7 Common Challenges Faced by Courier Service Providers

Courier service providers are changing how goods reach customers. With the rise in the need for instant satisfaction, courier service providers have come up with ways of making last-mile delivery simpler. On the other hand, the current demand for efficient and quicker local deliveries gives rise to several challenges for courier service providers. In this article, we are going to look at seven common challenges faced by courier companies as well as some solutions to each problem.

You can also read: Importance of Delivery Boy Feature on your E-commerce Business

Regular updates to consumers

The Benchmark Survey Report indicates that around 51% of customers require being updated on the state of their delivery. It makes them feel like to be in control over the package since they are shown real-time updates. Constant updates increase customer loyalty since it guarantees parcel delivery.

Local delivery providers have to integrate last-mile tracking software for their packages. This enables the consumers to access the required information on their delivery. It also predicts the time and location of the delivery.

Strong competition in the industry

The courier industry brings to mind large companies like FedEx, Royal Mail, and DHL among others. The presence of many players increases competition. Courier companies find it hard to compete with big companies that have a massive capital base and advanced technology.

However, a solution exists that can keep a local business operating in a competitive market. The secret is delivering personalized and specialized services to your clients. Courier services should focus on generating special services that are different from the competition.

Overworking of staff

Very few courier companies use the latest technology for improving efficiency. Most companies rely on manual processes that lead to overworking of the employees. It is also difficult to balance the duties and responsibilities among the workers to ensure that each worker has an equal workload.

The good news is that this problem can be averted via automating processes. You can use advanced online dispatch software to ease the work via optimizing routes. The faster the delivery the lesser the employee work.

Package delivery in perfect condition

The customers always expect their package to be delivered in perfect condition. Achieving this is difficult due to the increasing workload. Brand loyalty is tarnished when a consumer’s package gets damaged. Investing in suitable packaging is important for courier companies. Packaging items safely make sure that they arrive at their destination in their original condition to prevent damaging your company’s reputation.

Constantly changing market demands

Consumers are adapting to the fact that things are now delivered to their doorstep. The market keeps changing since the modern customer is indecisive. Local courier companies are finding it hard to deliver the exact needs of customers since it needs extra effort.

To keep up with these market demands the company needs to understand the customers better. They need to conduct customer research to make informed decisions. Customers expect a courier delivery company that is available, accountable, and proactive. In order to achieve this courier companies take help of efficient delivery management software to comply with the perfect delivery each time.

 Vehicle breakdown

Having a flat tire is the worst experience, especially on a busy road. To avoid this situation a courier service requires a reliable vehicle. Taking care of a vehicle even if it is new helps avert these avoidable circumstances.

To solve this problem, make regular inspections such as including it in a preventive maintenance schedule. Drivers can be tasked with the responsibility of checking the tire pressure monthly, rotating them after 5000 miles or more, and having a spare tire that is well inspected.

High cost of delivery

Courier services like assigning orders, hiring drivers, and choosing the correct delivery truck require a big team of professionals. It also takes time and effort to carry out particular operations. Price control for all these activities is themain concern. Using logistics optimization software enablescompanies to track down the operational costs, calculate the average expense for every service and properly plan the budget for expenditure.

In summary, adopting advanced dispatch software will help solve all the challenges discussed. Courier delivery businesses can assure safe and faster delivery at a minimal cost. It also helps small middle enterprises to stay afloat in the competitive courier delivery sector by minimizing operational costs.

Courier Management – The Basics

The offline elements of multi-channel retail operations are as crucial as the performances of e-commerce websites. Your customers can and will say many things about your company’s delivery process as it matters to them. The speed and accuracy of your delivery process are your greatest concerns, and your courier plays a big role here. Courier services can help your business succeed because a reliable and smooth delivery is key to ensuring the loyalty of your customers to your brand. You should know the basics of courier management to improve your service.

Also Read: Benefits and Advance Features in Courier Software

Affordable

Though brilliant service and customer-centricity are important, the price is still a factor to consider when selecting delivery techniques for multi-channel delivery. Switch to courier management software instead of entrusting all your delivery needs to a courier company. Courier management services and software like InstaDispatch will:

• Choose the ideal delivery technique for your customers.
• Pick the best courier to ensure the efficiency and speed of your delivery process.
• Operate based on the preferences and policies of your company.

 

Efficient and Intelligent Delivery Process

Each customer transaction aspect including delivery needs perfection. Online shoppers these days expect prompt delivery and pay extra charges to receive better service. However, most online retailers in the UK still depend on one delivery method, and the delivery estimates make people think twice to place orders.

Long-term relationships with customers rely on choice and trust. You still have obligations to do even after the packages leave your warehouse. If your delivery process lacks a systematic approach to ensure everything is done properly, creating a brand promotion or repeat customer is difficult.

 

Customer-Focused

Typically, you will concentrate on courier choices that match your budget and operation. Sadly, it often ends to customer frustration, preventing customer relationships from lasting long. To make your business different from its competitors, you must not settle on simply ensuring the order will arrive at its destination. More customer-centric choices for multi-channel delivery involve:

• Sub-contracted people who can fulfill the orders placed outside the business hours.
• Delivery to the local stores where people can get their packages.
• Delivery to 3rd party shops with longer opening hours, like convenience stores.
• Public lockers where customers can go and collect their items at any time.

Also Read: The top four benefits of using courier services

Customers will be more than happy to spend more money if they know that getting your services is the best way to get the job done. Make your product return policy similarly simple.  Getting the best courier management software will help you handle these things.

InstaDispatch is one of the best choices available. It is a reliable courier dispatch software that provides creative solutions for your small courier business. Learn more about its features to better understand how InstaDispatch can benefit you.

Why Modern Courier Software Is A Must Have For Your Business?

The logistics industry has come a long way. Today, we have modern courier software to make things easier.

The inconvenient ‘days of yore’

When the courier industry was still in its infancy, your average errand boy only had a piece of paper with some customer details written on it to work deliveries with.

If a single piece of information was wrong, there was no way to change or verify it until the very last minute. The delivery would almost always end up going downhill.

Couriers had to figure out directions on their own, so it was quite easy to get lost in the maze of the city. As a result, packages rarely got delivered in time. In some cases, the given address just doesn’t exist and the package never gets delivered at all.

Whether the blunder was caused by a misunderstanding or a typographical error, it’s always the courier that bears the brunt of a failed exchange.

Each delivery had the company’s PR on the line, so there was never a choice but to act in good faith. Even if deliberate preparation is made, there was absolutely no guarantee of a smooth exchange each time.

But thanks to the introduction of courier dispatch software, the playing field changed for the better—companies no longer have to worry about missing a delivery ever again.

Courier software now a business essential

Present day dispatch programming allows shipping operators to automatically process the submission and monitoring of customer requests under their own platforms.  

On the plus side, the most software includes an address verification tool that allows the assigned courier to confirm the address’ validity with the customer. This verification happens long before delivery personnel is even dispatched.

These automated features reduce the occurrence of human errors as most of the shipping information—from the package contents up to the actual delivery—is updated electronically.

All changes are tracked in real-time allowing couriers to make necessary adjustments ensure a smooth exchange.

The advantage of using one-stop, cloud-based dispatch software

Courier software is becoming commonplace among logistics firms since available platforms are relatively cheap.

But keep in mind that many of these technologies do n’t actually integrate all the functions you need into one bundle.

In some cases, you’ll have to subscribe to different services to get certain features such as route planning, mobile optimization, or agent integration. InstaDispatch is one of the best cloud-based courier management softwares that will meet all your demands.

Expenses can easily pile up if you try to implement this inefficient approach. Instead, it’s more efficient to sign up for cloud-based delivery dispatch software that also serves as a one-stop platform to manage every aspect of your business.

A cloud-based solution streamlines information across the web and mobile channel,  allowing you to optimize routes, process digital payments, and track deliveries all under a single platform.

Overall, choosing the right courier management software is the smart way to go if you want to give your shipping company the efficiency and flawless delivery services that customers deserve.

4 Tips for Better, Improved Dispatching

Every customer wants a trustworthy courier, and it’s the objective as well of every company. Perhaps, slight changes are necessary to improve your service and impress your clients. Here are tips to help you begin: 

Know How to Triage

Triaging each call for help is a skill that you should develop and master. You must determine which call requires immediate response and which you can put for tomorrow, next week or month. It may take more effort and time to master this skill, and you may even get burned out in the middle. Don’t be discouraged when things get rough because mastering this skill can positively affect time management and customer satisfaction.

Avoid Saying No to Customers

You must be good at speaking with clients, but that’s not easy to do. Every customer is unique and with different needs and expectations. It will take time to understand the attitude of every customer and what he or she expects from your service. Perhaps, you have previously encountered one who was aggressive and demanding while your new client today is kind and eager to wait.

The next time you encounter a demanding client, try to negotiate things with him or her. Instead of simply refusing because your schedule is already full, tell the client that you can accept the job for the next day or week. Don’t be afraid of giving options to your client, but never say you cannot take the job. The customer will move on to another company right away, and that can hurt your reputation. Give hope to each client while being truthful with him. Try InstaDispatch once and you will never regret as it is one of the best cloud-based courier tracking software with all the necessary features.

Offer Good Customer Service

To keep a customer loyalty and be a better courier, you must keep your customer service good. Always treat your customer in a professional way. Communicate clearly and give him options. Likewise, you must recognize the dedication of your technicians. When necessary, find ways to help them become better at work. Give them ample time and complete resources to offer quality services to each customer. 

Route Lucratively

One more thing you need to consider is routing your technicians to the area. For faster and efficient dispatching, your dispatcher must be capable of routing technicians lucratively. You never want to send them across the map in a day. Gasoline is now more expensive than before. But, using a good mapping tool will help your dispatcher detect the exact location of technicians through the day. Therefore, your dispatcher can send a technician to a specific location when there is an emergency job.

Also, using a courier dispatch software can help improve further your service. InstaDispatch is a nice option when it comes to cloud-based courier dispatch software. Feel free to visit their website to understand how it can benefit you and your business. 

How Courier Dispatch Software Improves Management of Shipping Delays

Shopping convenience is the main reason behind shipping services. However, convenience turns into annoyance and financial losses when the much-needed shipments failed to arrive on time. Some shipping delays are justifiable, but many of them could be attributed to inefficiency. At this age, having courier dispatch software is beneficial in reducing your delays for the following reasons.

Route Planning

Route planning needs more than just knowing the roads leading to your customers’ homes. It requires taking into consideration holidays, road maintenance, accidents and other factors that make some routes a less practical option when speedy delivery is the goal. The software helps you plan routes more quickly compared to doing it manually.

Data Entry Corrections

Thanks to the software, it’s easier to spot mistakes regarding delivery information. You can contact your customers right away to rectify those errors before your drivers set off and take the packages to a wrong address.

The software also helps in streamlining delivery plans. It’s easier to consolidate shipments that are meant for customers in one area.

Real-Time Updates

The software usually comes with GPS tracking, meaning you can check your shipment location in real-time. Aside from your goods, you can also find out where your drivers are. By knowing their location, you can easily tell whether or not they are following the planned route. You can ensure that they are not resting elsewhere as well.

With this feature, your customers can also feel at ease when they know where their shipment is. Instead of calling you several times, they can simply refer to your website or app for an update.

Once the shipment is delivered, you can immediately get a notification as well. You don’t have to stress over it while working on other orders. Additionally, you can receive the notifications wherever you may be.

Secured Confirmations

With courier software, never worry about lost packages and lost confirmation slips again. When a customer complains about his missing shipment, you can use the software to know whether or not he has digitally signed the delivery confirmation. By taking advantage of this technology, you have another way of verifying information. This is especially helpful when customers and drivers make conflicting statements.

These days, businesses have to be efficient and transparent in their operations to attract and sustain customers. However, logistics is never easy, especially if you are doing it alone or with only a few staff members. But thanks to InstaDispatch, the tasks become more manageable.

Track Your Cargo Using Courier Management Software

 
The Use of Delivery Dispatch software for small and medium businesses had become widespread nowadays. This utilizes the cost of deliveries of merchandises thereby preserving the company’s revenue which can be used for other purposes. Merchandising enterprises also rely to such system for the purpose of efficiency and utilization of time and task inside the organization. But the most important thing why they use Courier Tracking Software is because of its unique feature — giving real time location of the cargo to users. Here’s how.

Cargo ID. Each Cargo is being identified by the company using a certain ID. Through this, companies will be able to know the cargo deliverer and the schedule of departure.

Automated System. Once the cargo starts moving, freighting companies will now rely on courier software to access its location and condition. Because courier software are automated, it will be easy for them to track goods and inform the recipient about the delivery’s whereabouts.

The use of GPS. Global Positioning System is also being utilized by Courier tracking software. Almost every smart phone and computers around the world uses such feature. Through this, they can locate both international and local deliveries and its current location. For local and international deliveries, software will give an update of the cargo’s location every hour to assure that the goods are still being shipped.

Notifications. Users don’t even have to periodically ask for updates as some Courier tracking software were built to give updates to both customers and senders.

Receiving. It is also important, on the perspective of the enterprise, to know whether or not the goods were properly received by the customer as it is the most critical phase when delivering a cargo. Courier systems also include a feedback feature that will ask customers questions such as the following:

• Status of the cargo the moment it has arrived;
• Date of arrival; and
• Customer Recommendation

With this, businesses will be able to improve their services and build healthy reputation with their customers.

Tracking the location of a cargo is important as it could help both the business and the customer. Businesses will be able to know the feedback of the customer as the goods are delivered while the latter will be able to expect for possible delivery time. Through the use of Courier Tracking Software, both parties are also assured that the goods will be delivered safely and without delay.

Changing the game when it comes to courier tracking

Back in the old days, parcels and packages would typically take days—or even weeks—just to reach their intended destination. However, advancements in transportation and logistics has made the wait time much shorter. Next-day package deliveries to any part of the world is now a reality!

Speed is the name of the game for courier companies. Integral to this is the need to keep customers in the loop when it comes to deliveries. However, given that no courier business is perfect—there is still the risk of misplaced packages, undelivered parcels, and deliveries to the wrong address.

Automating the Dispatch System

This is where a courier dispatch software can come in handy. A courier management software can help mitigate any risks. Simply put, it helps to  minimize the likelihood of possible errors by automating the tracking process for packages.

Many freight delivery companies have benefited from a reliable courier management software. This software shows the status of a certain package in real time, including the steps it has passed through. Regardless if the software is acccessed from a personal computer or mobile computing device, it will display if the package has landed at the dispatching warehouse or has reached the intended recipient. But how exactly does a courier dispatch software work?

How Does It Work?

Whenever a customer sends a parcel for delivery to a certain address, he or she is assigned a unique alpha-numeric combination and barcode. This is also affixed to the package to be delivered, and is automatically encoded in the database upon. The unique barcode is scanned at every step of the way, indicated in the courier management software’s database—from its arrival to the local dispatching warehouse, up to the time it lands on the recipient’s address.

Meanwhile, the said customer who sent the package can simply visit an online tracking portal and type in the alpha-numeric combination given to him or her. After typing, the screen will display every step the package has gone through after it has been left at the courier outlet. It even comes with a timestamp for each step undertaken.

Gone are the days when staff members would browse through stacks of paper forms and call their warehouses in various locations—just to determine where a package is. This takes up a lot of time and has drawn the ire of a customer or two. From scheduling to package tracking, companies find a fully automated courier dispatching software to be a big help in their business.