Industry evidence
"America's truck drivers have been on the frontlines of this pandemic, delivering goods to every corner of this country. We're grateful for their work, and today we're taking action to support them so we can build a more resilient trucking workforce that will keep our economy moving."
Official 2023 trucking statistic: Trucks moved $996.4 billion of freight across the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico in 2023, up 5.2% compared to 2022. Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics: 2023 North American Transborder Freight Numbers
TMS Data Quality Checks for Small Carriers
Data cleanup does not need to be a large project. Pick a few fields that drive billing, dispatch, and reporting, then review them on a schedule. Correct the source record and note the reason when a change affects a closed load.
Check required fields
Review load number, broker or customer, pickup and delivery, equipment, status, revenue, and document links. A blank value should have a reason. Do not use a placeholder that looks like real information.
Find duplicates
Search for repeated reference numbers, matching pickup and delivery pairs, and duplicate driver assignments. Before merging or deleting anything, confirm which record owns the source documents and financial activity.
Reconcile status with documents
A load marked delivered should have a delivery record or an explicit exception. A load marked billed should point to the invoice and supporting documents. Status is a workflow signal, not proof that the work is complete.
Key takeaways
- Keep the source record close to the work.
- Give exceptions an owner and a next review time.
- Preserve evidence before closing the task.
Use freight invoice exception queues and load profitability reviews to give clean data a purpose. The FMCSA electronic logging device resources offer background for records that interact with ELD workflows.
Pro Tip
Document the current workflow and one measurable baseline before changing it. A clear starting point makes it easier to verify whether the new process saves time, lowers cost, or improves service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How should I apply this information to my logistics operation?
Start with one measurable workflow, document its current time and cost, then compare results after making a change.
What should I review before changing an operating process?
Review safety requirements, customer commitments, staff responsibilities, and the systems that hold the process data.
Where can I verify current trucking requirements?
Use official guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and confirm any state-specific requirements with the appropriate agency.