In the competitive world of logistics, seamless communication between drivers and dispatch is essential. It impacts operational efficiency, delivery ETAs, driver safety and so much more. NFI Industries, a leading full-service logistics provider established in 1932, has always prioritized performance. When they realized their communications systems needed an upgrade, they turned to Trimble. 

Through a collaborative partnership, NFI and Trimble worked to refine communications between their transportation management system (TMS) and in-cab tablets; their back office staff and drivers. By creating a more seamless connection between the system and minimizing latency, NFI achieved a significant boost in dispatch messaging speed and earned the 2024 Trimble Ovation Award in the category of “Better Together: Best Collaboration.”

The challenge: Bringing Communications in Line with a Strong Operation

With a fleet of more than 5,000 tractors and 14,000 trailers, and a workforce of more than 18,000 team members, NFI knows how to evolve alongside new technology to improve fleet performance. While their business has continued to grow over the years and their fleet along with it, NFI found that there was the potential for more gains in efficiency if they were able to upgrade the dispatch messaging system that connects drivers and the back office. 

NFI realized that drivers often experienced short delays of about 15 minutes between completing their pre-inspections and receiving their start-of-day assignments.

Scott Nelson, Vice President of IT Client Services at NFI:

“Our operations were already strong, but we saw an opportunity to make them even better. By improving communication speed, we could enhance the driver experience and keep our fleet running even more efficiently.”

The results: faster, more efficient messaging

The collaboration between NFI and Trimble resulted in numerous improvements to their communications systems and led to measurable gains:

• Messaging speed improved by over 25%
• Drivers now receive dispatches almost instantly after completing pre-inspections, rather than waiting several minutes
• Messages now arrive 2 minutes and 40 seconds faster on average, allowing for quicker response times
• NFI’s commitment to continuous improvement and willingness to collaborate helped create an even more efficient fleet operation.

“NFI has always operated at a high level, but these enhancements make the driver experience even better,” Nelson said. “The ability to send and receive dispatches faster helps keep our fleet on schedule and gives drivers the tools they need to succeed.”

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