Last Mile Carrier Tracking: What It Is, Why It Matters & How to Get It Right

Customer expectations are evolving like never before, especially in this post-COVID era. More people order products online, look for quick order status updates, and want them delivered instantly. After all, retailers today have to navigate the world of instant gratification. This is where tracking the last leg of your product’s delivery journey becomes crucial. That’s where last-mile carrier tracking comes into the picture.

This article walks you through what this concept is, which technologies it relies on, and why it is critical. We’ll also discuss the features you must consider when picking a last-mile tracking solution and how delivery routing software can help. So, let’s start.

What is Last-Mile Carrier Tracking?

When you monitor goods from when they leave the distribution hub till they reach your doorstep, it’s last-mile carrier tracking. It provides real-time visibility into delivery operations, which helps enhance transparency, accountability, and real-time coordination.

Why is Last-Mile Carrier Tracking Important?

Last-mile carrier tracking has several benefits, as follows:

1. Enhances customer satisfaction

When customers know where their package is and when it will arrive, this visibility makes them trust your brand and build loyalty. Plus, when customers get notifications with live tracking links and real-time ETAs, they can plan their day accordingly. This will help them stay prepared and available to receive deliveries.

2. Boosts operational efficiency

When you track routes, you can quickly identify delays and variations. If required, you can respond to them and make quick adjustments so there are minimal delays or failed deliveries. When you tackle such issues proactively, it minimizes disruptions and enhances overall operational efficiency.

3. Minimizes delivery costs

When you track deliveries in real time, you can see and ensure every driver is following the pre-assigned path assigned. In case of any significant deviations or detours, you can act proactively to reduce them. It, thus, helps save fuel consumption and unnecessary wear/tear of vehicles due to unwanted detours. It eventually helps you cut down your delivery costs.

4. Provides a competitive edge

When you track deliveries and send quick real-time updates on their progress, your customers will prefer you to your competitors who don’t. The reason is straightforward: customers like it when you provide transparency in your delivery operations.

5. Facilitates informed improvement decision-making

There are different last-mile carrier tracking systems that provide valuable data on delivery performance. For instance, it can evaluate total successful or missed deliveries, distance traveled per trip, and time taken. All these insights help you analyze what’s right and what you can improve. Accordingly, you can make data-driven decisions to fine-tune your current processes and enhance your overall delivery efficiency.

5 Features to Look for in a Last-Mile Tracking Solution

The choice of your last-mile tracking solution can vary based on your specific needs. However, below are a few features you can consider.

1. Real-time data

Your solution must provide visibility into your drivers’ locations right from when they leave your store till they deliver the order.

2. Electronic proof of delivery

Your software must provide an app for drivers to collect digital signatures and photos of items delivered to document successful drop-offs.

3. Predictive ETA alerts

Ensure your software allows for sending automated status notifications to customers regarding schedule delays or changes.

4. Preference-based scheduling

When you pick your software, ensure it lets you consider customers’ preferences, such as time windows, contactless delivery, or additional instructions when planning routes.

5. Interactive communication

There must be an app for drivers to communicate with both dispatchers and customers so there’s real-time collaboration and coordination for seamless deliveries.

If you have these features in your solution, it’s sure to make your entire delivery experience smoother and better.

How Can Route Optimization Software Help Enhance Customers’ Last-Mile Tracking Experience?

Route optimization software provides several features that cumulatively help enhance your customers’ overall experience.

• Real-time visibility: Provides frequent and precise delivery updates via SMS or email.
• Driver-dispatcher communication: Allows for real-time collaboration and dynamic route adjustments to improve delivery operations.
• Driver app with electronic proof of delivery: Offers a mobile app for drivers to view schedules, routes, updates, and get turn-by-turn navigation directions. It also lets drivers collect photos of items and customers’ digital signatures to document deliveries digitally.

All these features help you streamline your delivery operations while ensuring customer satisfaction.