CARY, N.C. -

As 2013 comes to a close, it is customary for businesses of all kinds to take a look back at the past year, assess their performances and prepare for the next 12 months — and it’s no different in the transportation industry.

This year, the focus has been on the transition to ePOD, or electronic proof of delivery, and other real-time updates throughout the transport process.

Chief operating officer of JMN Logistics Cindy Darnell told Auto Remarketing: “It is an industry-wide transition that will need to be done to stay competitive. JMN is already in the process of transitioning over to an ePOD system which will only enhance our current technology.”

Vehicle transportation is evolving right along with technology, and the changes in processes are evident of recent shifts.

Now dealers and buyers have come to expect real-time electronic transportation updates and tools, including mobile apps for tracking and real-time delivery receipts when vehicles reach their destination.

And these expectations are requiring many transportation companies to launch new electronic tools to increase efficiency for their customers.

Bill Billiter, founder and co-owner of Metrogistics, explained his company has “many tools to increase efficiency not only for our driver/carrier base, but also for our customers.”

These tools includes real-time status updates on events throughout the shipment process, and technology that alerts carriers to freight within a certain mileage radius of their capacity and pushes available loads to their mobile devices.

Furthermore, the company sends out nightly reports that update clients on every order they have open.

“We are also close to launching an electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) solution that will allow drivers to fill out condition reports, collect signatures and process delivery documents electronically, eliminating the need for inefficient paperwork. This technology improves speed to market and increases efficiency for all users,” Billiter said.

And these are just a few examples of how companies within the industry are adopting electronic tools in an effort to ramp up efficiency and convenience for their clients.

ePOD was also a topic that was covered largely at industry events this year, such as the Auto Haulers Association of America’s (AHAA) member meeting in November, and the Finished Vehicle Logistics (FVL) conference earlier in the year.  

At the FVL conference this past summer, president and chief executive officer of Car Delivery Network Greg May took part in a panel in which the transition to ePOD was the focus of discussion.

During the panel, May gave a demonstration of his company’s ePod software on an iPhone, showing how carriers can benefit from “lowering the costs and delays related to printed documents.”

Another member of the panel Bradley Childs, vice-president of sales and operations at Proficient Auto Transport, took time to explain how out ePOD can help both carriers and OEMs through real-time, electronic tools.  

“We definitely see the intrinsic value of going paperless but there is also an economic benefit,” Childs said. “Once the driver makes a delivery, we can’t invoice the OEM until he either calls in or shows up at the terminal later. But if it is real time information we are able to invoice and get paid faster.”

Included in AHAA’s Driving Force October newsletter, Bill Kerrigan AIAG FVL consultant, touched on what efforts AHAA is making to streamline the transition to ePOD.

Industry partners are working to standardize ePOD processes and create a benchmark for service in this area.

AIAG has formed committees to examine and make suggestions regarding ePOD and a common Quality Manual, and many AHAA volunteers have been working with the committees, as well.

“We have had an overwhelming amount of support for the establishment of standard processes in these areas,” Kerrigan said.

Editor's Note: This article is part of our Transporation Trends coverage in the Dec. 15-31 print and digital editions of Auto Remarketing. Be sure to check out those publications for additional insights into this area of the remarketing business.

Sarah Rubenoff can be reached at srubenoff@autoremarketing.com. Continue the conversation with Auto Remarketing on both LinkedIn and Twitter.