The criteria for choosing the best management software to use in the delivery business in 2021.
Confused about shipping management software? This article will help you figure it out. It provides advice on choosing the best software for your shipping business.
Table of contents:
- Importance of the right management software
- Things to consider beforehand
- Delivery Management Software Market
- Final words
Importance of the right management software
E-commerce is growing and everyone has the opportunity to start their own online business. According to akveo, in 2019, almost 2 billion people made online purchases, and e-commerce sales amounted to more than $ 3.5 trillion. Starting a business online is a great idea. However, this is not as easy as it might seem. There is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to get the website to work properly and take orders. One of the most important steps is finding the right software to manage your team and processes. If you are wondering how to choose the best software, then the tips below will help you make your choice.
Things to consider beforehand
First of all, one needs to decide on the criteria put in front of the application.
It is important to be clear about the business needs and expectations from the software. However, whether you already have criteria or not, there are several characteristics to consider.
Integration – it is necessary for the software to integrate with other programs that are used in your company. Integration of package delivery software with a stack of existing technologies is essential. For example, it will be possible to integrate with software for communication.
Automation – the trend of our time. Automation is a key quality of software. They try to eliminate manual processes as much as possible and replace them with automated ones. Delivery tracking software can help you automate a huge range of tasks for your team. This will save time and allow you to focus on important tasks.
Analytics – It’s no secret that analytics plays an important role in business. There is a delivery logistics app that also performs analytics functions. It not only provides order data, but also provides analytics. Using this information, the business can make informed decisions. And also change the development strategy, focus on more priority and profitable industries.
The analytics function will allow you to take the necessary measures in time to improve the processes in the company.
Online updates – a feature that many people underestimate. However, updating online is not only convenient but also allows you to serve your customers with dignity. Time is a very valuable resource. That is why, receiving updates in real-time, the efficiency of the company increases. You can track orders and deliveries in real-time. Also communicate with clients promptly when they need help. In addition, such services will not interfere with operation during updates. This is a huge advantage that allows you to work continuously and efficiently. This improves the customer experience and customer satisfaction.
Route path optimization – another feature worth paying close attention to. If your business has a courier delivery service in its employees, then you need to know this. Many couriers waste time and customer companies because of the suboptimal route. This affects the company’s reputation. The route optimization feature solves this problem.
Delivery Management Software Market
There are different delivery driver tracking apps on the market. In managing your delivery operations, using the right services is key. That is why it is important to understand the functionality, tariff plan and versions during the selection process. To choose the right software, you need to understand what the situation is on the market.
Let’s consider the main types of delivery software.
First, there are two types of solutions on the market: on-premises and cloud-based. Let’s consider each of them in order.
Local delivery management software
This solution is not as cost-effective. Because providers provide a perpetual license for their product. In addition, there is also software support. Their solution is installed and then configured on the local system on the user’s server. But these are not the only costs. It is worth considering upgrades and the cost of additional modules. Investing in security is a huge expense. Also, don’t forget about technical support and system integration. Only when all these supports are implemented can the company benefit from the delivery driver tracking app. Now it seems that this is a rather unpopular decision. However, a few years ago it was the main one. Of course, for large companies, these costs were justified. However, at the moment, for small companies, lack of flexibility and high cost are critical.
That is why SaaS delivery management software exists.
The main characteristics of this solution:
To use this solution, one should purchase a subscription. It is purchased from companies providing such SaaS software. The subscription is renewed if it is necessary to continue using it.
Here is one of the advantages. You do not pay a huge amount at once, but you have the opportunity to test the tariff plan, to understand whether it needs to be expanded or changed.
SaaS software runs in the cloud (public or private). As soon as the user purchases a subscription, he receives a login to login.
The provider is responsible for managing the system as well as updating it in the cloud.
A few words about the advantages of a cloud solution:
- it’s easier to integrate constant updates and functionality improvements
- ease of scaling
- flexibility
- high degree of security
Software solutions also focus on one thing more than another. Hence, two types arose. One focuses on distribution logistics, while the other focuses on customized delivery dispatch solutions:
Distribution logistics software
Its role is supply chain management. Usually, it consists of several solutions, each of which is responsible for its own task. For example, for distribution, delivery, transportation, etc. Such software is more suitable for international companies with a wide market.
Dedicated delivery management software
This is a more customized solution. The system is a single platform that is responsible for every stage of the supply chain. The solution is delivery oriented. Also, such solutions often have an intuitive interface. It is very important to have a user-friendly dashboard for managing delivery. This solution is popular for its customization options.
Final words
In an e-commerce business, finding the right software is very important. Because it is responsible for the reliability of delivery processes. Software that combines automation, integration, optimization will definitely be less of a hassle. It is especially important to find a suitable and reliable solution for fleet management. The choice is not easy, but making the right choice is critical.