For any logistics company, tracking inventories, fleet deliveries, and customer feedback are essential but time-consuming tasks. These repetitive tasks need attention to minute details, and any lapse in these activities may hamper productivity. This is where logistics app development can help your business. It helps customers receive hassle-free on demand logistics service at the click of a button. It helps companies track inventory and fleets in real-time. It allows businesses to address any crises swiftly.
If you wish to develop a transportation app for your business, then you are on the right page. This blog will answer all your queries related to logistics app development. Let’s first discuss why your company needs a transport and logistics app.
How can logistics app development help you, and what are its benefits for enterprises?
There are many reasons why it is a good idea for you to invest in transportation mobile app development services. Here are some important points in this regard.
- The growing number of smartphone users will help you reach out to a wider network of customers.
- The logistics delivery app will reduce your paperwork by allowing instant access to the database of different types of documentation.
- An on demand logistics app offers you a one-stop solution to manage fleet delivery better. It allows you to schedule the delivery, predict the fuel expense and reduce empty miles all in the same platform.
- It is also a cost-effective solution that allows the automation of routine tasks which otherwise required manpower and consumed a lot of time.
- Increases efficiency by enhancing visibility in all departments and reducing delivery time.
- Enhance your brand value by allowing customers to access solutions easily, place orders and check freight status all in the same place.
- Optimizes dispatches by enabling logistics companies to track a fleet’s route through GPS tracking, barcode scanning for inventory management, and databases for warehouse management.
Different types of logistics mobile apps
There are multiple tasks that a logistics company needs to undertake. It includes managing the transportation, warehouse, inventory, and customers. Depending on the requirements, a logistics app can be categorized into four main types.
1. Warehouse and inventory management apps
If your major concern and task revolve around hiring warehouses and managing inventories, then you need to develop a warehouse management app. This app offers you a real-time tracking tool to make sure that the shipment has reached its destination. It comes with barcode scanning technology that eliminates the need for manual data input. Using barcodes, you can label content for retrieving information quickly in the future.
2. Fleet management apps
Vehicles and their maintenance are crucial tasks that transportation and logistics companies need to address. A fleet management app allows you to collect and manage all information about the vehicles in one place. The app records all the information related to upcoming maintenance, maintenance history, and replacement needs for truck parts, along with service cost. This helps the company owner stay updated about future expenses and makes the maintenance of the fleet cost-effective.
3. Real-time tracking apps
For real-time tracking of the fleet, this app is helpful. Admin gets to see the live location of the driver and stay updated on the shipments. The app sends updates on the location, route, and deliveries, making it easier for the company owner to address any mishaps immediately. The system supports instant messaging between the admin and the driver. It also offers a navigation facility to the drivers, which can be accessed offline in remote locations.
4. On-demand logistics apps
On demand logistics app can effectively bring down the empty miles the fleet travels by connecting shippers with drivers. A shipper can generate a request, which is received by the nearest truck driver who has space to carry an additional quantity of shipment. Once a driver accepts the request, he is sent the location from where he can pick up the freight. The shipper receives real-time updates on the shipment's location and route. Once the shipment is delivered, an invoice is generated, and the driver is paid by the shipper.
What are the important features of the transportation management app?
Now that you know what kind of logistics mobile app you may require for your business, let’s discuss the features your app needs to include. The transportation and logistics apps mostly need three panels for all the stakeholders to interact with each other. These three panels each have their own features. Let’s look at these features in detail.
Admin Panel
The main task of the admin panel is to manage, monitor, analyze, and track various activities related to shipment delivery. Access to the admin remains with the logistics company that looks into the operations and manages the fleet. The admin panel comes with the following features:
1. Dashboard
All processes are inspected with the help of a dashboard. It can be seen as a central panel that gives admins access and visibility to all the departments, such as order status, real-time inventory management, vehicle location, and final delivery.
2. Fleet management and maintenance
A logistics company needs to maintain a large fleet of vehicles that need maintenance and servicing from time to time. These vehicles also need to be filled with fuel or integrated with devices for tracking. The admin panel allows the user to keep a record of all information on the fleet.
3. GPS and Navigation
Through the admin panel, a person can get a real-time update on the location of the fleet. This feature helps a driver with navigation and traffic data.
4. Payment and transaction
The admin panel also helps the user manage payments and process invoices. It records the data related to all transactions. This feature helps the user analyze and automate accounting tasks.
5. Managing the drivers
The logistics company can access the driver’s profile, wages, the fleet he or she is carrying, the destination of the shipment, and miles covered.
6. Push notification and chat
Users with access to the admin panel can directly communicate with customers and drivers using the chat functionality. Push notifications can be used to update customers on shipment status, driver details, and recent offers.
Customer Panel
This panel allows a customer to keep track of their order, shipment details, and payment. The features of the customer panel are given below.
1. Registration and sign-up process
A customer can access the app with a simple registration process. This process allows the app owner to fetch important details about the customer, such as name, contact details, and email address. The registration or sign-up creates an account for the client where all order and transaction-related details are stored.
2. User Notification
The notification feature is used to send the customer an update on booking, payment, order dispatch, and shipment delivery.
3. Payment Gateway
Payment gateway integration with the logistics app allows seamless and secure transactions. Multiple payment options like wallets, cards, and PayPal can be integrated to enhance the ease of transactions.
4. Tracking location and monitoring
Customers need to track the shipment and order. The duration of delivery and real-time order tracking are important features of the customer panel.
5. Feedback
This feature allows a customer to drop their suggestions and feedback on the service. It can help the logistics company get valuable insight into customer needs and requirements.
6. Review and rating
This feature allows a customer to review and rate the driver’s service. This is important for quality assurance and the evaluation of the service.
Driver Panel
This panel is accessed by the drivers who run the fleet and need to coordinate with the customer and admin panels from time to time.
1. Registration
The driver needs to create an account to access the panel through registration. It allows the logistics company to fetch important details of the driver, such as his name, phone number, and email address. This registration also allows the app to create a driver profile, which may record important details such as the driver's license number, years of experience, and birth date.
2. Assignment tab
This screen shows the driver the necessary details related to the shipment delivery, like the delivery location, date of the delivery, route, and specific information related to the shipment.
3. Push notification
This feature allows the app owner to send information and updates related to shipments or reminders.
4. Chat support
The driver can have real-time communication with the customer or the admin for any support.
5. Navigation system
This allows the driver to navigate the best possible route and share live locations with the stakeholders.
6. Delivery status
This enables a driver to share an update on the journey and record crucial information like the duration of the journey on the road, the total miles traveled, and the real-time delivery status of the shipment.
7. Upload a document
All important documents, like a license, fee receipt, photographs of the vehicle, and a government pass, can be uploaded to the app server through this feature.
What are the technologies used in a logistics app?
Various technologies are used in logistics app development to ensure its efficiency, accuracy, and security.
GPS
GPS enables real-time tracking of the shipment and helps in locating the delivery vehicle. It provides real-time updates to the customers regarding the estimated delivery time and the status of their shipment. Moreover, GPS ensures efficient and optimized routing and scheduling of shipments.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
RFID is used to track and manage inventory, which is crucial in the logistics industry. RFID tags can be attached to the shipment, and they can provide real-time tracking and monitoring of the inventory. It helps in reducing errors and manual work, and ensures accuracy and efficiency in inventory management.
Cloud computing
Cloud computing enables easy access to data and information from any location and at any time. It helps in managing and processing large volumes of data efficiently and cost-effectively. Cloud-based logistics apps can provide real-time tracking, inventory management, and seamless communication between various stakeholders involved in the logistics process.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
These technologies are also being increasingly used in logistics app development. These technologies can analyze large volumes of data and provide valuable insights for optimizing the logistics process. AI-powered logistics apps can predict demand, forecast delays, optimize routes, and prevent supply chain disruptions.
Steps to opt for transportation and logistics app services
1. Define requirements
You must know what kind of logistics app development requirements you have. Based on this, you can develop one or the other type of logistics app that can address your company’s needs.
2. Choose app development options
Once you have identified the requirements and objective of the app, it is important to select a development option. It means how you wish to develop the app.
- You can outsource the work to a logistics app development company. They develop the app for you as per the contract and the framework shared.
- If the requirements need the development of new tech solutions and insight from a technology firm, then you can look for a technology partner.
- If the development work will need several iterations and modifications, you can hire in-house talent to work on a long-term scale on the app.
- If you need a team of experts with diverse talent to work on the app and deliver a time-bound project, you can also hire freelancers.
3. Non-disclosure agreement
Once you have identified the team, you must carry out a non-disclosure agreement to safeguard your idea and project from duplicity or data theft.
4. Project discovery phase
This is when the team can add new updates and fine tunes the idea. There are end number of possibilities while custom building a logistics mobile app, but in this phase, you identify the key features that will define your product.
5. Release and feedback
You can release a first draft of your app with basic features. The beta version allows the owner to get feedback and suggestions. It helps in gaining insight into changes needed in the app and for course correction.
We hope this article was able to offer you insight into how a logistics app is developed. As a reputed logistics app development company, we have been helping transportation and logistics companies transform their businesses and leverage the power of mobile applications. For further queries, you can drop a mail at - [email protected].
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