The Best Proof of Delivery for Your Delivery Team

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Using a proof of delivery (POD) app can significantly boost your profitability and increase customer satisfaction. However, how can you choose the best POD option for your team?

For instance, imagine a driver delivering an item without making a POD, and a customer calls to complain that they never received their package. A nightmare right?

Turns out, chances are you might end up doing a redelivery to avoid the negative reputation that entails by dissatisfied consumers.

Needless to say that, when this occurs, you lose money on both the products themselves as well as the cost of sending a driver back out on a different delivery route.

Nevertheless, this issue can be fixed with proof of delivery, it's just that you need the correct tool to do it. In this article, we'll look at:

So no worries, we got you covered! You can read all about it here to make the best informed decision.

What features to look for in a Proof of Delivery solution?

Your delivery team will need the following features available in whatever proof of delivery app you end up choosing. So make sure you tick them off!

1. Obtain a delivery signature

With the help of a proof of delivery app, the customer can electronically sign their name on the driver's smartphone or tablet.

The back-end of the app receives this signature and stores it as a digital proof-of-delivery that dispatch can use.

This removes any potential "he said, she said" regarding missed deliveries.

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2. Take a picture of where the package has been placed.

Delivery businesses may attempt a second delivery if a consumer is not home. Because your driver is putting in double the effort for a single stop, this can deplete resources. So make sure you don’t go to the same destination twice just because there is no one to pick up the package!

Additionally, it could make customers unhappy because they had to wait longer for a product they desired but couldn't get.

However, there is no clear record of where (or when) the package was left if the driver simply leaves it on the patio or close to the front door.

Applications that provide proof of delivery address this issue by enabling the driver to take a photo of the location and state where they placed the product and submit it to the app as well.

3. Using independent proof-of-delivery applications

These apps only provide the POD functionality we previously covered.

They can frequently employ API integration functionality to connect the POD electronic signature to other tools, and they can usually connect to an internal management system. 

You need to integrate these apps with other programs because they are typically not very useful on their own.

Interested? Well, then we will provide you additional information on these apps. Follow along!

How do independent Proof of Delivery applications operate?

The sophistication of mobile proof of delivery apps, often known as standalone single-purpose POD apps, varies substantially.

The majority of the time, though, you will take your orders and input the list using CSV or Excel — or through an API integration with your order management system, CRM, or eCommerce platform (for example, Shopify or WooCommerce).

Following that, these orders are added to an app, where your driver may use their device to access the proof of delivery feature.

While simultaneously utilizing a different navigation or route management tool, the driver actually completes their delivery.

A multi-stop route can be easily created on Google Maps, or it can be something more complicated, like an enterprise-level courier management system.

What are the disadvantages of independent Proof of Delivery apps?

You will require a proof of delivery solution if you wish to offer paperless (electronic) delivery. As you obviously don't want your drivers to be lugging around a clipboard, pen, and manifest for signatures, right?

The key decision is whether a standalone POD software is the best option or if a tool like Kosmo is more appropriate for you.

Therefore, at a small to midsize business, there are three drawbacks to employing a standalone proof of delivery app:

1. Too many platforms

The difficulty with employing an electronic Proof of Delivery program that just deals with POD is that you now need to complete each delivery across various platforms.

For instance, if your team uses Google Maps or other GPS delivery apps to carry out the routes after using route planning tools to design the best routes in the morning, they are now juggling multiple platforms to complete a single delivery.

This is both costly and ineffective.

The process becomes more fragmented and more difficult to scale your firm as you need more technologies to execute a single delivery.

2. Expensive pricing tiers

Your ability to use certain POD apps depends on how many deliveries you make.

So the cost of the app increases as there are more deliveries.

But note that your courier management system may also fall under this pricing bracket.

As a result, you are now being charged extra for simply just trying to expand your business.

3. No inter-communication between tools

You'll need to switch between platforms if a client phones dispatch because they can't find their package.

The electronic signature from your customer or the package photo taken by your driver may not automatically be uploaded into your route planning tool if you're utilizing a standalone POD app.

This implies that your back-office team will need to open up another platform, search for the client, and then view what the driver recorded if a customer phones dispatch to inquire about their delivery.

What a hustle right?

However, if you're utilizing a comprehensive route management tool like Kosmo, the stops and the proof of delivery are both listed on a single dashboard.

Because let’s be real, the biggest challenges your firm can face when purchasing a proof of delivery app is to integrate proof of delivery into their already existing delivery system.

In Kosmo however, this is not a problem. Why? We automatically integrate the POD feature into YOUR program, so, no hustle. In fact, this applies to any feature you receive from us.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up to Kosmo to enjoy the most seamless system!

What can Kosmo bring to the table? The real package

Are you ready to step up your game? Start with Kosmo!

With its robust features and advanced capabilities, Kosmo empowers businesses to revolutionize their delivery operations and stay ahead of the competition.

• Route Optimization: Kosmo employs intelligent algorithms and real-time data analysis to optimize delivery routes. By identifying the most efficient paths, it minimizes travel time, reduces fuel consumption, and lowers overall costs.

• Dynamic Dispatching: With Kosmo, you gain the ability to dynamically assign drivers and vehicles based on real-time conditions and demands, whether they are your own drivers or third party couriers.
• Real-time Tracking and Visibility: Kosmo provides comprehensive tracking capabilities that enable you to monitor the status of your deliveries in real-time.

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• Data Analytics and Insights: By analyzing data related to delivery performance, driver productivity, and customer feedback, you can identify trends, uncover areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.
• Seamless Integrations through a Courier Delivery Software: Kosmo’s integrations ensure smooth data flow and synchronization across your delivery ecosystem, enabling more streamlined and connected operations.

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