11 Trimble Transportation Bid Don’t Bet Data Can Help You Answer: | What is the best way to reduce my presence with a certain industry? | Which lanes have the worst in-transit delay? The best optimization engines are those which have a simple output. In other words, a truly good optimization solution will result in simple answers to a complicated set of questions the like the ones listed above. Ideally, these answers will be a simple list of lanes to: What’s more, it’s important that these simple answers aren’t the result of simple calculation and processing. A good optimization process must be as comprehensive as possible, and so you should seek out solutions that attest to this quality, and be wary of systems that over-emphasize only one or a few criteria (an algorithm that optimizes lane profit but ignores future loads, for example, may leave your operation in a tough spot a few months down the road while you think that you’ve just “optimized”). Not only do the optimization algorithms need to be comprehensive for your network, but also in terms of the shippers you work with. Incorporating shipper lane file data opens up a ton of space and opportunity for you to make smarter, more informed choices. Finally, an optimization solution benefits greatly from having a human element. As effective as the algorithms may be, it is common for optimization engines to forget the value of preferred customers. Whether it be a legacy relationship, or a shipper that you count on to achieve future growth with, an optimization engine benefits immensely if it takes into account the customer network and its subtleties. Time The way you measure time in your network needs to be all-encompassing - from all angles, so that you can capture efficiency and utilization of geography, customers and driver hours. Having evaluated these pieces of your network, you have conducted what is akin to a health screening. You should have a holistic view of your network, and perhaps identified some shortcomings that detract from the “health” of your network. The next step is optimization. Asking yourself questions about what can be improved and how you can change the current situation will help to generate a protocol for optimization and growth that can ultimately be achieved by seeking out the correct business during bid season. The most surefire way to ask and answer optimization questions is to employ data, analysis tools and supportive technology, thereby creating a platform that enables and simplifies your attempts to optimize. Trimble Transportation | What is the best way to reduce empty miles? | How can I change my freight mix to increase rate? | Which customers have freight where drivers live? | Are my rates in line with the market? | How does the network change if I want to grow my tractor count? | What is the best way to reduce my tractor count? | Which lanes allow me to increase revenue with a certain customer? Grow Recuce Eliminate Bid Don’t Bet