1. Overview of Last-Mile Delivery in eCommerce
Customers' constantly changing last-mile delivery expectations have led eCommerce businesses to reinvent the meaning of efficient deliveries. Since the eCommerce ecosystem is heavily dependent on timely deliveries, solving glitches that arise during the last leg of the shipping journey is a must. A recurrent problem while handling last-mile logistics is the absence of proper last-mile delivery management features.
Today's businesses need to exercise maximum control over their shipments in order to fulfill the highest customer expectations. Owning to the rising competition in the eCommerce industry, mismanagement can easily make customers look elsewhere the next time they shop. With Amazon Prime's same-day delivery options available in the market, the only way to ensure customer satisfaction is by deploying an intuitive last-mile delivery operations management system.
2. What is Last Mile Delivery Software?
A shipment's distance from the last transportation hub to the customer's doorstep is known as last-mile delivery in eCommerce. It is the shortest step of forwarding logistics. Yet, it is plagued by several issues like delivery exceptions, delayed orders, etc. A last-mile delivery operations solution is a shipping solution provider that helps you optimize the final-mile journey of the shipment.
Such software can integrate with your online storefront to provide accurate Estimated Delivery Dates (EDDs) at checkout, handle logistics carefully and take prompt action if something goes wrong during the last delivery mile. As a business, customer satisfaction and retention should be your biggest goals.
The best way to achieve that is by showing realistic EDDs and real-time updates. Against popular belief, most customers state that the post-purchase experience is the deciding factor for brand loyalty. In short, make your customers feel you value their time; in return, they will bring value to your brand. Simple.
3. Top 10 Best Last-Mile Delivery Software for Ecommerce Shipment [2023 Updated List]
There are many options in the market for last-mile delivery services management software. Trying each of them out is out of the question. To solve this conundrum, we have selected the best industry players in the last-mile logistics of goods. Below, you will find a detailed list of all their features. You can then estimate the value they will bring to your online company.
3.1) ClickPost
ClickPost is an industry leader in providing intelligent logistics solutions to eCommerce enterprises. This SaaS platform (Software as a Service) uses ML (Machine Learning) and A.I.-powered software to solve all last-mile delivery issues.
Key Features of ClickPost:
- It integrates with over 150 carriers and offers an intuitive multi-carrier management system.
- Allows users to create branded pages that allow customers to know the current status of their orders.
- A branded page also helps brands cross-sell and upsell products via featured images.
- It automates carrier allocation for every shipment according to location and delivery instructions.
- A single dashboard allows you to customize labels and generate airway bills.
- It automatically sends order status updates to customers on their mobile phones, emails, and WhatsApp.
- The software features a robust NDR Management system (Non-Delivery Report) that helps reduce last-mile delivery exceptions.
- It follows up with customers to determine the cause of failed deliveries.
- ClickPost also allows a last-minute change of delivery address if a customer is unavailable at the original address at the time of delivery.
- This remarkable feature is a godsend for online businesses trying to bring down final-mile delivery problems.
3.2) OnFleet
OnFleet is a logistics company based out of San Francisco that dedicates all its operations to untangling the knots of last-mile deliveries. It offers its services to 90+ countries worldwide and is proud to have many famous brands among its customers.
Key Features of OnFleet:
- The OnFleet App uses an AI engine to optimize delivery routes to discover highly efficient delivery routes, avoid traffic congestion, navigate adverse weather conditions, and increase on-time rates to deliver the order to the customer as quickly as possible.
- The last-mile delivery software uses artificial intelligence to analyze past delivery data to equip ecommerce companies with actionable insights on their last-mile delivery performance.
- The Auto-Dispatch feature picks the driver closest to the delivery point and appoints them for the delivery.
- A real-time tracking option tells you and your customer where the shipment is at any moment.
- You can also ask for proof of delivery before marking the shipping process as complete.
3.3) Shipsy
Shipsy is a third-party logistics (3PL) platform that provides last-mile logistics software solutions to e-retailers. It currently provides its services in the Middle East and the American regions.
Key Features of Shipsy:
- The software pairs a real-time route optimization engine with multi-stop delivery. The driver can pick the route which is the fastest and also allows to fulfill the maximum number of deliveries in a single go.
- Real-time visibility of orders from when they are shipped to the culmination of last-mile operations is transparent and accessible.
- The software automatically picks transport vehicles and allows packages according to the size to fully utilize the vehicle space.
- Shipsy gathers analytics on last-mile deliveries and generates reports to help you improve future performance.
3.4) Track-POD
This software uses an app to give delivery management solutions to its customers. The app is easily downloadable on both android and iOS devices. It comes with a 7-day free trial which, unlike other apps, gives you full access to its entire range of shipping services. You can assess whether this last-mile delivery software is worth your buck through this free trial period.
Key Features of Track-POD:
- Track-POD is highly user-friendly. It's dead simple to navigate through all the in-app features and purchases.
- Geotagging-enabled automated route optimization allows last-mile tracking of the shipment right to the customer's steps.
- The app lets you send out a pretty accurate ETA as soon as an order is placed.
- The carrier preprocesses your paperwork to enable hassle-free delivery.
- The carrier equips its delivery agents with digital signing software. Therefore, if you need proof of delivery for your deliveries, you don't have to worry about verifying OTPs.
- This also relieves you of going into unnecessary paper invoices.
3.5) Starship Technologies
When we talk about a fully automated shipping experience, why don't we ever talk about robots delivering packages to customers? Well, that's precisely the question Starship Technologies asked themselves. This company makes autonomous robots that fulfill orders at customers' doorsteps. This takes automating your last-mile delivery experience to the next level.
Key Features of Starship Technologies:
- This software is a solution for hyperlocal delivery and last-mile logistics bundled together. The robots pick up items from local stores and deliver them to online shoppers.
- Orders can be placed with the mobile app, which immediately displays the estimated time for the delivery.
- For security reasons, the cargo or payload bay is locked and can only be opened by the right customer with their app.
- Before you run away with your imagination, it's worth mentioning that robots are safe to be around.
- Aside from being amazingly cost-efficient, the last-mile delivery software is perhaps the most eco-friendly shipping service provider of the entire lot.
3.6) Nuro
Nuro is another carrier software that fuses hyperlocal delivery with the last-mile delivery model. It has recently teamed up with FedEx to bring groundbreaking innovations to the often-overlooked last-mile delivery segment.
Key Features of Nuro:
- Unmanned, fully autonomous futuristic-looking fleets bring goods to the customer in a timely fashion.
- The vehicles are compartmentalized into fully customizable payload areas that can fit anything from food to medicines to groceries.
- Last mile tracking is a highlighted feature of the software. Get milestone updates on your phone with Nuro.
- Safety is a priority for this last-mile delivery software. They have NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and California Deploy Permits.
3.7) LogiNext
LogiNext Solutions offer incredible last-mile delivery options for eCommerce retailers to provide customer-friendly shipping. It is currently operational in the US, Singapore, Indonesia, and the UAE. They also have reverse and on-demand delivery in their shipping collection.
Key Features of LogiNext Software:
- The route-mapping feature comes with dynamic rerouting that allows drivers to change roads if a customer asks for an address change at the last moment.
- An electronic proof of delivery is provided to the delivery agent to mark the completion of timely delivery.
- It is one of the rarer companies to provide cash on delivery as a payment option.
- It can come in extremely handy, and if, by chance, a customer who has opted for COD payment cannot pay in cash, they can make an e-payment instead.
3.8) Scurri
Scurri is a complete delivery management software that also gives reliable last-mile solutions. It is popular in the eCommerce industry for on-time deliveries that are cost-efficient for the businesses that integrate with it.
Key Features of Scurri:
- Avail on-demand and slot-based shipping options from a single-click dashboard.
- They are known for managing and monitoring SLAs (Service Level Agreements) and also provide Real-time updates for order monitoring.
- Gain in-depth knowledge of delivery exceptions, delayed orders, or fake and failed attempts with their extensive analytics report.
3.9) Onro
Onro is software exclusively offering last-mile services to businesses of all sizes. The Onro App comes with really cool features that will aid in scaling up and detangling the delivery process.
Key Features of Onro:
- The app has white-label branding page options for eCommerce enterprises. When customers open their app to see where their order is, they will see the page in your brand colors and logo.
- They have a host of language options to choose from. So, whatever your customer's native tongue, Onro is there to provide a holistic experience for them in their native language.
- The order monitoring feature is on point. This is a feature that is somewhat standard to all good last-mile software.
- You can select the carrier vehicle as well as chat with the driver in real time to provide any specific instructions.
3.10) SmartConsign
Smart Consign is a cloud-based SaaS channel. It specializes in improving last-mile delivery operations and introducing economic shipping processes. It was established in 2008 and has slowly become a global name.
Key Features of SmartConsign:
- Provides both domestic and international last-mile delivery options. Also offers same-day delivery (SDD) facilities within the country.
- It incorporates a brilliant localization tool that allows customers to select their language, time zones, currency, etc.
- The software also comes with a built-in customer service feature.
- All queries and doubts can be dropped onto the page, and a customer care executive soon gets in touch with you.
4. How to Choose the Best Last-Mile Delivery Software for Your eCommerce Business?
Now that you are familiar with the best software in the industry from last-mile delivery companies, there's still one thing left to do. To choose the perfect final-mile solution to suit your business. We have listed all the pointers to keep in mind before selecting one.
4.1) Costs
Analyzing the pricing model is an obvious one. Opting for the cheapest market option may not be your company's best decision. For successful shipping operations, you want to weigh the profits you rake in with the help of the software against its cost. That would give you the most cost-effective solution and reduce the last-mile delivery costs.
4.2) Network Coverage
Ideally, you should choose software that covers the most extensive area for last-mile deliveries. But make sure your audience falls under the areas they service, or it will be useless.
4.3) Reliability
If you're going to join hands with a third-party provider to manage such a crucial part of your business, you need to be able to trust them. Companies can't work together in the absence of dependability.
4.4) Payment Options
Having many payment options available at the customer's disposal is good for business. E-wallets, bank transfers, UPI payments, cash-on-delivery, credit points. Nothing should be out of the reach of your carrier partner.
4.5) Visibility
Transparent real-time tracking is of utmost importance in the eCommerce shopping experience. For tracking and tracing through the entire process, you want a clean interface that shows real-time status updates of orders and also notifies customers on their email, SMS, or WhatsApp for enhanced customer experience.
4.6) Proof of Delivery
POD is another notable feature that you should look for in your last-mile delivery management software platform. It will give you immense peace of mind. If your carrier offers digitized POD, then all the better for you.
4.7) Customer Support
Customers want to be on top of their shipping journey. And if they can't find what they are looking for, they will want to speak to your team. Your job is to ensure an open communication channel between your online store and the online shopper. Customer support dramatically improves customer experience and can help you acquire return buyers.
4.8) Branded Page
A branded delivery status page is also aimed at improving customer experience. A branded order status page gives the online shopper a holistic shopping experience. It builds loyalty and appreciation for the brand and can also help you cross-sell with featured product images.
5. What are the Key Benefits of Using Last-Mile Delivery Software?
5.1) Smooth Shipping Experience
A shipping software company has the advanced tech, better geo-connectivity, and economies of scale. All of this, combined with specialized skills and experience, make them much better at handling shipping operations than an ecommerce company.
5.2) Route Optimization
With exceptional route mapping, faster deliveries that make good on EDDs can only be possible. Moreover, this software uses better maps than the average Google Maps and can quickly change directions if they see a roadblock ahead.
5.3) Flexible Delivery
Last-mile delivery operations can go wrong for several reasons. Sudden traffic jams, unavailability of the driver at the last minute, request from the customer to change their delivery address, payment methods, and a host of other things. You must choose a system that can handle all these unforeseen operational challenges and more.
5.4) Enhanced Order Monitoring
Order monitoring is a premium feature of the last-mile delivery management software. Naturally, the features a dedicated software for last-mile delivery operations can provide will be far more advanced than those of an ecommerce business.
Plus, such software can help you ship in bulk and manage all orders. With shipping filters, you can quickly browse through the shipments to find out the milestones they have crossed.
5.5) Boost Customer Engagement
With the help of branded order status pages and customer care support, a final-mile delivery platform enables customers to get in touch with businesses directly. This can happen over the phone, email, or chat. Customer engagement has a significant impact on bringing down missed deliveries or delivery exceptions. It also makes customers feel more satisfied and valued by the brand.
5.6) Increases Efficiency and Profitability
Customers are now used to receiving orders at lightning speed. Next-gen technology has facilitated most of such on-demand, hyperlocal and Same-day delivery (SDD). Last-mile logistics software today eases the process by auto-allocating carriers, routes, and several other mechanisms. Automation has reduced the need for manual intervention at every step. This increases efficiency and profitability.
6. Final Conclusion
Last-mile delivery operations have been a challenging problem to solve. Yet, it is one of the most important aspects of a shipping journey. Last-mile delivery operations are the final part of a customer’s shopping experience. How you bring that experience to a close can make or break your brand. So, think carefully about your business and where you see it five years from now. Then, pick the software that you feel will serve you best to that end. We hope this article will help you in your decision-making. All the best!
7. FAQs
1. Which is the best Last-Mile Delivery Software for eCommerce Business?
A last-mile delivery software is a shipping solution provider that helps you optimize the final-mile delivery process of the shipment. ClickPost, OnFleet, Shipsy, Nuro, and Starship Technologies are some of the most popular last-mile logistics software solutions for eCommerce businesses.
ClickPost's robust NDR Management system and schedule on-demand delivery to reduce last-mile shipping exceptions, OnFleet and Shipsy's route optimization with multi-stop delivery service, and Starship's autonomous robots that deliver orders to customers' doorsteps are just a few of the companies' specialties.
2. How to choose the best Last-Mile Delivery Software for eCommerce Business?
These four points will make it easy to understand the criteria for choosing the best last-mile delivery software solution. First, the software’s serviceability and network coverage. It relates to the active region of the shipping software to cover the maximum number of customers in one go.
Second, compare all of its logistics services to your company's requirements. For example, if it provides a digitized POD, a branded order status page, and so on. Third, software's visibility, or the speed with which real-time updates and notifications are received and communicated with customers. Fourth, the platform's price should reflect all the benefits, including its various services.
Software
|
Founded in
|
Headquarter
|
Founder
|
Employees
|
Location Served
|
Revenue
|
ClickPost
|
2015
|
Gurgaon, India
|
Naman Vijay, Prashant Gupta
|
100+
|
UA, UK, IN, CA, AU, JP, SG
|
|
OnFleet
|
2012
|
US |
Khaled Naim
|
85
|
United States, UK, India, Japan |
$9.6M
|
Shipsy
|
2015
|
Gurugram, India
|
Soham Chokshi, Dhruv Agrawal.
|
170+
|
US, United Kingdom, India, Japan |
$17.8M
|
Track-POD
|
2015
|
Lithuania
|
Andrey Baturin
|
15
|
U.S.A, UK, India, Japan |
$1.5M
|
Starship
|
2014
|
San Francisco, US
|
Ahti Heinla, Janus Friis
|
470
|
US, UK, Germany, Estonia
|
$48.4M
|
Nuro
|
2016
|
California,US
|
Jiajun Zhu
|
900+
|
United States, UK, India, Japan |
$86.1M
|
Loginext
|
2014
|
California, US
|
Dhruvil Sanghvi, Manisha Raisinghani
|
120+
|
USA, United Kingdom, India, Japan |
$14.9M
|
Scurri
|
2010
|
London, UK
|
Rory
|
50
|
United States, UK, India, Japan |
$5.1M
|
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