Is your yard slowing down your entire supply chain? Many companies don’t realize how much time and money they lose just by not managing their yards properly. Trucks wait too long, trailers get lost in the yard, and staff waste hours looking for the right shipments. This is where a yard management guide system can help.
Industrial studies have shown that proper YMS can save labor costs significantly by reducing the manual work of 4 to 5 full-time workers. There are examples of companies saving more than $2.5 million per year due to increased yard visibility and reductions in detention. And even in most cases, ROI is evident in a few months.
Read through this detailed yard management guide to explore the capabilities, benefits, features, and demonstrations of how a YMS works by utilizing the most up-to-date tools and techniques.
What Is YMS?
Yard management system (YMS) is a type of system that assists businesses in organizing and managing their yard activities. It includes tracking trailers, scheduling dock doors, and giving instructions to yard drivers. In simple terms, a YMS shows you what’s in your yard, where everything is, and what needs to be done next. It replaces old methods like paper logs and phone calls with a real-time system that is easier and faster to use.
How A Yard Management System Works
A yard management system (YMS) is a software tool that helps you organize and control everything happening in your yard, from the moment a truck enters to the time it leaves.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
1. Check-In And Gate Control
The YMS records the entry of a truck when a truck enters the yard. This may be automated through RFID tags, QR codes or can be manually entered by a gate operator. The system captures the information of the truck, such as the name of a driver, the company he works, the time of arrival, and the type of load.
2. Real-Time Location Tracking
Once inside, the YMS helps you track the location of every trailer or container. Yard drivers (also called jockeys or hostlers) can use mobile devices to update trailer movements. This helps reduce confusion and time spent looking for trailers.
3. Dock Door Scheduling
The YMS assigns trailers to dock doors based on their loading and unloading priorities. It keeps track of which docks are busy and which are free. This avoids traffic jams and long wait times in the yard.
4. Yard Driver Instructions
The system sends real-time instructions to yard drivers on where to move trailers. This reduces the need for radio calls and confusion, enabling drivers to work more efficiently and accurately.
5. Check-Out And Reporting
After loading or unloading, the system checks the truck out and records the time of exit. It also generates reports on the duration of a trailer’s stay, driver performance, trailer usage, and other metrics.
Bonus Features Many YMS Tools Offer
- Alerts for delays or gate congestion
- Integration with warehouse and transport systems (WMS/TMS)
- Mobile apps for yard drivers and gate staff
- Automatic notifications for arrivals and departures
Why Yard Management System Matters
Many companies focus on their warehouse or transportation systems, but often overlook the yard. However, the yard plays a significant role in determining how quickly and smoothly goods move in and out. That’s why having a proper yard management system is important.
A YMS helps reduce delays, avoid confusion, and improve the overall flow of trucks, trailers, and goods. For example, without a system, trucks may wait too long at gates, or trailers may get misplaced in a busy yard. This slows down your whole supply chain.
- Faster Turnaround Time: With real-time tracking, trailers are moved quickly and parked in the right spot. This cuts down waiting times for both drivers and staff
- Fewer Mistakes: Manual tracking often results in lost trailers or incorrect trailer movements. A YMS keeps everything updated, so errors are reduced
- Better Planning: A YMS gives visibility into your entire yard. This helps in planning dock door appointments, trailer usage, and driver tasks better
- Ideal for 3PL Companies: Yard management for 3PL companies is especially beneficial because they handle diverse clients and large volumes of trailers daily. A YMS helps them stay organized, meet delivery schedules, and keep clients happy
- Supports Overall Logistics Goals: When combined with warehouse management system and transport management system, a YMS fills the missing gap. It improves coordination between warehouse and transport operations
Future Of Yard Management: Trends To Watch In 2025
With the ever-increasing technology, there is also an increase in the demand of smarter and faster and more connected yard operations. Companies are currently looking at innovative applications to bolster their yard performances. This section of our guide for yard management looks at key trends you should watch in the coming months.
More yard management systems will use artificial intelligence (AI) to schedule dock doors, trailer moves, and gate entries. AI in yard management helps make faster and smarter decisions based on real-time yard data. Moreover, communication between YMS, warehouse management system (WMS), and transport management system (TMS) will become even more important. Integration helps reduce delays and improves planning across the entire supply chain.
Conclusion: Ready To Upgrade Your Yard?
The yard management systems are often given less consideration when compared to warehouses and transport systems; however, they impact delivery times, costs, and the level of customer satisfaction. That makes investing in a yard management system (YMS) worthwhile.
In this yard management guide, we’ve walked you through the yard management system explained in simple terms: how it works, why it matters, and the trends to watch in 2025. Whether you’re running a small warehouse or a large 3PL company, the right YMS can help you stay organized, save money, and grow your business. Now is the perfect time to take control of your yard operations. Contact us now to move toward a smarter and more connected yard.
