Where's my curtain wall? Tracking long-lead materials

There are many areas in the construction industry that need modernization through technological advancements. The ability to collect, track and analyze real-time data is an important step toward increasing the efficiency rates of many construction projects and businesses alike. This is especially true when considering the role of national and international freight shipments to a job site.

It’s unfortunately common for site teams to not have a full understanding of where their materials are originating from. Thus, when a delay occurs, it’s difficult to know how to work around it when there are no location details or data to create an ETA. When these delays inevitably happen, being able to track deliveries in real-time, and having all the information at your fingertips can help to avoid further delays, cost overruns, and inventory management issues.

Benefits of Real-Time Freight Tracking

The supply chain is an essential part of any business operation, especially within the construction industry. The supply chain is critical in ensuring that products and materials are delivered to job sites on time, efficiently, and in good condition. However, the supply chain is a complex collection of suppliers, carriers, and logistics providers working together to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner and on budget. As a result, supply chain visibility, better tracking capabilities of materials, and increased decision-making accuracy are increasingly important to businesses.

Improved Supply Chain Visibility

Over the years, we have spoken to countless members of the construction industry and asked them whether they know where their deliveries originate from when ordered outside of their state or country. We discovered that the vast majority of people don’t know where their deliveries are originating from. So we decided to help fill that gap in knowledge with our new freight tracking tool - Construction Freight™ by Voyage Control.

One of the most effective ways to grasp a better understanding of the construction industry’s supply chain is through freight tracking. Systems like Construction Freight by Voyage Control powered by Vizion monitor the location and status of your freight in real-time, from the factory to the job site. Thanks to our cloud-based scheduling system, users are able to track the delivery throughout all stages of a project’s supply chain all in one place. This especially helps when delays inevitably occur, project managers are armed with the knowledge of the situation to make educated decisions that can mitigate the chain reaction of the delay.

Better Tracking of Inventory and Materials

Location data is a big player when it comes to tracking deliveries in any industry. Providing the ability to track the movements of a site’s inventory easily on one system ensures that the site team is able to check that certain deliveries are made, are delivered in a timely manner, and are delivered to the correct location. Real-time location data can be used to determine where shipments are. When combined with scheduling data, it’s easier for site teams to check materials are consistently being delivered to the correct location.

Increased Decision-Making Accuracy

Incorporating real-time freight tracking systems provides the ability to be kept up to date with the various stages of any shipment. One way this is done is through custom alerts when shipments are delayed or when they arrive at their destination. Incorporating this technology allows construction teams to see both sides of their supply chain and update them when otherwise unforeseen complications like extreme weather or bottlenecks lead to unexpected delays.

The Importance of Data Analysis

Data analysis is crucial to creating a real-time freight tracking service. In the world of logistics, timing is everything, and real-time tracking allows businesses to make informed decisions that can help them optimize their operations and reduce costs. However, collecting data is only half the battle. Without proper analysis, the data collected will be of little use. Data analysis helps businesses identify patterns and trends in their operations, enabling them to make informed decisions that can help them optimize their supply chain and improve customer satisfaction.

Real-time freight tracking services rely on data analysis to provide accurate and timely information to their clients. By analyzing data in real-time, businesses can quickly identify any issues that may arise and take corrective action before they escalate. Data analysis also allows businesses to track the performance of their carriers, identify areas for improvement, and optimize routes to reduce costs and improve delivery times. In short, data analysis is critical to the success of a real-time freight tracking service, allowing businesses to stay ahead of the competition by making informed decisions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Implementing Real-Time Freight Tracking

Implementing real-time freight tracking is a significant step toward improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a logistics operation. This level of transparency not only provides businesses with valuable data to analyze but also helps to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Our new Construction Freight by Voyage Control application has been created with ease of use in mind. Implementing real-time freight tracking into your existing delivery management gives your business an enhanced understanding of your project’s greater supply chain, from the factory to your job site. Much like Voyage Control Delivery, Construction Freight will provide management with easy onboarding protocols that promote self-service that takes less than 5 minutes for staff to complete. 

Construction Freight by Voyage Control is designed to work as a modular platform that actively works alongside your regular site deliveries booked on Voyage Control Delivery. This modular, ‘plug and play’ model allows businesses the flexibility to choose to integrate this added level of visibility into their project’s supply chain management. 

Real-time freight tracking is a game-changer in the construction industry. With the help of technology such as Construction Freight, construction projects can optimize their operations and minimize delays, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings. By implementing real-time tracking, project managers can make informed decisions, anticipate potential issues, and maintain control over the entire supply chain. In short, real-time freight tracking is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for modern construction projects to stay competitive and succeed in today’s fast-paced world.

Author: Adrian Sakellaris | Voyage Control