Track a Load with Status Updates, Mobile Tracking, and MacroPoint

Track a Load with Status Updates, Mobile Tracking, and MacroPoint

Track a Load with Status Updates, Mobile Tracking, and MacroPoint

Before You Use This Article

  • Access needed: MacroPoint enabled on your Load Manager account. If you do not see the option, it may not be enabled for your account.
  • Use this article when: your Load Manager account has MacroPoint enabled and you are setting up or troubleshooting that connection. Company paths that commonly use this article: Freight Brokers or Dispatch Services.
  • Use a different article when: you do not use this integration or feature; return to the company path that matches your current workflow: Freight Brokers, Carriers, Owner-Operators, and Trucking Companies, or Dispatch Services.

Use this article to understand the main ways Load Manager helps you track a load after it is created: manual status updates, mobile app or Driver Web App tracking, and MacroPoint tracking. Your available options depend on your TMS type, company setup, enabled integrations, driver phone information, and user permissions.

Before you start: MacroPoint must be enabled for your account. Applies to Freight Broker and Dispatch Service accounts.

Tracking Options at a Glance

Option Best For Driver Requirement
Manual Status Updates Office users updating load progress in Load Manager. No driver app required.
Locate My Freight Mobile App Regular drivers who can use the mobile app for GPS, statuses, and document uploads. Driver installs the app and allows location access.
Driver Web App Drivers who should open a browser link instead of installing the app. Driver opens the link and allows browser location access.
MacroPoint One-time or outside carriers when MacroPoint is enabled. Driver accepts the MacroPoint consent text.

How This Applies by TMS Type

  • Freight Broker: Track the carrier and the carrier's driver. Freight Broker accounts use Rate Confirmations for carrier-facing documents.
  • Dispatch Service: Track the carrier being dispatched and the carrier's driver. Dispatch Service accounts use Dispatch Reports.
  • Carrier or Trucking Company: Track the assigned company driver from the Driver tab. Carrier/Trucking accounts use Dispatch Reports.

Update Load Status Manually

  1. Open the load.
  2. Review the current Status.
  3. Select the next status that matches the load's progress.
  4. Save the load.

Load status, dispatcher, and sales rep fields on the Load Screen

If your company uses status rules, users may only be able to move to the next allowed status. User roles can also limit which statuses a user can edit.

Send a Mobile Tracking Workflow

  1. Open the load.
  2. Confirm the carrier or driver assignment is correct for your TMS type.
  3. Confirm the driver cell phone number is correct.
  4. Select the mobile dispatch or tracking option on the load.
  5. Choose the available option your company uses, such as Mobile App, Driver Web App, Web App with MacroPoint, or MacroPoint.
  6. Send the dispatch or tracking request.

After the driver opens the app or link and allows location access, Load Manager can begin receiving GPS updates when the load status is active for mobile tracking.

Track with MacroPoint

MacroPoint is a separate tracking integration. It can request GPS tracking from a driver's mobile phone without requiring the driver to install Locate My Freight.

  1. Confirm MacroPoint is enabled for your Load Manager account.
  2. Open the load.
  3. Confirm the driver phone number is correct.
  4. Send the MacroPoint tracking request.
  5. Ask the driver to accept the MacroPoint consent text.
  6. Review tracking status after MacroPoint begins returning location updates.

MacroPoint button on the Load Manager load screen

Review the GPS Tracking Screen

  1. Go to All Loads >> GPS Tracking.
  2. Open the Load List tab.
  3. Find the load.
  4. Review the Tracking, Location, and Last Update columns.
  5. Use the map option to review location on the route.

Tracking Status Meanings

  • Tracking: Load Manager has received a recent GPS update.
  • Tracking Paused: The load is eligible for tracking, but Load Manager has not received a recent GPS update.
  • Waiting on Driver App Install: The driver still needs to install or activate the mobile app workflow.
  • Invalid Load Status: The load is not in a status that is active for mobile tracking.
  • Tracking Completed: Tracking has ended for the load.
  • Delivered Early or Interrupted: Tracking ended earlier than expected or stopped before the expected delivery window.

Troubleshooting

  • The status will not change: Check user role permissions, load status rules, and whether the load is locked.
  • No GPS data appears: Confirm the dispatch method, driver phone number, phone permissions, and active tracking status.
  • MacroPoint is not tracking: Confirm the driver accepted the MacroPoint consent text and that MacroPoint setup is active.
  • The driver cannot use the app: Confirm the driver has the app or link, a working data connection, and location permissions enabled.
  • The wrong driver is receiving tracking: Update the carrier contact or driver details on the load and resend the request.

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