Last mile delivery was valued at $140.48 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $200.42 billion by 2027. That leads to a crowded market, meaning that to stand out from the competition you need to dispatch efficiently. This article looks at exactly how you can do that with a dispatch management software. We walk you through the features, benefits, and top options that are available for you.
Complexity of Last Mile Delivery
The last mile of a package’s journey can be a complex one. In large cities, traffic conditions, poor route planning, and failed deliveries can make it difficult for the courier company to arrive during tight delivery windows. These issues make it more difficult to meet customer expectations.
These challenges fall on both the dispatcher and the driver to solve. So finding an efficient, cost-effective solution that will simplify your last mile operations is key to improving satisfaction and productivity.
Why Use Dispatch Management Software?
Dispatch management software automates, schedules, and monitors delivery routes. It’s useful for businesses looking to improve the dispatch process by analyzing all available drivers and fleets. It also improves deliveries by creating routes considering traffic and delivery times.
Top Five Benefits of Dispatch Management Software
While dispatch management software brings many benefits, these are the top five:
- Make Your Routes Better: Dispatch management software optimizes delivery routes to minimize travel time and fuel consumption.
- Communicate Simply Through One Platform: Software can facilitate real-time communication between dispatchers, drivers, and customers, improving coordination and response times.
- Track Deliveries in Real-Time: Real-time tracking improves transparency, as dispatchers can see driver locations and view when they’ll arrive at their destination.
- Don’t Waste Time With Notifications: You can also set automatic notifications to go to customers so they know when their package is on its way and receive a predictive ETA.
- Save Proof of Delivery Automatically: Dispatch software captures proof of delivery, including photos, signatures, and notes, ensuring accountability and reducing disputes.
Key Features to Consider When Choosing Dispatch Management Software
Route Optimization
The first necessary feature is route optimization. Creating an optimized route in seconds will save you time, improving productivity and effectiveness. This type of software uses machine learning to analyze all the possible routes to your destination and the average and real-time traffic on each to create the best route.
Integrations
Then we have integrations, linking your different software platforms together saves you time and improves productivity. Everything is connected automatically and you don’t have to worry about manually transferring information from one system to another.
Driver App
For drivers, having a mobile app is a huge advantage. It can show you all the deliveries that you have to make that day, the full route, provide you with updates, and enable you to talk to dispatchers and customers easily.
Data Analytics
Next, we have data analytics. Dispatch management software pulls real-time data and can create reports and dashboards to help you understand how your drivers are performing, how satisfied customers are, and more. Use this data to improve your decision-making and operations.
Bonus:
The final two aren’t features of the software necessarily, but they’re important to consider when analyzing any solution:
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support and training for your dispatchers ensure a full understanding of your chosen tool, leading to effective software usage.
- Scalability: As you grow, your dispatch management software needs to accommodate that growth and continue to work well.
The Five Best Dispatch Management Software Options
Here we're highlighting the best dispatch management solutions available on the market in 2024: Onfleet, Locus, Motive, Verizon Connect, and Omnitracs.
Onfleet
Onfleet is an award-winning last mile and dispatch management solution. Using Onfleet, you gain many features in one platform: route planning and optimization, the best driver app on the market to view routes and deliveries, communication features, cloud-based proof of delivery, and analytics.
Onfleet uses AI to improve dispatching and routing, reduce fuel costs by up to 45%, and increase driver efficiency by 30%. The integration marketplace also provides many options to link your whole technology stack together to work more effectively.
Experience powerful reporting and analytics, extensive communication capabilities, and a scalable platform that allows you to take control of your delivery business and regain control and insight.
Pricing: Starts at $550 per month.
Pros and Cons:
Locus
Using Locus, you can plan, manage, and track all your deliveries. It also provides businesses with an order fulfillment system. Their dispatch management features include roster management, improving operations, and optimizing and planning routes. It also provides businesses with real-time visibility of their deliveries.
Pros and Cons:
Pricing: Starts at $20,000 per year.
Motive
Motive is advertised as a complete dispatch management software that includes fleet management, delivery tracking, AI dashcams, equipment management, and a fleet card to manage spending. They provide integrations with other systems, and their AI cameras help prevent accidents with automated notifications.
Pros and Cons:
Pricing: Not available
Verizon Connect
Verizon Connect is a dispatch management system and an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). It enables fleet managers and dispatchers to know where all drivers are and monitor driver behavior to increase safety. Their app also empowers dispatchers to view all vehicles on a live map, locate their drivers, and see vehicle activity and route history.
Pros and Cons:
Omnitracs
Omnitracs, now owned by Solera, provides dispatcher solutions. Their dispatch solution allows you to optimize routes and manage fleet capacity. The software also simplifies communication and data analytics.
Pricing: Starts at $5,000 per year.
Pros and Cons:
Improve Your Dispatching With Onfleet
Dispatch management software improves communication, routing, customer satisfaction, and delivery efficiency. With Onfleet’s dispatch management solution for your whole fleet, you increase driver and dispatcher efficiency and reduce spending and stress. Start your 14-day free trial today.
