Mobile electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) software connects operations teams with delivery personnel and helps them work together on fulfilling deliveries and collecting proof of deliveries in a timely, safe and compliant manner. One of the ways in which it facilitates smooth deliveries is by managing route progression.

What is Route Progression?

Route progression is the monitoring and management of delivery routes in real-time as drivers move from one delivery point to another. An ePOD system tracks the status and progress of deliveries along the planned route, ensuring that each delivery is completed efficiently and any deviation is promptly addressed.

How Does Mobile ePOD Software Manage Route Progression?

1. Real-Time Tracking

Route progression starts with the real-time tracking of delivery vehicles. ePOD software uses GPS technology to monitor the location of each vehicle. Managers and dispatchers can view up-to-date information on where a delivery vehicle is along its route.

Real-time tracking and updates offer several advantages, including:

• Ensuring that delivery vehicles follow the most efficient routes, reducing travel time and fuel consumption.
• Helping verify delivery times and routes as detailed information about each delivery’s progress is available at a glance.
• Enabling quick identification and resolution of potential issues (such a vehicle encountering an unexpected delay), to minimise disruption and keep the delivery process running smoothly.

2. Dynamic Route Optimisation

Dynamic route optimisation is an advanced approach that utilises up-to-the-minute data and intelligent algorithms to continuously improve delivery routes based on current traffic conditions, weather and delivery constraints. This feature makes delivery management systems more flexible to change routes according to the information available at any given moment. The driver gets a notification and their route is automatically updated. The customer gets a notification that their driver will be ‘x’ minutes early or that their delivery time has been updated.

An ePOD with dynamic routing capabilities offers these benefits:

• Selecting the most efficient routes in real-time significantly reduces travel time and fuel consumption.
• Allows businesses to handle more deliveries with the same number of vehicles, helping maximise the utilisation of available vehicles and resources.
• By quickly recalibrating routes and finding the best alternative paths, ensures that deliveries remain on schedule despite unforeseen circumstances.
• Helps improve driver safety by avoiding congested urban areas or hazardous weather conditions.

3. Delivery Status Updates

Mobile software for delivery management reports real-time order progress, providing visibility to dispatchers and customers alike. ePOD software provides continuous updates on the status of each package throughout the delivery journey. It informs managers when the vehicle is nearing the delivery address and when it has been delivered.

Visibility into delivery status offers the following benefits:

• Provides transparency, reduces uncertainty, helping create mutual trust and encouraging cooperation.
• Clear and timely information sharing helps in coordinating efforts, managing issues and providing consistent service.
• Enables proactive problem resolution, such as rerouting drivers, communicating with customers to resolve problems or rescheduling deliveries.

4. Proof of Delivery

Proof of delivery is essential for verifying successful deliveries, resolving disputes and maintaining accurate records. Capturing proof of delivery is an integral part of route progression in ePOD systems. This includes electronic signatures, photos or other digital confirmations that the delivery has been successfully completed.

Key benefits of electronic proof of delivery include:

• Reduces dependence on paperwork, decreasing risk of errors due to illegible handwriting or misplaced documents
• Securely passes on delivery completion details to managers and improves delivery reporting
• Supports billing processes and shortens billing cycles
• Ensures clear and transparent record of deliveries, easing audit processes
• Enhances the customer experience and reinforces impressions about the company’s reliability
• Shrinks carbon footprint

5. Data collection and analysis

Route progression generates tons of useful performance data that can be utilised to spot trends and make improvements. Data points that can be collected include travel time, stop duration and delays or issues along delivery routes. By analysing the data, logistics managers can optimise future delivery routes and increase overall operational efficiency.

What Does the Future Hold?

Digital logistics technology is rapidly evolving and ePOD is at the forefront of this revolution. With greater adoption of innovative solutions like ePOD, we can expect more advancements. Here are some possibilities in the not too distant future:

• Integration of artificial intelligence: AI is making inroads into industries, functions and solutions. ePOD software may integrate AI technology to further optimise delivery routes, predict delivery times and automate repetitive tasks, achieving higher levels of accuracy and efficiency.
• Integration with Internet of Things (IoT): ePOD software may integrate with IoT devices such as RFID tags or smart sensors to enable real-time monitoring of delivery conditions such as temperature or humidity.

MobileControl Offers Route Planning and Progression

Dovetail’s mobile ePOD software solution MobileControl digitises and optimises the last mile delivery process, facilitating paperless deliveries and electronic signatures. The advanced mobile solution is suitable for various industries, from retail, courier, road freight and distribution to pharmaceutical, eCommerce and agriculture. It is adaptable to be used by your own drivers or outsourced subcontractor drivers.

Mobile Control’s route planning feature coordinates delivery between dispatchers and drivers. You drag and drop the jobs onto the appropriate vehicle using real-time job information. Built-in checks ensure that the vehicle isn’t overloaded. When a manifest has been produced, it is remotely distributed to field engineers or drivers. It can show the route on a digital map to increase efficiency, saving fuel and time spent driving.

You can track delivery vehicles and drivers 24/7 on your hand-held device. On a computerised map, you can see real-time updates on the driver’s whereabouts. You don’t need a different tracking program as MobileControl displays jobs and fleet information within the same system.

The ePOD’s route progression feature provides you with up-to-the-minute visibility into field operations. You can monitor the progress and locations of your vehicles and drivers either in Map View or Grid View as they complete each visit or call. You get a consolidated view on a single screen to easily monitor the status of all routes and the current whereabouts of vehicles. Mobile Control’s route planning and progression features lead to enhanced delivery performance and customer satisfaction.