How Connected Platforms Improve Last Mile Delivery Tracking

Drivers play a crucial role in last mile operations. They're the final contact of the customers in the order fulfillment process. As such, driver mobile apps offer many benefits in ensuring that the last mile delivery process is both efficient and productive.

The most crucial element of a driver mobile app, however, is connectivity with your last mile software. When you have a connected platform that includes both planning and execution via a mobile app, you can boost efficiency and minimize disruptions. With that in mind, here's how the right driver mobile application can help improve last mile tracking:

How the Right Technology Improves Last Mile Delivery Tracking

Seamless Dispatching

Manual dispatching (where dispatchers hand out hard copies of drivers' assignments) need to be a thing of the past. It's quite difficult to achieve efficiency with manual processes like these. That's why automation is one of the most important features of modern delivery management software.

Aside from route planning and optimization, your delivery management platform should offer automated dispatching via the driver app. Dispatchers can ditch the paper by sending drivers their assignments through the app, saving your company time and money.

On-Demand Order Fulfillment

Supply chain and delivery businesses are seeing higher numbers for on-demand deliveries in the last few years. One study showed that 70 percent of shoppers are willing to pay for faster and more convenient delivery options. Of these 70 percent, wanted a same-day delivery option. 

As such, businesses have to increase their delivery efficiency to satisfy customer expectations. The instant connectivity between dispatchers and drivers that a mobile app provides can help make that possible. 

Improved Route Execution

The right mobile application gives turn-by-turn directions to drivers based on optimized routes. This then improves fuel efficiency, since drivers will be spending less time on the road. Improving driver navigation will thereby result in a lower cost of delivery and higher capacity usage.

Ideally, these routes would also be optimized to have highly precise and accurate ETAs, so that drivers aren’t always running behind and scrambling to complete their deliveries for the day. Drivers can have more confidence in the route plans provided to them, which translates to fewer missed and late deliveries.

Real-Time Reporting

As drivers use a mobile app, they should be constantly noting their statuses (going to a job, finishing a job, etc.), such that real-time information like delivery updates and electronic proof of delivery can be sent back to the centralized system. This helps ensure that dispatchers and managers are always on top of the operations and powers better real-time tracking.

Better Communication Among Teams

Highly-connected mobile dispatch software solutions also streamline communication among teams, allowing internal delivery stakeholders to communicate effectively with drivers and technicians without calling them up on the phone. Drivers can use the chat or message functions in the apps to talk to their dispatcher or the customer support team.

Plus, dispatchers can change routes without calling the drivers by simply dispatching new directions. Dispatchers should also receive notifications as soon as the driver completes a delivery assignment. This improves last mile carrier tracking and shipment visibility significantly. 

Improved Customer Notifications

The app's chat functions let drivers communicate directly with customers by sending timely delivery alerts. Timely information like this empowers you to leverage your delivery management solution to boost customer satisfaction and elevate the customer delivery experience.

For example, drivers who are heading to a delivery drop-off point can message the customer that they're on their way. This makes customers feel more valued and they help ensure that the customer is actually home to receive the delivery. It also reduces the customer’s need to call in and ask for a delivery status update.

Electronic Proof of Delivery

Proof of delivery (PoD) confirming that the order has been delivered to the customer is crucial. Rather than paper-based PoD, driver apps come with built-in digital proof of delivery, allowing drivers to collect electronic signatures, photos and videos, notes, and more.

The PoD collected or generated can then be sent and stored in the central system, so fleet managers and dispatchers can easily access them as needed. This removes any delays caused by manual reporting. At the same time, this helps to decrease false liability.  

Businesses that provide their drivers with a robust mobile application can improve communications, achieve higher productivity, lower operating costs, and improve customer experience—all thanks to the fact that the right driver app significantly enhances last mile tracking and visibility.