Supporting the multifaceted construction delivery industry
Onfleet’s software integrates with businesses that benefit from analytics and full visibility on their deliveries across a wide variety of industries. This includes the construction industry which is forecasted to emerge into a $1.4 trillion dollar marketplace in the US in 2024.
Construction deliveries: from small parts and tools to massive infrastructure items
While the idea of delivery might be first associated with Amazon orders or Saturday night sushi, the construction industry moves a massive amount of hardware and supplies between warehouses, job sites, and suppliers. Additionally, with investments into infrastructure expected at the federal level and over a year of pandemic-shelter-in-place home improvement wishlists, it is safe to say that the construction industry will be an active one as the world opens up again in 2021.
ERP and POS integrations with delivery insights
Given the size of this marketplace, there are many players and segments. Additionally, different arms of construction firms may be both managing projects on one side, as well as distributing and selling parts and materials on another. Coordinating these elements of the construction industry’s ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and POS (Point of Sale) systems into timely, tracked deliveries is critical. Onfleet's Account Executive Jonathan Dawish who has expertise in this category notes that "the ability for construction companies to allow 'the left hand to talk to the right hand' across multiple projects for full visibility is at the cornerstone of Onfleet’s value proposition in this category."
Driver ETAs and dashboard analytics
Many construction deliveries, which range from procured supplies to specialized equipment are scheduled, though some, especially those involving parts or tools, cross over to “on-demand.” Onfleet’s software enables businesses to manage both these types of deliveries and to better evaluate insights through expert dashboard analytics. This can help keep the project moving forward and better adhere to strict timelines.
Features that enhance construction industry efficiency include:
Route optimization
Delivery volumes in the construction industry may vary, but moving from a warehouse center to multiple job sites in a driver's day benefits from smart route planning software. Delivery drivers appreciate the ability to focus on their task while transporting goods instead of consulting maps, schedules, or needing to alert job sites of deliveries. With Onfleet, these communications and routes are automated and generated to guarantee a smooth journey.
Predictive ETAs
Onfleet’s technology showcases when a driver has left a warehouse, store, or procurement center and is on their way. Onfleet’s technology helps pinpoint when and where and how long deliveries will take, juggling between multiple job sites, dispatchers, and recipients. The result is all entities know almost exactly when to expect their deliveries and can plan accordingly.
Proof of Delivery
Scanning before unloading and verifying the order is critical in this industry. Given the value of construction material such as cranes and forklifts, as well as bulk materials such as granite and cement, plus multiple stops, ensuring that the right order is dropped at the correct location is essential. Through barcode scanning for proof of delivery you can guarantee fewer mishaps and costly mistakes.
Technology to the rescue
The construction industry also crosses an array of management styles ranging from lone general contractors who may still rely on pen and paper, to enterprise-level billion-dollar development work. Harnessing the power of technology platforms has become an increasingly important narrative for all construction firms and Onfleet is hoping to help make the last mile portion of deliveries the most transparent and efficient one for the whole industry.