Article brought to you by Tenstreet The logistics industry has long struggled with inefficient communication methods that frustrate drivers and waste valuable time for brokers and carriers. TextLocate addresses these pain points through its innovative SMS-based system.
As the dominant driver communication provider in the logistics industry, TextLocate combines chat capabilities and image capture with location tracking – a powerful combination that leverages workflow automation to elevate driver visibility to unprecedented levels, all without using a mobile app.
Tenstreet recently acquired TextLocate. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance driver communications with new freight visibility features while implementing automation to save time, improve transparency and reduce friction throughout the logistics network.
For drivers, the benefits are immediate and substantial. Instead of being interrupted by constant check calls during breaks or driving time, drivers receive messages through TextLocate’s SMS system. This allows them to relax during breaks and send their location with just a few taps on their phone while still maintaining effective communication.
“The amount of phone calls going unanswered today is astronomical. There is so much spam,” said TextLocate CEO Ryan Rogers.
While drivers are often annoyed by phone calls, they have also historically been hesitant to embrace other tools. This is especially true of app-based solutions that require extensive set-up. TextLocate effectively removes this friction.
“We caught on super fast because what the drivers love is this: There is no interruption,” Rogers said. “They don’t have to download an app. They don’t have to put in a username. They don’t have to put in their password. We’ve taken the speedbumps and the complexity out of simple communication.”
This simplicity extends to other essential tasks. TextLocate makes it as straightforward as sending a text for drivers to provide proof of delivery (POD) or report equipment issues. Everything is associated with a driver’s phone number and load ID, creating a streamlined process that eliminates traditional friction points.
For brokers and carriers, TextLocate transforms daily operations. By eliminating time-consuming check calls, brokers can redirect that time to make more sales calls, creating additional opportunities to close deals. The system ensures precise location data, reducing errors and miscommunication that plague traditional methods.
“The value add for companies is having automated messaging and two-way communication all via text,” Rogers states. “We only work in logistics. We have built everything we have around traditional base text messaging, and we have built it from a logistics perspective.”
Story continuesThe accuracy provided by TextLocate helps brokers make better decisions and provide reliable updates to clients, enhancing overall freight management capabilities. Brokers can even share these updates with customers directly through TextLocate’s email forwarding tool, adding another layer of service and transparency.
Integration with Tenstreet’s other services
This acquisition will bolster Tenstreet’s extensive line of driver-centric efficiency and logistics tools. TextLocate will integrate with the Driver Pulse app, used by millions of drivers each year to manage both their daily work and broader careers. The combined offering will also join forces with TruckMap, Tenstreet’s trucking-specific navigation platform, and True Load Time, its detention-management service.
With TextLocate’s proven driver fraud deterrence capabilities and Tenstreet’s established commitment to privacy, compliance and security, both companies share a dedication to protecting driver data and identity. This ensures that drivers, brokers and carriers can operate with confidence in the system’s integrity.
“With its driver-first focus, TextLocate is a natural fit for Tenstreet. The combined functionality will augment communications throughout the supply chain, improving relationships and adding new efficiencies – two things we constantly strive for in product development and in our own strategic growth,” Tim Crawford, CEO of Tenstreet, said.
The acquisition represents a significant development in the evolution of logistics communication. TextLocate launched in 2021 with the explicit goal of streamlining logistics management and better connecting logistics providers and drivers.
Rogers shared his motivation for creating TextLocate and his vision for the future under Tenstreet.
“The inefficiencies of traditional communication methods are what drove me to create a solution that actually facilitates communication, simplifies your day, and makes it easy for drivers. I’m beyond excited to work alongside the Tenstreet team to continue revolutionizing logistics and communications for the entire industry,” Rogers said.
The combined capabilities of both companies promise to address long-standing challenges in the industry through technology that prioritizes driver experience while delivering improved operational outcomes.
Click here to learn more about TextLocate.
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