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Successful CLDA 2025 Final Mile Forum in San Diego!

Another successful FMF in the books! Events like the CLDA Final Mile Forum are always a fantastic opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and forge new connections. Charlie had the privilege of joining a panel discussion on “What Shippers Want: Small Parcel,” and we shared some exciting new features within Xcelerator and MobileTek. We’re thrilled to keep the momentum going and look forward to sharing more innovative features with you! Contact your sales rep to learn more.

Dispatch Automation & Route Planning Optimization

Xcelerator’s dynamic optimization engine delivers visibility of stop-sequencing and ETAs based on the best delivery approach. ETA’s factoring in real-time traffic and dwell time are easily shared amongst operations, drivers, and shippers through automated notifications, reducing manual touch points, phone calls and check-ins, while rounding out the customers delivery experience. Xcelerator’s Route Planner Optimization will make your RFPs easier, and route planning faster, smarter, and more efficient, allowing you to process thousands of orders and automatically generate optimized routes in minutes!

 

Customer Spotlight: Blue Streak

Blue Streak offers a comprehensive range of time-sensitive messenger and courier services, parcel delivery, cargo, and freight shipping solutions. When you choose Blue Streak, you can count on our professional, friendly team members, who view themselves as true ambassadors of service to your business and partners.

With over 35 years of experience, the Blue Streak team has earned a reputation for professionalism and reliability in the transportation industry. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to upholding the high standards of service that have made us a trusted partner for our customers.

Webinar Wednesdays!

Another successful Webinar Wednesday, big thanks to David and Ryan! This session was all about MobileTek Core. Learning how to elevate your operations with cutting-edge features, with an exclusive look at our exciting soon to be released feature: Multiple VPOD (Visual Proof of Delivery), designed to boost shipper and consignee satisfaction. This is your chance to level up your logistics game, contact your sales rep to learn more.

Information on our March webinar on Route Planning coming soon!

 


 

DRIVERLENS logo

IC’s are Joining DriverLens and are Looking for Carriers!

Over the last YEAR alone over 1000 drivers and counting have signed up for DriverLens in major cities. More are onboarding daily across the country.

You do NOT need to add the IC’s you work with now to DriverLens. Activating DriverLens lets you be seen as an available carrier option that IC’s can reach out to, to let you know they are open to perform deliveries for you.

When you use DriverLens like this, drivers come to you and it changes the game of recruiting drivers!

Get started and activate DriverLens to connect with these available IC’s. There are multiple ways for your company to benefit from DriverLens…

  • It’s FREE to use, you have nothing to lose.
  • Drivers that are using DriverLens can see your Company listed as an available carrier option to connect with, right in their app.
  • Gain visibility to available IC’s on the DriverLens map by simply choosing to activate DriverLens.
  • Eliminate MobileTek costs and save $$ by adding the IC’s in your network to DriverLens.
  • Drivers are already equipped with MobileTek Core and able to scan, take pics, and VPOD’s.
  • Use the quote request to broadcast a delivery opportunity to multiple IC’s, improving your margin and adding a competitive edge, or take a gig economy first come, first serve approach.
  • Choose to only see IC’s that use your preferred Third-Party Administrator

And more…

**Zoomed out…These are available drivers currently logged in and ready to go!!***

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2025 Shows!


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Dispatch Automation is where efficiency meets an operational excellence. Choose from three dispatch modes: Manual, Assisted, or Fully Automated. With Xcelerator, you can gradually transition to automated dispatch at your own pace, allowing you to scale operations with minimal overhead.

Combine Route Optimization with any level of Dispatch Automation to turbocharge operations with the best delivery approach. This includes stop-sequencing, ETA’s, time windows, service types, real-time traffic data, and more. Xcelerator’s Automated Dispatch and Optimization engine helps you to increase on-time performance and reduces unnecessary delays. Improving overall efficiency and communication between all parties involved in the lifecycle of an order.

Assisted Dispatch shown below (we can’t show you the fully automated, it’s too fast for a screenshot!) offers your operations team the top driver options considered for that delivery. Assisted dispatch lets you visualize the impact the new order will have on each drivers existing delivery path, and then your team can take it from there!

In the dynamic landscape of modern delivery services many carriers are taking on new delivery types like Home Delivery to grow their business and take advantage of the ever-increasing need for Final Mile Delivery

Xcelerator’s recent deployment of our home delivery scheduling component has been a homerun with customers that have been doing home delivery for a while and using other systems, as well as customers entering the home delivery landscape. Carriers that were using another system to perform the scheduling tasks have been able to eliminate that outside system, consolidating and saving money while improving efficiency with everything now included in Xcelerator.

With home delivery, communicating with consignees, drivers, and shippers to keep them sync’d up can be an enormous challenge. Overcoming this challenge and automating it is the key to success. Xcelerator helps carriers simplify communication with customizable automated notifications as well as a two-way chat component that is tethered to the order and package in question. Two-way chat supports practically all multi-media as well, seamlessly addressing requests, resolving concerns, and rectifying issues ensuring everyone is thrilled with the delivery experience.

In the dynamic landscape of modern delivery services, technology is empowering carriers to augment their delivery network with new lines of business in previously untouched vertical markets. Final mile software platforms like Xcelerator are advancing their applications with features and functionality that complement the carriers existing B-B delivery network, to easily adopt a B-C model that encompasses Home Delivery and the scheduling complexities that come with it.

Adding a Home Delivery service to existing delivery verticals can be challenging, however platforms like Xcelerator are proving to smooth the speed bumps encountered when working with a new customer base. Home delivery challenges are found in receiving products, coordinating delivery times, communicating with drivers and consignees, as well as case management. Adopting technology automates and streamlines that process end-to-end, transforming not only the customer journey, but your internal operations as well. By leveraging the technology carriers have a newfound sense of control over their delivery experience when embarking in new areas like Home Delivery.

Through the combination of consignees self-scheduling deliveries through SMS communication and route optimization applied to those scheduled deliveries, carriers now have the tools and resources for operational finesse, and customer-centric engagement. Your entire final mile delivery management and optimization platform will stand not only as a symbol of courage to move into new markets, but also as a model of exceptional customer satisfaction.

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, delivery services have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Fueled by the relentless expansion of e-commerce and the soaring demands of customers, the effective and reliable orchestration of deliveries has taken on an unprecedented level of importance.

Unlocking the Potential of Delivery Management and Optimization

With delivery management and optimization platforms, continuously refining processes and enhancing customer experiences is a non-negotiable goal. The qualities of adaptability, dependability, and pinpoint precision are not simply just desirable – they have become the foundations that inspire confidence in the day-to-day life of operational teams.

Dispatch Automation Flexibility

When assessing delivery management software, the dispatch automation functionality it provides is an attribute that emerges as a clear game-changer. Dispatch Automation aligns carriers seamlessly with their operational preferences, providing a streamlined approach to delivery orchestration.

Navigating with Precision: Real-Time Event Monitoring and Geofencing

When it comes to delivery operations, precision is the undeniable ruler. When in search of the perfect delivery management software, the inclusion of real-time event monitoring and precise geofencing capabilities is significant. These elements not only elevate accuracy but also guarantee the flawless execution of deliveries to their intended destinations. By offering operational teams’ deep insight, errors are dramatically diminished.

Beyond the Transaction: Elevating Business by Surpassing Customer Expectations

We are all working to surpass customer expectations, embedding that approach into our company culture to ensure customers continue the relationship. This fundamental approach gives a competitive advantage that delivery management and optimization endeavors truly hunger for. By offering an experience that goes beyond the mundane and the expected, businesses stand poised to carve their mark in the annals of customer loyalty and satisfaction.

The world of delivery management is hurtling forward with unprecedented momentum. Mastering the art of delivery management and optimization is no longer an option – it’s imperative to survive. The fusion of automation, precision, and a relentless commitment to customer satisfaction forms the trio that defines success in this brave new era of business. So, are you ready to go beyond the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary in delivery services? The future is knocking; it’s time to answer the call.

In today’s competitive business landscape, building strong customer relationships is essential for long-term success. One effective way to achieve this is using customer-facing portals, apps, and resources that provide an exceptional customer experience. By offering live quoting, customized tracking, and reporting features, you can solidify customer relationships and attract new business while helping your customers fall in love with your company on every delivery.

One of the key benefits is the ability to provide live quoting. With this feature, your customers can receive real-time quotes for your products or services, allowing them to make informed decisions quickly. This not only saves them time but also enhances their overall experience with your company, showing that you value their time and are committed to providing a seamless and efficient service.

In addition to live quoting, detailed customized tracking is another valuable feature that can strengthen customer relationships. By allowing customers to track their orders in real-time and receive updates on their delivery status, you can keep them informed and engaged throughout the process. This transparency builds trust and confidence in your company, as customers can see exactly where their orders are at any given moment and know when to expect them.

Reporting is another essential feature that can be offered through customer-facing portals and apps. By providing detailed reports on order history, delivery performance, and other relevant metrics, you can demonstrate your commitment to excellence and professionalism. These reports can be customized based on your customers’ needs, providing them with valuable insights and data that can help them make informed decisions about their own operations.

To stay ahead of the competition and thrive in today’s customer-centric business environment, deploying customer-facing portals, apps, and resources are powerful tools that can help you solidify customer relationships and attract new business.

How will the software vendor you choose, remain to be a quality partner for years to come? By providing you with a consistently evolving tech platform.

Look for a company with a business model that is built around consistently updating their platform on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis.  Frequent software updates enable you to:

  • Apply new features right away to achieve a higher ROI.
  • Be proactive in meeting your customer demands.
  • Stay ahead of your competitors and sell to your strengths.

If the software vendor doesn’t consistently enhance the application, your technology and your delivery business will eventually become stale and ineffective.

Pro tip: Get your head in the clouds…
Find a company that always evolves its software. It shouldn’t look like 2001 in there! Also consider a cloud-based solution and have the system updated for you. Nothing for you to do but impress your customers and make your team happy!

Thank you to the CLDA for putting on an excellent Final Mile Forum and Expo event this year. It was wonderful to see friends and customers in the exciting city of New Orleans.

Attending events like the CLDA Final Mile Forum enables us to grow existing relationships and quickly form new ones. We also approach industry events as a chance to improve our products; listening to customers as they describe challenges and opportunities. We look forward to seeing everyone for the 2024 Final Mile Forum in Las Vegas!

If you haven’t attended the CLDA, you’re missing out!

After you migrated to a new software platform and you’re making deliveries with ease, what happens when you need help?

When you need support, you are in a bind with your customer and need help now. Most providers have an automated phone system, leaving you with an empty feeling inside, hoping someone checks the voicemail and gets back to you today. Support is an extension of how the vendor views your relationship with them as the customer.

  • How many support techs does the vendor have?
  • How much turnover do they have on that team?
  • How do they sound on the phone when you call?
  • Do you close support cases or do they?
  • What are their SLA’s?

For a 24/7 business like yours, you want to find a company that provides live 24/7 support, along with highly trained support techs when you call.

Pro tip: Answering machines don’t have your back…
Look for a company that goes beyond the ordinary when it comes to support. Key Software has a 2-ring policy when customers call. Our phone won’t ring more than twice when you call…Ever!

2022 was a fantastic year for Key Software Systems – not only for our team, but for our customers who trust their business with us. Thank you for choosing Key Software Systems! Great work this year and thank you for being such an integral part of our growth in 2022.

Beyond the hundreds of minor enhancements, we took on some very large projects to put new and exceptional tools in the hands of our customers. Please see below for some insight on 2022 and what is to come for 2023 from our CTO, Chris Miller, our VP of Software Engineering, Brian Repetti and our Integrations Manager, Ted Mozer.

 

Chris Miller, CTO

For Key Software Systems, 2022 was a year defined by Evolution, Investment and Security.
The release of Xcelerator Oceana advanced our software significantly, allowing customers to enter new markets with innovative features that the competition simply cannot match.
Beyond adding many new capabilities, it was important to evolve and modernize existing modules to add value, improve the user experience and automate tasks.
KSS also made substantial investments in development resources, cloud infrastructure and security initiatives which will continue through 2023. Looking forward to 2023, there’s so much more we’re going to accomplish as we deliver on our commitments and continue to work with our valued customers to identify what is most important for their success today and in the future.

 

Brian Repetti, VP of Software Engineering

2023 is here and we are ready. This past year we have made large advancements in security, performance, infrastructure, and development resources.
We added new home delivery scheduling features in our Oceana releases. Now we are focused on the next evolution of our software with our upcoming Panama release. In the first release, you will find substantial improvements to Mass Import as well as improvements to Invoicing performance. We have much more planned for the near future so stay tuned.

We’re proud to announce that we’ve made significant investments in our Azure cloud infrastructure and security, ensuring that your data is always safe and secure. Our state-of-the-art technology provides lightning-fast speeds, increased reliability, and unparalleled security measures. Get ready for a seamless experience and peace of mind as you continue to drive your business forward with Key Software.

We are working hard to make sure that your company has the software and backend infrastructure it needs to succeed and grow not just into 2023 but well beyond.

 

Ted Mozer, Integrations Manager

In 2022, the Xcelerator Integrations Department saw a tremendous influx of integration requests and connections made. Our team met this demand head on, connecting a record number of customers with shippers and automating numerous, previously manual, internal processes.

Outside of connecting our customers with shippers, we have been modernizing our existing integration development processes. This modernization will help to reduce integration timelines even further, which in turn will connect you with your shippers faster than ever before.

To aid in our pursuit to connect you as fast as possible, with as many shippers as possible, we have also invested in additional development resources in 2022 and plan to further expand in 2023.

Looking to 2023 and beyond. We will continue to refine our processes, grow our integrations library, and fuel your business with growth opportunities from shippers who want to automate the delivery process through integrations.

 

Thank you to our customers for their devotion to innovative technology and for their involvement in working with our teams to transform ideal concepts into powerful, industry-leading solutions.