Choosing the right delivery tracking software is crucial for effective delivery management. Different parcel tracking methods have pros and cons, and selecting the one that best suits your business needs is essential. This blog will discuss different tracking methods and factors to consider when selecting one.
How to choose delivery tracking software
When you choose delivery tracking software, look at what it does with carrier scans. The tracking method (GPS, barcode, RFID) only decides how those scans are captured. Whether your team and your customer get a clear status in time to act depends on the software. Use the criteria below to judge whether a delivery tracking platform turns carrier scans into statuses your team can use.
Every carrier reports in its own vocabulary, and a retailer shipping with 10 carriers gets 10 versions of "out for delivery". The software has to map those events into one normalized set of statuses. That way, a delay shows up the same way whether the parcel is with a postal operator or a courier. Any shipment tracking software that skips this step hands the translation work to your customer service team.
Tracking that refreshes once a night may report a stalled parcel too late to rebook it or warn the customer. Real-time delivery tracking receives carrier events as they arrive and shows all active shipments in a single live view. The team uses that view to check which carrier has the parcel and what its last scan said.
Exception alerts determine how much tracking your team has to do by hand. When a parcel stops getting scanned, no new event comes in, so the software has to raise an alert when the updates go quiet as well as when a failed-delivery scan arrives. Without that, the first signal of a lost parcel is the customer's email.
For your customers, look for a tracking page on your own domain and proactive email or SMS notifications at each milestone: dispatched, in transit, out for delivery and delivered. Both reduce "where is my order" inquiries, and the tracking page keeps customers on your site instead of sending them to the carrier's. SMS messages cost extra, so decide early which milestones are worth a text and which can go by email.
The statuses also have to leave the software. Customer service, your CRM and your returns process all need them. That takes an API or a native connector to your ecommerce platform, ERP or WMS, so orders flow in and statuses flow back. A support agent can then look up any order number and see its shipment.
nShift Track, nShift's parcel tracking software, maps tracking events from its integrated carrier library into one normalized set of statuses. It also sends proactive email and SMS notifications at each milestone. The sections below explain each tracking method and when to use it.
GPS Tracking
GPS tracking uses GPS technology to provide real-time tracking and location-based information. It is widely used in delivery management to track vehicles, packages, and parcels. GPS tracking provides several benefits, such as real-time tracking, improved route optimization, and enhanced delivery visibility. However, GPS tracking may not be suitable for all delivery scenarios, such as indoor deliveries or areas with poor network coverage.
Barcode Scanning
Barcode scanning is a widely used tracking method in delivery management. It involves scanning barcodes on packages or parcels to track their movement. Barcode scanning provides several advantages, such as accurate tracking, improved inventory management, and reduced errors. However, barcode scanning may have limitations in scenarios where packages or parcels do not have barcodes or when scanning equipment is unavailable.
RFID technology
RFID technology uses radio waves to identify and track packages or parcels. It is an automated and contactless tracking method that provides several benefits, such as improved accuracy, reduced errors, and enhanced security. However, RFID technology may be costly to implement and may not be suitable for all delivery scenarios.
Hybrid approaches
Hybrid approaches involve combining multiple last mile tracking methods for enhanced accuracy and reliability. For example, a hybrid approach may leverage GPS, barcode, RFID, or other technologies to provide real-time tracking, location-based information, and automated tracking. Hybrid approaches provide several benefits, such as improved accuracy, enhanced tracking capabilities, and reduced errors.
Considerations for choosing the right method
When selecting a tracking method, several factors need to be considered. These include cost, scalability, integration, ease of use, and specific delivery requirements. Evaluating different tracking methods based on these factors is essential to select the one that best suits your business needs.
Different industries may have unique tracking needs and requirements. For example, the healthcare industry may require contactless tracking methods, while the retail industry may require real-time tracking capabilities. It's essential to consider industry-specific factors when selecting a tracking method.
Future trends and emerging technologies
Future trends and emerging technologies in delivery tracking may impact the selection of tracking methods. For example, advancements in IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) may provide new tracking capabilities and enhance existing ones. It's essential to keep track of future trends and emerging technologies to make informed decisions.
Making the decision
Choosing the right tracking method is crucial for effective delivery management. It's essential to evaluate different tracking methods based on factors such as cost, scalability, integration, ease of use, and specific delivery requirements. nShift's multi-carrier shipping and delivery experience platform provides a flexible solution that supports various tracking methods.
Assess your delivery process and select the most suitable tracking method. Contact nShift to learn how our multi-carrier shipping and delivery experience platform can help enhance your delivery operations.
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