10 Must-Have Features in a Logistics Application
Your 3PL business needs a logistics application to streamline delivery workflows. Find out the key features that will make your app a global success.
Are you up for a quick challenge?
Can you list down all the major problems third-party logistics (3PL) providers face when they don’t have a logistics application?
Let’s go!
- No real-time visibility
- Inefficient route planning
- Inability to adjust routes on the go
- Untraceable delivery trips
- Inefficient driver management
- Manual proof of delivery documentation
- Inability to predict future demand
Do you look like this worried emoji 😬 now? Are you considering developing a logistics app?
Read on to find out the ten most important features you should include in it.
10 Key Features Every Logistics Application Should Have
1. A Single, Fully Integrated Admin Dashboard
Your delivery operations manager requires a bird’s-eye-view of all orders, their dispatch and fulfillment status, payment collection, etc. But it’s not humanly possible for them to track every order manually.
A robust admin dashboard will be their eyes and ears on the field. It will provide them with the necessary information about:
- Pending orders
- Fulfilled orders
- In-process orders
- Package/Driver’s current location
- Drivers and merchants’ details
- Payment collection
2. Driver Journey Plans
If it’s left up to the delivery driver to choose a route for their journey, they’ll waste both time and fuel. Implementing driver journey plans in a logistics application addresses this problem by providing drivers with pre-planned routes defined by the delivery operations manager. This feature, coupled with GPS integration, guarantees that drivers follow the shortest path, avoid traffic, and reach the correct address quickly. When the drivers have their routes set in advance, they can begin their workday right away and deliver orders on time.
3. Real-Time Route Optimization
A logistics application must also have a real-time delivery route optimization feature that enables drivers to update their delivery routes by taking into account current traffic conditions, weather, road closures, and other relevant factors. This will reduce delays, enhance fuel efficiency, and shorten delivery times.
For those using electric bikes, the system should alert drivers if the battery is low and automatically re-routes them to the closest battery swap station. This will make sure that the delivery workflow remains uninterrupted and deliveries stay on schedule.
4. Trip Log Reports for Back Office
Trip log reports capture important details such as route information, timestamps, distance traveled, and any deviations from the planned path. Additionally, they offer insights into key aspects like stops made, fuel consumption, driver behavior, etc.
Admins can use this data to track and assess driver performance, evaluate route efficiency, and ensure compliance with schedules. This feature also enhances transparency and allows for better analysis of operations, thereby helping delivery operations managers optimize logistics processes and maintain high service standards throughout the fleet.
5. Driver Management
The driver management module provides a holistic view vis-à-vis all drivers and gives admin(s) real-time updates on their statuses.
This feature in the admin panel helps delivery operations managers track drivers’ current locations, their availability, and any ongoing assignments. It also offers detailed performance metrics, which include:
- Number of completed deliveries
- Number of on-time deliveries
- First-attempt delivery rate
- Average time per delivery
- Empty miles
- Vehicle capacity utilization
- Order accuracy
- Net promoter score
In some logistics management software, for instance, Mile, the module even supports cash-on-delivery collections by allowing admins to set hard and soft limits for drivers. This prevents driver theft and fraud. Moreover, it manages drivers’ earnings and commissions, so you don’t have to worry about payroll discrepancies every month. Additionally, the module simplifies shift management by tracking attendance and duty times through a user-friendly platform, making driver administration easier and faster.
6. Electronic Proof of Delivery
The traditional paper-based proof of delivery involves physically obtaining a customer’s signature on a document at the delivery location. This process is time-consuming and prone to errors.
As a result, most 3PL providers are now adopting electronic proof of delivery software to streamline the delivery documentation process and reduce errors. However, this isn’t always necessary, as some logistics software solutions, like Mile, have this feature built in. For example, delivery drivers using Mile’s logistics app can capture customer signatures digitally, which are instantly updated in the database. In cases where a customer is unavailable to receive the package in person or has requested a contactless delivery, drivers can take a photo of the package at the customer’s location and upload it to the app. These photos are then automatically sent to the customer via SMS or email to document the successful delivery. To top it off, this all happens with time, date and location stamps.
Whether you opt for custom mobile app development or purchase a logistics SaaS subscription, electronic proof of delivery is a great feature to have.
7. Predictive Data Analytics
No doubt, predictive data analytics has changed delivery dispatch operations, and for the better!
It analyzes historical trends and order histories to predict future demand accurately. And by doing so, it empowers businesses to attract new customers, upsell to existing ones, and boost customer loyalty. Moreover, it provides deep insights into customer behaviors and preferences, which 3PLs can leverage to attract new customers, upsell to existing ones, and customize offerings to boost customer loyalty.
Nevertheless, the real transformative power of these analytics is their use in setting AI-driven dispatch rules, which configure inside and outside zones and automate assignments based on distance, vehicle capacity, order volume, COD limits, and several other factors. This feature helps 3PLs enhance fleet efficiency and streamline deliveries by ensuring that the right jobs are matched with the right personnel.
Other Key Features You Can Consider
8. Offline Mode
What if your delivery driver loses his internet connection while en route to a customer’s location? With an offline logistics app, the driver can still capture signatures or photo proof of delivery and continue with their route. The app will hold these files in a queue and upload them automatically as soon as a stable connection is available.
9. Localized User Interface
Your logistics operations might currently be limited to your own country. But soon, you’d want to expand your business to foreign markets. If that’s the case, you should build your logistics application with global users in mind. Although English is widely spoken in the world, a large percentage of the world’s population prefers conducting business in their native language.
Therefore, your logistics application should be customizable for multiple languages and cultural contexts. This adaptability should go beyond basic translation and incorporate the localization of symbols, dates, and times across all modules. Apart from making your solution intuitive and user-friendly for a global audience, a multilingual interface will allow your business to overcome language barriers and ensure all international stakeholders feel comfortable and understood.
10. Ratings & Reviews
When users provide ratings and reviews for the services rendered, it not only helps future customers assess the quality of those services and make better decisions, but also drives continuous improvements on the part of the logistics companies. They continuously strive to fine-tune the app or specific service processes to improve the overall user experience.
Wrapping Up
The best part about having a logistics application is that everyone involved in the delivery process (warehouse dispatcher, back office staff, and delivery drivers) has access to a digital delivery trail with timestamps and location pins from the start of a driver’s journey until their end-of-day clock-out. Your team will no longer have to do the tedious task of handling deliveries manually and filing paper proofs.
Mile’s logistics SaaS has all the above-mentioned features and more, to help you streamline and automate nearly every aspect of a delivery workflow.
Schedule a demo today to learn more about its capabilities and see how it can enhance your operations.