When AJ and Sauny Tucker purchased Art Pape Transfer in 2018 and rebranded it as Tucker Freight Lines, the small Iowa-based fleet quickly tripled in size. But its technology systems didn’t grow with it. Departments relied on manual spreadsheets, outdated software, and disconnected systems that made reporting inconsistent and slowed the company down.
That changed when Chief Information Officer Charles Martin joined nearly four years ago with a mission: eliminate data silos, modernize the company’s tech stack, and create a single point of data entry across the entire fleet operation.
Why Tucker Needed a Full Technology Overhaul
Before the revamp, the fleet struggled with:
- Systems that didn’t communicate across departments
- Staff relying on Excel and printed order scrolls
- Inaccurate maintenance data and mismatched reports
- Manual work that consumed dozens of hours weekly
- A TMS that wasn’t being used to its full potential
Martin described the old setup bluntly: “The system just wasn’t working. We had siloed software everywhere.”
Moving to a Cloud-Based, Integrated Platform
Tucker was already using Trimble products, but the team partnered with Trimble to fully modernize the system using:
- TMW.Suite TMS
- TMT Fleet Maintenance
- Additional cloud-based tools connected through a unified data flow
Key benefits of this cloud transition included:
- A single point of entry for all equipment, drivers, trailers, and customers
- Stronger cybersecurity, reducing internal risk
- Easier, faster integration across all departments
- Eliminating the need for in-house security burdens
Martin said moving to the cloud delivered “immediate benefits” and allowed the team to focus more on what matters — moving freight.
Integrating Maintenance and TMS Systems
The biggest improvement came when Tucker connected its TMS to its maintenance system.
Before integration:
- Maintenance data lived in separate software
- Work orders were often untracked or incorrectly closed
- Inventory discrepancies went unnoticed
After integration:
- Maintenance and TMS now share real-time data
- Over 20 hours of manual weekly work were eliminated
- Preventative maintenance scheduling became more accurate
- Inventory management improved significantly
Tucker also connected its recruiting software, CRM tools, and other systems to create a fully integrated workflow.
Turning Data Into a Strategic Advantage
With all systems finally talking to each other, Tucker Freight Lines gained access to reliable, consolidated reporting.
- Managers can now evaluate true cost, expenses, and profitability
- Lane profitability reporting is more accurate
- Inventory and cost discrepancies became visible immediately
- All departments now “read from the same playbook”
This shift enabled Tucker to make faster, data-driven decisions and improve both operational accuracy and fleet performance.
Building a Culture of Standardized, Efficient Processes
Modernizing technology required major internal change. Tucker and Trimble created a detailed project plan involving:
- Cleaning and validating data for 1,500+ pieces of equipment
- Correcting meter readings on 300+ power units
- Creating standard operating procedures for consistent processes
- Training staff on new tools and systems
This collaboration earned Tucker the 2024 Trimble Ovation Award for excellence.
What’s Next for Tucker Freight Lines?
Martin is now looking toward even greater digital transformation, including:
- Advanced routing tools for fuel stops, hours-of-service planning, and efficiency
- Improved bidding systems to replace Excel-based workflows
- Greater use of AI to supplement—not replace—employees
- AI-driven load tender acceptance
- Voice-to-text tools for efficiency
The goal isn’t automation for job cuts, but automation that frees people to do higher-value work.
Tucker Freight Lines’ journey reflects a common challenge in the trucking industry: outdated, disconnected systems slowing fleets down. By embracing integration, cloud technology, and process discipline, Tucker turned a fragmented tech environment into a powerful, unified operation.
Source:
Leave a Comment