3PL Management Software That Actually Solves Your Delivery Problems

For retailers and shippers relying on partners to fulfill their logistics and delivery needs, effective management requires next-gen software. Soaring consumer expectations, driver shortages and rising prices are a direct threat not just to your profitability, but also to your brand reputation. Managing contractors to efficiently meet rising volumes and shorter delivery times is beyond the capability of manual processes and most traditional routing software. To reach high levels of customer satisfaction without breaking the bank, you need the power of an AI-powered, cloud-based solution.

Without it, you're likely sending trucks out half-full to meet customer windows, inundated by WISMO (where is my order) calls and blind to what's actually happening to your deliveries in the field. 

With it, you have complete visibility into every order from entry in your ERP right through post-delivery satisfaction surveys. 

Automation Is Key

Working with a third party logistics partner can help a business increase its delivery volumes and expand geographic reach, but training external drivers and contractors is time-consuming. If that contractor still relies on manual dispatching, planning, and operational oversight, it can cripple your ability to grow and thrive. In last mile delivery (see our post explaining  what is last mile delivery), sharing information is essential. Contractors may offer updates hourly or several times an hour, and some organizations may ask 3PL/logistics partners to input operational data manually. 

None of those solutions are fast enough or accurate enough. 

Only a last mile  delivery logistics system  with a high degree of automation — and the ability to integrate with other layers of your tech stack — can satisfy the need for visibility, speed and information sharing you require. 

What to Look for in 3PL Management Software

The benefits of  last mile delivery software for logistics providers or 3PLs can never be underscored. But companies must realize that not all solutions are created equal. Businesses should ensure that the 3PL management software they choose can address the following points.

• Does the solution integrate smoothly with internal and external software including ERPs, telematics and communications platforms? 
• Is it capable of automating driver management?
• Does it help drivers perform their jobs more efficiently?
• Does it provide automated visibility over middle mile product tracking and inventory?
• Will it allow consignees to set their own preferred delivery appointments while ensuring maximum route and fleet efficiency?
• Does it provide accurate delivery windows according to the capability and availability of the fleet or driver?
• Does it offer accurate delivery windows based on the time needed for each stop in the route?

Evaluating the 3rd party logistics software against these parameters will help companies choose a solution that automates processes and drives better efficiency for both logistics providers and shippers.

The Benefits of a 3PL Automation Solution

Automating driver management allows businesses to make the most out of their contractor fleets. Here are the benefits of driver automation via  3PL software.

Synchronize with the warehouse

Efficient delivery services begin at the warehouse. Operators need to sync the staging, delivery preparations, and other loading processes to reduce loading and unloading times. Drivers must be synchronized with the warehouse to eliminate waiting time for an available loading dock.

Doing so will let drivers deliver more in the same amount of time. Leveraging 3PL freight software’s automated tools for scanning of various orders will also make the loading processes much quicker.

Optimize driver planning

Automating driver scheduling, planning, and  dispatch software lets businesses plan and dispatch orders to drivers strategically. Any driver management solution must factor in regulatory requirements and offer ELD to ensure compliance with driver HOS.

Automation also helps 3PLs manage their fleets effectively. Solutions that offer greater visibility into the fleets’ performance help logistics providers manage the allocation of drivers and driver shifts better.

Boost driver retention

Driver retention is a major problem for the  delivery industry. An automated driver and logistics solution supports the customer service, drivers, and dispatch teams and helps them do their jobs more efficiently, which in turn aids in driver retention.

Logistics providers must always ask themselves if they are providing the operational flexibility needed by their customers. Is there a seamless integration of systems with the shippers? Are you offering them synced information in real-time? Are you meeting delivery ETAs and offering narrower delivery windows? Logistics providers who adopt next-gen delivery management software can support their clients and the end customer while improving their own operations and profitability.