Best Dispatch Software for one truck?

If I understand correctly, you are a single truck owner operator and need dispatch software. As a single truck owner operator, you don't need dispatch software. Even if you add a few more trucks (God willing), you won't need dispatch software. I would suggest a subscription to a load board, a smart phone and a printer in the truck. That is the very least, maybe even a laptop computer to look for directions and fact check the brokers. Concentrate on the simple, get the business going and learn the basics of managing one truck before plunging headlong into a heap of trouble.

Another suggestion is to lease to a motor carrier that has all those things already. Companies like Landstar, Mercer and others will lease on as many trucks as you want to put on and can dispatch the trucks for you. Or try a dispatching service like Dispatch USA. I personally used the phone, laptop, load board and printer for several years. I went back to leasing to a carrier and have much fewer headaches and stay plenty of busy driving while they provide the loads and do the paperwork.

 

A load going out and a load coming back. For one truck.

 

I just used Google Sheets for mine. Each line has all the info about the load and then I use an add-on that automatically takes the info from certain cells and transfers them onto an invoice template and it creates a PDF invoice right away.
I have the following info for each line:

1. Broker Name
2. Broker Street Address
3. Broker City & State (these are in different cells because they go on different lines in the invoice)
4. Load #
5. My invoice #
6. Pickup Date
7. Pickup Address
8. Dropoff Date
9. Dropoff Address
10. Rate
11. Driver name
12. Truck number
    
13. Date I submitted the paperwork
14. Date I got the payment
15. Date I paid myself or my driver.

That helps me keep track of my loads and payment statuses. I've been keeping a different spreadsheet for IFTA miles but I'm thinking about combining them together. It's very basic but it works well for 2 trucks.

If you want, I can send you a blank template. Google Sheets if free to use or you can convert it to an Excel file if you have Office on your computer.

 

I use this program http://www.foglinesoftware.com/. There is a section you can put broker/client in. Create invoices, track maintenance, build driver files. I paid $169.00 for it but you can put 1 truck to 100 as well as drivers and drivers pay. This program even tracks fuel and IFTA give a profit and loss.

The owner Ray is a great guy if you ever have issues he's easy to get contacted. This program was built by a trucker for a trucker.

 

Could you send me your spreadsheet template and for the IFTA as well? My husband and I are just starting up a hotshot business. He does the driving and I keep the books. I was looking at trucking office and quickbooks but the more money we can save the better! I appreciate your help. Thanks Denise... my email is sdtcwarren@gmail.com

 

Online or in class Excel course would be really a good investment. With a gradual and further advancement of learning the tool, I can't imagine things you would not be able to build with it...from dispatching to accounting. The biggest benefit is the flexibility, unlimited room to grow and evolve and independence from 3rd party software.

 

I would be very interested in how you set this up. I have experience excel and PDF editing/creation. Some of my coworkers use google sheets for personal budgeting for instant updates.
This would be an awesome tool. If you prefer, you can shoot me an email, mason@ebmtransport.com

I'm not yet in this business, but I think things like this will be great tools when I journey into O/O status in the future.