If you already have a GPS tracking system for your fleet of delivery vehicles however want ways to easily add electronic proof of delivery, you can with market leading mobile apps and epod solutions.
What is electronic proof of delivery?
If you work in logistics, transport, haulage, or provide delivery or postal services then your purpose is to collect goods and take them to a delivery point. Traditionally, paperwork accompanies the goods showing the relevant delivery details. This paperwork is sometimes signed by the delivery driver and receiver before paper copies are exchanged (sometimes the same, sometimes the customer adds their own paperwork) and this paperwork is then returned to a central office point where it is often manually scanned, details keyed into a system, then filed and stored. The point with an electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) solution is that:
- All or part of the paperwork is replaced with electronic data capture so less paperwork is required or is needed to be checked/completed
- Electronic information automatically updates central and back end office systems to improve administrative accuracy and save manual keying, scanning and filing of paperwork
- ePOD enables delivery confirmation details to be fed into central systems faster since data transmission can take place within minutes of the delivery taking place, thus speeding up order delivery confirmation, enabling faster delivery error correction and immediate updates to finance systems for stock updates and invoicing
- Reason and ability to update current practices e.g. to add further delivery information including pallet types and quantities delivered, other delivery compliance measure adherence such as packaging and product quality etc
- Use technology for further verification e.g. retrieve GPS coordinates when electronic signatures are captured, or taking photographs of excellent or sometimes damaged product
- Link collection, delivery and backhaul jobs to the nearest vehicles on a map and send information to a driver when they are off-site and on the road
- Reschedule collection, delivery and backhaul jobs once allocated to drivers e.g. based on additional jobs coming in, road conditions or changing customer requirements
If I add an ePOD solution to my GPS tracking system will I still be able to see all my GPS tracked vehicles on a map?
Yes. Plus you can see job details and GPS coordinates for actual deliveries. GPS vehicle tracking and ePOD data can also be combined for stronger management information. Plus management reports can be viewed on the web, delivery data can be interfaced to finance software, transport and warehouse management systems, plus other back end office systems and databases.
Your website branding and security options can also be tailored to fit your business.
What ePOD hardware can I have and where do I get it from?
We can advise a mixture of devices and suppliers including:
- Enterprise digital assistants (EDAs)
- Rugged and normal smart phones
- Rugged data capture devices including bar code scanners
- Digital pens
- Range of the best mobile and data tariffs on the market
The type of device will depend upon what best suits your business.