The world of supply chain management has seen significant investments in transportation and warehouse technologies, but one often-overlooked area continues to struggle with manual processes and limited real-time visibility. The lack of visibility in yard and dock operations can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only throughput and service levels but also labor efficiency and overall business performance. As volumes fluctuate and labor tightens, the need for efficient yard management has never been more pressing.
In recent years, respondents to the C3 State of Yard and Dock Management survey have consistently cited outdated workflows and a lack of system integration as major obstacles to improving throughput and service levels in yard operations. This is reflected in their daily experiences, where manual processes such as paper logs, phone calls, and radio communication are still prevalent. These approaches become increasingly fragile as networks grow more complex, making it difficult for operators to keep up with shifting inbound schedules and outbound priorities.
According to Greg Braun, co-founder of dock scheduling and yard management technology provider C3 Solutions, the yard is where everything meets, but visibility often stops. Companies may have advanced systems across transportation and warehousing, but once freight hits the gate, it frequently goes into a black hole. This lack of visibility can lead to congestion, even when physical capacity exists, as operators struggle to coordinate manual processes.
The current reliance on paper logs, phone calls, and radio communication in yard operations is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. When inbound schedules shift or outbound priorities change, manual coordination struggles to keep up, resulting in congestion that can have far-reaching consequences for the entire supply chain. As Braun notes, a congested yard is often caused by a lack of planning and visibility rather than a lack of space.
The impact of congestion on labor efficiency cannot be overstated. Without clear insight into where trailers are located or what inventory they contain, yard drivers spend time searching instead of executing moves. Gatehouses become choke points as drivers wait for instructions or paperwork, slowing inbound and outbound flow. This inefficiency can lead to missed yard moves, delayed dock turns, and slipped outbound shipments.
The lack of visibility in yard operations also complicates appointment scheduling and exception management, particularly when carriers arrive early or late. As Braun explains, the yard sits between functions, and ownership is often unclear, making it difficult for operators to prioritize investments in technology. Historically, yard management has lagged behind TMS and WMS adoption due to both organizational and technical reasons.
However, that perception is beginning to shift as real-time visibility becomes a priority, along with easier integration into existing systems. Advances in mobile technology, cloud platforms, and vision-based tracking have lowered the cost and complexity of yard digitization, making it more accessible to a wider range of facilities. According to Braun, 'visibility is often where companies see the fastest impact', as they begin to uncover equipment shortages and utilization issues rather than capacity problems.
Digital gate operations are another area where there is early gain. Digital check-in and automated communication reduce manual coordination and help smooth traffic flow, particularly during peak periods. Labor efficiency follows closely behind, with yard drivers benefiting from clearer priorities that reduce unnecessary moves and idle time. As Braun notes, 'the yard is where transportation and warehousing either synchronize or collide', and when everyone is working off the same picture, the whole operation runs differently.
In conclusion, as supply chains continue to evolve, yard management technology is becoming increasingly crucial for optimizing end-to-end visibility. By investing in real-time visibility and easier integration into existing systems, operators can unlock significant value and improve overall business performance. As Braun concludes, 'the yard is not the most exciting part of the operation, but it's where a lot of inefficiency hides, and where a lot of value can be unlocked'.
As supply chains continue to evolve, yard management technology is becoming increasingly crucial for optimizing end-to-end visibility.
