Frequently Asked Questions
I don't want to lose control of my transportation.
Actually, you will have more control. As a transportation company we have spares, spare drivers and spare equipment. This allows us to be fluid and adapt to problems as they arise. We track our trucks by satellite-we see where they are, what direction they are going and how fast-we watch them as they move and are never out of the loop. Just imagine you have this level of control, except you don’t have to manage or maintain it.
Actually, you will have more control. As a transportation company we have spares, spare drivers and spare equipment. This allows us to be fluid and adapt to problems as they arise. We track our trucks by satellite-we see where they are, what direction they are going and how fast-we watch them as they move and are never out of the loop. Just imagine you have this level of control, except you don’t have to manage or maintain it.
How much does it cost?
Our dedicated operations are typically very close in cost to that of an existing private operation. A managed solutions save you headaches and paperwork, giving you time to do what you do best. If you are looking for truckload service, and not DCC, our rate is specific to the situation but typically is around $2.00 per mile.
When we take over as your dedicated carrier, yes! It is our goal to make as few personnel changes as necessary. Our benefits are very competitive and the pay is the same for those who meet our employment criteria. We make every effort to retain all the qualified drivers including bridging vacation time.
How long is the contract for DCC?
The term of the agreement is based on the useful life of the equipment. The useful life of the equipment is based on the estimated number of annual miles. Contracts vary from 1-6 years.
Will the trucks still have my logo with with a DCC solution?
Yes, if you want them to. Our trucks and drivers dedicated to you will look like you want. Drivers will wear uniforms with your logo and the trucks will look like your fleet trucks. We have found that many companies lately would rather not have their logo on them due to liability exposure; in this case the trucks and drivers would have the RDS logo. On demand trucks will have an RDS logo.
What if I get a DOT audit?
You won't. You don't have any trucks anymore, simple as that. All of those worries become our worries, not yours.
What type of equipment do you have?
Our power equipment consists of all late model units that we either own or lease. We also have dry van trailers (53ft and 48ft) and flatbeds in our fleet.
Where do you operate?
Our radius of operation is different by account, but we have local operations, regional, and over the road. Because of this we have the ability to keep good drivers as their family requirements change, changing their home time requirements just by moving them from one account to the other.
What is an on-demand solution?
How long is the contract for DCC?
The term of the agreement is based on the useful life of the equipment. The useful life of the equipment is based on the estimated number of annual miles. Contracts vary from 1-6 years.
Will the trucks still have my logo with with a DCC solution?
Yes, if you want them to. Our trucks and drivers dedicated to you will look like you want. Drivers will wear uniforms with your logo and the trucks will look like your fleet trucks. We have found that many companies lately would rather not have their logo on them due to liability exposure; in this case the trucks and drivers would have the RDS logo. On demand trucks will have an RDS logo.
What if I get a DOT audit?
You won't. You don't have any trucks anymore, simple as that. All of those worries become our worries, not yours.
What type of equipment do you have?
Our power equipment consists of all late model units that we either own or lease. We also have dry van trailers (53ft and 48ft) and flatbeds in our fleet.
Where do you operate?
Our radius of operation is different by account, but we have local operations, regional, and over the road. Because of this we have the ability to keep good drivers as their family requirements change, changing their home time requirements just by moving them from one account to the other.
What is an on-demand solution?
On demand solutions is a no contract, billing cycle to billing cycle operation. You provide us with pickups/drop-offs and we do the in between. On demand is ideal for you if you do not have a predictable volume of shipments or an exact shipping schedule.
What is Dedicated Contract Carriage?
We define DCC as; a customized bundle of transportation management services used for the delivery of raw materials, inbound components or outbound finished goods to an end-user. More simply stated, a dedicated solution adds value by optimizing freight flows while meeting a customer’s service goals. It is a flexible service that offers all the advantages of a private fleet and the convenience of a for-hire carrier. As your dedicated carrier we isolate, and seek to improve, the response for each of the challenges associated with operating a private fleet including; operations management, drivers, vehicles, maintenance, safety processes, regulatory compliance and risk management. Bottom line, you do what you do best and let us do what we do best, trucking.
In RDS’ case, the DCC product implementation process begins with a complete transportation analysis that is a model utilizing advanced logistics planning and operating tools. This leads to the creation of a distribution plan, including the routing and scheduling of vehicles, the efficient use of vehicle capacity and overall asset utilization. The plan is then implemented with the objective of improving cost efficiency and service to the end-user.
Other value-added services provided to specific dedicated customers may include: driver recruitment and training, yard management, special handling of products, unattended delivery, technology and communication systems support, including on-board computers, freight consolidation and de-consolidation, reverse logistics and a model for continuous improvement.
Our dedicated application is often integrated with other transportation management solutions. Air, rail, sea and highway carriers are often needed when a customer’s freight flow cannot be efficiently handled by a single carrier. Providers offer an important service to a customer when they can select appropriate transportation modes and individual carriers that can place the freight, monitor performance and audit the final invoice. In addition, providers that can aggregate orders into loads, look for shipment consolidation opportunities, provide load-tracking capabilities and organize backhauls add further value to an integrated transportation process.
What is Dedicated Contract Carriage?
We define DCC as; a customized bundle of transportation management services used for the delivery of raw materials, inbound components or outbound finished goods to an end-user. More simply stated, a dedicated solution adds value by optimizing freight flows while meeting a customer’s service goals. It is a flexible service that offers all the advantages of a private fleet and the convenience of a for-hire carrier. As your dedicated carrier we isolate, and seek to improve, the response for each of the challenges associated with operating a private fleet including; operations management, drivers, vehicles, maintenance, safety processes, regulatory compliance and risk management. Bottom line, you do what you do best and let us do what we do best, trucking.
In RDS’ case, the DCC product implementation process begins with a complete transportation analysis that is a model utilizing advanced logistics planning and operating tools. This leads to the creation of a distribution plan, including the routing and scheduling of vehicles, the efficient use of vehicle capacity and overall asset utilization. The plan is then implemented with the objective of improving cost efficiency and service to the end-user.
Other value-added services provided to specific dedicated customers may include: driver recruitment and training, yard management, special handling of products, unattended delivery, technology and communication systems support, including on-board computers, freight consolidation and de-consolidation, reverse logistics and a model for continuous improvement.
Our dedicated application is often integrated with other transportation management solutions. Air, rail, sea and highway carriers are often needed when a customer’s freight flow cannot be efficiently handled by a single carrier. Providers offer an important service to a customer when they can select appropriate transportation modes and individual carriers that can place the freight, monitor performance and audit the final invoice. In addition, providers that can aggregate orders into loads, look for shipment consolidation opportunities, provide load-tracking capabilities and organize backhauls add further value to an integrated transportation process.
What are the benefits of DCC?
Our customers tell us that dedicating their trucking needs to us allows their management team to be more focused on their customers and core business issues. In addition, customers note a number of direct benefits including increased competitive positioning, improvement in the management of risk, better utilization of capital and integration of transportation with their overall supply chain.
A dedicated solution is a flexible offering that can be viewed as part of a company’s marketing strategy. It allows a company to expand markets, add new products or “customize” solutions for their customers who have special needs, such as just-in-time delivery. We help reduce the distribution costs, making products more price-competitive. It’s a solution that helps companies control costs by optimizing the operation of a private fleet and, in some cases, the management of a company’s entire transportation system. The companies we are dedicated to are able to better control labor issues, workers’ compensation and government compliance requirements that are associated with running a fleet. And since there is no capital outlay for equipment, companies do not have to carry assets “on the books,” which may improve their return on investment (ROI).
Why do companies decide to use services from an external provider?
Business challenges may cause a company to focus on core competencies, while they rely on a provider to create a distribution process that improves customer service. For some companies, the motivation to use RDS as a dedicated carrier may be as simple as management wanting to control costs.
Our customers tell us that dedicating their trucking needs to us allows their management team to be more focused on their customers and core business issues. In addition, customers note a number of direct benefits including increased competitive positioning, improvement in the management of risk, better utilization of capital and integration of transportation with their overall supply chain.
A dedicated solution is a flexible offering that can be viewed as part of a company’s marketing strategy. It allows a company to expand markets, add new products or “customize” solutions for their customers who have special needs, such as just-in-time delivery. We help reduce the distribution costs, making products more price-competitive. It’s a solution that helps companies control costs by optimizing the operation of a private fleet and, in some cases, the management of a company’s entire transportation system. The companies we are dedicated to are able to better control labor issues, workers’ compensation and government compliance requirements that are associated with running a fleet. And since there is no capital outlay for equipment, companies do not have to carry assets “on the books,” which may improve their return on investment (ROI).
Why do companies decide to use services from an external provider?
Business challenges may cause a company to focus on core competencies, while they rely on a provider to create a distribution process that improves customer service. For some companies, the motivation to use RDS as a dedicated carrier may be as simple as management wanting to control costs.
We also hear from companies that want to expand into new geographic markets. In other cases, the challenge may be the consolidation of a transportation system after a merger or acquisition. In some cases, the outsourcing decision may come after rapid organic growth, requiring more shipment capacity and flexibility. Other events that stimulate the use of third-party carrier include high driver turnover, labor unrest, hours of service violations, negative DOT audits and the outlay of capital for non-core requirements like vehicles and supply chain technology.
In general, it’s time to outsource when service demands from a company’s customers can no longer be accommodated by the existing distribution system. For many companies, outsourcing may create efficiencies that provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace, add value and impact the bottom line.
Are there certain types or profiles of companies that benefit from Dedicated Contract Carriage?
We have found that a diverse group of companies, representing a wide array of industries, experience service and cost improvements through DCC. As an example, good candidates include companies in industries that have time-sensitive deliveries or special handling requirements. Products such as newspapers, baked goods or refrigerated products come to mind. Components that are delivered in just-in-time manufacturing are another example. Products that have high value such as those in the hi-tech, telecommunications or pharmaceutical industries are often shipped through a 3rd party carrier. Another circumstance that favors a dedicated solution would be product distribution requiring multiple modes of transportation – air, sea and road – to reach a final destination, multiple stops on a closed loop highway route, or unattended delivery during off-hours; all frequently benefit from DCC.
What should you look for in an external provider if Dedicated Contract Carriage?
Certainly experience is important, particularly if a provider has customers within a company’s industry or similar application. There should be a process by which a provider evaluates and presents a plan that adds value to a company’s current supply chain and customers. Then the provider must demonstrate the operating experience to implement the plan using experienced people, processes and technology to achieve predetermined goals. The provider should be focused on monitoring key performance indicators on an ongoing basis, so the system can be adjusted or continuously improved. DCC should offer economic benefits and improvement to a customer’s competitive market position.
Finally, a provider should be able to offer and integrate other services such as carrier management or lead logistics management, when those services are deemed to be appropriate. When a provider offers a broad array of services, it can recommend and apply those services with objectivity and without bias.
In general, it’s time to outsource when service demands from a company’s customers can no longer be accommodated by the existing distribution system. For many companies, outsourcing may create efficiencies that provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace, add value and impact the bottom line.
Are there certain types or profiles of companies that benefit from Dedicated Contract Carriage?
We have found that a diverse group of companies, representing a wide array of industries, experience service and cost improvements through DCC. As an example, good candidates include companies in industries that have time-sensitive deliveries or special handling requirements. Products such as newspapers, baked goods or refrigerated products come to mind. Components that are delivered in just-in-time manufacturing are another example. Products that have high value such as those in the hi-tech, telecommunications or pharmaceutical industries are often shipped through a 3rd party carrier. Another circumstance that favors a dedicated solution would be product distribution requiring multiple modes of transportation – air, sea and road – to reach a final destination, multiple stops on a closed loop highway route, or unattended delivery during off-hours; all frequently benefit from DCC.
What should you look for in an external provider if Dedicated Contract Carriage?
Certainly experience is important, particularly if a provider has customers within a company’s industry or similar application. There should be a process by which a provider evaluates and presents a plan that adds value to a company’s current supply chain and customers. Then the provider must demonstrate the operating experience to implement the plan using experienced people, processes and technology to achieve predetermined goals. The provider should be focused on monitoring key performance indicators on an ongoing basis, so the system can be adjusted or continuously improved. DCC should offer economic benefits and improvement to a customer’s competitive market position.
Finally, a provider should be able to offer and integrate other services such as carrier management or lead logistics management, when those services are deemed to be appropriate. When a provider offers a broad array of services, it can recommend and apply those services with objectivity and without bias.