Glossary of Yard Management Software Terms
Welcome to the Peripass glossary! Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of terms commonly used in the field of yard management software. Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to deepen your understanding, this glossary provides clear definitions for key concepts.
A
Access Control
Access control is a security feature that regulates and monitors entry to and exit from a yard. Systems can use technologies such as RFID, QR codes, or license plate recognition to ensure only authorized personnel or vehicles enter the premises.
Appointment Scheduling
A module within transport management software that allows shippers, carriers, and receivers to schedule precise time slots for arrivals and departures, minimizing congestion and delays.
Automated Weighing
It helps streamline the weighing process, improving accuracy, reducing errors, and ensuring compliance while saving time during yard entry and exit.
B
Buffer Zone
A buffer zone, or waiting area, is a designated area in the yard where trucks or trailers can wait temporarily before being moved to their final location for loading, unloading, or parking.
C
Carrier
In logistics, a carrier is a company or individual responsible for transporting goods or passengers within the supply chain, ensuring timely delivery and optimal efficiency. Carriers can operate across various modes of transportation, including road, rail, air, and sea.
Carrier Management
A feature that facilitates coordination with transportation providers, ensuring efficient scheduling, communication, and performance tracking.
Check-In/Check-Out Process
This refers to the systematic procedure used to track the movement of goods, equipment, or vehicles as they enter or leave a facility, warehouse, or transportation hub. It ensures accurate inventory management, security, and operational efficiency.
Cold Chain Logistics
A “cold chain” is a supply chain for perishable, temperature-sensitive product such as fresh produce, meat, dairy, seafood, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, flowers, wine and more.
D
Detention Fees
Detention fees, also commonly known as waiting fees, in logistics are charges for holding a carrier’s equipment, like containers or trailers, beyond the allowed time for loading or unloading. These fees compensate the carrier and encourage timely handling of goods.
Dock Management
The process of assigning docking areas or loading bays to trucks or trailers. Effective dock management optimizes yard space and reduces waiting times.
Dock Scheduling
A tool for planning and organizing when and where vehicles should dock for loading or unloading. Helps reduce bottlenecks and maximize throughput.
Driver Self-Service Kiosk
A digital terminal where drivers can check in or out independently, print documents, or receive yard instructions, reducing reliance on manual staff.
F
Fleet Management
The administration of a company’s vehicle fleet, often integrated with yard management to track movements, optimize routes, and ensure timely deliveries.
Freight Optimization
Strategies and tools aimed at maximizing the efficiency of freight transportation, including load planning and route optimization.
G
Gate Automation
The use of technology to control and monitor gates in a yard, often integrated with access control systems to streamline entry and exit.
Geofencing
A technology that creates virtual boundaries around specific areas of the yard. Alerts can be triggered when vehicles enter or exit these boundaries.
I
Inbound Logistics
The management of goods and materials arriving at a facility. Yard management software helps coordinate these activities efficiently.
Integration
The process of connecting yard management software with other systems such as TMS (Transportation Management Systems) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) to enable seamless data flow.
L
Lane Assignment
The designation of specific lanes for vehicles in the yard to streamline traffic flow and reduce confusion.
Load Planning
The process of determining the optimal way to organize and secure goods within a truck or trailer to maximize efficiency and safety.
O
Omnichannel Logistics
This refers to a seamless and integrated approach to managing the movement of goods across multiple sales channels. All to ensure a consistent customer experience regardless of how or where a purchase is made. It synchronizes inventory, warehousing, order fulfillment, and distribution across online stores, brick-and-mortar locations, mobile apps, marketplaces, and other retail channels.
Outbound Logistics
The management of goods leaving a facility, including the coordination of loading, scheduling, and transportation.
Order Fulfillment
The complete process of receiving, processing, and delivering customer orders, often involving yard, warehouse and transport management for efficient loading and dispatch.
R
Real-Time Visibility
The ability to track vehicles, shipments, and yard activities in real-time through integrated software systems and IoT devices.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
A technology used in yard management to identify and track vehicles, trailers, or cargo using radio waves.
S
Shipper
In logistics, a shipper is any individual or company that sends goods from one place to another. This term is broadly used to describe the party responsible for initiating the shipment of products, often the seller or manufacturer.
Self-Service Kiosk
An essential component for streamlining the check-in/check/out process for drivers. Reducing wait times, overcoming language barriers and improving efficiency on the yard.
Slot Booking
A system that allows carriers to reserve specific time slots for loading or unloading to reduce congestion and streamline operations.
Supply Chain Visibility
The ability to track and monitor all elements of the supply chain, from manufacturing to delivery, in real-time.
T
Task Management
A system for assigning, tracking, and prioritizing tasks related to yard operations, ensuring that trailer movements, loading, and unloading are performed efficiently.
Third Party Logistics
Third-Party Logistics (3PL) outsources supply chain and logistics services like transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and order fulfilment to an external provider. 3PL providers enable companies to scale operations, focus on core business activities, and improve supply chain flexibility without investing in their own logistics infrastructure.
Traffic Management
The coordination of vehicle movements within the yard to prevent congestion, reduce idle times, and ensure safety.
Trailer Pooling
The shared use of trailers across multiple locations or facilities to optimize utilization and reduce costs.
Transportation Management System (TMS)
A software solution that manages transportation operations and logistics, often using time slot technology, and integrated with yard management software for end-to-end efficiency.
W
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
A software solution that helps manage and optimize warehouse operations, including inventory tracking, order fulfillment, and logistics coordination. It provides real-time visibility into stock levels, improves accuracy, and enhances efficiency in storage and distribution processes. It can be integrated with yard management to streamline loading and unloading processes.
Wayfinding
The use of signage, maps, or digital tools to guide drivers and vehicles within the yard for efficient navigation.
Y
Yard Capacity Planning
The process of forecasting and managing the available space in the yard to ensure it meets operational demands.
Yard Management System (YMS)
A software solution designed to manage and optimize the movement of trucks, trailers, containers, and other assets within a warehouse, distribution centre, or manufacturing facility’s yard. It provides real-time visibility, automation, and coordination of yard activities to improve efficiency, reduce wait times, and enhance security.
Yard Visibility
The ability to monitor and track all activities within the yard is often enabled by sensors, cameras, and software integrations.
This glossary will grow over time as we continue to innovate and add more features to our platform.
Have a term you’d like us to add? Feel free to contact us.