Everything is online nowadays and the common anecdote, “there’s an app for that,” rings true for the most part. There are apps and sites for nearly everything, from getting news and reading books to tracking your health and buying things online. Almost anything you search for in your smartphone’s app store will turn out results. It isn’t a bad thing that there are apps for nearly every utilization imaginable. In fact, it can be good for the trucking industry, as well as your own experience in driving, managing, or dispatching.
Applications
With the rise of the smartphone came the rise of the application or app. An app is a piece of software you can install on your phone for a specific purpose. People all over the world create different apps for your phone that are available in the app store (sometimes for free, and usually for a low price). These apps are created to help make your life easier through providing entertainment, a hub for news, or adding technology to a part of your life that will make your day easier, such as creating to-do lists, shopping without going to the store, or ordering takeout. Apps are for people from all walks of life, and those in the trucking industry are no exception.
Finding Resources
Technology is everywhere, and there are plenty of ways to use it to your advantage. Most of the time, there are technologies created to address the specific issue you may be facing. For trucking and transport there are several apps to help ease the entire process, and the best place to look would be the app store first. Then check out the reviews and ratings of each app to find the best one for you.
Many popular apps for drivers are GPS based and contain a logbook for you to track your routes. This can be important for providing information to your overseers, or for keeping track of your own business. The GPS feature of many apps allow for easier navigation and the ability to avoid high-risk zones, and plan around meals, breaks, and stops. Some apps are even available that allow you to locate loads or drivers depending on what you need.
If you are unsure about an app, do some research online and you will likely be able to determine how well it works, and even which one would best suit your needs. Even if you aren’t using trucking industry specific apps, there are applications that are always a good idea to have on your phone as a driver. These include health apps to track your fitness, map apps to track your routes, reminder apps to be sure you stay on task, and some apps for entertainment like podcasts and music to stay mentally engaged while on your trip.
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits to living in the 21st century from updated medical care, to having awesome technology to make your life easier. Finding the right apps to put on your phone is important, and you can do this by taking a few minutes out of your day to see what things may make your life easier, and then searching for them on the app store of your choosing.