Do you ever wish to get rid of the tedious (but essential) duties in your grain business that are annoyingly time-consuming and prone to error? Truck scale automation is step one in eliminating these manual, mistake-filled duties within grain facilities, and here are five reasons to consider taking the automation plunge:
#1 Improved accuracy saves time and money
Accurate data is key to knowing the true state of any business. The more often someone has to manually enter data, the greater the chance for errors from mistyping or from data simply not being entered. Automation software means you don’t have to re-enter data every time a repeat customer delivers grain. No more handwritten tickets and manual calculations determining load capacities or weights. You maximize efficiencies in freight costs and avoid overload penalties, and integration allows for accurate grade information to automatically post to tickets.
#2 Better communications
Handwritten notes and radio communication (especially when you can barely hear it) can be misunderstood, distracting, and time-consuming. Automation systems eliminate the need for rudimentary communication with simple tools that automatically convey information. It’s clear, easy-to-read, and available at the scale, the pit, or wherever load data is necessary.
#3 Happier customers
All customers appreciate getting settlement checks in a timely manner. Automation software allows for payments immediately on delivery and increases overall convenience for customers throughout the grain handling process. This shows customers that you respect their time and appreciate their business. They know you are making the experience of moving their trucks through your facility and getting their settlement checks out as efficient as possible. When your customers know that and are happy, it makes them want to do more business with you.
#4 Eliminating labor-intensive tasks
Freeing up your staff to work on revenue-generating activities is valuable to their job satisfaction and your company’s bottom line. With automation systems, you can even set up certain processes for unattended operation. This means no more time-consuming activities that take employees away from more productive tasks.
#5 Getting more grain trucks processed in less time = more revenue
It all boils down to keeping scale traffic moving. You cannot afford to upset customers and make life more difficult for your operators by having a long line waiting at your scale. With automation, more vehicles get processed in less time, customer satisfaction remains high, and employees get more done, all of which have positive effects on your bottom line.
Go Practical
Making any kind of change in agribusiness is a big step. Many factors such as cost, training, and time involved all weigh into your decision, even if the change is meant to be a positive one. But if the change can help your business be more efficient and profitable in the long run, it’s worth some expense and minor disruption in the short run. Evaluating your unique agribusiness is the start. Automation should be practical and based on your facility’s needs, with the option to add features as they are justified. Learn about the possibilities with truck scale automation.