is the oldest loadboard on the market. Starting before the advent of the internet, people in need of truck drivers would post their job opportunities at truck stops through DAT. Now, DAT is a full built online platform that connects carriers with available loads and helps with load planning along the way.
    3. Truckstop.com: Second to DAT, truckstop.com is one of the most popular loadboards on the market and offers a variety of other features to support growing brokerages and fleets.
    4. Sylectus: A cloud-based truck management tool by Omnitracs that covers nearly all fleet performance metrics, but also includes spot load opportunities.
    5. Trucker Path: Provides real-time information on available loads, truck stops, and rest areas.
  3. Fuel Management
    1. Fuelbook: Helps truckers find the best fuel prices along their routes.
    2. WEX Fuel Card: Offers fuel discounts and expense tracking for fleet fueling.
  4. Maintenance and Repair
    1. Fleet Complete: Monitors vehicle health, schedules maintenance, and tracks repairs.
    2. Fullbay: Manages maintenance workflows and keeps a record of repairs.
  5. Accounting and Invoicing
    1. QuickBooks: Quickbooks is industry agnostic and has become a national standard. Quickbooks can handle accounting, invoicing, and financial management for trucking companies.
    2. TruckLogics: Provides tools for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
    3. Wave: Free accounting software for small businesses that offers invoicing, expense tracking, and basic financial reporting.
  6. Document Scanning and Storage
    1. CamScanner: This is a free tool that allows you or your drivers to scan and digitize documents via your smartphone. This is especially useful for BOL's, POD's, receipts, etc.
    2. Transflo: Another tool that digitizes paperwork and facilitates electronic document submission.
    3. KeepTruckin: Allows drivers to scan and store documents directly from their mobile devices.
  7. Weather and Traffic Apps
    1. Waze: Provides real-time traffic updates and route suggestions.
    2. AccuWeather: Offers detailed weather forecasts and alerts to aid safe driving.
  8. Safety and Compliance
    1. PrePass: Provides weigh station bypass services, helping save time and fuel.
    2. Drivewyze: Offers electronic weigh station bypass services and safety notifications.
  9. Business Management
    1. HubSpot CRM: A free customer relationship management (CRM) tool that helps you track customer interactions, manage leads, and maintain relationships.
    2. Zoho: Zoho is another CRM for managing customers. This tool also includes Zoho Expense, which enables users to simplify expense reporting and tracking, which is especially useful for recording travel and fuel expenses.
    3. Mailchimp: Manage email marketing campaigns and newsletters to stay in touch with customers and partners.
  10. Project/Task Management
    1. Trello: Organize tasks and projects on virtual boards, making it easier to track progress and manage workflows.
    2. Evernote: Capture and organize notes, documents, and ideas to keep important information readily accessible.
    3. Asana: Manage tasks, projects, and team collaboration, helping to streamline work processes and keep everyone on the same page.
    4. Wunderlist (now part of Microsoft To Do): Create to-do lists, set reminders, and manage tasks individually or collaboratively.

Additionally, for general management you can consider Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), which is a Cost-effective suite of tools including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, and more for communication, document collaboration, and storage.