Choosing the best SaaS solution for your warehouse logistics management is only the first of several obstacles you'll face in order to improve supply chain visibility and efficiency. After selecting a system and deploying it (a matter of two days for GoRamp), the difficult part begins when you start onboarding employees, business partners, and vendors to the new system.
Employees, who tend to be resistant to change, frequently give in once they grasp the major benefits of the GoRamp system for them: operational work is reduced by 70%, procedures are faster, and there is less or no overtime.
However, introducing vendors or carriers to the system and persuading them to use may be far more difficult. Vendors are fed up with new systems, as every client has his own one. One additional system to use may make a lot of mess in the vendor process cycle. Luckily GoRamp has successful experience with onboarding to dock scheduling system.
So how to accomplish speedy carrier onboarding so that the system could benefit the business and employees as soon as possible?
How to communicate?
Carriers, a lot like employees, tend to use the system when they understand and recognize its value. Find the best practices from our customer experience to communicate values to the carriers.
1. Emphasize simplicity
To begin, underline that thousands of carriers and tens of thousands of drivers use the GoRamp system flawlessly. DHL, Girteka Logistics, BGL, and others are among them. The technology is quite intuitive and easy to use in comparison to alternatives available on the market. GoRamp requires only one step for carriers to enter the system; no registrations or passwords are required. E-mail is used to receive all updates. Mail is sent in real-time, making it easier to track changes.
The system automatically detects the carrier's country and displays the system in one of the following languages: English, German, Lithuanian, Russian, Polish, Italian or Spanish, so there is no need to be concerned if the carrier does not speak English well.
2. Less downtime less loss
GoRamp arrival booking calendar helps to avoid truck overlaps and lineups. Downtimes in warehouse yards, at security, or in waiting queues are thus reduced or eliminated. This is especially important for drivers because fit to deadlines and arrange daily transfers more efficiently.
3. No paperwork
All documents are attached in electronic format when using GoRamp system, therefore there is no need for drivers to administrate any documents.
This is super important for carriers because the papers for a single load can number in the tens of sheets. Documents are not lost, and there is no need to look a proper person for the signatures.
4. As simple as receiving an email
Changes made to the GoRamp system are automatically emailed to the user. Therefore using the system is similar to using e-mail. Every mail containing information on the arrival reservation includes a link to the system. So the connection to the system is never lost and no need to look for it in the device's memory.
How to run a project?
One GoRamp shipper typically has 51 carriers to onboard. According to statistics, the vast majority of carriers can be onboarded within the first three months of using the system.
Companies with 10-12 carriers have a good chance of finishing it in one month. Even though it takes time to onboard carriers, GoRamp clients are seeing higher than 85% system adoption rates.
1. Responsibility is yours
Remember that you are responsible for onboarding carriers. It is entirely up to you to determine how many carriers will agree to use the system and how beneficial and profitable it will be. We propose that you take the onboarding process seriously, delegate responsibility for it, and assess onboarding performance on a regular basis.
2. Timeline
It is important to set up a timeline when moving to TimeSlots. Dedicate a couple of weeks for a transition period and set up a clear launch date. E.g. for the upcoming 2 weeks carriers will be able to use GoRamp and your old booking process. This will allow you to understand how the system works in the beginning. Be extremely strict with accepting bookings only by Goramp during the first couple of weeks from the official launch date, only this way the habit will appear.
The ones arriving without a reservation should be pushed down the line. From our client experience carriers tend to learn the "new" way after standing in line 2 times in a row and seeing other trucks arriving and being loaded/unloaded fast, due to having a slot.
3. Objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs)
Carrier onboarding works best when it is organized as a project. Determine the number of carriers you need to onboard in the first, second, and third months of using the system. Monitor objective implementation, both the performance of responsible individuals and the carriers themselves.
Expect the project to take at least three months, and don't give up when the first few tries fail.
4. Demo
Provide carriers with demos or live webinars on how to use the technology from the carrier's perspective.
5. Reminders
Remember to remind carriers how crucial it is for them to use the system and how much it is worth it to them.
6. Do not give up
If the carrier refuses to negotiate in using a new system do not give up on negotiating. Other systems are frequently inconvenient and difficult for carriers. It has absolutely nothing to do with GoRamp. Persuade them to test it for a period of time, and the convenience of GoRamp will speak for itself.
7. Recommendations
Look for carriers with SaaS experience and a willingness to embrace digital logistics management. They have the potential to be excellent ambassadors for other carriers. Take advantage of it.
We wish you the best of luck with GoRamp.
