April 28, 2021
Author
Terrence Wang
Summary
The FreightPath mobile app can be used by drivers to receive loads, respond to new booking requests, provide status updates, and real-time location tracking.
Contents
The FreightPath mobile app is free to download. However, to use it, you must be invited by a FreightPath user. If you're looking to sign up, you can do so for free at https://app.freightpath.io/signup.
If you're part of an organization that is already using FreightPath, talk to you admin or dispatcher and request that you be invited as a driver. If your admin or dispatcher needs help with this, we have a guide for setting up your network or you can contact us anytime.
Before downloading the FreightPath mobile app, make sure that your device has a cellular data plan or is connected to a network. The app will not consume more than a few emails worth of data, but it will not work without it.
The app itself is available for both iOS and Android users on the App Store and Google Play Store respectively. It's also optimized to work on both mobile phones and tablet devices. If you require help installing or finding the app, feel free to contact us at info@freightpath.io.
Once you've installed the app, you'll need to change a few settings on your device for an optimal experience. This is because the battery saver feature on iOS and Android causes the app to stop tracking or working in the background if your device is low on battery.
Make sure that while you're using the app, your phone is charged and connected if possible, especially on long trips.
If you're using an Android device, changing the following settings will also prevent tracking delays:
Your device will no longer put the FreightPath app to sleep.
If you're using an iOS device, there shouldn't be any issues with background app refresh.
If you need help with any of these settings, feel free to contact us at info@freightpath.io or via our website/in-app chat.
When you first open the FreightPath mobile app, you'll see the home screen. There are three key elements to understand on this page.
The tracking code scanner button allows you to manually scan the FreightPath QR code available on the bill of lading. When you do this, you can manually assign a shipment to yourself and start tracking it. This is useful is your dispatcher forgot to dispatch with the FreightPath app, or any situation where you only have the paper bill of lading.
Second of note is the shipment card. This will show up once you've been dispatched a shipment, or used the tracking code scanner to add the shipment manually. Click anywhere on the white card to bring up the driver instructions, individual stop information, and begin the shipment.
Last, is the navigation at the bottom of your screen. You'll see three options you can click: Accepted, Incoming, and archived.
If you have any questions about any of the functionality of the app, feel free to contact us anytime.
Once you click the shipment card from the app home screen (or are redirected here from the notification email your dispatcher automatically sends), you'll be looking at the shipment screen. There's a lot going on, so let's break it down.
At the very top you'll notice a map that gives a visual overview of the shipment, and gives you a rough picture of the scale and distance of the shipment. You can pinch to zoom with two fingers to get more detail on the map.
The major shipment details are listed here: who the carrier is, the bill-to recipient, required equipment type (as per EDI standards) and the payment information (generally prepaid, collect on delivery, or specific payment terms). It will also let you know if payment is expected from a third party.
Click anywhere on the white cards to bring up the driver instructions and details for each individual stop (including the origin).
The driver instructions page has two important features to take note of. The back button at the top left corner of the app allows you to return to the main shipment page, while additional driver instructions are below the map.
This can include very important accessorial or equipment requirements, so make sure to read it very carefully. For example, it might include instructions to "bring a tarp" since the flatbed delivery is water sensitive.
Finally, the most important part of the shipment page is at the very bottom. Here, there are three buttons that complete extremely important tasks. These are the start tracking, make delivery, and report problem buttons.
Remember that you must start tracking at time of departure to accurately track and be compensated for your driver mileage.
When you first press the report problem button, you will have the option to specify whether the problem will cause a delay or a complete shipment abort. Shipment abortions are permanent, so make sure you want to abort a shipment and have good reason to do so.
If you've chosen to report a delay, you'll be given the opportunity to provide in-depth information so that future delays can be mitigated, and customers can be notified. This is important for you since it makes sure there is a permanent record showing unavoidable delays - preventing you from being paid unfairly for delays that were not your fault.
Reporting a shipment abortion works very similarly, although there is no reason or delay amount field, for obvious reasons. Make sure that you're sure you want to abort a shipment, as you cannot undo this action.
It's extremely important you're reporting completed deliveries on-time and accurately with the FreightPath mobile app. This will make sure that you are paid fairly and customer mistakes are not blamed on you.
This process will allow you to mark deliveries, collect customer proof of delivery, and complete the shipment.
The main screen for deliveries allows you to get a final confirmation of the stop (make sure everything is right before you complete the delivery) and either download the bill of lading for traditional paper signing, upload a photo proof of delivery for the signed paper bill of lading, or complete the delivery and add a digital signature.
You do not have to download the bill of lading or upload a photo proof of delivery. You can also skip the e-signature, but if you do so make sure you have some form of confirmation from your consignee to avoid payment risks.
Uploading a photo proof of delivery is easy. When you click the upload photo button from the main delivery screen, you will see a large grey button that says upload photo.
Pressing this button will open up your camera and allow you to take and upload a photo proof of delivery. You do not need to take a photo ahead of time using a different app.
When you're completed with the shipment, you can press the make delivery button to begin the process of collecting consignee name, digital signature, and marking the shipment as complete.
The consignee name is mandatory to complete the shipment, but the digital signature is optional. Both will automatically be added to the bill of lading and will be available to your dispatcher, customer, and carrier (if applicable).
Clicking submit on the consignee name will automatically rotate your device to landscape and give you a large box to collect the consignee signature. If you've chosen to upload a photo proof of delivery instead, you can choose to leave this signature field empty.
Clicking submit on this screen will complete the shipment irreversibly. Therefore, make sure everything has been done before pressing the blue submit button.
With that, you should be 100% fluent in using the FreightPath mobile app to receive, track, and complete shipment dispatched to you. If you have any issues, do not be afraid to contact us directly at info@freightpath.io or your dispatcher for help.
“With FreightPath, the ability to track freight, complete paperwork, and share updates within seconds has become invaluable; not just for my team but for my customers and carriers too.”
