Features:
- A Cleaner design, making it easy to find the information you need available on Central Dispatch.com and the mobile app
- Vehicle information is located along the left side of the invoice, which includes pick-up and delivery dates, invoice date, origin and destination, and vehicle information
- Load ID, along with Shipper and Carrier information, is located at the top
- Payment terms is located in the main section
- Note: Users with a Driver role will not see load price on the invoice
Note: The Notes and Contract Terms sections were removed since they are relevant to the dispatch function, and are part of the Dispatch Sheet.
Overview
The Assigned Loads tab allows shippers to view, update, and manage loads that have been assigned to a carrier. From this tab, you can track dispatch status, access load details, manage documents, and take action on active, archived, or cancelled dispatches.
At the top of the page, you can easily switch between:
- Assigned Loads (loads assigned to a carrier)
- Listings (loads not assigned to a carrier)
Assigned Loads Page
The Assigned Loads page displays dispatches that have been created and assigned to a carrier.
- Tabs available to easily switch between pages
- Filter listings by DISPATCH STATUS
- Additional filter selections
- LOCATION: Enter pick-up/dropoff locations
- MARKETS: Custom views based on the marketplace, if the user belong to multiple
- CARRIER PREFERENCES: Filter for a specific carrier
- LOAD DETAILS: Filter by Load ID or VIN
- DISPATCH DATE: Filter by date
- Carrier contact information, including a link to send an email
- Any critical tags for a load, including INOP, Enclosed, OS, TWIC
Dispatch Sheet (Transport Order)
Click on the load number to view dispatch details.
•May also be known as the Dispatch Sheet or Transport Order
Information available on the Dispatch Sheet:
- Load number and dispatch status
- Action buttons (based on status) to view documents, update status, cancel
- Origin and destination info
- Dates
- Load information
- Vehicle information, including any critical notes, such as enclosed, inop, OS, TWIC
- Additional information, including notes for the carrier
Check box is available on all dispatch listings for easy Bulk Actioning:
- Downloading documents
- Archiving dispatches
Action Buttons Based on Dispatch Status
Dispatches in Not Signed status can be cancelled or modified, and you can view documents (i.e. Dispatch Sheet).
- Modifying a dispatch increases vehicle quota count if additional vehicles are added to the load, or the VIN or YMM are changed
Actions available for dispatches in Picked Up status include Modify Dispatch, Cancel Dispatch, view/send eBOL for pickup if available, view change history, and Update Payment Status.
Actions available for dispatches in Dispatched status include Modify Dispatch, Cancel Dispatch, and view change history.
- Modifying dispatch increases vehicle quota count if additional vehicles are added to the load, or the VIN or YMM are changed
Actions available for dispatches in Delivered status include view/send eBOL if the app was used, Copy Info Into New Listing, view change history, archive listing, Update Payment Status.
Archived Dispatches
Displays status of dispatch when archived
Cancelled Dispatches
Status displays if cancelled by carrier or shipper
- Action buttons available on Archived and Cancelled status based on status when cancelled or archived
- The Assign button is available on loads that were cancelled prior to being archived, and can be assigned to a carrier
- The Rate Transaction button is available if eligible to rate. If it is past the rating period, the button will be visible, but no rating will be available when clicked
- The Documents button is only available if the load was delivered, which includes the dispatch sheet, eBOL, and invoice
- More Actions:
- View History to view all changes to a transaction
- The See eBOL button is available if delivered, and the eBOL can be viewed, emailed, or downloaded
- Update Payment State if the load is not cancelled by the carrier
- Copy Info Into New Listing will not affect vehicle count quota if relisted with the same vehicle and no changes
Update Dates by Clicking on Update Status Button:
- Click calendar to select available dates in bold
- Click Update Status
- The Scheduled Pick up Date cannot be later than Scheduled Delivery Date – if changing both, the delivery date will need to be updated prior to updating the scheduled pick-up date
- The Actual Pick-up Date must be entered prior to the Actual Delivery Date
Documents Button
- View and download documents attached to the order, such as the Dispatch Sheet, Vehicle Release, or eBOL
- Upload up to 10 documents with no size limit to the order, which will be visible to the carrier
- The shipper and carrier can each upload up to 10 documents, no size limit
- View documents or download documents uploaded by the carrier or shipper
Modify Dispatch
The Modify Dispatch button is available for loads that have not been delivered, cancelled, or archived
- The Modify Dispatch button will open to a Modify Dispatch page to update information
- Modifying dispatch increases vehicle quota count if additional vehicles are added to the load, or the VIN or YMM are changed
- If the status is Dispatched, carrier information cannot be updated, and the dispatch will need to be cancelled to updated to do so
- Updated information will update on the Dispatch Sheet
Cancel Dispatch
Shippers can cancel loads that are in Not Signed, Dispatched, or Picked Up status
A slide out opens to select the reason for cancel, add a note, and choose to cancel, relist, or assign to a new carrier
- Cancel Dispatch
- Will not decrease vehicle quota count
- Cancel and re-list vehicle will open the Create Load page to post to the load board
- Cancel and assign to new carrier will open the Create Load page to assign to a carrier
Vehicle quota count will not be affected as long as the same vehicle is listed with no changes
View History
This button is available on loads, except loads in the “Not Signed” status
- Displays events for the load, including dispatch date, status changes, and any updates to the scheduled pick-up and delivery
- Note with dispatch
- Actual Pick Up Date entered
- Delivery Date change
- 2nd Delivery Date change
- History displays changes based on the role of the user
View History is available for both the Carrier view and the Shipper view.
View History is available for both the Carrier view and the Shipper view.
- The type of change
- Updated status and information
- The carrier or shipper who created the change
- The date and time of change
Updates made by the viewer (carrier or shipper) will appear in the blue shaded boxes. Updates made by the other party will appear in gray boxes. In the example, the carrier made the updates in blue.
Events are added to the View History panel in real-time.
See eBOL
If the carrier used the mobile app to take inspection photos at pick-up and delivery, the See eBOL button will be available.
- Loads in Picked-Up status
- Loads in Delivered status
Manager User Access
View and access is based on user role
View of Standard role – without Manager User access
View on smaller device – Cell phone or tablet
•Scroll up/down page
- Click on hamburger menu to view pages,
Central Dispatch Head of Business, Lainey Sibble, joins other experts to discuss the current state and future of fraud prevention in the automotive logistics industry, including vehicle custody and identity verification.
This edition of Central Dispatch Highlights includes the warning signs of phishing scams and a new enhancement to the carrier mobile app.
Carriers: Find Loads in the Central Dispatch Carrier App
With our latest enhancement to the carrier app, you can search, browse, and filter the load board right from your phone! Learn all about the app and this update in our blog post.
Shippers: See How One Dealer Is Saving Time and Money with Central Dispatch
Tahir Ilyas is using Central Dispatch to save countless hours and hundreds of dollars per car! Watch his story to see how he’s taking advantage of all the tools and services that Central Dispatch has to offer.
Stay Protected from Phishing Scams
Phishing scams in the auto logistics industry are on the rise, and it’s our role as THE logistics marketplace to make sure you know what to look out for. By staying aware and vigilant at every step, you can keep your business safe from dispatch to delivery!
In today’s used vehicle market, having fast and cost-effective vehicle transportation isn’t optional—it’s essential. That’s why more and more dealers like Tahir Ilyas from Ed Voyles Automotive Group are turning to Central Dispatch.
“When I started using Central Dispatch, two years ago I was able to save an average of $400 per car, and my efficiency was so good. As soon as I display my car, maybe in the next hour I get a call from the driver, and the next day I have a vehicle here.”
For Tahir, the difference was night and day. No more slow delivery times or unpredictable costs. Central Dispatch gives him the tools he needs to control every aspect of each load—down to the exact timeline and dollar amount.
“Every load I put through Price Check first, and I take a look at what the price is running for that kind of distance. It’s helped me display each car easily and at the right price. It’s very convenient and very fast.”
But Tahir hasn’t just taken the uncertainty out of shipping, he’s turned it into a competitive advantage. With more secure and reliable transport across the country, he can source cars from markets he couldn’t reach before.
“I can buy vehicles from all over the United States, and I don’t have to worry about the shipping. No matter if I’m getting a car from California, or I’m getting a car from Tennessee, Central Dispatch is very efficient.”
Get Tahir’s full story in the video.
Phishing scams in the auto logistics industry are becoming more common and more sophisticated. But understanding the warning signs, how to defend against them, and where to report scams significantly reduces your risk, and creates a safer marketplace for everyone.
Know the Warning Signs
The most common phishing scam is credential harvesting. Bad actors will impersonate Central Dispatch or another legitimate company via an email or text, then direct you to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials, payment details, or US DOT information. Watch out for these warning signs, so you can identify attacks before they start.
Unusual Sender Email: Phishing emails will always come from lengthy, complex, or otherwise strange-looking email addresses. All legitimate emails from us will come from:
- reply@messages.centraldispatch.com
- do-not-reply@centraldispatch.com
- An official @centraldispatch.com or @coxautoinc.com domain.
Lookalike Domains: Though scammers can create fake websites that look nearly identical to the official Central Dispatch site or login portal, they always use domains with noticeable character changes, like cëntraldispatch.com. Legitimate URLs will always contain “centraldispatch.com” with no special characters or alterations, such as:
- www.centraldispatch.com
- app.centraldispatch.com
- id.centraldispatch.com
Urgent or Threatening Language: Phishing scams typically use intense language in order to get you to act fast without thinking. Be wary of any messages with sentences like: “Act now or your account will be locked” or “Your service will be discontinued.”
How to Protect Yourself
Use Extreme Caution: We will never ask for passwords, payment details, ACH, or US DOT information through an email or text. Any message requesting you to take actions involving your sensitive information are very likely phishing scams.
Verify Sender Email & URLs: Closely examine messages before clicking any links or downloading attachments. Hover over the sender’s display email name to reveal the true address and see if it looks unusual. Be sure to double check all domains and URLs for extra letters, special characters, or alterations.
If you have doubts, type “centraldispatch.com” directly into your browser and confirm the requests. This ensures you’ll reach our legitimate web page.
Secure Your Account: To add an extra layer of security to your account, set up User Management. This gives each user in your organization their own set of log in credentials, and lets you control their access to sensitive information—dramatically reducing the risk and impact of stolen credentials. You should never share your Central Dispatch log in credentials with anyone.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you receive a suspicious message, report it to our Marketplace Integrity Team. It helps us track scam patterns, investigate cases, and provide you with more personalized security guidance.
Contact the Marketplace Integrity Team at CentralDispatchFraudClaims@coxautoinc.com
Security isn’t just a technology challenge—it’s a shared responsibility between platforms and the people who use them. So while your awareness remains your strongest defense, we’re continually working behind the scenes to root out bad actors, and create new tools to help you stay safe.
Welcome to Central Dispatch! We’re excited for you to get started shipping vehicles with us. Read this start guide to make sure you have your account set up properly, and you’re ready to take full advantage of everything our platform offers.
1. Setting Up Your Account
Confirm your company profile
We automatically populate your company profile based on the details you provided at sign up. Be sure to confirm all your info is correct by clicking your name in the top right of the screen, then clicking “Company Profile” from the dropdown menu.
You can also add your business contacts and edit their roles (Owner, Billing, Listing, Dispatch), edit your account preferences, manage your preferred and blocked carrier list, and more.
For more details on setting up your profile, see our user guide >
Set up User Management
User Management gives each employee or contractor in your organization their own Central Dispatch log in — greatly reducing the risk of identity fraud and unauthorized access. It also allows you to assign each team member a role, giving you control over who can access certain features, and who can view certain business information.
Getting started is easy. Just click your name from any page on Central Dispatch and select “Manage Users” from the account dropdown. From this screen, you can add new users, assign their role, or edit any current user.
Adding a new user automatically sends an invitation to the email address you enter for them. Members of your team need to accept the invite before becoming active users.
Get an in-depth look at User Management in this step-by-step video tutorial >
Access and set up billing
To set up your payment methods and billing, click your name at the top right of the screen, then click “Billing” from the dropdown menu. Here you can add or edit your preferred credit or debit cards, pay invoices, view your billing history, toggle on automatic payments, and upgrade or change your subscription.
For more on billing set-up and payment, read our user guide >
Manage your subscription
To view or change your subscription or tier level, go to the “Your Subscription” area in the “Billing” page. There you’ll see the number of vehicles you’ve listed this month, and a progress bar showing you how close you are to your current limit.
Click “Manage Subscriptions” to view all your subscription, tier level, and add-on options. You can make changes in just a few clicks by selecting a new plan, tier, or add-on and hitting “Update Subscription.”
For more on subscriptions and tier levels, read our user guide >
2. Posting & Managing Loads
Post your first load
With your profile, users, and billing set up, you’re ready to start posting loads with us! Click the “Ship Vehicles” tab at the top left of your screen to reach the Create Load page. From there, it only takes a few minutes to fill out all your vehicle information to post to the load board or assign directly to a carrier.
You can also use our “Price Check” tool to bring up a table containing recent loads similar to yours and their listed price, helping you secure a fair, competitive rate. Premium subscribers can use “Price Check Plus” for even more listing insights, and AI-powered pricing recommendations.
Carriers will contact you via the phone number you include under “Listing Role,” so be sure to enter the appropriate number in that field before listing. When contacted, you should also always verify their FMCSA information with our FMCSA Checklist, and look through their insurance documentation. We recommend confirming their details through the FMCSA website to be sure their credentials are legitimate.
Once you’ve selected a carrier, navigate to the “Manage Listings” page to assign the load to them.
For more on posting loads, read about our Create Load Experience >
Managing your loads
Once you’ve dispatched a vehicle to a carrier, managing them throughout the shipping process is easy! Just navigate to the “Manage Listings” page, where you can edit, archive, and delete any current listings. You can also find exactly what you’re looking for fast by filtering by Listing status, pick-up or delivery location, listing ID, or YMM.
If your carrier partner has enabled Real-Time Tracking, you can see your shipments live location on an interactive GPS map, and receive delivery status updates directly from the driver. We recommend requesting all your carrier partners enable Real-Time Tracking for the most streamlined experience possible, and increased peace of mind.
For more on managing loads, view our user guide >
3. Rate your carrier partner
Once a job is complete, use the Transactional Ratings system to rate and review your carrying partner. This system allows you to give each transaction an overall rating, plus ratings in three distinct categories: Timeliness, Communication, and Documentation.
We recommend leaving a written review to give more details on your experience working with them. You can also choose when your review is published, giving you the confidence to share your full experience and provide honest feedback.
Be as fair and thorough as possible when describing your carrier partner’s performance, so other shippers can make better, more informed partnering decisions.
Note: In order to rate a transaction, the load must be in Delivered or Cancelled status.
If the carrier has not updated the status, you can update it manually. See the Manage Loads user guide for detailed steps.
Learn more about Transactional Ratings in this step-by-step video tutorial >
4. Use the Resource Center
Want to fully maximize your Central Dispatch subscription? Be sure to check out our Resource Center, where we’re always adding new content like in-depth video tutorials, thought leadership, and new feature announcements. It’s the best way to keep up to date with the platform, and ensure you’re using every tool to your advantage!
Ready to post your first load? Get started! >
An overview of the My Profile page, including how to edit your contact information, manage verification steps, view company relationships, and access terms of use.
Every User has their own My Profile page:
- Contact and Security Info contains your username and password to log into your account
- Your Company Connections displays the different companies you are associated with on Central Dispatch
- Terms of Use includes the date you accepted the terms
To view your My Profile page, click on your username and My Profile from the drop-down menu.
From the Contact and Security Info tab, click EDIT or CHANGE to update profile information.
- Making any changes to your My Profile requires verification for the security of your account
- Enter the verification code sent
- Enter your new contact and recovery email (or phone number)
- A verification code will be sent to the added email or phone number to confirm you have access
- Enter code and submit
Result: A message will appear displaying the update was successful
If you are a member of multiple companies, the Your Company Connections tab displays all the companies you are associated with, along with your role.
- The Company Support Number is available, and users are encouraged to reach out to the company directly for help with issues regarding their account or transactions
Terms of Use allows you to view the terms of use and the last time they were updated.
Customize your Central Dispatch Dashboard to show widgets that are most relevant to your business. Showcase what’s most important to you, while hiding anything you don’t need to see in order to save time and streamline your view.
To get started, click the Customize button on your dashboard.
Edit widgets opens a slide out form, allowing users to select which widgets they want to appear on their dashboard. After selecting widgets, click Confirm.
Move/resize widgets allow you to drag and drop the widgets to any position on the dashboard.
- Widgets will automatically resize based on their position on the page
- Click Done to lock the widgets in place
Reset dashboard returns the widgets to their original position.
