Remote loading dock authorization systems and methods

A system for use with a loading dock station, the system comprising:

• a vehicle identification system having an input device for identifying a vehicle at the loading dock station;
• and
• a docking station control unit communicatively coupled to the vehicle identification system, the docking station control unit being programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the docking station control unit to:
• receive a signal from the vehicle identification system;
• and
• determine, based on the signal, if the vehicle is validated or not validated, wherein:
• if the vehicle is validated, automatically transmit a first message to a communication device separate from the docking station control unit, the communication device being programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to—
• receive the first message from the dock station control unit;
• provide the first message to a user, the first message indicating that the vehicle is validated;
• and
• receive an approval input or a disapproval input from the first user, wherein, in response to receiving the approval input, transmit an approval signal to the dock station control unit that causes the dock station control unit to initiate an automated workflow protocol of the loading dock station for interaction with the vehicle, and wherein, in response to receiving the disapproval input, transmit a disapproval signal to the dock station control unit that prevents the dock station control unit from initiating the automated workflow protocol;
• if the vehicle is not validated—
• not initiate the automated workflow protocol;
• and
• automatically transmit a second message to the communication device, wherein the communication device is further programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to—
• receive the second message from the dock station control unit;
• and
• provide the second message to the user, the second message indicating that the vehicle is not valid.

A system for use with a loading dock station, the system comprising:

• a vehicle identification system having a sensor for detecting a vehicle at the loading dock station;
• and
• a docking station control unit communicatively coupled to the vehicle identification system, the docking station control unit being programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the docking station control unit to:
• receive a signal from the vehicle identification station;
• and
• determine, based on the signal, if the vehicle is validated or not validated, wherein:
• if the vehicle is validated, initiate an automated workflow protocol of the loading dock station for interaction with the vehicle;
• and
• if the vehicle is not validated, automatically transmit information related to a deviation request to a communication device separate from the docking station control unit, the communication device being programmed with computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to—
• receive the deviation request from the dock station control unit;
• provide information related to the deviation request to a user;
• and
• receive an approval input or a disapproval input from the user in response to the information in the deviation request, wherein, in response to receiving the approval input, transmit an approval signal to the dock station control unit that causes the dock station control unit to initiate a workflow protocol of the loading dock station for interaction with the vehicle, and wherein, in response to receiving the disapproval input, transmit a disapproval signal to the dock station control unit that prevents the dock station control unit from initiating the automated workflow protocol.