Courier management is the process of organizing last-mile delivery operations. Courier management involves scheduling order deliveries and assigning them to couriers, overseeing operations, planning and optimizing routes, overseeing vehicles, managing fuel, and handling courier expense approvals.

Courier management refers to the organization and coordination of last-mile delivery operations. It involves scheduling deliveries, assigning couriers, managing operations, optimizing routes, and controlling fuel and expense costs.

By addressing the challenges and needs of delivery businesses, courier management systems ensure the success of logistics and courier companies.

Superior courier management software solutions will usually include:

• 24/7 customer support
• Intuitive reporting dashboards
• Ease of use
• Updates on regulatory changes
• Accurate data capture and analytics
• Scalability
• Configurable to your business requirements
• Unlimited number of users
• Secure and centralized data storage

Courier management software is a tool to manage deliveries efficiently, benefiting both delivery drivers and customers. It helps optimize dispatch and delivery operations. Typically it is:

1. Order Placement: The customer orders online or through a mobile app. The retailer or logistics company receives the order and processes it.
2. Order Fulfillment: The order is picked, packed, and prepared for shipment at the warehouse or fulfilment centre. The shipment is then loaded onto a delivery vehicle, such as a truck or van.
3. Route Optimization: The delivery vehicle’s route is optimized to ensure that packages are delivered most efficiently. The route may be optimized based on factors such as distance, traffic, and delivery time windows.
4. Last Mile Delivery: The driver delivers the package to the customer’s location, which could be a residence, business, or public location such as a locker or pick-up point. The driver may also use technology, such as GPS and mobile apps, to navigate to the customer’s location and communicate with the customer in real time.
5. Delivery Confirmation: The driver confirms that the package has been delivered, often by obtaining a signature or using a photo capture system, and the order is marked as complete.

Last-mile delivery can be complex, involving navigating challenges such as traffic, limited visibility, and managing returns. However, advancements in technology and new delivery methods, such as drones and autonomous vehicles, are helping to improve last-mile delivery and make it more efficient and cost-effective.

Courier management has never been so complex. Increased variables in how, where and when deliveries depart and arrive give shippers and carriers greater flexibility, but they also provide greater complexity to the last mile.

Multiple challenges contribute to the last mile problem. One challenge for shippers and carriers is a lack of efficiency, which contributes to the expense of the last mile. Another challenge is providing real-time visibility regarding a delivery’s location for all stakeholders.

Amazon set the bar high with its ever-increasing ability to deliver in shorter time frames while also notifying the consumer about the transit delivery details. Brands with and without their own dedicated fleets strive to live up to the “Amazon effect,” and adhere to the promised delivery dates and times for consumers.

Consumers want visibility into their deliveries but expect faster delivery speeds. Keeping all stakeholders happy while delivering in increasingly shorter time frames most cost-effectively and efficiently is the last mile problem.

In short, the last-mile delivery problem impacts all companies. In today’s world, every company wants to deliver products quickly, efficiently and provide superior customer experiences while working in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape.

A vehicle tracking system is an electronic device installed within the vehicle to monitor that vehicle’s activity. It’s often paired with fleet management software to simplify fleet tracking.

The most common vehicle data that the system collects are:

• Location
• Speed
• Fuel consumption
• Driver behavior
• Vehicle fault codes

Companies that own or lease a fleet of vehicles often invest in vehicle tracking systems to improve the efficacy of their fleets. By using a vehicle tracking system with powerful fleet management software, fleets can:

• Uncover the best and quickest route to their destination.
• Improve the driving habits of their commercial drivers.
• Drastically reduce fuel consumption.
• Get better insurance premiums.
• Quickly and comprehensively conduct preventive maintenance work.
• Comply with government regulations.