The online selling and purchase are only fulfilled in the correct manner when the last-mile delivery is seamlessly managed. Every entrepreneur concerned about deliveries knows the significance of the final leg stepping directly to customers. After the pandemic, business visions and work processes have changed completely. People are interested in getting products and services at their doorstep. Therefore, the last-mile delivery stage has to be very efficient and agile.
E-commerce businesses are experimenting with the latest technology solutions to create robust last-mile delivery software development. To skyrocket the company’s efficiency and generate more & more revenue, you must build a separate software for your purpose. In this blog, we will provide a guide to final-mile delivery software development. Read to know more and enhance your business growth.
Last Mile Delivery Services Market Stats and Growth
The final mile routing segment is constantly growing, especially in the on-demand industries. Investing in such a business plan is profitable. However, some increasing market stats will claim that it is a revenue-generating business idea to opt for:
- The last-mile delivery market will be valued at USD 40.83 Million in 2021. The forecast expects the market size to expand with a CAGR of 58.99% and reach USD 659.37 Million by the end of 2027.
- The Indian last mile industry will reach USD $6-7 Billion by the end of 2024, and the market will grow more than 10%.
- The final mile routing software has a 50% contribution to the total shipping cost. The share has been utilized in the food, E-commerce, pharmaceutical, and retail sectors.
How Does This Last-Mile Delivery Application Work?
First, last-mile delivery software works based on the product’s nature. Rest, the software follows a certain process to work accordingly. The delivery management system works on several aspects, like route optimization, dispatching, proof of deliveries, real-time order tracking, and customer updates. The delivery partners can communicate with consumers appropriately and send the product on time through the application or software system. Final Mile Routine software works for the whole & sole delivery purpose only. Logistics businesses often use such software, which need to track multiple orders regularly.
Process From Order To Its Delivery
- Foremost the customer will place an order, which is later on processed by the brand’s Order Management System (OMS) system.
- After this, the items were picked and packed up. Once the thing is packed, it will be dispatched from the warehouses.
- With the dispatch, the driver will receive a GPS or route optimization system to locate the customer’s location.
- At last, the item is delivered to the customer’s place, where the driver will take OTP or sign from the customer for proof of delivery.
- If the customer is not satisfied with the quality of the product, then he can put the item on return or exchange. The delivery partner will come to your place and transport the item back to the warehouse for return processing.
Why Is Last-Mile Delivery Software Essential?
Last-mile delivery means taking the products directly to customers from the warehouse, and it plays the most crucial role-play in the supply chain management system. Unfortunately, the final mile deliveries have problems like optimal route management, quick deliveries, real-time tracking, and many others. Therefore, the delivery software system can be built for a better approach and engagement. The software for final mile routing will improvise delivery management systems.
On the contrary, optimizing the last mile management system is a bit complicated. There are reasons which complicate the final mile management software system, which is:
1. High Costing
Among all the factors included in the supply chain, the last mile takes almost half of the entire cost. No denial; the delivery person has to make a few stops and even travel to the final destination by different means of transport like the bike, foot, truck, and others. It is going to increase the cost. Moreover, if the customer location is in a rural or high-traffic zone, that will widen its cost estimation.
2. Customer Demands
Another reason is consumer expectations from end-mile deliveries. The first and middle delivery management needs to be in touch with the consumers directly, which is why the last step is the front face. When the last mile comes in track, consumers believe it is to pick up their product from the warehouse and deliver it to their doorstep. However, that will also include a number of factors in the process. The minimum time frame delivery expectation will put the supply chain in negative impressions.
It has been researched by Supply Chain Brain’s Research 55% of consumers stop purchasing from retailers online if they receive later order deliveries. Therefore, people have shifted their interest to last-mile deliveries. It is a good idea to build a mobile app or software for instant deliveries within a given time frame has become very crucial for the client’s satisfaction.
Benefits of Final Mile Routing Software For Seamless Delivery Management
The software will streamline the logistics management system via tracking orders and managing operations of the purpose. To succeed in the entire supply chain, it is important to manage the last-mile process. Meantime, the tech-savvy world introduces prompt and advanced drone delivery services. Building software for such a purpose will bring multiple benefits-
1. Optimizes GPS & Route Navigation
If the delivery partner goes with a manual routing process, that will take more time, fuel, traffic, and hassles. The software solution has features to navigate the consumer’s location with the best and most direct routes. The automated navigation route algorithm will showcase the best routes to reach the client’s destination in less time, with less traffic, update about road closures and give optimal route suggestions.
2. Real-Time Order Tracks
The customers are enabled to track their orders in real time. Nowadays, customers can immediately get their orders, but they still have to. Here comes the satisfying feature of order tracking, which lets you stay updated with every delivery stage. After the order is dispatched, the customers receive a live tracking link to know where it has reached for their peace of mind. This feature provides an Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) to settle the consumer’s urge.
3. Number of Deliveries Increased with Proper Management
Undoubtedly, you can manage a few delivery partners. What about the time when the business expands, and delivery partners increase? Here comes the last-mile delivery software system. Through the software, business people can track the number of orders dispatched, the number of delivery partners on route to deliver the items, exchanges or returns required, cancellations, and other factors. The better an entrepreneur will track, the more efficiently he can manage. This is going to speed up deliveries and increase productivity.
4. Seamless Communication
The E-commerce final mile delivery software collected the right and updated data to process deliveries further. When the database fetches customers’ data, it will be distributed among the drivers for seamless communication and smooth deliveries. The drivers will receive customers’ data with a navigation route map, and they will receive consumers’ contact numbers for better services.
Features of Last Mile Delivery Software Development
Features decide the success of software. Here are the required features to include in final mile routing management software:
| Order Allocation and Dispatched | In this feature, the software will evaluate and assign the available right driver for dispatching. It allows the services to provide its best possible offerings to satisfy consumers. |
| Route Planning | The software will direct drivers with the fastest routes possible for cost-efficient, fuel-efficient, and quick deliveries. The path planning features enable it to find less traffic and less time-consuming routes. |
| Real-Time Tracking | It helps to keep the delivery operation seamless and efficient. Consumers can track their order status through the live track link after dispatch. |
| Driver and Delivery Management | The software will analyze and then finalize for the right driver to deliver the order. Also, the software will manage the deliveries and give the drivers all the necessary data. In addition, the software updates the driver if the customer has rescheduled the delivery. |
| Proof of Delivery | The feature has been included to get delivery proof for the protection of consumers and businesses both. The proof can be an in-app signature, geotagging, images during the delivery, stamps, or anything. This process will also help to minimize the customer’s complaints. |
| Data Generation and Insight Capturing | The software will collect data from your running business, like; feedback, success rates, complaints, traveled distance, and more. All this data will help the business to score and succeed well with the required changes to the opt-in management system and planning. |
| Rescheduling Delivery Time | The customers can either cancel their order; otherwise, they can reschedule it as well in case of emergencies or preferences. It is an attractive feature the clients like because they can modify their orders anytime when required. |
How To Build Last-Mile Delivery Software?
Now you know how to reap benefits from Last Mile Delivery Software for the business. But now you need to know how to build software like this. Read to see the process of final mile routing software development:
1. Collect Data and Research Well
Foremost you need to check and analyze the market supply chain with digital transformation. To build last-mile delivery software, it is essential to know what is going on in the market, how the last mile is boosting its valuation, current infrastructure, workflow, etc. Moreover, create a blueprint and mention what features tech-stack, and other aspects you want in software development.
2. Design
The secondary thing to focus on is the design. You need to be clarified and understand what sort of designs you need in the software. Ensure to build the system with a better and seamless user interface so that users will catch and sustain the software. Ensure the software navigates users appropriately to its features and functionality.
3. Development
Now is the time to write the codes and develop software with the required features and functionalities. This phase includes tech-stack and programming language, which must involve the development of the solution needed. Besides writing the codes, it works on the latest languages and technologies for the best possible software development.
4. Testing and Quality Assurance
Once the final mile delivery software is developed, the crucial stage is testing and quality assurance. The Q/As will test the app or software to identify if any bug or problem is happening with the software or not. It is essential to try and assure the quality of the software before deployment to launch the best.
5. Software Deployment
After the development and quality assurance, now the time arrived to deploy the software. There are Android and iOS platforms. Now it is up to the client on which platform he wants to deploy the software. Also, the client can choose a cross-platform option to deploy the software for approaching the clientele at the vastest.
6. Post–Deployment Support & Maintenance
After the deployment, there are issues, bugs, and changes demanded by the clients. Choose the last-mile software developer who will provide post-deployment support and maintenance services. This will help to enrich your software according to the current market trends and visualize it with the best possible features and functionalities.
Tech Stack to Build Last-Mile Delivery Software Development
The Tech Stack Required to develop a mobile app or robust software solutions are:
| Category | Technologies |
|---|---|
| Programming Languages | JAVA, Python, Node.JS, Ruby |
| Backend Frameworks | Spring Boot (JAVA), Django, Express.js, Ruby on Rails |
| Frontend Technologies | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue.js |
| Mobile App | JAVA, Kotlin, Swift, React Native |
| Database Technology | MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB |
| Mapping and Geolocation Services | Google Maps APIs, Mapbox APIs, HERE APIs |
| Cloud Services and Infrastructure | Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) |
Challenges Involved in Last-Mile Delivery Software Development
There are some challenges involved in last-mile delivery software, which are:
1. Lack of Visibility to Customers
After placing the order, the customers want to know where the order has reached and in how much time the driver will come. Their excitement is key to your software success if you provide them with a reason to trust you. That is why make sure to give them clear visibility of order tracking and status through live track links. If they won’t miss a single step, that is going to be super-efficient for your software growth.
2. High Cost for Delivery
The last-mile delivery itself will charge 28% of the total delivery cost. Moreover, the long routes, high traffic, fleet operations, and drivers’ salaries; will all cost much more. This is a big challenge, which can be sorted out with appropriate evaluation and alignment. Build software that works on finding the nearest driver and short traffic-free routes for the approach to clients.
3. Uncertainties
Last-mile deliveries always come up with uncertainties like weather changes, traffic jams, flat tires, and many other problems. These uncertain situations can be tackled if the software keeps updating customers about the status, delays, and everything to satisfy them.
4. Real-Time Visibility
It is really good if you are showcasing the status of an order, but you can give live tracking links and visibility to the customers for their real-time updates and satisfaction. Integrate your software with an appropriate mapping system, which helps to sustain customers for the long term.
What is the Cost of Building Last-Mile Delivery Software?
The starting average cost to build last-mile delivery software is $15000. After this, the more sophisticated features included in the software, the more it will cost you.
There are several factors that affect the cost of final-mile delivery software development:
| Designs | If you demand more complex designs, the UI/UX will become more complicated. This will expand the cost of building the software. |
| Technology Stack | Again, if the tech stack is complicated, that’s going to cost you more. |
| Third-Party Integration | If you include or integrate other high-profile third parties or platforms in your software, that will cost you much more as per the authenticity of the third party. |
| Additional Features and Functionalities | If you will add on some extra and complex features and functionalities, that will affect the cost of software development. |
| Deployment Platform | Only one platform, either Android or iOS; separately, they will charge differently for deployment. On the contrary, cross-platform will cost more. |
The more add-ons you will include during development, the more you have to pay for that. So cost basically depends upon the client’s needs and requirements.
Popular Examples of Last-Mile Delivery Software
Some of the successful Last-Mile Delivery Software are:
1. On-Fleet
On-Fleet is known for being the best last-mile delivery software, which has improved delivery capacity by 50%. It works with the ultimate route optimization engine and improvised the customer experience. Onfleet works for a number of businesses like groceries, restaurants, flower deliveries, pharmacies, and E-commerce companies.
2. Tookan
Tookan works for both B2B and B2C purposes. It acts with the best automation, real-time monitoring, optimized routes, and appropriate parcels delivery. The software solution deals with end-to-end delivery management solutions to take optimum use of business resources.
3. LogiNext
Post COVID-19, LogiNext turned out to be the excellent final mile delivery software, which was fully adapted by the market. This software has brought entire automation in the supply chain to its optimized stage. It works in different industries like E-commerce, retails, couriers, express deliveries and transportation, quick-service restaurants, and many others. The software included excellent features like live order tracking, first/middle/last mile delivery, route optimization, and many more.
4. Onro
Onro is the delivery management software which has improved businesses by developing appropriate delivery management like enhanced communication systems between drivers, shops, stores and customers. In the software, there are a few enriched features like admin panel, dispatcher panel, driver app, consumer app, and white-label app. This software works with best features with reduced costs and expansion of revenue generation.
5. GSMTasks
GSMTasks works with the optimum delivery management services with the fulfillment of personalized business needs. It has made everything easier for the technicians and delivery partners and customers to improvise and streamline things seamlessly. The package includes a real-time web dashboard for dispatchers, automatic notification, live tracking for the customers, real-time efficient pathway navigation for the drivers, and other features included.
How Can EmizenTech Help You?
EmizenTech is noted for being a top-rated software development company. It builds superb and advanced software for your business growth. Rest we have reasons to stick you here with assured quality results:
| Experienced | Our company has been working for years and handled simpler to complex projects. That is why you can choose us for delivering quality software with robust & agile solutions. |
| Certified & Expertized Professionals | Our team of software developers builds ultimate robust solutions because every member who works with us is certified and an expert in their area of work. |
| Cutting-Edge Technologies | We believe in trying and using the latest advanced technologies to build software that matches the current market standards and competes with competitors. |
The company is renowned for being the best mobile app development company to build agile and super seamless web apps and software. For any query, you can call us to discuss your ideas for quality and prompt execution.
Conclusion
Last Mile Delivery plays a significant role in the entire supply chain delivery management. To succeed in your deliveries, building software for last-mile delivery is the best choice. The software helps in achieving targeted goals, satisfying the customers, and growing the business as well. In order to develop last-mile delivery software, one has to connect with the right person. EmizenTech can support you right here with innovative and expert knowledge for app development. The decision towards final mile delivery software development is absolutely profitable, but make sure you do it with the latest advancements and techs. Contact us for a free consultation and make your idea a pathway to success.
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