For years, Germany has seen more lorry drivers retire from the workforce than join it. No wonder: Work conditions have deteriorated with ever-tighter schedules, fewer leisure opportunities and full motorways and parking lots.

As a result:

• Foreign drivers are making up for the shortfall in German drivers.
• Language barriers make communication fraught.
• Low wages have increased staff turnover at many freight forwarding firms.
• Complex requirements have caused process quality to fluctuate.

Freight forwarders who offer their staff better work conditions can position themselves as a desirable employer and recruit new drivers more easily.

More fun

Attract more drivers with apps

Many industry observers believe that drivers are the weakest link in the logistics chain. Unclear instructions, ever-rising standards and communication difficulties can make an already challenging situation even worse. Not to mention the crowded roads and huge traffic jams that make it impossible to arrive on time. Luckily, drivers can count on trusty companions: apps that guide them and make it much easier to get work done. These intuitive tools even make digital workflows fun for tech-savvy users.

Clear directions

Apps guide drivers

Mobile workflow management solutions provide clear instructions wherever uncertainty runs the risk of producing serious mistakes. They guide lorry drivers through their tasks one step at a time, making it effortless for them to do their jobs even without prior training. The apps show workflows in all available languages and thus minimise the risk of misunderstandings. Plus, the precise instructions help keep process quality high: They describe every step in as much detail as necessary and document it once completed.

Painless communication

Automatically in the know thanks to apps

When drivers travel with mobile apps, the software automatically sends status updates to the dispatch centre. That obviates the need to call for updates on the driver’s current location and remaining driving time. Instead, an arrival monitor and live map show the vehicle’s location and estimated time of arrival (ETA) in real time. That frees up the driver to focus on traffic instead of answering phone calls. If something comes up, drivers can chat with dispatchers during a stop or scheduled driving break in order to jointly decide how to handle it. Luckily, drivers and dispatchers can both write in their native languages thanks to automatic translation functions.

Conclusion

Making work easier

Mobile workflow management streamlines a lot of work for lorry drivers: Mobile apps send out status updates for them and calculate their ETAs. They also make it easier to communicate with foreign lorry drivers by presenting instructions in other languages and automatically translating chats. Plus, being so intuitive, they are often fun for drivers to use. By rolling out these useful solutions, freight forwarding companies can improve work conditions for drivers and recruit these sought-after skilled workers more easily.