Sign inGuides for the complete vehicle-logistics workflow
Learn intake, planning, dispatch, driver execution, documents, billing and connected systems without scheduling a demo.
Learn the complete Cardinal Auto workflow
Use these guides while you work. No demo appointment or support chat is required.
Import sources and templates
See supported dispatch sheets and download the bulk VIN or complete load CSV templates.
From demand to settlement
- 1Intake source or customer request
- 2VIN and vehicle record
- 3Plan and release load
- 4Assign and dispatch
- 5Pickup inspection and signatures
- 6Move and deliver
- 7POD and document review
- 8Invoice and settlement
Workflow guides
Add vehicles and movement demandCreate vehicle records, decode VINs, and prepare released units for planning.
- Open Vehicle Intake and select Add Vehicles.
- Choose the customer and source, then enter the PO or customer reference, pickup location, delivery location, due date, rate, and VINs.
- Save the intake. Cardinal Auto decodes supported VINs and places released vehicles in the Vehicle Pipeline section below Vehicle Intake.
- A load may be saved without VINs. Unknown VIN characters can be entered as question marks. Missing vehicle weight does not block planning, dispatch, delivery, or invoicing.
Build and release a loadTurn available VINs into a multi-stop, multi-vehicle trip.
- Open Load Planning from All Loads or scroll to the Vehicle Pipeline section in Vehicle Intake.
- Select released VINs. Review pickup and delivery groups, then arrange the stop order.
- Confirm the customer, PO, rate, driver, truck, and trailer. The trailer paired to the truck is suggested automatically.
- Review capacity, physical-fit warnings, route mileage, and the map. Warnings require review but do not silently remove a vehicle.
- Save the draft, then release it. Adding a driver moves the load to Dispatched and sends it to that driver’s app.
Dispatch and driver executionFollow a load from driver delivery through pickup, transit, and POD.
- Open Dispatch or open the load from All Loads.
- Check Sent to driver, Driver received, Waiting to upload, Last synchronized, and Needs attention.
- The driver begins pickup, completes inspections and photos, records signatures, and finishes pickup. Those events and timestamps return automatically.
- The driver starts and finishes each delivery. Cardinal Auto updates the load to Delivered when the required stop work is returned.
- Use safe retry controls for failed evidence. Do not clear the driver app while photos, signatures, or events are waiting to upload.
Record and review damageCapture driver-friendly damage details and produce the correct BOL code.
- The driver chooses a plain-language damage type and marks the vehicle area. Length is requested only when it applies.
- Cardinal Auto maps the entry to the shared damage code and places it beside that VIN on the BOL.
- Dispatch reviews severity when the observed condition cannot determine it, such as broken glass.
- Open the VIN profile or load evidence review to acknowledge an exception, request a correction, or prepare a Cardinal Claims referral.
- When no damage is recorded, damage labels, empty damage sections, and damage codes do not appear on the BOL.
Generate BOLs, PODs, and invoicesCreate logistics documents from completed load evidence.
- The departure BOL lists the load, VINs, origin inspection results, applicable damage codes, timestamps, and origin signature boxes.
- A delivery POD/BOL is generated for each delivery location and its corresponding VINs, with driver and receiver signature boxes.
- If the representative does not sign, the box stays blank or shows STI / no representative signature according to the driver selection.
- Review returned photos, signatures, timestamps, and missing evidence before generating final documents.
- Invoices are generated separately from BOLs and PODs. They remain office-only and are never shown in the driver app.
Invoice and settle a completed loadMove delivered work through billing, transfer status, and driver pay.
- From the delivered load, confirm the rate, customer, PO, supporting documents, and billing readiness.
- Create the invoice. Cardinal Auto assigns the customer-linked invoice number and records its creation date.
- Before an external transfer, rewind the load to correct a rate or assignment; the invoice number is retained in history and reused.
- After an invoice has transferred, corrections produce a replacement record instead of overwriting the transferred invoice.
- Use Invoice Ledger filters for Not transferred, Pending transfer, Transferred, and Failed. Settlement Ledger shows driver-specific pay periods, expenses, output dates, and threshold rules.
Use connected systemsUnderstand what each connection does and where to configure it.
- Open Settings → Ecosystem Connections to prepare carrier credentials, or Integration Hub to review message status and errors.
- A verified Plateau intake creates a load awaiting dispatch and displays the P badge on the load.
- QuickBooks Online transfers customers and invoice details only after its company connection and mappings are complete.
- Central Dispatch, Motive/ELD, and other load boards require each carrier’s approved credentials or provider access.
- OpenRouteService supplies route and stop mileage. IFTA remains a separate accounting add-on with quarter and rate-package management.
Frequently asked questions
Can I create a load before I have VINs?
Yes. Save a zero-VIN load and add vehicles later. Unknown VIN characters may be shown with question marks.
Will a missing vehicle weight stop the load?
No. Cardinal Auto may show a capacity or physical-fit warning, but missing weight does not block the vehicle, dispatch, delivery, or invoice flow.
What does the P badge mean?
It marks a load received through verified Plateau intake. Plateau setup and credentials stay in the connection workspace.
Why can’t a driver see the invoice?
Invoices, customer billing, rates, and accounting records are office-only. The driver app receives dispatch, instructions, inspections, signatures, BOL/POD work, and correction requests.
What happens if a photo is black, blurry, or distorted?
The evidence scanner marks it Needs attention when no usable vehicle or component is visible. Dispatch can request a replacement tied to the VIN and stop.
Can I edit a load after an invoice is created?
Use rewind before transfer to correct the load while retaining the invoice number in history. A transferred invoice is preserved and corrected through a replacement record.
What should a driver do with no signal?
Continue the assigned inspection and delivery work. The app keeps eligible work waiting to upload and shows synchronization status when service returns.
Does Cardinal Signal dispatch a load automatically?
No. Signal can suggest a next move and open an editable plan. Cardinal Auto rechecks availability and the dispatcher confirms fit, saves, assigns, and dispatches.
Where do I change user access?
Administrators use Settings → Users & Access for screen permissions and task permissions such as editing VINs, loads, assignments, rates, and financial records.
Where can I get account or access help?
Email ops@cardinalecosystem.com for account access, security, or a technical issue. The guides on this page remain available without booking a demo or opening a sales chat.
Account or technical issue?
Use the self-service guides first. For sign-in, account access, security, or a technical failure, email the Cardinal Auto operations team.