What is ePOD and why is it a must for your delivery business?
In the current age of same day and instant deliveries, how would you keep a record of all the successful deliveries? With numerous orders being delivered at multiple doorsteps in various locations, timely delivery isn’t the only thing you need to focus on. Proof of Delivery is as essential as serving your customers on time.
With the growth of eCommerce, it becomes essential to provide proof of delivery as many times delivery drivers are accused of not delivering the items. Sometimes the items are even stolen but the customers don’t have any proof regarding the same.
What is Proof of Delivery?
A proof of delivery is a critical document or a form of a receipt that serves as evidence for a successful delivery. A delivery is considered incomplete if it doesn’t have the supporting document. However, carrying physical proof of deliveries is a cumbersome task. Hence electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) is the new requirement today.
What are the Different Types of Proof of Delivery?
As we’re aware of the importance of proof of delivery, let’s take a look at its three types widely used by businesses.
Paper based Proof of Delivery- When you sign a physical copy of delivery receipt as the proof, it is called paper based. This is mainly useful for businesses in law and when important documents are shipped. It can be a time consuming affair for businesses with large volume shipments.
Electronic Proof of Delivery- When proofs are stored using QR codes attached to the packet, it becomes an ePOD. The driver simply scans it and marks the delivery status.
Photo and eSignature based Proof of Delivery- Taking photos of the delivered item and the eSignature is the most advanced way of proof of delivery. This one being a reliable and comparatively new option, it is getting more popular among businesses.
In this blog, we’ll be talking about ePOD and how businesses can benefit from it.
Understanding Electronic Proof of Delivery in depth:
ePOD is an electronic verification system for a proof of delivery. It is a critical part of any delivery tracking software that allows the business to know the real-time status of the product. It helps the company and end-customer to know whether the products are delivered or not marked for return at the end of the day.
The working of ePOD is simple, reliable, and realistic for the delivery valet, customer, and the company. The digitized delivery option has gained an edge by canceling manual errors, delay of upward information, and rigidity. The pandemic has increased the need for ePOD and associated features for any delivery business.
How is electronic proof of delivery used?
Digitally collecting proofs is much easier than collecting them manually. A fully-equipped ePOD can help you in several ways in collecting data. Take a look at some of the ways used to collect data:
Digital Signatures: The customer’s signature acts as the proof of delivery in this case
QR Codes: Companies can directly track the QR code for the package location and have real-time updates about the delivery status.
Photographs: Another contactless proof of delivery includes photographs. The delivery person can just click the picture of the delivered item and that’s all.
Digital Fingerprint: Collecting fingerprints using a scanner is another way of collecting a delivery proof.
Bar Codes: QR codes work in the similar way as the bar codes. They offer information to the seller and the consumer both.
The applications and benefits of electronic proof of delivery (ePOD)
Paperless Work- Electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD) is the messaging format that has replaced the traditional paper delivery note. ePOD helps keep the environment greener (reducing paper usage) and improves the visibility of orders being delivered. Whether you run a small or medium business (SMB) or have an enterprise, using ePOD software will positively impact your business operations.
Faster Processing Time- As paperless deliveries are being implemented across the globe, ePOD helps strengthen your brand image and keeps drivers updated on additional customer notes/instructions for each delivery. This will ensure the best delivery customer experience and promote your brand, ensuring brand loyalty.
Real-time Visibility for Customers- Suppliers can ensure manual and automated notifications via email and SMS for pre-delivery notifications. When the order leaves the warehouse or the hub, a tracking link will be sent to the customer, which helps them track the package’s route. Finally, when the order reaches the customer, the delivery associate will generate the e-bill, including the parcel picture and digital signature, to guarantee delivery handover and instantly updates the seller about the delivery completion.
Improve Accuracy- Your overall logistics operations will be beneficial as an ePOD software will make efficient use of the fleet and ensure drivers meet their KPIs daily. Since the manual intervention is reduced at warehouses and hubs, your managers can utilize their time for other essential tasks.
Better Reliability and Insights- As the data is stored in the cloud, you can get daily reports and analytics created, which can be easily shared with top management. This will also help to update your inventory, ensure faster returns and get the invoices created, reducing any delivery issues.
Enhanced Customer Services- Using LogiNext for ePOD will ensure the customer is always informed about the order. The customer doesn’t have to reach out specifically for various updates and can get all the details regarding their shipment easily.
LogiNext is amongst the fastest growing Saas companies delivering to 6 major industries. Our flagship LogiNext Mile platform is known for the delivery management software with location clustering based on dynamic capacity, delivery resource planning, and delivery route planning with predictive delay alerts and real-time updates. ePOD is now a necessity for any delivery business:
To deliver a perfect order, we need end-to-end real-time data. Then we can deliver the right product at the right place and time with minimum human errors. Many of the reports suggest that the use of ePOD improves on-field productivity, customer experience, and risk optimization.
On-field productivity could be increased by understanding which products are to be expedited; collecting feedback during the e-POD process gives us an exhaustive customer experience and smooth transactions, optimizing risk.
How to record a Proof of Delivery with LogiNext?
Just after the driver/ delivery associate picks up the item to be delivered, he receives the customer number, address, and chat functionality to ensure seamless communication.
Once he reaches the location, he can now start the wait time (This is stored in the reports and analytics showcasing the waiting time spent by the driver.)
– Unload: When the item is handed over to the customer he can check in from the DA app.
– E-sign: Take the comment and rating along with the customer’s signature.
– Payment: If COD, the customer can hand over the amount (Note: This can be done via cash payment or digital payment).
– ePoD: Capture boxes placed at the customer’s doorstep (contactless delivery) or handed over to the customer.
– Additional Details (Optional): This can help with geotagging and e-sign verification. (Guarantee that the right address items were delivered).
– Check Out: All items successfully delivered. (Note- If there are damaged goods, or certain items not delivered, these can be mentioned here)
The process of last-mile delivery is not simple. We study the concepts keeping in mind one delivery person, but a QSR or eCommerce company has to handle 1000 such orders daily with almost no window of error because, in the end, the customer experience should not be hampered.
Conclusion
A new age and modern ePOD process are necessary to have a digital delivery experience. There are several options while choosing how to implement ePOD but if you’re a large enterprise looking to deliver a cutting-edge experience, LogiNext Mile is a comprehensive Transportation Automation platform which will help you bring in a digital transformation to reduce costs and improve operational excellence.
126 1
|
|
|
Pingback: LogiNext-Blog | The Ultimate List of Logistics and Supply Chain FAQs