The Beginner’s Guide to Warehouse Yard Management

If you’re responsible for the day-to-day operations of a supply chain warehouse, then you probably know that yard management is essential to keeping things running smoothly. But what is yard management and how is it performed? And importantly, what tools are available to help make the process easier?

In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more. We’ll start by discussing what yard management is. Then we’ll take a look at some of the best practices and tips for increasing efficiency. Finally, we’ll introduce you to ASCTrac® Yard Management Solutions – a leading software solution for yard management.

What is Yard Management?

At its simplest, yard management is the process of tracking and managing all activities that take place in the yard of a supply chain warehouse or distribution center. This includes tasks such as receiving and shipping trailers and inventory. As well as organizing, storing, and moving trailers and inventory around the yard.

The goal of yard management processes is to optimize the flow of traffic and ensure that all trailers and inventory are in the right place at the right time. This can help to improve the efficiency of loading and unloading operations, and ultimately lead to reduced costs and improved customer satisfaction.

What is a Yard Management System / Yard Management Software?

A Yard Management System (YMS) is a software application that helps to automate and optimize the yard management process. A YMS can be used to track the location of trailers, inventory, and inbound and outbound freight in the yard, as well as schedule and coordinate all yard activities. YMS solutions frequently offer features such as gate management, real-time visibility, and integration with warehouse management systems (WMS).

The ASCTrac® Yard Management Module is a leading solution for yard management. It includes features such as real-time tracking, yard maps, and much more to help optimize and automate yard operations.

Key Functionalities of Yard Management Systems

A yard management system can offer a range of features and functionalities, which can vary depending on the specific needs of your business. However, there are some key features that are common to most solutions. These include:

Real-Time Tracking

Yard management software should provide real-time visibility of all trailers, yard trucks, and inventory in the yard. This includes the ability to track the location of each asset using RFID or GPS technology, as well as the status of all yard activities. This information can be used to optimize the flow of traffic and ensure that all yard activities are carried out efficiently.

Yard Maps

Yard management software will typically include a digital map of the yard, which can be used to track the location of trailers and inventory. This information can be used to plan and optimize yard activities.

Scheduling and Coordination

A yard management solution should enable users to schedule and coordinate all yard activities. This includes the ability to create and assign tasks, as well as track the progress of each task.

Load Optimization

Some solutions also offer load optimization features, which can be used to optimize the loading and unloading of trailers. This can help to improve the efficiency of operations and reduce costs.

Gate Management and Automation

Many solutions offer gate automation features to help users streamline the process of receiving and shipping trailers. This can include features such as electronic yard check-in/check-out and trailer pre-positioning.

Key Benefits of a Yard Management System

For much of the industry, gone are the days of paper-based yard management. A successful yard management system will help you automate and optimize your yard operation, which can result in the following benefits:

• • Increased Efficiency: Yard management software can help to improve the efficiency of inbound and outbound processes by automating tasks and increasing visibility into yard operations.

• • Improved Accuracy: Yard management software will improve your yard’s efficiency by reducing human error and allowing you to see all ongoing operations.

• • Increased Productivity: Yard management software can help increase productivity by automating tasks and giving managers a better view of what is happening in the yard.

• • Reduced Costs: Yard management systems can help to reduce costs by automating previously manual tasks and providing a better understanding of daily yard operations.

YMS Integration Options

A yard management system can be integrated with a range of other software applications, which can vary depending on the specific needs of your business. However, some of the most common integration options include:

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

A YMS can be integrated with a WMS to provide real-time visibility into your entire inventory management operation. This can help to optimize yard activities and ensure that all inventory is in the right place at the right time.

Transportation Management System (TMS)

A YMS can be integrated with transportation management systems to provide real-time visibility of trailers in the yard. This can help to optimize yard activities and ensure that all trailers are where they are needed.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System

A YMS can be integrated with an ERP system to provide a single source of truth for all yard data. This can help to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Yard Management Challenges

Despite the many benefits of yard management, there are some challenges that need to be considered. Generally, these include:

Operational Complexity

The yard management process can be complex and requires a high level of coordination between different teams and departments. This can make it difficult to optimize operations and achieve efficiencies.

Lack of Visibility

The yard can be a large and complex environment, which can make it difficult to track the location of assets and inventory. This can lead to inefficiencies and errors.

Manual Processes

The yard management process often relies on manual processes, such as paperwork and phone calls. This can lead to errors and delays.

More specifically, here are some of the real-world challenges faced by yard managers, and how ASCTrac® yard management software can help to overcome them:

Gate Operations Take Too Long

Gate management and operations are key components of yard management, but they can often be time-consuming and result in queues. This can impact the efficiency of your operation and lead to increased costs.

There are a number of ways to improve gate operations, including:

• • Automate Check-In/Check-Out: Most YMS solutions offer gate automation features that can be used to automate check-in/check-out. This can help to reduce the time spent on each transaction and improve efficiency.

• • Pre-Position Trailers: Some solutions offer trailer pre-positioning features, which can be used to place trailers in the yard in advance of their arrival. This can help to reduce the time spent on each transaction and improve efficiency.

• • Use RFID: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags can be used to track trailers in the yard. This can help to reduce the time spent searching for trailers.

Yard Checks and Locating Assets are Time-Consuming

Yard checks are a necessary part of yard management, but they can often be time-consuming and result in losses. This can impact the efficiency of your operation and lead to increased costs.

There are a number of ways to improve yard checks, including:

• • Use RFID, GPS, and Sensors: Technologies such as RFID, GPS, and sensors can be used to track assets in the yard. This can help to reduce the time spent searching for assets and improve accuracy.

• • Use Yard Management Software: A YMS can be used to track assets in the yard and generate reports.

• • Perform Regular Audits: Regular audits of the yard can help to identify losses and improve accuracy.

Dock Activities and Personnel Are Hard to Schedule and Manage

Dock activities and dock workers are an essential part of yard management, but they can often be hard to schedule and manage. This can impact the efficiency of your operation and lead to increased costs.

There are a number of ways to improve dock management, including:

• • Automate Scheduling: Most YMS solutions offer dock management and dock scheduling features. This means your dock doors and dock operations are taken care of without the need for standalone dock scheduling software.

• • Use RFID: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags can be used to track trailers and personnel at the dock.

• • Use Sensors: Sensors can also be used to track trailers and personnel at the dock.

Lack of Trailer and Shipment Visibility

The yard can be a large and complex environment, which can make it difficult to track the location of trailers and shipments. This can lead to delays and errors.

There are a number of ways to improve trailer and shipment visibility, including:

• • Install CCTV cameras: Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras can be used to monitor the yard.

• • Use RFID: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags can be used to track trailers and shipments in the yard.

• • Use Sensors: Sensors can be used to track trailers and shipments in the yard.

• • Install Bluetooth Beacons: Bluetooth beacons can be used to track the location of trailers and shipments in the yard.

Optimization Opportunities Offered by YMS Implementation

The benefits of a yard management system (YMS) are many, but perhaps the most impactful is the opportunity for optimization that it provides. A YMS can help you optimize your yard operations in the following ways:

• • Automate Tasks: A YMS can automate tasks such as check-in, check-out, and routing. This can free up employees’ time to focus on other tasks.

• • Increase Visibility: A YMS will increase visibility into yard operations, which can help you identify areas for improvement.

• • Improve Communication: A YMS can improve communication between employees and managers. This can help to reduce errors and improve efficiency.

• • Reduce Costs: A YMS can help to reduce costs by automating tasks and providing a better understanding of daily yard operations.

• • Inbound and Outbound Process Optimization: A YMS can optimize inbound and outbound processes by automating tasks and increasing visibility.

• • Yard Check-In and Check-Out Optimization: A YMS can optimize check-in and check-out processes by automating tasks.

• • Routing Optimization: A YMS can optimize routing by automating the process.

• • Asset Tracking and Location Optimization: A YMS can optimize the tracking of yard assets by using real-time location systems.

• • Truck Turnaround Time Reduction: A YMS can reduce truck turnaround time by automating tasks such as check-in, check-out, and routing.

• • Load Planning and Sequencing: A YMS can optimize load planning and sequencing by automating these tasks.

• And Many More Ways…

Best Practices for Yard Management

The following are best practices for yard management:

1. 1. Implement a Yard Management System (YMS): A YMS will automate tasks, increase visibility, and improve communication.

1. 1. Use Slots: Slots can help you optimize your operations by organizing yard assets and reducing search time.

1. 1. Use Barcodes or RFID Tags: Barcodes or RFID tags can help you track yard assets and optimize operations.

1. 1. Use Sensors: Sensors can be used to track assets throughout the yard. This can help to reduce the time spent on each transaction and improve accuracy.

1. 1. Use Cameras: Cameras can be used to monitor assets throughout the yard. This can help to reduce the time spent on each transaction and improve accuracy.

1. 1. Communicate with Stakeholders: Stakeholders such as shippers, carriers, and drivers need to be kept up-to-date on yard activities.

1. 1. Train Employees: Employees need to be trained on how to use the YMS and on best practices for yard management.

1. 1. Review Operations Regularly: Operations should be reviewed regularly to identify areas for improvement.

ASCTrac’s Yard Management Solutions

ASCTrac® offers both standalone and module yard management solutions that can be integrated with our warehouse management system and other systems such as a TMS. Our solutions provide  supply chain management and logistics companies real-time visibility of all assets in the yard and offer a range of features to help users streamline operations, including:

• • Yard maps: A digital map of the yard is included to help users track the location of trailers and inventory.

• • Check-in/check-out: Users can check in and check out trailers

• • Routing: Users can create and manage routes

• • Tracking: Users can track assets throughout the yard

• • Reporting: Users can generate reports on yard activities

We believe ASCTrac® offers one of the best yard management software solutions on the market. For more information, please visit our website or contact us today.

Conclusion

Yard management is a critical part of many supply chain warehouse and distribution center operations. By implementing a yard management system, you can automate tasks, improve communication, and optimize operations. If you want to improve your yard management, ASCTrac® can help. Our solutions offer real-time visibility of assets and a range of features to streamline operations. Contact us today to learn more.