One of the benefits of using the Truckit Provider app is that you can share your location with customers, allowing them to keep up to date with their delivery.

How to enable tracking for the first time

The first time you login to the app you will be shown a popup with a brief overview of Truckit's location tracking. You will then be prompted to set your Location Settings to 'Always'.

In order for the tracking to function properly you will need to select 'Always Allow' when prompted. This is a technical requirement to ensure a good tracking experience for your customer, otherwise the tracking will not function. But don't worry, you will have full control over when you wish to be tracked, as you will read below. 

How to change your tracking setting to 'Always'

Starting a Job

Before you leave to go and collect a job, make sure you go into the job screen and click 'Start Job'. When starting the job you will also be given the options to:

Turn all tracking on or off  with the Online switch

With Truckit tracking you are in full control, to turn tracking on or off for all customers, simply use the 'Online' switch on the home screen (see below).

What does Online and Offline mean?

When you are Online, customers who have a job in progress will be able to see your current location on a map as well as an estimate of the distance to the collection or delivery (example below). 

When you are Offline, nobody will be able to see your location, only your last known location from when you were last online.

What your customer can see

Customers can view your location on a map when their job has been started and you are set to Online. If both of these conditions are met, then the customer will be able to see a map on their listing page that looks something like the below.

Good to know tip: To maintain a level of privacy, there is a zoom limitation on the customer map which means they can not zoom all the way in to see your exact position on the map.

We hope that this assists in your queries about our tracking options! As always, if you have any further questions or queries, please reach out to us on 1800 859 850 or support@truckit.net.

Interview with Andrew Erikson - Senior Developer at Truckit.net

How did the idea of the app come about?

I think the idea for the App may even predate the Website actually. No, I'm exaggerating just a little.  But it really wasn't long after the Website launched that talk of doing a Mobile App began. I think it was pretty much self-evident that that’s where things were headed. Smartphones changed everyone’s lives… which demanded that Truckit step up and produce, not just an App, but a top-notch App.

Had you developed apps [like this one] previously?

Well, I've been involved in the Development of other Apps, but certainly nothing even remotely close to this one. I think that is just a reflection of the level of bespoke functionality that Truckit has acquired over the years that has made it so much different from everything that came before, certainly in my experience.

How is this app different from others you have done?

The main area that in my experience has set this App apart from others I would have to say is the intricacies and permutations of the User Interfaces, which are required to support several distinct workflows and User Experiences. Truckit is very unique in that aspect, and this has made it quite different to other types of Software I've had the privilege of working with over the years.  Besides this, there is also the technology aspect that was new in that we chose to work with a technology that up until that point we had little experience with.  All of this has since changed of course.

Can you discuss the agile methodology of software development and talk about its advantages and disadvantages?

Using the Agile methodology has enabled us to adapt and change as the project has progressed and made it possible for us to respond faster to requirement changes and overlooked or poorly designed features that are not obvious at the outset. But this usually comes at the expense of being able to apply more time to the documentation process which can have a detrimental effect over the longer term. It can also be frustrating sometimes to iterate multiple times over the same feature until such time as the stakeholder is happy with it.  So there definitely are positives and negatives. Unfortunately, if you are dealing with a project where the full scope of requirements is not yet fully understood, and this was certainly where we found ourselves at the beginning, then Agile is the only method available to you really. The most important aspect of any software project is the ability to adapt to circumstances and understand that what you are dealing with is very often a moving target. Sure, you might settle on all the features to be included in a Version 1, and then a Version 2 after that and so on, but we all know it often doesn't stop there. Versions can be open-ended depending on the success of the product, so I think it’s good in some ways to try and view a software project as a journey rather than a destination, with fixed resting points that define the boundaries between versions. When you look at it like this, and utilise it in this manner, then I think the Agile Methodology makes a lot of sense and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

What were some hurdles you faced, and which was the biggest hurdle you faced during the creation of this app?

There were several hurdles that revolved around deciding what Architecture to go with, but I would probably say the biggest hurdle of all was actually deciding what Technology to use, because I mean, there are so many options out there really. The classical approach to this question may entail reviewing the development skills available to you as a manager, and then making a decision based on this. That is not the approach we took.  In fact, we completely put available skills to one side and focused on the pros and cons of each technology independent of other factors, and we continued doing this even after we had started the project. In fact, we made what I would refer to as a 'course correction' a few months into the project after we evaluated another technology that had up until that point been off our radar. The fact that we were prepared to make a huge U-turn like this as far into the project as we were I think emphasises just how important technology choice was for us in the end, thus making it our biggest hurdle, definitely.

After overcoming these roadblocks, how do you think overcoming these issues changed the final product?

I would certainly hope that after each roadblock, the end product would be better. If not, I guess it would make those very roadblocks pretty pointless really.  So, roadblocks are a really good thing, and it’s important to try and frame a roadblock as positively as possible. One could take a 'glass half empty' approach and say, "oh well, you know... there is just no solution to this, so let's rather just drop the feature entirely". That is obviously not the approach we here at Truckit, take. Quite the opposite. We welcome roadblocks.  We thrive off roadblocks. The challenge of solving a Roadblock is what gets us up in the morning. So, coming back to your question, I wouldn't necessarily say overcoming roadblocks changed the product, but what I would say is that it changed those involved in the product rather, by giving them a sense of confidence and pride in their own abilities, and this I think will stand them in good stead for the future of their careers, as well as the future of this product hopefully.

Can you discuss how you balance addressing client demands with developing complex application software?

That really is the Holy Grail that you have touched on right there... finding that balance. It all comes down to the search for simplicity, and simplicity for a client or user vs a developer can often mean polar opposite things. The more demanding the user requirements, usually the less elegant a software application becomes.  Client demands definitely take precedence though.  From a software perspective you need to exchange customer for user in the cliche 'the customer is always right'. So, the user is always right and us Developers need to always keep in mind that we are there to support the user rather than the other way around.  Ultimately achieving this balance requires a robust architecture that on the one hand is flexible enough so, as to give a Developer enough freedom and control to build more advanced and challenging features, but on the other hand constraining enough so that it forces a Developer to conform and stick within certain defined boundaries defined by the rules of the architecture. So, it’s a delicate balance that comes down to architecture selection I would say.

What steps do you take to prevent an app from crashing?

Software crashes are one of those things as a Developer that, hard as you might try, you simply cannot prevent 100% of the time. So, it’s something you cannot get around unfortunately, kind of like death and taxes. All you can really do is ensure you have a robust framework in place to identify errors when they do occur, and deal with them appropriately so that they cause as little disruption as possible. This requires the following of best-practices to ensure you have error catching code in place. Also, you need to try and ensure that you inform the user in layman’s terms what just happened and what they need to do to be able to continue working. Obviously as a Developer you want to try as hard as possible to recover from the error as seamlessly as possible while invoking the least amount of anger from the User as possible. It can be a real challenge to get all those things right. It's also very important to try and capture as much detail about an error as possible, and then try and ensure that all this detail makes its way into the hands of the Dev team so that they can then try and identify the source of the problem, and hopefully fix it in the next release. Google luckily have a product called Crashlytics which can be very, very helpful in this case.

What are the different testing stages and how does each stage assist in the development of the app?

Testing is all about quality control. Developers that worked on a project will have a natural bias towards much of the functionality in an App, so they should not feature in the Testing phase at all, although a Developer will always need to perform Unit Testing and some other Basic Functionality Testing to make sure their code works as expected before they send it for code review and more advanced internal testing, followed by external testing. In computer jargon we would refer to this as Alpha, followed by Beta Testing. Testing stages are usually dictated by the type and importance of the software being built. For example, testing flight automation software where you are potentially dealing with life and death will have way more stringent testing requirements than say an ecommerce web application that is selling merchandise. During Alpha testing it is important to create a test plan that defines your inputs and expected outputs, so that the success of a test can be easily measured, and then also to ensure that this information flows seamlessly between the Testers and the Developers so that bug and other fixes can be performed within the time sensitivities of the Project and Test Plan. So, it would be an iterative process that repeats indefinitely until such time as all the Tests within the Alpha Test plan succeed, and then it can be moved into Beta Testing. So, each testing stage should result in improvements to the software overall and give confidence to both the Developers of the product, and the users of the product, that everything works as it should.

What’s next - maybe a customer app?

Oh yes, most definitely. We need to strike while the iron is hot.

All I can say is 'WATCH THIS SPACE'

Helping build trust between users of the marketplaces is always on the mind of the Truckit team when we are planning and prioritising features. Increased trust means reduced friction which leads to better outcomes for both sides of the marketplace.

To help build trust, Truckit Providers can now add a short Profile Video to help show off your business. The video will be displayed on your profile page to help potential customers find out about your business before accepting a quote. If a picture says a thousand words, then imagine what a profile video can do!

Watch an example in action

Truckit Provider Funkool was a part of the pilot of the Profile Video feature.


Why add a video?

So what are you waiting for?

It's fast, easy and you can do it on your phone.


Got a feature idea or feedback? Get in touch at support@truckit.net, we're always open to new ideas.

New Features and More Choice

Dear TruckIt Providers,

As part of our ongoing mission to help you grow your own business, we are excited to announce some new platform developments. You can read more below about the trial of one of our most requested features.

We have also added a new payment option allowing customers to pay via bank transfer using PayID. By giving customers more choice, and minimising the limitations of credit cards, we hope to see flow on benefits for you also. 

In terms of how you get paid for a job, we are phasing out off-platform payments or 'booking deposits' and requesting that all Providers start using TruckIt Pay. TruckIt's reputation relies on safety and security for all users, which TruckIt Pay helps build. It also provides you a simple and easy to use invoicing and payments process.  TruckIt Pay creates a better user experience and higher conversion rate whilst ensuring you get paid.

We love hearing your stories and feedback so don't be afraid to get in touch via support@truckit.net 

Regards,

Robert Russell

Founder - TruckIt.net


TruckIt trialling Hidden Quotes

After listening to feedback from our transport Providers, Truckit has developed and is now trialling 'Hidden Quotes' on the Shipping Containers category, with the possibility of expanding to other categories.

A Hidden Quote will hide the quote value and quote details (like terms, dates etc.) from all other Providers, only being visible to the Customer and the Provider who placed the quote.

We would love to hear your feedback on Hidden Quotes.


Important Payment News

TruckIt has added bank transfer via PayID as a payment option for customers. Customers can select this option when in the checkout page accepting a quote. 

In most cases the bank transfer clears within minutes and the booking is then confirmed. 

By giving more choice to customers we hope to see booking rates increase even further. 

In terms of getting paid for your jobs, with off-platform payments and booking deposits being phased out, we are asking that all Providers sign up for TruckIt Pay, if you have not already.


TIP: Build trust and put a face to the name!

Online marketplaces like TruckIt rely on trust betweem both sides. There is no better way to build trust than by putting a face to a name. Adding a photo is a proven way of increasing your conversion rate, you can even add multiple photos to show off interesting loads you have moved in the past.

So what are you waiting for? Add a photo today! Click the button below or go to Account Settings> Edit Profile> About


In an exciting new development, TruckIt.net has add the option for customers to pay for their freight via and Osko Bank Transfer with PayID.

Majority of banks and financial institutions already make use of Osko and PayIDs which allow you to pay for your freight within minutes, via a simple bank transfer.

An Osko bank transfer uses a memorable PayID meaning you do not need to remember a BSB or Account Number. In TruckIt's case, our PayID is our email address: payments@truckit.net

To pay for your freight via an Osko bank transfer Simply select the 'Bank Transfer' option when going through the TruckIt.net checkout process. You will then be sent an email with all the relevant instructions to make the transfer.

About Osko

Osko is a fast, easy payment option which is already offered by over 70 banks and financial institutions in Australia.

Find out how to use Osko with your bank or financial institution

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a huge increase in requests for freight on Truckit over the last 12 months. A record number of individuals and businesses are turning to online freight marketplaces such as Truckit.net to find reliable transport operators.

The increased demand for freight means customers and transport operators need to be connected with each other faster than ever before. The Truckit team has identified these trends and released a new feature called 'Job Alerts' in response.

For transport providers registered with Truckit, Job Alerts will appear as a new interface on the marketplace, found in the menu in the top right hand corner of the platform. However, the real magic of Job Alerts is going on behind the scenes, using our smart freight matching algorithm.

Our freight matching algorithm analyses details of every freight request on the marketplace as well as the characteristics of each transport provider. Instant recommendations are then made as to which providers are best suited to carry out each job.

The Job Alerts interface will display a real time list of recommended jobs to every provider. The interface is designed in a way that is personalised, concise and digestible. No two providers will ever have the same list of Job Alerts. Truckit providers can also see when users are online, encouraging responsive communication and prompt acceptance of quotes.

The power of Job Alerts and the freight matching system relies on transport providers keeping their Truckit profile up to date. Critical information that providers should update in their profile includes their 'Categories Serviced', Address, Vehicle Types as well as creating Saved Searches for preferred routes. By keeping these as accurate as possible, transport providers can ensure they get more relevant Job Alerts. The freight matching algorithm then factors in providers' engagement and performance on the marketplace to come up with an overall ranking to decide who to target with what jobs.


Existing Providers:

OR

Become a transport provider on Truckit. It's completely FREE!

Australian businesses are embracing technology to keep their freight moving during the Coronavirus crisis with leading freight marketplace TruckIt.net reporting a lift in the use of ‘contactless delivery’.

While multiple states and territories have announced the closure of their borders, the freight and logistics industry has been deemed an essential service and are therefore exempt from border closures.

“These are tough times for everybody,” TruckIt founder Robbie Russell said. “But it is essential we keep goods moving around the country to keep our shops stocked and our businesses moving.”

“Spreading those goods around the country, without spreading COVID-19 is critical, which means our providers and their customers need to keep their distance.”

Contactless delivery allows TruckIt transport providers (truckies) to pick up and drop off a load without ever coming into contact with people. Adherence to contactless delivery means any touching between customers and drivers is strictly limited.

“A few simple steps and open communication means freight can be picked up and delivered without risking anyone’s health,” Mr Russell said.

“Both customers and providers on the TruckIt platform are encouraged to utilise contactless delivery wherever practically possible.”

TruckIt.net is at the forefront of Australia’s rapidly-growing on-demand freight industry that is becoming an increasingly important part of the overall $100 billion a year freight industry.

The digital marketplace matches people wishing to freight items (cars, furniture, pallets etc) with transport operators that include sole operators with one vehicle up to large multi-vehicle businesses.

Customers simply list their item on TruckIt.net for free and receive competitive quotes from interested vehicle operators. The booking, transaction and delivery process is managed directly between the freight owner and the operator.

Since it was first established 2012, TruckIt has taken nearly 500,000 listings with deliveries covering more than 50,000,000 kilometres. At any one time there is about $1.5 million worth of freight projects posted on the site and available for truckers to quote on.

The freight industry is one of the fastest growing in Australia with the volume of freight carried expected to grow by over 35 per cent between 2018 and 2040, an increase of 270 billion tonnes (bringing the total volume to just over 1,000 billion tonne kilometres), according to Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE).

Get FREE freight quotes here

Australia’s leading freight marketplace TruckIt.net has signed a major new partnership with specialist transport and logistics insurer NTI Ltd to provide TruckIt.net customers with an added layer of confidence when moving their goods.

The partnership will provide TruckIt.net users with the option to take out affordable, Single Transit Insurance for qualifying jobs booked through the platform.

The insurance cover provides Accidental Damage Cover on a range of commodities providing freight customers with an added layer of confidence when using the TruckIt.net marketplace.

Established by Queensland-born, Scottish rugby international Robert Russell, TruckIt.net is at the forefront of Australia’s rapidly-growing on-demand freight industry that is becoming an increasingly important part of the overall $100 billion a year freight industry.

The digital marketplace matches people wishing to freight large or harder to move items (cars, furniture, pallets etc) with transport operators that includes sole operators with one vehicle up to large multi-vehicle businesses.

TruckIt.net Founder and Managing Director Robert Russell said the partnership was the first of its kind in Australia and would further reinforce TruckIt’s industry leadership.

“Our customers have made it clear they want the additional confidence provided by insurance that covers their materials while on the road,” he said. “We listened and went about finding the best possible partner we could.”

“Our users will now have a seamless, fully-integrated option to insure their goods while in transit. They no longer need to go to a third party to get insurance or take the risk their goods may be damaged or lost while being moved.  They can also disregard having to rely on a transport providers insurance policy or warranties”

“NTI has gone above and beyond to ensure our customers have access to the best insurance coverage at an affordable price and we look forward to growing the relationship in the future.”

NTI General Manager Direct, Alan Hasted said the company was proud to partner with TruckIt.net to launch its first foray into the road freight marketplace industry.

“TruckIt has spent many years building a solid platform and loyal following from both users and transport providers and we couldn’t want a more trusted partner as we expand our portfolio of goods in transit offerings.”

NTI is solely owned and underwritten by CGU Insurance and Vero Insurance. This combines the strong industry experience of NTI in managing transport and logistics insurance with the backing and strength of two of Australia’s largest insurers.

The TruckIt.net platform was the first of its kind in Australia. Customers simply list their item on TruckIt.net for free and receive competitive quotes from interested vehicle operators. The booking, transaction and delivery process is managed directly between the freight owner and the operator.

Since it was first established in 2012, TruckIt has taken nearly 500,000 listings with deliveries covering more than 50,000,000 kilometres. At any one time there is about $1.5 million worth of freight projects posted on the site and available for truckers to quote on.

The idea for the business had its origins in Mr Russell’s return home from international rugby career and moving goods around the world and the country to set-up a new home in Brisbane.

“At the time there were a few freight marketplaces in the UK but it was very difficult to organise freight in Australia,” he said. “Getting a car moved from one city to another or some furniture across town shouldn’t require dozens of phone calls.”

The site now has nearly 300,000 customers who have posted a listing on the site and more than 4,500 truckers ready to quote on individual jobs.

The freight industry is one of the fastest growing in Australia with the volume of freight carried expected to grow by over 35 per cent between 2018 and 2040, an increase of 270 billion tonnes (bringing the total volume to just over 1,000 billion tonne kilometres), according to Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE).

Mr Russell, who operates the business with a small team at his Toowong office, said the company was ready to compete hard to be the dominant player in the market.

“We think we were the first of our kind in the country and would like to think that gives us the experience to deliver a much better customer experience than the swag of newcomers who have joined the industry in recent times,” he said.

“We have recently overhauled the platform and are ramping up a significant marketing campaign to ensure we stay ahead of the pack.”

Click here to find out more about the TruckIt/NTI partnership and Single Transit Insurance.

Truckit.net is Australia's largest freight marketplace and as a marketplace, customers ultimately face a lot of choice when it comes to selecting a transport provider for their job.

Imagine you're a customer. You have received multiple quotes for your job, all are competitive on price and can deliver in a reasonable time frame. So how do you choose?

More times than not, the first place a customer will look is your Truckit profile. A good profile should read like the blurb of a book, informative yet concise and leaving customers wanting to finish the book (or job in this case).

You can edit your profile by logging in to Truckit.net and going to https://www.truckit.net/provider/profile/

Scroll down to find the 'About Us' section.

What to include?

About you

A brief intro on who you and or/your company are, how long have you been around? What areas do you service? And do you specialise in any categories of freight?

Care of goods

Customers are trusting you to take care of their precious cargo, it is therefore important to explain the measures you will take to protect customers goods when moving them. Do you have blankets to wrap furniture? How do you strap motorcycles or vehicles down? Providing answers to some of the most common questions customers will ask can be a big plus for your profile.

Tools of the trade

As with care of goods, the type of vehicle you use is often a deciding factor for customers. You can tell customers all about your vehicle(s) in your 'About Us' as well as uploading images.

It pays to be honest. If the customer thinks their furniture is being moved in a pantech truck, but you turn up with a box trailer, it won't leave a great impression and can lead to bad feedback on your Truckit profile.

Industry Accreditations and Insurance

Are you a member of AFRA (Australian Furniture Removers Association) or similar? Let your customers know! But be prepared to back it up with the necessary documentation when they ask. The same goes for insurance, let your customers know if their goods will be covered and what type of policy you hold.

Photos

A picture says a thousand words. They can also increase your chance of securing a job by over 50%

Truckit recommends uploading at least one, but preferably more profile pictures. These could show your vehicles, yourself, or some of the interesting loads you have transported.

Some other tips

Communciation

Part of building trust with your customers is communicating clearly and in a timely manner. It starts with responding to customers questions about your quotes and extends through to being open and honest about collection and delivery dates once your quote has been accepted. Most customers are understanding of the challenges of the freight industry, they just want to be kept updated on the status of their delivery

Mark your jobs as delivered

The only way you can receive feedback and a completed job statistic on your profile is by marking booked job as 'Delivered' in your My Jobs section.

Click on any 'Booked' jobs to see these options

Truckit can help you

If you need any assistance or suggestions when creating your profile, feel free to contact the Truckit team at support@truckit.net as we are more than happy to help.