Effective last mile logistics depends on two things coming together: planning and execution. Unfortunately, just because the planning process is sophisticated and powered by the latest technology, that’s no guarantee that the execution is going to follow seamlessly. It takes a combination of effective route planning and scheduling plus effective driver mobile apps to ensure that things go off without a hitch on the day of delivery.
Not all apps for delivery drivers are created equal. On the one hand, there are lightweight apps that only offer the bare minimum of capabilities (directions, order details, status updates). On the other, there are full-featured mobile apps that are connected and integrated with larger last mile logistics management capabilities. In between, there’s a wide spectrum of different options, each offering different features and functionality.
Here’s what to look for in apps for delivery drivers to make sure you’re getting the most out of your last mile capabilities and executing effectively on your delivery plans.
Most of the capabilities that you’re going to need in driver mobile apps have been available in some form or another for many years. But one real innovation in the driver empowerment space in the last few months has been the development of AI-powered driver intelligence.
The most cutting-edge solutions in this area can offer AI-generated voice readouts of location-based intelligence for each stop on a route. This can include things like order details and customer requests, as well as information about the delivery site drawn from data available on the web:
The right technology can eliminate the guesswork from these questions, all while slotting seamlessly into your driver’s existing workflows. The result is smoother deliveries and fewer disruptions. In other words, planning and execution come together more effectively.
With AI-powered location intelligence, your drivers can complete their jobs more smoothly than ever. But that smooth execution is only as valuable as your ability to document successful deliveries.
That’s where photographic proof of delivery comes in. Simply put, your drivers should be able to quickly and easily capture photos of the successful delivery as soon as it's been completed—along with a customer signature and any notes if needed.
This does more than just show that something was delivered. It shows when, where, and (crucially) in what condition the order was delivered. It can also show that your team left the delivery site in as good a condition as they found it.
In this way, you can head a lot of potential issues off at the pass. Customer claims your delivery team scratched their hardwood floors? You’ll be on the hook unless you have photos that show otherwise. Customers insisting that items were missing from the order as delivered? Only photographic evidence will show that everything in the order made it to the delivery site.
Here, the best practice is to ensure that your electronic proof of delivery is timestamped and geo-stamped as well, such that you can have an exact record of when and where every delivery took place. All of this helps to remove potential false liability concerns and ultimately get you and your drivers paid more quickly.
Proof of delivery will be the most important thing that apps for delivery drivers can offer you in most cases. But for the small percentage of deliveries that aren’t necessarily going according to plan, it’s crucial for drivers to have a lifeline to dispatchers that they can use to connect with dispatchers directly.
This should include three elements:
In the last instance, drivers can get immediate guidance from dispatchers when issues crop up, meaning that they avoid delivery disruptions and get more done each day.
One of the keys to real data visibility across your logistics chain is making sure that the right people are able to upload the right data to the right place. That means that any apps for delivery drivers you might be considering should have contingencies for workflows where the driver isn’t necessarily the one interacting with the app.
For instance, if you have a separate warehouse loader getting the goods into the truck before the driver sets off on their route for the day, you need to make sure those items are scanned onto the truck in a way that’s reflected in both your WMS and your logistics software.
The easiest way to make this happen is to leverage a technology solution that has a separate, integrated app for warehouse loaders. Bonus points if they also offer a salesperson app to provide delivery visibility to additional personas.
A huge piece of the delivery documentation pie is ensuring that your teams are in compliance with your SLAs. In some cases, a few pictures for proof of delivery really might not cut it in terms of documenting that the delivery or service was carried out in the way that you promised to the customer.
The best app for delivery drivers will solve this problem head on by enabling you to configure compliance forms and workflows that are specific to the jobs or items that your drivers and technicians are working on. These can even include prompts to take photos of specific steps of an installation process to ensure it was done to the right standard.
The impact here is improved compliance across the board and greater visibility into that compliance.
At DispatchTrack, we were some of the earliest pioneers in driver mobile applications for last mile logistics. Our platform is built on a SaaS last mile desktop application and a connected driver mobile app that share data in real-time to empower drivers, ensure visibility, and promote compliance and documentation.
Our driver mobile app offers:
This is all embedded within a logistics solution that covers the last mile journey from end to end, including routing, dispatching, customer experience, visibility, and reporting.
Recently, we also announced our industry-first Driver AI capabilities. This functionality provides drivers with an AI-generated briefing before each and every stop to take the guesswork out of things like parking, building access, and other concerns. This takes the form of a voice note that’s read out as part of the driver’s normal workflow.
DispatchTrack’s solution streamlines the last mile—Driver AI streamlines the last 50 feet. If you’re interested in learning more, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our experts today.