TMW Systems Offers Help Managing Detention Situations

Recent changes in federal hours of service regulations make driver detention situations potentially more expensive than ever. In order to help trucking companies better manage detention issues, TMW Systems Inc. introduces the Detention Tracking feature for TMWSuite™. TMWSuite enterprise software is used by more than 470 carriers in North America to manage business operations, from order entry to dispatch, billing and settlement. The new Detention Tracking feature is now available to all current and future TMWSuite customers at no additional charge.

TMWSuite’s Detention Tracking feature can be used to automatically notify dispatchers and customers whenever a detention situation exists, to automatically bill for detention time and to create reports to track and compare detention charges and costs from various customers.

“Now that drivers can’t ‘make-up’ for time spent waiting to load or unload, it’s imperative that trucking companies be able to track how much time their drivers are spending in detention and charge for it when appropriate,” says Tom Weisz, president of TMW Systems. “TMWSuite’s Detention Tracking feature alerts dispatchers immediately when a detention situation exists. The system can also notify the customer of the situation in real-time, increasing the chances that the situation can be resolved. If the detention runs longer than a customer’s agreement allows, TMWSuite will automatically create the billing charges within the system, eliminating the possibility that someone may forget to invoice for the delay.”

TMWSuite’s Detention Tracking feature offers automatic detention alerts through the system’s (add-on) TotalMail mobile communications system. When a driver sends a TotalMail message notifying the system that the vehicle is at a stop location, the Detention Tracking feature begins tracking time spent at the stop. If the driver does not send a departure message within the timeframe allotted to that particular customer location, dispatchers are notified immediately with a visual signal as well as an alert message. The system can also automatically send an alert e-mail to the customer.

If the customer contract states that the trucking company may charge for detention time, the system can automatically determine when a charge is warranted by comparing the time elapsed between arrival and departure to the time allowed for the type of stop. It will then automatically create the proper billing charge. Dispatchers can enter the amount of each detention charge manually, or let TMWSuite’s automatic rating engine determine the figure based on the billing rates set up for the customer.

“TMWSuite allows companies to set individual parameters for each of their customers, for customized service,” Weisz says. “Automatic billing then removes any guesswork on the part of the dispatcher and improves accuracy and efficiency in the billing department.”

With the TMWSuite Management Reporting application, fleets can better analyze the effects that detention situations are having on their business. Using the Report Wizard, it’s possible to build reports that provide summary and detailed information on time spent at all customer locations, as well as revenue and costs associated with detention. This helps the companies determine if any changes need to be made with particular customers or in general.

For more information about TMWSuite’s Detention Tracking feature or any of the other transportation management system software and services available from TMW Systems, call (800) 401-6682.

Founded in 1983, TMW Systems, Inc. is the leading developer and integrator of enterprise management software for the transportation industry. Its fleet management software products, TMWSuite™ and TL2000™, support more than 470 trucking companies. TMW’s products help transportation and logistics businesses easily collect, analyze and manage information for maximizing dispatch efficiency and delivering improved productivity and superior customer service.

Press Release Date

Apr 1, 2004