People unfamiliar with the complexity of yard operations probably think, “Oh yeah – isn’t that the place where all the trucks are parked?” While that’s true to an extent, the importance of yard operations within the supply chain goes far beyond a surface lot loaded with dropped trailers.
A lot of logistics sits behind those truck-and-trailer movements, all involving data management: inbound and outbound freight timetables, credentials and documentation of drivers, vehicles and loads, asset inventory and space availability, and coordinating dock schedules.
In a 2022 report on material handling technology, Peerless Research Group found only 7% of survey respondents were using a yard management system (YMS), compared to 56% using a WMS and 26% using a TMS. That means the vast majority of warehouse and manufacturing facilities still rely on manual processes and paperwork to keep track of yard operations.
The growing complexity of the modern yard doesn’t lend itself well to these archaic, error-prone methods. What’s really needed is real-time data and analytics powered by artificial intelligence (AI), going well beyond the capabilities of a legacy YMS.
The Role of Yard Operations in Supply Chain Efficiency
Within the yard, teams are tasked with tracking the movement and location of assets (trucks, trailers, containers, chassis, yard trucks), gate access control, dock scheduling, yard audits and more.
Supply chain efficiency and lean operations are the watchwords these days, as companies keep vigilant watch over department P&Ls. In the yard, managers are always looking for ways to reduce costs and eliminate delays. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where supply chain efficiency can happen if yard operations are inefficient and truck throughput suffers.
Limitations of a Legacy YMS
Yard management systems play a key role in helping alleviate delays and congestion at the entrance gate, the loading docks and across the facility. A YMS monitors vehicle flow, keeps an eye on truck dwell time, and processes arriving and departing vehicles.
However, a legacy YMS lacks dynamic data integration and advanced analytics. This means they can be less adaptable to changing business needs, typically providing less visibility, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Many YMS still rely on manual data input for key functions such as check-ins, asset tracking, and dock scheduling. These tasks fall to yard personnel, increasing the likelihood of costly errors and delays. Without insights from real-time data and analytics, decision-making reverts from proactive to reactive, responding only after issues occur and relying on outdated information.
AI-Based YMS With Real-Time Data
Realizing the need to bring the power of real-time data and analytics to yard operations, more yard operations are seeing the benefit of augmenting a legacy YMS with AI and machine learning. Using data feeds from security cameras, these intelligent systems can fully automate a range of inbound and outbound processes from the gate to the loading docks.
Through API connections to TMS and WMS, an AI-enabled YMS can help optimize load planning and shipment sequencing based on analysis of trucking capacity and delivery schedules. This improves synchronization between the warehouse, the yard and the transportation plan, enabling dynamic scheduling and real-time alerts to all stakeholders.
Benefits of AI-Based Yard Systems
Integrating artificial intelligence into yard management systems is revolutionizing logistics operations by enhancing efficiency, visibility, and control. Below are key benefits that AI-based yard systems bring to modern supply chain management.
Enhanced Visibility and Control
Real-time data provides a live view of all yard activities, enabling better management of truck arrivals, departures, and yard equipment, as well as optimizing dock scheduling. Improved visibility into transportation schedules and available capacity helps sync yard operations with inbound/outbound logistics.
Improved Efficiency and Productivity
Automation of processes like gate access control, yard audits and inventory management reduces manual tasks and streamlines processes, speeding up turn times. Issues like truck backups and dwell time at the gate are reduced, improving throughput and productivity while reducing emissions and fuel costs.
Predictive Analytics and Proactive Management
AI algorithms analyze historical and real-time data to predict potential disruptions and optimize yard operations in advance. Companies can make adjustments to processes and schedules on the fly based on analysis of live data, enhancing supply chain agility.
Better Resource Allocation
With live data on truck arrivals, dock availability, and asset locations, these systems help dispatch personnel and equipment where most needed. For instance, when high-priority shipments arrive, forklifts, yard trucks, and personnel can be directed where needed to expedite loading or unloading. Staff assignments can be adjusted based on workload, reducing labor costs and maximizing productivity.
Enhanced Safety and Compliance
Automated safety checks and real-time monitoring via camera feeds help reduce accident risks and ensure compliance. The system can oversee equipment checks, vehicle speed limits, and pedestrian safety zones. Automated record-keeping helps with regulatory compliance, keeping documentation such as safety inspections and operating procedures accurate and up to date. Importantly, an AI-enhanced YMS provides a permanent video record that can be used for verification in delivery, damage and loss claims.
Real-Time Data Improves All Aspects of Yard Operations
With a live view into yard activities, real-time data is revolutionizing yard operations by enhancing visibility, efficiency, and decision-making. AI-driven systems automate tasks, reduce gate and dock delays, improve throughput, and minimize errors. The shift from reactive to proactive management helps reduce costs and increase productivity, improving supply chain efficiency and performance.
EAIGLE is a pioneer in applying AI to logistics. Its innovative optical character recognition (OCR) technology is a key component of its gate management (AVAC™ – Automated Vehicle Access Control) and yard operations (YardSight™) solutions. Both capture data from security cameras to optimize vehicle flow and manage yard assets. Importantly, EAIGLE’s platform augments rather than replaces a legacy YMS. EAIGLE improves yard operations by optimizing gate access, dock scheduling, and yard asset management. To find out more, request a demo today.