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Master Contractor Management Made Easy with Xcelerator

In the fast-moving world of last-mile delivery, efficiency and flexibility aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. That’s why we’ve reimagined Master Contractor (MC) management in Xcelerator, making it more impactful than ever.

Built on Customer Insight

We’ve listened closely to our customers, and the message is clear: managing Master Contractor and Subcontractor (MC->Sc) relationships should be streamlined, not stressful. With Xcelerator, that’s exactly what you get—powerful tools that make contractor management easy, automated, and effective.

Empower Your Master Contractors

With Xcelerator, setting up MC->Sc relationships is fast and intuitive. Master Contractors are empowered to:

  • Onboard new Subcontractors
  • Deactivate inactive Subs
  • Assign new orders—all without needing your operations team to step in.

This means MCs can fully run their side of the business while staying in sync with yours. You stay in control of the customer relationship, while giving your partners the autonomy they need to thrive.

Add Power with the Driver Portal

Pair this functionality with our intuitive Driver Portal, and you’ve got a game-changing combination. It puts simplified, real-time data directly into the hands of those who need it most—keeping everyone informed and efficient.

Say Goodbye to Manual Headaches

Xcelerator helps you:

  • Fully support the Independent Contractor (IC) and Master Contractor (MC) model
  • Improve MC relationships through transparency and automation
  • Automate settlements between all parties
  • Eliminate tedious back-and-forth between Ops and MCs
  • Simplify accounting and payments

Let Xcelerator Do the Heavy Lifting

Focus on growing your business and serving your customers—Xcelerator handles the rest. Whether you’re scaling operations, refining contractor relationships, or simplifying the way your teams work together, we’ve got your back.

Home Delivery World 2025

The Key Software Systems team had a great time at Home Delivery World connecting with industry leaders, carriers, and shippers to talk all things final mile, logistics tech, and how we’re helping streamline operations while elevating the customer experience.

A big shoutout to our own Patrick Scardilli, who led an insightful roundtable on:
“Final Mile Carrier Technology – Crossing the Threshold of Home Delivery Success.”
Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and shared their perspectives!

We’re energized by the innovation and collaboration on display — here’s to shaping the future of home delivery, together.

 

How Automation Speeds Up Courier Operations by 30%

Courier companies using automation report up to 30% faster response times—helping them stay on track and adapt quickly to changes throughout the day.

With Xcelerator’s dispatch automation and optimization tools, you can customize workflows to fit your operation, making it easier to manage high volumes, reduce delays, and keep drivers moving efficiently.

We’re focused on helping you scale with confidence—by giving you the tools to work smarter, not harder.



Customer Spotlight: Jason Perri Group

“Xcelerator and MobileTek have been game changers for our company. Their forward-thinking design, code building, and powerful reporting tools are what fueled our growth and solidified our position as HCA’s trusted medical courier partner. We highly recommend Xcelerator/MobileTek to anyone starting a courier business or who wants to scale their business quickly!”— Scott Hugger, COO, Jason Perri Group

At Key Software Systems, we’re proud to support fast-growing logistics providers like Jason Perri Group with scalable solutions that drive real results.

Whether you’re launching something new or scaling into the busy season, Xcelerator + MobileTek bring the power, flexibility, and visibility your courier business needs to thrive.

IC’s are Joining DriverLens and are Looking for Carriers!
Leverage DriverLens to help in your driver recruitment efforts!

Exciting Update! Independent Contractors (ICs) are signing up for DriverLens at an impressive rate, and they’re actively searching for carriers like you! Over 120 IC drivers have already joined in the past few days across key areas like NYC, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Detroit.

These drivers are looking for reliable carriers—but they won’t be able to find you unless you take action and activate DriverLens now. And the best part? It’s completely FREE!

There are currently over 2500 available IC’s using DriverLens and it’s growing daily. 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.

There are multiple ways for your company to benefit from DriverLens…

  • It’s FREE to use, you have nothing to lose.
  • IC’s 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.


Final Mile Delivery Innovation & Carrier Solutions Powered by Key Software Systems



ECA MarketPlace 2025

We were honored to be a proud sponsor of this year’s ECA: A Delivery Industry Alliance MarketPlace in Reno! A big thank you to the ECA team for organizing such a dynamic event.

It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with customers, forge new relationships, and showcase how the right software partner can help drive growth and efficiency in your business.

Let’s keep the conversations going—looking forward to seeing everyone next year in Texas!

Pickup and Delivery Driver Proximity Alerts

Keep your customers and consignees informed every step of the way with up to 10 fully customizable notifications delivered via email, SMS, or push alerts. One of our most popular features, proximity alerts, notifies recipients when a driver is within one mile of the pickup or delivery location. This real-time update helps consignees prepare for incoming packages, ensuring a smoother, more efficient delivery experience for everyone involved.

 

 

 

Customer Spotlight: Now Courier

At NOW Courier, we’re driven by understanding our customers deeply, anticipating their needs, and building genuine partnerships. We believe in delivering more than just packages – we’re about providing purposeful experiences and staying ahead of the curve.

 

 

To make that happen, we need the right tools. That’s where Key Software’s Xcelerator and MobileTek have been game-changers. It’s not just about tracking deliveries; it’s about having real control and real data at our fingertips.

What do I mean by that:

  • Fast data: Being able to query and export information quickly, so we can make smart decisions, fast.
  • Driver visibility: Mapping and tracing our drivers in real-time, so we know exactly where things are.
  • Proof of delivery, nailed: Geolocation of POD locations, so we have accurate confirmation, every time.
  • Delivery accuracy, guaranteed: Geofencing that cuts down on errors and keeps us on point.

For a company like NOW Courier, where we’re handling everything from specialized medical deliveries to larger expedited freight, Xcelerator and MobileTek give us the edge we need. It’s about being strategic, having a clear plan, and empowering our team to deliver excellence.

Key Software understands this. They’ve given us a system that aligns with our customer-centric approach and helps us build those strong, lasting relationships we’re known for. It’s not just software; it’s a partnership that helps us deliver on our promise.

Webinar Wednesdays!

A big thank you to Brian, Ray, and Gary from our Integrations Team for leading this month’s insightful Webinar Wednesday session! We took a deep dive into how our dedicated team designs and builds the essential APIs, EDIs, custom reports, templates, portals, and specialized services that power the Xcelerator build—filling functionality gaps and enhancing your overall experience.

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

– An in-depth look at the cutting-edge technologies we leverage to develop innovative, scalable solutions.
– A behind-the-scenes view of our team’s development process—how we tailor each project to meet your unique connection and integration needs.
– A preview of the productivity and efficiency tools we’re adopting this year to serve you better and faster.

Stay connected, and don’t miss the next opportunity to engage with our team and discover how we can help elevate your integration strategy.

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DRIVERLENS logo

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

Leverage DriverLens to help in your driver recruitment efforts!

Exciting Update! Independent Contractors (ICs) are signing up for DriverLens at an impressive rate, and they’re actively searching for carriers like you! Over 120 IC drivers have already joined in the past few days across key areas like NYC, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Detroit.

These drivers are looking for reliable carriers—but they won’t be able to find you unless you take action and activate DriverLens now. And the best part? It’s completely FREE!

 

 

There are currently over 2500 available IC’s using DriverLens and it’s growing daily. 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.

There are multiple ways for your company to benefit from DriverLens…

    • It’s FREE to use, you have nothing to lose.
    • IC’s 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.

 

Key Software at the ECA MarketPlace: Innovation, Connection & Collaboration

We were proud to sponsor and participate in this year’s ECA: A Delivery Industry Alliance MarketPlace in beautiful Reno, Nevada!

From start to finish, the event was a dynamic gathering of delivery professionals, technology innovators, and industry leaders—each bringing valuable insights and energy to the table. A huge thank you to the ECA team for organizing such an engaging and impactful event.

A Space for Growth & Collaboration

The ECA MarketPlace gave us the opportunity to:

  • Reconnect with long-time customers
  • Build new relationships with forward-thinking carriers
  • Showcase how Key Software’s solutions help drive growth and efficiency

It was exciting to demonstrate how choosing the right software partner can make all the difference—whether you’re optimizing last-mile delivery, managing contractors, or scaling your operations.

Onward to Texas!

We’re energized by the conversations we had in Reno and inspired by the innovation happening across the delivery space. Let’s keep the momentum going—we’re already looking forward to seeing everyone next year in Texas!

Until then, if you’re looking to elevate your delivery operations, we’re here to help.



key software sponsors eca event reno nv


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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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In May 2020, there was a huge increase in web searches for online grocery delivery, amid the COVID-19 outbreak. These trends drove rapid acceleration in the US courier delivery market, expanding the size to an estimated $133.8 billion in 2022.

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Image Source: IBIS World

This was not a temporary phase that ended with the reopening of the economy. It marked a secular shift in customer behavior and expectations. Additionally, the pandemic led to supply chain disruptions, forcing companies to better manage their deliverables to remain competitive.

Some companies make the mistake of choosing numerous plug-in modules to ease different parts of the delivery process. However, this approach has proved to be inefficient and ineffective and comes with installation issues and poor support. Instead, it’s ideal to choose a comprehensive, cost-effective and customizable courier software to efficiently meet the expectations of the most discerning customers. The courier software should allow a logistics company to optimize their entire business, from order creation to invoicing, bringing efficiency at every stage and helping scale operations with ease.

To make the decision, here are some signs of the best courier software.

  • Delivery for Different Timeframes – Your company may offer different delivery schedules, like same-day, next-day, or scheduled for a particular date. The courier software should allow for resource allocation accordingly. This is particularly important as the US same-day delivery market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of over 10%.
  • Cross Browser – The software should work seamlessly across browsers so that your team is not bound to one browser. With this, your staff can use the software from anywhere and at any time on their laptops and PCs.
  • Dynamic Route Optimization – This feature will help your company significantly increase dispatcher productivity and reduce vehicle operating costs. This will allow for better customer service.
  • Contactless Options – Choose a software with an auto-dispatch functionality to allow contactless dispatching. Using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence enables the complete automation of operations.
  • Customization – The software should allow customizable SMS and email updates to customers to enhance your brand value. It should also have custom options, like dispatching from multiple hubs and scheduling load and unload times.
  • Free Mobile Reporting App – The software should seamlessly integrate with an app for tracking drivers. With such an app downloaded on driver cellphones, you can track them with GPS, streamline communication with them, and get visual proof of delivery.
  • KPI Reporting – A user-friendly dashboard with interactive KPIs on different stages in scheduling, dispatch and delivery will greatly increase visibility. This allows faster and more informed decision-making through the company.

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Image Source: https://www.keysoftwaresystems.com/uploads/2/7/8/5/27857909/screens-2_orig.png

A robust courier software will not only drive cost efficiencies but also improve customer experience. This is essential in today’s competitive landscape. The good news is that the investment in courier software pays off, with 86% of customers willing to pay a premium for a better experience.

When choosing the best courier software, don’t forget to check their list of clients and partners. This establishes the company’s credibility and the efficacy of its courier software. Also, check their website for association memberships, like the CLDA (Customized Logistics and Delivery Association) and AEMCA (Air and Expedited Motor Carrier Association).

With GPS tracking, you have real-time information about every driver’s whereabouts and can make informed decisions to increase efficiency. For instance, the drivers’ locations can be shared with personnel at loading bays to ensure they have the goods ready for dispatch on time. When you receive customer complaints, you can drill down into the data to identify the issue(s) and find solutions.

CURB SOARING SUPPLY CHAIN COSTS

The pandemic caused massive supply chain disruptions, resulting in a phenomenal rise in associated costs across industries. Supply chain disruptions resulted in average annual costs to companies of an estimated $228 million in 2021. Costs are expected to remain elevated through 2022. Companies can reduce the financial burden by using GPS tracking to make informed and timely decisions.

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

With GPS fleet tracking, companies can save time and money. Logistics companies will know the exact location of each vehicle in their fleet and can implement solutions to make the process smoother and faster. For instance, GPS tracking may show that the average time spent at loading bays is high.

Companies have been able to reduce time spent by:

  • Making the layout of loading sites more functional by bringing all interrelated activities in one area location and separating them from unrelated activities.
  • Allowing pre-loading, where drivers can visit the loading site at off-peak hours and reduce their wait time.

DIGITIZING THE PROCESS

GPS tracking can be used with other solutions to deliver great value. For instance, proof-of-delivery, digital signature capture, and streamlining payroll can make the process robust and free of human error or manipulation.

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Image Source: https://www.keysoftwaresystems.com/newsroom/key-software-systems-releases-mobiletek-web-31

IMPROVE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

In today’s competitive landscape, customer experience is everything. This is because it costs a business 5X more to get a new customer onboard than to retain an existing customer. A recent study found that customer experience is on track to become the most important brand differentiator, overtaking price and even product features. With GPS, you can share the drivers’ live tracking with customers, providing an estimate of when the package will arrive.

OTHER BENEFITS

Encourage safe driving – There were about 510,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks in 2019. GPS tracking promotes safer driving because drivers know that their speed and other dangerous behaviors are being monitored.

Accurate calculation of overtime pay – GPS tracking automates the recording of work hours, eliminating human errors involved in manual reporting.

Route optimization – Drivers will know how much traffic they will encounter and can decide on the fastest route. This will also help reduce fuel costs and vehicle wear and tear.

Apart from all these benefits, GPS tracking can increase transparency and avoid confusion in the entire process. This is essential for meeting the challenges of same-day and scheduled deliveries.

November 17, 2021

keysoftwaresystems

AllNewsletter

The increasing demand for e-commerce and steadily rising consumer expectations have put more pressure on retailers to improve the delivery process while keeping a check on the costs. It is estimated that customers spent nearly $791.70 billion online with US merchants in 2020, up a striking incredible 32.4% year over year. This has turned up renewed attention to order fulfillment, especially last-mile delivery.

Here are some of the top trends that retailers can expect in the coming years:

1. SMART TRACKING

Logistics companies have been increasingly investing in technology to enable better real-time tracking and enhanced visibility. For surviving in this competitive industry, it is a must to utilize features like route optimization and deliver packages quickly in condition. For instance, some companies rely on GPS tracking systems for monitoring the performance of drivers and guiding them on better routes to make efficient deliveries. It helps them in enhancing productivity by up to 20% and reducing fuel costs by almost 15%.

2. ROBOTIC DELIVERY

Labor accounts for more than half of the expenses associated with last-mile delivery. And with labor, there are many issues that the logistics companies have to manage, such as rising costs, availability, and scheduling. That is why some of them are shifting their focus to robotic delivery in the form of self-driving vehicles, drones, and autonomous delivery bots.

3. INCREASE IN URBAN WAREHOUSES

Logistics companies have been witnessing rapid growth in same-day deliveries over recent years. It is expected that their market share will reach a combined share of 20%-25% of the entire last-mile delivery market by 2025. To catch up with this trend, they are increasingly building warehouses in metropolitan cities for the immediate delivery of products. They are hoping to significantly reduce their delivery time while simplifying the work of delivery executives.

4. IMPORTANCE OF BIG DATA

Another trend that has gained importance is the increasing use of big data by companies for predictive analytics to optimize the delivery process. It is indeed the next big thing for the industry. It’s being used in almost every aspect of last-mile delivery including planning, rerouting, and even inventory management. Companies are hoping to boost their revenue by making well-informed decisions based on the huge volumes of data accessible to them.

5. DRIVERS BECOME MERCHANTS

As customer demand is rising, logistics companies are looking for more innovative solutions to gain a competitive edge in the market. They have begun using delivery agents to increase sales. While Big Data has been helping them predict the customers’ behavior towards their products, their agents are engaged in word-of-mouth publicity for your brand.

Exciting things have been happening in last-mile logistics. However, the level of technology being used to push the frontiers of this market and same-day delivery is getting more complex while enhancing the scope of the market. That’s why it’s vital for logistics companies to take note of these trends in last-mile logistics today, so they may be able to maintain their competitive advantage.

There was a strong trend in growth in last-mile delivery pre-pandemic, which was proving challenging for businesses but also driving innovations. Then came 2020, and the demand for delivery services exploded. If you were a small e-commerce business owner with your own delivery system during last year, you were at an advantage. But think of the neighborhood grocery store, which had to provide increased slots for home deliveries or risk going out of business. At the peak of the pandemic, online grocery spending in the US surged to about 15% from the previous 3 to 4% levels. These businesses had to resort to gig economy services as the last resort, escalating costs and strains on the system never seen before.

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Image Source: https://unctad.org/news/covid-19-has-changed-online-shopping-forever-survey-shows

While lockdowns have eased, consumer preferences for online shopping aren’t expected to decline. For instance, in furnishings and appliances, while 46% of consumers using online channels for purchase pre-pandemic, now 60% will do so in the post-Covid-19 world. As a business owner, you now need to have a sound approach to meet the surging demand for home deliveries. Whether you are a retail store or a logistics company, you need a robust courier software to meet customer expectations and drive true differentiation.

PICKING THE RIGHT COURIER SOFTWARE

Dynamic Route Optimization Feature

With soaring petrol and diesel prices globally, it is more important than ever to reduce your vehicle operating costs and increase dispatcher productivity. Not to mention, that customers demand same-day deliveries. In the pre-pandemic era, a quarter of customers would pay a premium for that. A route optimization feature will help you reduce fuel costs, overall maintenance costs, and the risk of exposure for delivery partners. They can complete their jobs in the shortest possible time.

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Easy API Integrations

If the software has standardized integration functionalities, it can improve your prospects to capture new business. Suppose a low-volume local shipper would like to collaborate with you and reduce your burden of increased door-to-door delivery demands. They can simply connect to the system through API integration, dynamically create orders, get quotes, and track shipments. This can enable them to grow their business too, creating a win-win partnership.

Dashboard Reporting in Detail

You might want to get detailed dashboard reports on your device, with real-time and historic data on a user-friendly interface. The managers will be able to focus on various KPIs to drive efficiency, by visualizing and analyzing data. They will have increased access to time-sensitive information.

Automation and Contactless Technologies

Contactless technologies not only enhance dispatcher productivity but also are crucial to surviving in the post-pandemic world. Dispatchers should be able to find the best driver for delivery based on pre-defined rules and real-time conditions. Geofence automation can further elevate driver accountability and compliance through arrival and departure timestamps. Further, if a package is left without a signature a visual proof of delivery (VPOD), can help you assure customers.

With customer expectations changing dramatically post-pandemic, the right courier software can help you drive loyalty, accountability, and growth in the bottom lines.