When long days are spent on the road and your cab becomes your office, mobile apps are a great way to stay connected and make like a little easier.
American Trucker recently reported that the mobile application business is projected to be worth more than $35 billion per year by 2025, just eight short years in the future. Global consulting firm, Frost & Sullivan also predicted that mobile apps would be the “biggest disrupter” in the $700 billion North American transportation industry.
But get this: the article, quoting Chandramowli Kailasam, the team leader for commercial vehicle research at Frost & Sullivan, goes on to note that “only about 30 of the more than 100 currently available trucking apps in North America are expected to survive until 2020 as competition in this particular space is fierce.”
That said, we took a look at some of the top mobile apps for today’s tech-savvy trucker. We’re pretty sure these are here to stay.
Trucker Path Pro
Touted as “the most popular trucker app,” Trucker Path Pro offers navigational assistance and load sourcing information for the trucking industry. The app also allows drivers to communicate with one another in real-time about real issues.
Trucker Tools
Available on iTunes, Overdrive’s Trucker Tools is an oldie but goodie that helps drivers find nearby truck stops, get real-time diesel prices or find the fast route to your destination. (Best of all, it’s free!)
Transflo Mobile
Looking for an all-in-one app that really turns your rig into an office on-the-go? Transflo Mobile has you covered.
Take a closer look at what this sleek-looking app can offer:
- Load management
- Document scanning
- Mobile payments
- Send and receive notifications
- Pinpoint trailer locations
- View approved routing
- Parking spot reservations
- Payroll access and settlement
- Digital signature capturing
- Accident claim filing
Panther Fleet Mobile App
Too much “paperwork” and not enough road work? How about this for a product description? “Panthers Fleet Mobile app makes managing your business easier than ever. Send your shipment paperwork digitally using your phones built in camera feature which will lead to faster processing times for your settlement. This complete mobile management tool was requested, designed, and tested with our fleet to give you the most superior transportation tool on the market.
According to a media release issued by Panther Premium Logistics, “We created this app to make business management more efficient for our owner-operators — and to substantially reduce ‘paperwork’ requirements and the use of paper materials…All of this is designed to ease administrative effort for our drivers,” Schneeberger said. “We want them to spend less time on paperwork and recordkeeping and more time serving Panther’s customers. We want our independent contractors to know that we’re dedicated to helping their businesses succeed.”
TruckSmart App
Tired of lines? Looking for more roll time and less wait time? Then the TruckSmart App by TA and Petro is right up your alley. Some of the apps most popular features include the ability to reserve a parking spot at any location up to 30 days in advance, to submit work orders to any TA Truck Service facility between two and 24 hours of arriving, and instant showers.
Waze
Tired of Google? Try Waze. Join a community of drivers and begin sharing real-time traffic and road info. Beat the traffic beast and find the best way to get where you’re going. Plus, is kind of cute and a lot of fun.
Weather Underground
There’s no getting around it, so you may as well know what the weather has in store for you. Any veteran road warrior can tell you that scattered thunderstorms can be a nightmare. For the most hype-local weather data wherever you are, Weather Underground has the most detailed forecasts and analysis and is pinpointed to any microclimate. You’ll be able to check current condition, get detailed forecasts, and enjoy community crowd reports, on-the-ground webcams, and more. It’s free and perfect for your moving microclimate!
We’d love to hear about your favorite trucker apps! Get connected with M&W Transportation.
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