Efficient Yard Management: The Key to Streamlining Your Logistics Operations

Your yard serves as a crucial hub where trailers, containers, and other transportation assets are stored, staged, and transferred. Effective yard management is paramount if a supply chain business wants to be efficient in the movement of goods. Unfortunately, unlike WMS, YMS is not as widely known a system as it should and less than 25% of supply chain companies have adopted a YMS.

Before we dive deep into yard management optimization and how a YMS can add value to a company’s bottom line, let’s identify the different kinds of issues companies may face in their day-to-day yard operations.

Here are some common issues faced in yard operations:

1. Inaccurate Asset Tracking – Without accurate asset tracking systems, it becomes challenging to locate and track trailers, containers, and other assets within the yard. This can lead to time wasted searching for assets, increased dwell times, demurrage fines and inefficient asset utilization.
2. Manual and Paper-Based Processes – Reliance on manual and paper-based processes in yard management can introduce errors, delays, and inefficiencies. Paperwork, manual data entry, and manual communication can lead to mistakes, miscommunication, and time-consuming administrative tasks.
3. Inefficient Gate Operations – Inefficient gate operations can result in long wait times for drivers during check-in and check-out processes. Delays at the gate impact the overall flow of goods, causing congestion in the yard and potentially delaying inbound and outbound shipments.
4. Lack of Visibility and Communication – Poor visibility and communication between the yard, warehouse, transportation, and other stakeholders can hinder coordination and collaboration. Lack of real-time information sharing can lead to misalignment, delays, and suboptimal decision-making.
5. Limited Automation and Technology Integration – Lack of automation and integration with technology systems, such as Yard Management Systems (YMS) and other logistics software, can hinder efficiency. Manual processes, reliance on spreadsheets, and siloed systems lead to data duplication, errors, and difficulties in coordinating operations.
6. Lack of Performance Metrics and Analysis – Without performance metrics and analysis, it is challenging to identify areas for improvement and measure the effectiveness of yard management operations. The absence of data-driven insights makes it difficult to optimize processes and make informed decisions.
7. Safety Hazards – Yard operations can involve various safety hazards that pose risks to employees, assets, and overall operations such as moving equipment and vehicles, pedestrian safety, and falling objects.

Addressing these issues requires implementing appropriate solutions such as technology adoption, process optimization, improved communication, and a focus on safety. Although there are many ways to address the issues above, we will focus on Yard Management System (YMS).

What is a Yard Management System?

A Yard Management System is a software solution that helps organizations efficiently manage and optimize yard operations. It provides real-time visibility, automation, and optimization capabilities for tracking, locating, and managing trailers, containers, and other transportation assets within the yard.

A YMS typically offers a range of features and functionalities, including:

1. Asset Tracking and Visibility – A YMS offers real-time visibility into the yard, allowing organizations to have up-to-date information about the whereabouts of their assets. This visibility enables accurate tracking of asset locations and provides a comprehensive view of the yard’s operations. Yard managers and stakeholders can access this information through a centralized dashboard or mobile devices, ensuring they have the necessary data to make informed decisions.
2. Gate Management – A YMS automates the check-in and check-out procedures at the gate, eliminating manual paperwork and streamlining the entire process. Drivers can digitally submit the necessary documentation and receive automated confirmations, expediting the entry and exit of assets. This efficiency reduces wait times, minimizes congestion at the gate, and
3. Appointment Scheduling – A YMS enables appointment scheduling to manage the flow of inbound and outbound assets. It allows for the coordination of asset arrivals and departures with available resources, such as loading docks and labor, to minimize waiting times and maximize operational efficiency.
4. Workflow Automation – A YMS automates various yard management workflows and processes. It reduces manual data entry, automates notifications, and alerts, and facilitates seamless communication between yard personnel, drivers, and other stakeholders.
5. Performance Analytics and Reporting – A YMS provides performance analytics and reporting capabilities to track key yard management metrics. It generates reports on asset utilization, dwell times, gate efficiency, and other relevant KPIs to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.

Why do you need a Yard Management System?

A Yard Management System (YMS) is an invaluable tool for companies looking to streamline their yard operations and optimize their supply chain management. Here are several key reasons why a company needs a YMS:

1. Optimized Asset Utilization – With a YMS, organizations can optimize the utilization of their transportation assets. The system helps in allocating parking spots efficiently, reducing idle time, and maximizing the use of available yard space. This optimization leads to increased asset productivity and cost savings.
2. Streamlined Operations – YMS automates and streamlines various yard management processes, such as check-in/out procedures, appointment scheduling, and task assignment. By eliminating manual paperwork and reducing administrative burdens, organizations can improve operational efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance overall productivity.
3. Data-driven Decision Making – YMS provides valuable data and analytics on yard operations, including asset utilization, dwell times, gate efficiency, and other key performance indicators. This data enables organizations to make informed decisions, identify areas for improvement, and optimize yard processes based on real-time insights.
4. Integration with Supply Chain Systems – YMS can integrate with other supply chain systems such as Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. This integration enables seamless data sharing, synchronization of operations, and end-to-end visibility across the supply chain.

The future of Yard Management Systems (YMS) is poised to bring significant advancements and transformations to the logistics industry. As technology continues to evolve, YMS will become more sophisticated and integrated, offering enhanced capabilities and driving operational efficiency. Automation and robotics will play a vital role, with the adoption of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for efficient yard movements and asset tracking. Predictive analytics and AI algorithms will enable YMS to optimize yard planning, anticipate congestion, and proactively manage yard operations.

If you are interested in learning more about YMS or want a demo to check out the specifics, let us know!