What is ePOD and Why is it a Must for Your Delivery Business?
In the current age of same-day and instant deliveries, how would you keep a record of all the successful deliveries? With numerous orders delivered to multiple doorsteps across various locations, you need to focus on more than just timely delivery. Proof of Delivery is as essential as serving your customers on time.
The growth of eCommerce makes it essential to provide proof of delivery, as customers often accuse delivery drivers of failing to deliver items. Sometimes, items are even stolen, leaving customers without proof of what happened.
What is Proof of Delivery?
A proof of delivery is a critical document or a form of a receipt that serves as evidence for a successful delivery. A delivery lacks completion if it doesn’t include the supporting document. However, carrying physical proof of deliveries is a cumbersome task. Hence electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) is the new requirement today.
What are the Different Types of Proof of Delivery?
As we’re aware of the importance of proof of delivery, let’s take a look at its three types widely used by businesses.
Paper-based Proof of Delivery-
Signing a physical copy of the delivery receipt as proof is called paper-based. Businesses in law and those shipping important documents mainly use this method.
It can be a time-consuming affair for businesses with large volume shipments.
Electronic Proof of Delivery-
When you store proofs using QR codes attached to the packet, it becomes an ePOD. The driver simply scans it and marks the delivery status.
Photo and eSignature-based Proof of Delivery-
Taking photos of the delivered item and the eSignature is the most advanced way of proof of delivery. This one being a reliable and comparatively new option, it is getting more popular among businesses.
In this blog, we’ll be talking about ePOD and how businesses can benefit from it.
Understanding Electronic Proof of Delivery in Depth:
ePOD is an electronic verification system for proof of delivery. It is a critical part of any delivery tracking software that allows the business to know the real-time status of the product. It helps the company and the end customer know whether the products are delivered or marked for return by the end of the day.
The working of ePOD is simple, reliable, and realistic for the delivery valet, customer, and the company. The digitized delivery option has gained an edge by canceling manual errors, delay of upward information, and rigidity. The pandemic has increased the need for ePOD and associated features for any delivery business.
How is Electronic Proof of Delivery Used?
Digitally collecting proofs is much easier than collecting them manually. A fully-equipped ePOD can help you in several ways in collecting data. Take a look at some of the ways used to collect data:
Digital Signatures: The customer’s signature acts as the proof of delivery in this case
QR Codes: Companies can directly track the QR code for the package location and have real-time updates about the delivery status.
Photographs: Another contactless proof of delivery includes photographs. The delivery person can just click the picture of the delivered item and that’s all.
Digital Fingerprint: Collecting fingerprints using a scanner is another way of collecting delivery proof.
Bar Codes: QR codes work in a similar way as the bar codes. They offer information to the seller and the consumer both.
Problems With Traditional Proof of Delivery
– It is time-consuming to collect and manage paper proof of delivery.
– Paper proofs of delivery can be easily lost or damaged.
– Paper proofs of delivery can be fraudulent.
Difference between Traditional Proof of Delivery and Digital Proof of Delivery
The Applications and Benefits of Electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD)
Paperless Work
Electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD) replaces the traditional paper delivery note. ePOD helps keep the environment greener by reducing paper usage and improves order delivery visibility. Whether you run a small or medium business (SMB) or have an enterprise, using ePOD software will positively impact your business operations.
Faster Processing Time
As companies implement paperless deliveries globally, ePOD strengthens your brand image and keeps drivers updated on additional customer notes and instructions for each delivery. This will ensure the best delivery customer experience and promote your brand, ensuring brand loyalty.
Real-time Visibility for Customers
Suppliers can ensure manual and automated notifications via email and SMS for pre-delivery notifications. When the order leaves the warehouse or the hub, a tracking link will be sent to the customer, which helps them track the package’s route. Finally, when the order reaches the customer, the delivery associate will generate the e-bill, including the parcel picture and digital signature, to guarantee delivery handover and instantly update the seller about the delivery completion.
Improve Accuracy
Your overall logistics operations will be beneficial as ePOD software will make efficient use of the fleet and ensure drivers meet their KPIs daily. Since the manual intervention is reduced at warehouses and hubs, your managers can utilize their time for other essential tasks.
Better Reliability and Insights
Storing data in the cloud allows you to generate daily reports and analytics, which you can easily share with top management. This setup also helps you update inventory, expedite returns, and create invoices, reducing delivery issues.
Enhanced Customer Services
Using LogiNext for ePOD will ensure the customer is always informed about the order. The customer doesn’t have to reach out specifically for various updates and can get all the details regarding their shipment easily.
Beating Competition Using Digital Proof of Delivery
LogiNext is amongst the fastest growing Saas companies delivering to 6 major industries. The LogiNext Mile platform offers delivery management software featuring location clustering based on dynamic capacity, delivery resource planning, and delivery route optimization with predictive delay alerts and real-time updates. ePOD has become essential for every delivery business.
To deliver a perfect order, we need end-to-end real-time data. Then we can deliver the right product at the right place and time with minimum human errors. Many of the reports suggest that the use of ePOD improves on-field productivity, customer experience, and risk optimization.
On-field productivity could be increased by understanding which products are to be expedited. Collecting feedback during the e-POD process gives us an exhaustive customer experience and smooth transactions, optimizing risk.
How ePOD Can Be Collected
Some of the different ways that ePOD can be collected:
– Mobile app to capture customer signatures and photos.
– GPS device to track the location of deliveries.
– Barcode scanner to scan packages.
How to Record a Proof of Delivery with LogiNext?
The driver or delivery associate receives the customer’s number, address, and chat functionality immediately after picking up the item, ensuring seamless communication. Once he reaches the location, he can now start the wait time. This is stored in the reports and analytics showcasing the waiting time spent by the driver.
– Unload: When the item is handed over to the customer he can check in from the DA app.
– E-sign: Take the comment and rating along with the customer’s signature.
– Payment: If COD, the customer can hand over the amount. (Note: This can be done via cash payment or digital payment).
– ePoD: Capture boxes placed at the customer’s doorstep (contactless delivery) or handed over to the customer.
– Additional Details (Optional): This can help with geotagging and e-sign verification. (Guarantee that the right address items were delivered).
– Check Out: All items successfully delivered. (Note- If there are damaged goods, or certain items not delivered, these can be mentioned here)
The process of last-mile delivery is not simple. We focus on concepts with one delivery person in mind, but a QSR or eCommerce company handles 1,000 orders daily with almost no margin for error, ensuring the customer experience remains seamless.
Conclusion
A new age and modern ePOD process are necessary to have a digital delivery experience. There are several options when choosing how to implement ePoD. But if you’re a large enterprise looking to deliver a cutting-edge experience, LogiNext Mile is a comprehensive Transportation Automation platform. We will help you bring in a digital transformation to reduce costs and improve operational excellence.
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