If you are in the business of transportation and logistics, you’d be aware of the importance of last-mile delivery. This is where the best operators get ahead of their competitors. Thanks to the advancements in technology and the push that has come from the Covid-19 pandemic, logistics businesses have been forced to go back to the drawing board and work towards streamlining their operations. This is not to say that last-mile delivery systems weren’t in use prior to the pandemic. However, the pandemic has changed the rules of the game.
More people are shopping online today than before the pandemic, and this has not only created huge business opportunities for logistics companies but also increased the competition. If your business is committed to offering the best last-mile delivery experience to the end customers, you need to invest in the best last-mile software solutions. Here are some of the things you need to look for in the last mile delivery system.
Auto Dispatch & Matching – This is the most important feature of last-mile software solutions which ensures that the products reach their intended addresses in the least possible time. This feature automates the process of dispatching that would help choose the most suitable couriers/drivers for the job through algorithms. This feature does away with a manual intervention that not only is labor-intensive but also slows down the process.
Routing – There can be x number of routes to reach a destination and a profitable business chooses the best one. This is where routing is an important part of your operation, and the last mile delivery system should not only suggest the best routes for delivery but also offer alternative routes for contingency.
Realtime Tracking – The last-mile delivery system should allow the dispatcher and recipient to track the consignment in real-time and provide the most accurate ETA (expected time of arrival) information. This ensures a better experience for the recipient apart from ensuring smoother operations for the businesses.
Advanced Analytics – Your business needs to constantly improve and streamline to reduce delivery times and cut the cost of operations. This is where the delivery system you choose should have advanced analytics tools. These tools should measure your success and at the same time offer insights into making improvements.
Predictive Insights – Logistics operations are dynamic and hence you need to choose a solution that offers you predictive insights on your operations. It should raise alerts on upcoming threats to your operations and help you mitigate those risks.
Proof of Delivery – This is an old and essential feature in any logistics business. Your delivery system should have a POD module that comes with signature, delivery notes, images, etc. to ensure you are able to track the package all the way to the recipients’ doorstep.
By keeping these things in mind your business would be able to choose the best last mile software solutions. The market is flooded with such tools and hence you must be extremely demanding while picking on one to increase your productivity and improve satisfaction for your customers.
Summary – In this write-up, we look at some of the things your business needs to consider while choosing last-mile software solutions.