Thanks to Amazon Prime, expectations for how long shipping takes, and what shipping costs, have changed. Instead of the five-to-seven-day shipping time that was the standard before, consumers are now expecting two-to-five day shipping times — at no additional cost.
Retailers like Walmart have begun to implement similar shipping models to Amazon’s, and sellers on eBay have begun to include shipping into the advertised price so they can offer it “free.” Why? Because that is the new norm and what customers want.
With customers drawn to faster shipping options, businesses are working to make the necessary changes to give them what they’re asking for. This is proving to be difficult for some businesses, not due to the cost of offering shorter shipping times, but because of the delivery software they must use.
The Future of Delivery Software
Many businesses are using delivery software that isn’t completely up-to-date. While it may work for basic functions, it can make it difficult to change shipping models and optimize methods. This, in turn, makes it difficult to provide customers with the shipping and delivery services they’ve come to expect.
That said, some software companies have developed comprehensive delivery software solutions that not only enable businesses to provide better, faster shipping to customers but also optimize their operations and even reduce operating costs.
Why You Should Upgrade Your Delivery Software
If you haven’t upgraded your delivery software in a while, it’s probably time to reevaluate its capabilities and see if you’re getting the most out of it. Here are some of the biggest benefits of modern delivery software that you need to take advantage of:
It can help you take the best routes and minimize “pointless” driving.
There’s almost always more than one way to get somewhere, but not all methods are equally efficient. Upgraded delivery software can help your drivers find and take the most efficient routes and minimize driving around unable to find an address.
It enables you to make real-time updates to shipments.
Things happen, and sometimes shipments run late. A late shipment can be frustrating enough for the delivery driver and the customer, but what’s even more frustrating is not being able to let the customer know and the feedback you’ll undoubtedly receive after the delivery finally arrives.
Upgraded delivery software enables you to update the customer in real-time, so they’ll know if their shipment is running late and will be able to get an idea of when they can expect it. This not only makes them happier but also improves their relationship with your company.
It can help you reduce the risk of loss.
Whether the package is accidentally picked up by the wrong person, taken on purpose, or brought inside by a forgetful loved one, a lost package can cause a lot of frustration and result in loss for companies. Upgraded delivery software can put GPS tracking into packages, making it easier to locate any that are presumed loss and reducing risk.
It will help you manage inventory more effectively.
You only have control over so much, which means things can happen that cause issues with your inventory or slow down the entire fulfillment process. Upgraded delivery software can keep you notified when you’re running low or need more stock so that you can do everything in your control to manage your inventory and avoid being delayed by things like holdups in the supply chain.
It will give you access to important analytics.
If you don’t know where things are going wrong or why, you won’t be able to fix them. Having access to analytics is critical since those analytics give you the information you need to make improvements, optimize your business, and keep customers happy.
It enables you to track your fleet.
You’ve put a lot of money into your fleet, and it’s a huge asset. It’s important for you to keep track of all vehicles and know where they are—especially when they’re not on schedule or have missed a delivery. Upgraded delivery software makes that possible by letting you track your fleet and keep up-to-date in real time.
It will help you increase productivity overall.
The more you know, the more power you have. With all of the data and information of upgraded delivery software, you’ll be able to optimize your business and increase productivity, which is good for employees, consumers, and your bottom line.
As things continue to change and consumer expectations continue to evolve, it’s important to watch for continued development in delivery software and what will be coming in the future. Not only can delivery software help you provide customers with a better delivery experience, but it can also help you grow your company as a whole.
Why are you interested in new delivery software?
