Do more with less. That’s the universal challenge for transportation and operations managers in today’s business environment. Regardless of the industry, the goal is to operate more efficiently while still meeting customer demands that are constantly changing.

As a result, companies are adopting mobile workforce software solutions to streamline supply chain and logistics processes. One example is automating operational workflows with proof of delivery (POD), a solution that provides benefits throughout the organization, including operations, finance, sales and customer service.

How Mobile Proof of Delivery Creates Value

Mobile POD reduces errors and streamlines processes by effectively eliminating paperwork. In addition, it can increase delivery accuracy, boost employee productivity, lower costs and improve the overall customer experience. Here’s how:

Fewer Errors: Drivers have route, stop and invoice information available on their mobile device, so the chance of errors is minimal. Plus, mobile scanning automatically detects errors so your drivers can adjust and update orders on the spot, including documenting overages, shortages and damages (OSDs). Scanning also provides a complete chain of custody, so any credits associated with driver- or customer-related shrinkage are effectively eliminated and revenue leakage is minimized.  

Greater Productivity: An effective mobile POD solution accelerates processes for employees in the field and the back office. Because drivers can quickly re-order stops, produce a clean electronic invoice at the point of delivery and capture any required signatures on their mobile device, time-per-stop can be reduced. With more accurate data being transmitted, back-office staff can spend less time reconciling invoices, resolving disputes, auditing payments received and verifying proof of delivery after the fact. And, because all pertinent information is collected during delivery, you can confidently bill the same day, which reduces billing cycles and speeds up the order-to-cash cycle.

Cost Savings: Scanning and digitizing delivery tickets eliminates or greatly reduces all expenses related to paperwork, including overhead costs associated with office employees managing field paperwork. Transportation efficiencies driven by mobile POD also lowers costs, including reduced mileage, decreased fuel usage and increased asset utilization. Other operational savings are realized through increased driver productivity, labor reduction and lower customer service costs.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Increased responsiveness and accurate recordkeeping generated via mobile POD can create a superior customer experience. With mobile POD, dispatchers and customer service reps can see updated ETAs in real time and proactively alert customers if time windows will be missed. Shipment data collected by drivers is transmitted to billing systems in real time. As a result, billing is quicker and more accurate, and customers are less likely to be frustrated by billing errors.

Maximize Your POD Investment

When considering mobile-enabled POD software, make sure it has capabilities needed to create value throughout your company. Look for a solution that:

• Enables mobile scanning at delivery to capture accurate data and eliminate paperwork.
• Supports electronic signature capture, confirmation of product counts, pictures of damages and electronic invoicing at the point of delivery.
• Automatically transmits essential financial and logistics data to your customer service and billing systems.
• Provides integrated delivery alert features that permit real-time arrival notifications for customers.
• Allows customers to serve themselves by tracking orders in real time.
• Leverages multiple operating systems and hardware to support your unique needs, budgets and technology strategies.

When you deploy a mobile POD solution that offers these capabilities, you’ll position your operations to deliver a superior customer experience, significantly impact the company’s bottom line and, ultimately, do more with less.

For more details on how Descartes customers have benefited from our innovative mobile POD solutions, along with quantifiable results, visit our Mobile POD information page to view the short animation or download the Executive Briefing.