If you’re managing a fleet of vehicles, you’re familiar with DOT pre-trip inspections. They’re a critical safety measure required by law. Even the most basic pre-trip inspection checklists are quite lengthy, covering everything from CDL driver experience to vehicle components. Cumbersome paperwork bogs down the process and causes costly delays. In this blog, we’re outlining five reasons to start using a mobile forms app to streamline pre-trip inspections.

1. Create pre-trip inspection checklists in just minutes.

There’s a lot to consider when developing pre-trip inspection checklists. First and foremost, you need to cover all DOT requirements. Then there’s often items unique to your organization’s operational standards. A drag-and-drop mobile form builder makes it faster and easier to create checklists customized to your fleet and driver needs. And with the click of a button, your newly created form is uploaded to the app where your drivers can access it from their mobile device.

2. Increase inspection accuracy and efficiency.

A typical pre-trip inspection takes anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes to complete. Not surprising. There’s a lot to cover before safely hitting the road. But unfortunately, pre-trip inspections aren’t always as thorough as they need to be. This happens for a variety of reasons. The driver is operating on a tight deadline. The inspection forms are out-of-date. The list continues.

These are the issues that can ultimately result in CSA violations, monetary fines, and worst case, injuries or accidents on the road. So how can you reduce inspection errors while also increasing completion efficiency? The quick answer: mobile forms. But the key is finding a mobile data collection application that allows you to integrate intelligent fields and rich data types into your forms. With this feature, you can require certain fields to be completed before moving to the next. You can include drop down menus and validate answers to help prevent errors. Additionally, users can attach images, scan barcodes or collect signatures when needed.

3. Get instant reports.

Think about the time you or your administrative team spends tracking down, processing and signing-off on pre-trip inspection paperwork. This causes unnecessary delays and downtime. A mobile data collection tool allows you to automate your data workflows and destinations so inspection reports are delivered to the right people, at the right time. This was a game changer for STFS Delivery when they transitioned to mobile forms. STFS set up two destinations in their account to automatically organize the information their drivers were collecting. When a driver completed an inspection form on their mobile device, an Excel document was delivered to the company Google Drive account, while a separate report was also delivered to a specified email address.

4. Your drivers will thank you.

Anything that streamlines inspections is going to be beneficial to your drivers. No more tedious paperwork? Awesome. Access to pre-trip inspection checklists on their mobile device? Finally. Ability to instantly submit inspection forms and get on the road faster? Round of applause! However, it’s important to find a mobile data collection app that’s user-friendly and easy-to-train so your drivers are more likely to adopt and embrace the new tool.

5. You’ll save money.

Improved inspection accuracy will help minimize compliance violations and fines. Instant reporting will reduce downtime. And pre-trip inspections are just the tip of the iceberg when you decide to digitize your data collection. Think about all the other DVIRs and data needs across your organization. As an example, STFS Delivery started using Device Magic to take geo- and time-stamped pictures of package delivery locations so they could be sent to the customer. After rolling this out to their entire fleet, STFS began saving more than $5,000 a year due to a significant incident reductions.

Research Your Options

There are several mobile data collection applications available on the market today. The trick is finding one that meets your professional needs. That’s why we always recommend doing thorough product research and demos. Fortunately, some solutions offer free trial periods. Sign up for a free 14-day trial of Device Magic to explore all the features our platform has to offer and see if it’s the right fit for your company. 

The post 5 Reasons to Use a Mobile Forms App for Pre-Trip Inspections appeared first on Device Magic.

For many businesses, barcode technology plays a crucial role in the deliverability of goods and services. Whether you’re performing a facility inspection, a safety equipment check, merchandising product, or tracking shipments—barcodes provide a database worth of information on a single item. When leveraging barcode scanning capabilities with mobile forms, one scan can dramatically transform the way your team collects information.

Using your Mobile Device as a Barcode Scanner

The Barcode Field, in its simplest form, allows users to scan an item’s barcode (using the built-in camera on their mobile device) and extract the information into text format in a form field. The field will then display the corresponding numeric combination associated with the item, saving users time spent entering lengthy characters and human error associated with manual data entry.

The real magic of the barcode feature occurs when users reference preexisting data from an Excel sheet, Google sheet, or other database resources. When uploading an exhaustive list of assets, inventory, or product information to your Resource files, you simultaneously equip your team with the same access, right at their fingertips. When you give your users access to pick-lists of information, they can narrow down selections and expedite form completion while you receive more accurate data in return.

By using the lookup function of a resource with the barcode field, scanning a single barcode can automatically pre-populates fields with corresponding cells. No more missing line items or re-entering information before submitting forms.

You can easily recreate, upload, or delete data when scanning existing barcode labels. Users can scan barcodes and quickly determine when the next time an equipment asset needs to be serviced or replaced, or what aspect requires further inspection.

Because digital forms are inherently smarter than paper-based alternatives, they can be formatted with conditional logic specific to an asset, so users are answering the right questions about the correct item, every time. With barcode scanning, your team can significantly reduce time spent filling out form fields.

Check out more reasons why you should implement barcode scanning in your mobile forms below.

Benefits of Barcode Scanning and Mobile Forms

• All-in-one solution. Mobile Forms and Barcode Scanning exist in the same application meaning no additional third-party scanners are required. Users can scan directly from their mobile device and finance teams can reallocate funds for other projects. Because the application exists across iOS and Android platforms, employees can leverage their personal devices, saving more time and investment.
• IT team not required. Administrators logged into the Management Console can setup barcode workflows with ease using the drag-and-drop form builder. Device Magic’s intuitive user interface makes it possible to seamlessly create workflows and connect your existing tools, without an IT expert.
• Auto-Fill, all the way. When a tech needs to go back out to a job or do a task again because it was incomplete or incorrect the first time, it costs your business time and money. Preventing errors and finding ways to reduce reworks will keep projects moving forward on schedule and allow you to get more done.

Each mobile form feature offers its own unique approach to transforming how you collect data. Consider how using the barcode scanning feature in your data collection process can streamline work for your team.

See why administrators and mobile users alike choose Device Magic for their teams. Create your free account today to test the power of barcode scanning and digital forms.

The post How Barcodes and Mobile Forms Transform Data Entry appeared first on Device Magic.

There are 15.5 million commercial trucks on our roads across the US. These essential vehicles are responsible for transporting goods and services across the country, and their safety and reliability are crucial to the flow of our economy. If your business uses trucks or vans to get products to your customers, you know how debilitating it can be when one of your trucks breaks down.

The best way to prevent a breakdown is through preventive maintenance. To help ensure your trucks are being looked over carefully and maintained properly, use this daily truck inspection report template and tailor to fit your specific needs.

What Is A Daily Truck Inspection Checklist?

A daily truck inspection report is a detailed document that helps drivers inspect specific aspects of their vehicles to ensure safety and avoid damages. There are some aspects of an inspection report that can be done every few months or when you reach a certain mileage, but there are other things that should be checked every day. Many businesses that rely on trucks to transport their products use daily truck inspection reports to keep their vehicles in peak condition.

What To Include in Your Truck Inspection Sheet

Every fleet is different. This means that your truck inspection sheet may look a little different than the inspection report for a commercial vehicle working in a completely different industry. This is why having the ability to create custom reports tailored to your fleet is so crucial in properly maintaining your trucks. As a starting point, your report should cover these major areas:

Engine & Fuel System

Even if you’re not overly familiar with the inner workings of truck mechanics, you can do your part to keep an eye out for issues with the major systems of the truck, including the engine and fuel system.

• Listen for any strange noises coming from the engine, such as rattles, knocks, or tics.
• Inspect belts and hoses, looking for evidence of leaks, cracks, splits or abrasions
• Check engine oil levels
• Check fuel levels
• Check exterior gas caps

Trailer

To keep your truck in peak condition, it is important to check the trailer portion of the vehicle for any signs of damage as well. Take a walk around the truck and inspect the body of the truck for:

• Dings and scrapes in the doors
• Signs of vandalism
• Dents or scratches along the side of the vehicle
• Loose hubcaps or body stripping

Light Check

If your truck does a lot of night driving, the lights around the entire vehicle must be working properly. Take the time to check that:

• High beams, low beams, and fog lights work
• All tail lights illuminate properly
• Turn signals are working
• Emergency flashers are operational
• There aren’t any warning lights lit up on the in-cab instrument panel.

In-Cab Inspection

There are many features and controls located in the cab of the truck. Reviewing these during a daily inspection can help keep your driver and other drivers safe on the road. Check that:

• The windshield is clean, clear of debris, and not cracked
• Windshield wipers work correctly and wiper fluid is topped off
• The AC system, heater, and defroster are all working correctly
• The horn works
• Seatbelts and all related mechanisms are working and up to standard
• Seat position, steering column, and headrest can all be easily adjusted and stay in place during a drive
• Check all mirrors for cracks or damage. Make sure they can all be easily adjusted and are secure.

Brake Systems

The brakes are arguably one of the most important systems of your truck and help to keep your drivers and other drivers safe while out on the road. Your brakes should be checked before you get out onto the road.

• Gently apply the brakes when you leave the garage or driveway to ensure they are working properly
• Firmly apply pressure to the brakes to test the ABS
• Test the parking brake
• Check brake fluid level

Driver/Vehicle Documents

Every time you go out onto the road, it is critical that you have all the necessary paperwork and documentation on hand for legal and liability reasons. Some of these documents include:

• A valid driver’s license
• Vehicle registration
• License plate attached and clearly visible
• Proof of insurance;
• An up-to-date accident report and maintenance checklist

Wheels & Tires

Before you hit the road, take a walk around the truck and perform a visual inspection of the wheels and tires. Things to look for include:

• Tires are properly inflated
• There is no tire damage
• No sign of unusual wear
• Spare tire(s) are available and in good condition

Create Custom Truck Inspection Sheets with Device Magic

If your business relies on a fleet of trucks to transport goods and services, safety should be your top concern. The best way to ensure your trucks and drivers stay safe is by giving your team the documentation they need to perform daily inspection reports.

Device Magic is a mobile form software that allows you to create custom truck inspection reports tailored to your fleet. The drag and drop interface makes it easy to create a report that has everything you need for a thorough inspection. Your team can access, modify, save, and send these documents—and your reports can easily be integrated into the platforms you’re already using.

The post Daily Truck Inspection Checklist and Report Template appeared first on Device Magic.

Our roads are a lifeline for our economy. Safe and efficient roads are crucial to our communities and allow logistics and fleet management companies to transport essential goods and services across the country. Just like any other infrastructure in our lives, roads must be regularly checked and audited to ensure the safety of the millions of people who use them each day. If you’re an organization that is tasked to perform these audits, here’s a comprehensive road safety audit checklist to keep you on track.

What is a Road Safety Audit?

A road safety audit is a process of identifying safety concerns and risks on local roads. This auditing process helps reduce the number of accidents on the road and serves as a starting point for road improvements that can improve the flow of traffic and increase public safety.

Key Elements of a Road Safety Audit Checklist

Every city, state, and town has different areas of weakness when it comes to their public roadways. The plans and changes required to make a road safe and efficient differ from town to town. However, a road safety audit checklist should generally address these areas:

Road Function & Surroundings

Throughout the US, roads are classified by the type of service they provide. This classification is referred to as the road’s function. There are four different functions: Interstates, Other Arterials, Collectors, and Local Roads. Each function must follow specific guidelines regarding lane widths, shoulder widths, and other criteria.

Here are some key elements to include in your road safety audit checklist regarding road function:

• Speed limit regulations are specific to each road function and posted clearly
• Each road function meets criteria for shoulder width
• Each road function meets standards for lane width
• Curve radius dimensions are met for each specific type of road function

Cross-Sections

The cross-section of the road includes lanes and shoulders, curbs, medians, roadside slopes, ditches, and sidewalks. Cross-sections should be designed to reduce the risk of hydroplaning and skidding, and they should include well-maintained slopes and drainage facilities like gutters, drains, and curbs. Guardrails, concrete barriers, and attenuation devices are used to keep drivers out of the cross-sections and prevent collisions with other cars.

Some elements to include regarding cross-sections:

• Medians are installed to prevent crossover traffic
• Lane width is reduced in built-up areas
• Warning signs and speed signs are posted
• Drainage ditches are adequately maintained

Road Alignment

When drivers try to maneuver tight curves at a high rate of speed, accidents can occur. Tight curves can also make it difficult to gauge how much space they have when trying to pass or overtake another driver.

Some elements to include regarding road alignment:

• Reconstruction of curves (increase the radius of a horizontal curve)
• Reducing the gradient of a vertical curve
• Appropriate signage and warnings regarding passing
• Installation of guardrails
• Proper lighting
• Removing vegetation and other visual obstacles that could obstruct the view on a tight curve

Intersections

Channelization is a tool used by auditors to manage traffic in places where high-speed roads come together. This can be done through the installation of traffic islands, curbs, and road markings that help drivers prepare to maneuver through an intersection. In rural areas, channelization focuses on protecting a turning vehicle from oncoming traffic and allowing them to transition into the flow of traffic smoothly.

Some elements to include regarding intersections:

• Installation of raised islands
• Narrowing of traffic lanes
• Adequate lighting
• Clear markings to guide drivers through intersections
• Safe U-turn solutions

Service & Rest Areas

Entrances and exits to and from gas stations and rest areas can disrupt traffic and are commonplace for accidents. Special attention should be paid to lanes designed for acceleration and deceleration, working to make it easy for drivers to merge safely.

Some elements to include regarding service areas and roadside services:

• Safe and efficient parking areas
• Adding or improving a pedestrian walkway
• Proper signage marking speed limits, wrong-way signs, and pedestrian crossing
• Adequate lighting
• Installation of guardrails

Needs of Vulnerable Road Users

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users and put themselves at risk every time they step out onto a busy roadway. While it is the responsibility of both drivers and pedestrians to follow road laws and always be aware of their surroundings, some elements can be put in place to keep bikers, joggers, and other pedestrians safe.

Some elements to include in your checklist regarding pedestrian safety include:

• Separated pedestrian crossing areas
• Construction of bridges or underpasses
• Pedestrian guardrails are installed on overpasses
• Bridges and underpasses are safe and well-lit to encourage pedestrians to use them
• Adding speed reduction devices near pedestrian crossing areas

Traffic Signs, Marking & Lighting

Drivers use signs and lights to help them navigate the roadways safely. They rely on warning signs and directional signs to guide them through dangerous and congested areas. One responsibility of a safety audit is to ensure there is proper signage, markings, and lighting to help drivers navigate the roads.

Some elements to include regarding traffic signs and markings:

• Signs made of highly reflective materials
• Signs in dangerous places have a yellow-green border
• Warning signs for fog, animal crossing, and other hazards
• Installation of rumble strips, reflective road markers and durable road marking materials
• Differentiated warning signs for school zones and high-risk areas

Create Custom Checklists & Mobile Forms with Device Magic

If your job involves making sure local roads and highways are safe and efficient, you will need a thorough and detailed road safety audit checklist to make sure you’re considering all aspects of the road. With Device Magic Mobile Forms, you can use a drag-and-drop form builder to create a road checklist tailored to your specific project. The geo-mapping features make it easy to identify the portion of the road you are inspecting, and the photo features allow you to document areas of concern out in the field.

Access your mobile forms even when you’re offline and integrate them directly into your business platforms. Start your free trial of Device Magic today to streamline the road safety audit process.

The post Road Safety Audit Checklist: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Device Magic.

In 2018, the trucking industry has a shortage of 60,000 drivers. Worse, that figure is slated to reach 100,000 by 2022 according to USA Today. This shortage is hurting the transportation industry and leading to more missed deadlines.

Late shipments are becoming more common while transport firms are being forced to raise their prices. Is there any way out of this problem, or are you doomed to fight this profit-killing trend for the next few years? We have the answer, and it doesn’t require drones or self-driving cars.

The Surprising Answer to Improving Performance in the Transport Industry

Keep up your efforts to recruit and retain more drivers. However, that approach alone probably won’t be enough to produce results. You’ll need another strategy to help your company grow.

That solution lies in boosting productivity. Just imagine what could happen if you increased productivity by 10% this year. You could avoid raising your prices and stand out as the value option among other logistics firms. You could also invest more in marketing and sales. Alternatively, you could leap ahead of competitors by offering above-average compensation to attract workers.

Achieving a substantial productivity improvement requires creative thinking and a variety of options.

Go Faster with These Transportation and Logistics Productivity Strategies

There are only a few fundamental ways to increase productivity in a company. You can increase revenue, decrease cost, or save time. When you save time, you’re indirectly reducing expenses. That’s the theory of productivity, but what does it look like at the ground level?

• Work longer hours: In some cases, you can ask your staff to work longer hours. This is a simple way to increase the amount of work that gets done, so you may have attempted it already. However, it’s of limited usefulness in transportation because there are restrictions on how many hours drivers can work. Besides, if you work your employees too hard, they’ll leave for other opportunities.
• Optimize your vehicle fleet: Through careful preventive maintenance, you can reduce unplanned downtime for your trucks, cars, and other vehicles. The only challenge is that you need to be consistent in carrying out inspections and equipment checks for this strategy to work.
• Optimize your transport routes: If a driver has 20 deliveries to be completed in a day, carefully planning out the route is a good way to save time. Using a GPS and your expertise with traffic patterns will help. There are also software solutions on the market that help with this approach. It’s a good way to save on your fuel costs.
• Improve your data collection and administration: Typically, this is one of the least used strategies to increase productivity. Using this strategy means eliminating time spent filling out paper forms. It also means fewer mistakes by managers and supervisors because they’ll have better quality data to use in their decisions.

The Data Collection Productivity Strategy

For transportation and logistics firms, improving the way you collect and manage data helps the bottom line in several ways. Frontline employees save time by only having to enter data on forms once. Management receives higher quality information quickly.

To gain those benefits, you need a reliable data collection solution to automate the process; working with paper forms is just too difficult and slow.

Your Hidden Productivity Advantage with Mobile Forms

While your competitors struggle to improve productivity through hiring and working longer hours, you’ll take a different road. With an enterprise data collection solution, your firm will become more productive in the following ways:

• Improve customer service and retention: By receiving data from the field quickly, transportation managers can make better decisions. For example, you can improve maintenance and give customers warnings for delays.
• Save time in your operations workflow: By using mobile data collection, form data can be automatically added to Salesforce, Google Drive, and other systems. That means you don’t have to copy and paste data between systems. It saves your support staff major time and hassle.
• Leverage rich media from the field: How many times has the main office received a report of a problem from the field that was unclear or vague? You can eliminate that problem by attaching photos to forms to provide a richer description of the issue.
• Focus on high-value forms: Your company probably has dozens of paper forms. Some are used every week, while others might be used annually. To help you make smart choices on digitizing your forms, read this article, “Construction Forms: Which Should You Digitize First?”

Continuing to rely upon paper forms in 2018 will only cost you more over time. You might wonder if mobile data collection will work for your transportation company. Why not find out how a comparable company is already improving its operations? Find out how Arlington Heavy Hauling is improving efficiency.

Learn more about how mobile data collection can benefit your logistics company.

The post The Fastest Way to Increase Productivity in Transport and Logistics appeared first on Device Magic.

Contributed by Alisha Gwen

The logistics industry is fast becoming a place for rapid technological growth. The rise of e-commerce has provided the incentive for logistics companies to find ways to innovate, and is encouraging new ideas in the way deliveries are picked up, packed, tracked and shipped, to ensure that they are not just accurate, but faster.

Drones for Delivery

Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, said that his company would soon ship packages using drones, according to The Guardian. Amazon is one of the biggest companies to offer the next-day delivery option in the U.S., and with drones, their shipping services are expected to be completed within 30 minutes. Amazon has undertaken tests, and the results are looking good for Prime Air to be deployed as soon as regulatory support is available.

The idea of Amazon’s chief executive, however, was widely disputed and debated due to the fact that the U.S. government strictly prohibits the flying of drones, especially in densely populated areas. Drones carrying cameras, for one, can invade privacy, and this is one of the main points currently being discussed.

“The hardest challenge in making this happen is going to be demonstrating this to the standards of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) that this is a safe thing to do,” said Bezos.

[Read how Arlington Heavy Hauling is Going Paperless with Mobile Forms]

Experts suggest that if Amazon’s future drones will use GPS tracking systems, the FAA will be more accommodating to the company’s request to do wide-scale tests, and, potentially, a dry run. An Electronic Logging System or ELD integration to drones will also help with security, as this will monitor in real-time who’s controlling them. With GPS and ELDs, the FAA will be able to better monitor and regulate drones flying across the U.S.

Given Amazon’s track record for revolutionizing the status quo of shopping, tech experts agree that it may only be a few years before Bezos’ idea of drone deliveries becomes a reality.

Using Apps for Shipping

Ride sharing businesses have become quite popular, and some trucking companies are hoping to partner with Uber because of their unprecedented success. However, there are other options for companies looking for a shipping partner, such as DashHaul, Cargomatic, and LaneHoney. These are just some of the apps that ship packages from merchants directly to customers.

The aforementioned apps allow shippers to see which trucks are near to their operations and then book directly – cutting out the middle man.

The driver of the truck will have to use his/her independent weighing scale to ensure that the package can be delivered safely. Deliveries booked using DashHaul, Cargomatic, and LaneHoney are completed within hours, which is a major improvement to the traditional, next-day logistics solutions that major shipping companies offer customers.

Utilizing apps for shipping and the eventual use of drones for delivery are just some of the ways that technology is impacting the logistics industry. Mobile technology is already making it easier and faster to track shipments and deliveries.

Alisha Gwen is a freelance writer who likes to write about the latest technological advancements. She strongly believes that IoT will help create a sustainable and energy efficient world. In her spare time she likes to escape the modern world by going on long hikes.

Take your logistics company digital with mobile forms.

The post How Technology is Changing the Logistics Industry [Guest Post] appeared first on Device Magic.