Can Technology Help My Dump Truck Broker Business?

Ryan Dunkle, COO
Dump truck brokers face the challenge of managing dispatch, tracking, ticketing, invoicing, and hauler payments, often using spreadsheets, paper tickets, and manual reconciliation. While adopting software may seem daunting, the real question is: can you afford not to simplify your operations?

Are you a dump truck broker considering a technology solution to help run your business? Consider all the options before making a decision.

If you’re like many hard-working small business owners, the idea of using a software solution may have crossed your mind. But then inevitably your phone starts ringing and the hours slip past and you wonder if you even have the time to learn a new software. Time is money and slowing down is not an option, right? 

While the learning curve can seem daunting, what if there was a solution that could integrate seamlessly into your day-to-day workflow and give you time back instead of chewing up unnecessary hours? Suddenly, you need to ask yourself if you can afford NOT TO look for a better solution.

To find a solution that is the best fit, ask yourself these questions:

What are my business goals as a dump truck broker?

Part of any business decision you make needs to evaluate whether the decision will move you closer to achieving your business goals. 

Do you want to grow? Are you interested in taking on bigger projects? Do you want to serve a larger geographical region?

Whatever your goals, you need a technology solution that will support your goals and help make that vision a reality.

Iron Sheepdog helps brokers grow their business in many ways. 

Using the platform and app to dispatch and track trucks, upload tickets and analyze efficiency means that you don’t spend time chasing paper and manually reconciling tickets/loads/hours. Hauler task reports are reviewed daily and the invoice is built automatically as you approve the work.

ISD Pay facilitates better cash flow from day one, as well as access to broker-friendly financing. Haulers are paid directly from the app, so you no longer need to cut multiple checks each week. And you have access to financing that allows you to extend payment terms to contractors or 30 or 60+ days. And for larger projects, the Iron Sheepdog credit team is a resource to help vet contractors and give you peace of mind that you are mitigating your risk on every job.

Don’t just take our word for it, watch our brokers tell you for themselves and read about their success stories on growth, thanks to Iron Sheepdog.

Will technology save me time and make my job brokering dump trucks easier?

Any software solution is only as good as its ability to simplify your life. You should be wary of any solution that requires additional staff or manhours to reap the benefits.

Iron Sheepdog’s philosophy is: Hauling made simple. Made smart. And we mean it. Our solution allows you to sign up today and begin using it tomorrow, with immediate impact. Our Customer Success Team helps to get you up and running, answering any questions along the way. Still not sure? We’ll let you run a pilot to see just how easy it is.

The immediate time savings that come from automating manual processes and the ease of building jobs, dispatching, tracking, analyzing and invoicing can’t be understated. Communication with your fleet is a few keystrokes and you can even find more efficient ways to run your fleet by redeploying trucks on new jobs, finding backhaul efficiencies and even delegating work to other brokers anywhere the Iron Sheepdog Broker Network operates.

Worried about hauler adoption? In our experience (with thousands of haulers), when they see that their pay is approved and added to their wallet in 24 hours and available for immediate withdrawal, they are fully on board.

How much training time will it require?

If a software platform is asking for weeks of your time or doesn’t provide you with white glove personal service, then buyer beware.

With Iron Sheepdog, the training window varies, but we’re talking hours, not days. If you have a large project, our Customer Success Team can help with onboarding. (We’re as comfortable in hard hats and reflective vests as we are behind a laptop.)  And we continue to work with you on job review, invoicing and ongoing operations to get you comfortable with the platform.

Do I need to hire people to manage the technology?

If you’re evaluating a technology solution that requires you to add more people to the payroll, then you’re right to ask yourself if it makes sense.

Iron Sheepdog is designed by brokers for brokers. We’ve built our platform on the suggestions and feedback of hundreds of users. We pride ourselves on helping small business owners grow from 10-15 trucks to 50-100 trucks without adding to their team. And we continue to provide value-added resources - from the support of our credit department to discounts on services that benefit you and your haulers to the ability to network with other brokers across the country.

Is there one solution that addresses all my brokering business needs?

When evaluating a new technology solution, it is wise to ask which pain points it will address and alleviate. There is a crowded marketplace of tools that help dispatch OR track OR analyze your trucking operation. When it comes to financing, there are traditional banks and factoring companies to help access capital (often at a significant cost). It’s important to evaluate the full breadth of a software offering.

Iron Sheepdog is designed to be a comprehensive solution for dump truck brokers. Our best customer is looking for a single platform that runs your entire business workflow from job setup to paying the hauler and invoicing the contractor. We are designed to replace spreadsheets and manual reconciliation with digital dispatch, GPS tracking, ticketing, analyzing, invoicing, and automated hauler pay all in one system

Does this technology give me a business advantage?

There is no shortage of technology solutions for truck brokers. Whether evaluating a Transportation Management System (TMS), a Load Board, or construction-specific software tools, you need to evaluate the capabilities against the needs of your specific business.

While many platforms handle "trucking," Iron Sheepdog is specifically engineered for the high-frequency, complex world of dump trucks and aggregate hauling. It was designed to be the "operating system" for a brokerage business, focusing on helping independent brokers manage their specific fleet of haulers and their client relationships. Iron Sheepdog brokers have access to financing and can deliver consistent and reliable service, with tracking and data analysis that can be shared with contractors. This level of service extends throughout the Iron Sheepdog Broker Network and represents a new standard for the construction materials supply-chain.

Finding the right solution.

Iron Sheepdog is designed to empower the independent broker. By addressing the pain points of trucking, it allows brokers to focus on relationship building and project acquisition, providing a "new standard" for the construction materials supply chain. We transform traditional brokers from a manual, paper-heavy operations into a scalable, tech-enabled logistics powerhouse.

Can you afford not to transition your business to a platform that automates your headaches, secures your cash flow, and gives you the tools to out-scale your competition?

Learn more about working with Iron Sheepdog.

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