Archive for September, 2021

Dispatch management is one of the most crucial tasks of a service company aiming to provide fast and efficient delivery operations. The task involves matching customer and equipment needs with appropriate field service workers. Organizations are increasingly choosing to use dispatch software that automates and optimizes field workers’ schedules across geographies thereby boosting productivity.

Dispatch software replaces the earlier manual system of using whiteboards, email systems and online calendars to schedule deliveries thereby saving a lot of time and effort.

The use of dispatch software allows identification of personnel with specific skillsets and finding the nearest workers by using a routing tool. The software also uses historical data and traffic patterns to create more accurate and realistic schedules. The software can even be connected to mobile devices, allowing people to access it from anywhere.

BENEFITS OF USING DISPATCH SOFTWARE

• Better Management: The use of dispatch software allows service providers to become more organized and say goodbye to cluttered workspaces, constant follow-ups and reminders. One single software takes care of all the aspects related to the dispatch function.
• Simplifies Dispatch: The software allows optimization of schedules by matching the most suitable personnel to a specific task or delivery. Instant availability of information allows for better use of time and personnel.
• Saves Time and Efforts: The software saves time and resources by eliminating wasteful overhead spending on overtime, extra travel and downtime.
• Improved Customer Satisfaction: Courier and other dispatch services can retain their customer base and attract new ones only by offering the best services. The use of software allows them to plan the fastest routes and ensure that deliveries are on time. It also allows sharing of real-time information between the customers and the dispatch team.

CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING A DISPATCH SOFTWARE

While looking for dispatch software for streamlining delivery operations, do check these features:

• Ease of Use: The software should be simple to use and customizable to harness and leverage the power of your business.
• Dynamic Route Optimization Feature: The inclusion of this feature allows a business to reduce vehicle operation costs, boost dispatcher productivity, improve customer service and build a loyal workforce.
• Customizable Email, SMS/Text Message Alerts: These allow consignees and customers to have an excellent experience from start to finish.
• Auto-Dispatch and Assisted Dispatch Facilities: This feature allows hands-free dispatching besides assisting dispatchers to find the best worker for an order based on a set of user-defined rules, real-time conditions and artificial intelligence.
• Inbuilt Accounting: This feature allows the faster generation of error-free invoices.
• Analytics: Apart from providing real-time information, the software should allow stakeholders to customize detailed reports for enhanced decision making. In fact, you can choose a solution with a free mobile reporting app to make it even more convenient.

Systems that automate the flow of time sensitive information are important. However, systems that can streamline operations, maximize the use of your resources, provide accurate information in well-defined reports, and ensure an excellent customer experience help your company attract new business, increase efficiency and boost profits.

The increasing popularity of mobile and its instant connectivity feature has led to a dramatic shift in the way logistic operations are carried out around the world. With a large percentage of the world population using smartphones and accessible 24/7, businesses have had to change their working to include mobile-friendly technologies in the provision of their services. Recognizing the power of mobiles, more and more companies are incorporating apps that integrate and connect directly to business systems.

Powerful software solutions that can be integrated with mobile phones allow logistics providers to streamline communication to their mobile workforce, customers and consignees across various business models. These solutions are designed in such a way that they can run on all major mobile platforms including iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Windows mobile.

MOBILES BENEFITS BOTH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CUSTOMERS

Mobiles have emerged as excellent tools to enhance the level of connectivity between various parties involved in a logistics business. The development of logistics management apps that connect and integrate directly to business systems not only allows the service providers to keep track of the movement of the goods but also allow customers to check the status of their deliveries. The use of mobile apps allows businesses and their employees to manage everything from a single device.

Some major trends in the logistics segment are:

• Use of GPS Tracking: The inclusion of an integrated GPS system in the mobile allows all logistic providers to accurately locate and track the movement of all the drivers and the delivery personnel. This also helps in avoiding transportation delays besides better managing customer expectations. Adequate contingency plans can also be developed with the help of the available tracking data.
• Automation of Processes: This allows mobile apps to generate reports and monitor performance metrics. These apps can provide alerts and notifications of key information thereby boosting data flow.
• Inclusion of Modern technologies: The incorporation of modern technologies in mobile phones allows them to be used as cameras, handheld computers, barcode and label printers, scanners, RFID tags, GPS, voice recognition software and shared logistic networks. Smartphones are fast replacing ruggedized devices and combining several technologies to offer complete mobile solutions for logistics management.
• Geofence Automation: This feature leads to better accountability and compliance by identifying pickup or delivery locations for arrival and departure timestamps based on the entrance and exit of an address specific Geofence.
• 5G: This offers higher network capacity and lower latency than its predecessor. With 5G, mobile phones will become even more powerful for getting work done with efficiency. With broader coverage and more stable connections, there will be increased visibility into the logistics of moving items.

With the onset of the pandemic, manufacturers, retailers, participants of supply chains, and consumers have become more dependent on smartphones.

Mobile technologies allow businesses to get greater visibility in the performance of their supply chain and identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce costs. The technology has made it possible for logistics companies to work defensively and instead enabled them to take preemptive measures by analyzing the data to make informed forecasts.