YARDtwin runs the outside of your warehouse: the bookings, the gate, the yard and the dock doors. Everyone works from the same live record, so the gate knows who is coming, the office sees where every truck is, and the dock team knows what is next.
One truck, start to finish
Every visit follows the same five steps. Each step happens on its own screen, usually done by a different person.
| Step | What happens | Who does it | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Book | A dock and a time slot are reserved for the truck. The carrier gets a booking code and a QR code. | The office, or the carrier or supplier themselves | Scheduling, or the carrier portal |
| 2. Arrive | The truck reaches the gate. The gate operator scans the QR code (or looks the booking up), checks the paperwork and lets the truck in. | Gate operator | Gate (arrivals) |
| 3. Wait in the yard | If its dock isn't free yet, the truck or its trailer parks in the yard. The yard map shows where it is. A yard jockey moves trailers to the dock when it's time. | Yard manager, yard jockey | Yard Map, Yard jockey |
| 4. Load or unload | The dock team starts the trailer, records the work, and completes it, or puts it on hold if something is wrong. | Warehouse operator | Warehouse dock |
| 5. Depart | The gate checks the seal, the driver signs, and the truck leaves. The visit is closed. | Gate operator | Gate (departures) |
As the truck moves through these steps, its booking changes status, for example Scheduled, Checked In, Docked and Departed. See Booking statuses for the full list.
Not every site uses every step. A small site might book and gate trucks in YARDtwin but run its docks without the dock screens. Your administrator decides which modules are switched on.
Words you'll see everywhere
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Site | One of your facilities, such as a distribution centre. Each site has its own docks, yard and gate. |
| Booking (or appointment) | A reserved slot for one truck: a dock, a date and a time, with the carrier, load and paperwork. |
| Slot | The time window a booking holds at a dock. |
| Dock | A door where trucks load or unload. A dock can be inbound, outbound or both. |
| Yard | The area between the gate and the docks where trucks and trailers wait. |
| Carrier (haulier) | The transport company that brings the truck. Carriers can book through their own portal. |
| Yard jockey | The person who moves trailers around the yard with a yard tractor. |
| Turnaround | How long a truck spends on site, from arrival to departure. |
| Detention | Time a truck is kept beyond the free time agreed with the carrier, which may be charged. |
The Glossary has many more.
Who uses which screen
YARDtwin gives each person a role. The role decides what's in their menu and which page opens when they sign in:
- Gate operators start at the gate.
- Warehouse operations staff start at the dock board, after picking their docks for the shift.
- Yard jockeys start at their task list.
- Carriers start in the carrier portal.
- Drivers with an account start at the scheduling board, which shows only their own bookings.
- Suppliers start in the supplier portal.
- Viewers start at the dashboard.
- Office roles start at the scheduling board.
See Roles for what each role does.
Next steps
- Sign in
- Find your way around
- Get help when you're stuck