GSC Logistics Uses AlertMedia to Improve Service and Reduce Operating Costs

GSC Logistics Enhances Driver Safety and Improves Delivery Performance

Oakland-based GSC Logistics specializes in drayage and deconsolidation—the transport of goods a short distance via ground freight.

Founded in 1988, GSC is the preferred shipping partner for retailers, manufacturers, and distributors whose goods pass through container shipping ports in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. GSC’s drivers make deliveries from the Oakland, Seattle, and Tacoma ports to various drop-off locations, predominantly within a 100-mile radius.

GSC’s dispatch center historically relied on individual text messages and phone calls to communicate with its fleet of over 200 drivers. To communicate more reliably and efficiently with its mobile workforce, GSC turned to AlertMedia’s emergency communication system. AlertMedia’s multi-channel, two-way messaging capabilities and audience segmentation functionality allow GSC to streamline dispatcher-driver communication. As a result, GSC can enhance driver safety, improve on-time delivery performance, and drive operational efficiencies to achieve cost savings.

Enabling Efficient Communication With a Mobile, Dispersed Workforce of Over 200 Drivers

Since GSC specializes in short-distance drayage, its fleet of over 200 drivers operate in a relatively small area. Local road closures and delays due to severe weather, accidents, or construction can significantly impact GSC’s schedules and operations. Before AlertMedia, GSC’s dispatchers would individually call or text each driver on an affected route to update them on road conditions. This process was tedious and took too long to share critical, time-sensitive information with the entire fleet.

GSC determined that 80 to 90 percent of the communication between dispatchers and drivers did not require an individual phone call. Yet when dispatchers needed any information from drivers, that’s exactly what they were doing: calling. GSC knew it needed a more effective way to quickly communicate with drivers at a moment’s notice. The company also needed an easier way to send drivers periodic notifications—such as maintenance and safety alerts—for compliance purposes.

“Our workforce is always on the move, making communication a challenge,” says Israel Miller, Dispatch Supervisor at GSC Logistics. “Prior to AlertMedia, we communicated with our drivers through one-on-one phone calls and text messages. The process was frustrating and time-intensive. Time is money in the transportation industry, and we needed to streamline communication with our drivers to operate more efficiently.”

Emergency Communication System Improves Safety and Operational Efficiency

After evaluating a range of mass communication solutions, GSC selected AlertMedia and began using it to send safety and compliance notifications to its drivers. With AlertMedia’s multi-channel communication capabilities, GSC can reach all of its drivers instantly—via text, email, voice call, or mobile app push—in just a few clicks.

AlertMedia’s full-featured mobile app allows the dispatch team to communicate with drivers from anywhere, at any time. “All of the dispatchers use the AlertMedia mobile app to send and receive messages. It is really convenient and easy to use when we need to communicate with drivers while we’re away from our desks,” adds Miller.

With the ability to create dynamic groups in AlertMedia, GSC can ensure it sends only relevant, targeted notifications. GSC’s fleet in the Pacific Northwest, for example, consists of 80 drivers managed by a small dispatch group. By breaking the drivers down into more manageable groups, each dispatcher can more effectively communicate with a specific set of drivers. Targeted messaging also allows GSC to warn drivers on specific routes of any obstacle in their path. Dispatchers can easily advise a driver to bring along chains because of heavy snow on the route, or to avoid a certain road because of ongoing construction.

In addition to using AlertMedia to communicate about road conditions, GSC also uses the platform to make real-time operational adjustments. GSC’s truck yard—where they store hundreds of pieces of equipment—has trucks constantly going in and out. Occasionally, it fills up—meaning trucks are turned away at the gate and rerouted to the overflow yard. With AlertMedia, GSC simply sends an alert to drivers informing them which yard to park in, saving time and frustration.

Streamlining Dispatcher-Driver Communication To Save Valuable Time and Ensure On-Time Deliveries

For transportation companies, time is money and “logistics” is more than just a buzzword—it’s their entire operation. The communication efficiencies powered by AlertMedia allow GSC to streamline operations and logistics to save time and money. Adds Miller, “With AlertMedia, we can keep trucks on the most efficient path, which directly translates into cost savings. Being able to adapt to unforeseen circumstances without missing a beat also means more on-time deliveries and happy customers.”

Efficiency and safety also go hand-in-hand. The threats that drivers face on the road—like severe weather and highway accidents—are real threats to operational efficiency. With AlertMedia, dispatchers can make sure their drivers know when it’s safe to drive and when to stay off the road. These adjustments ensure that drivers are always using the safest and most efficient route to get where they need to go.

Given the success and high adoption of AlertMedia across the organization, GSC continues to explore other ways the system can help drive operational efficiencies. Most recently, GSC began using AlertMedia to send COVID-19 communications to its workforce. Says Miller, “We use AlertMedia to communicate new safety policies and procedures in response to COVID-19. It allows us to keep our dispersed workforce safe and informed no matter where they are.”