Mobile apps already penetrated every nook and corner of our lives and caused a huge impact on improving the quality of life. No wonder, mobile apps have become the part and parcel of our logistics needs as well. Logistics mobile apps have simplified the courier, logistics, freight transport and sending and receiving goods easier than ever before.
But logistics mobile app development involves some crucial considerations including the must-have features. Do you want to have a clear idea about the key features that a modern logistics app should have? Well, let us get down to the point by explaining the basics.
The cost of a logistics app development project should start with the basics like your target audience, the type of app you are going to build and the kind of features you need for the app. Let’s have a quick look at these key considerations.
Now, when you have a gross and comprehensive idea about these key considerations, you can have an idea about your own logistics app project and its key parameters and constraints.
Among all the considerations, it is important to focus on the major types of logistics apps that are in the market and the key features that you should consider for your logistics app project.
Let’s have a quick look at the major types of logistics apps as per the needs and user requirements of different logistics businesses. Let’s explain them briefly.
Now that we have a gross idea about the types of logistics apps in the market and how they benefit logistical transport and management, let us have a quick look at the key and must-have features of logistics apps.
The user panel of a logistics app has several specific sections related to customer interactions. Let us briefly explain these components of the user panel.
As with most apps, customer registration can be facilitated either by providing all the required information and by registering with social media information.
This feature helps the app users to select from different models and types of vehicles as per their needs.
This feature allows the user to book their logistical service and keep track of the delivery.
A logistics app generally offers several different payment gateways to facilitate making payment for the logistics services provided by them. These payment gateways may include credit and debit cards, net banking, PayPal, mobile and digital wallets, etc.
This feature allows the user to track the shipment in real-time and remain informed about the delivery process in progress.
This feature allows the user to get instant alerts and notifications as their shipment progresses and arrive at their locations.
This is a crucial feature that helps to calculate the fare charge of the logistics shipment as per the weight of the parcel, the destination for delivery and pickup and the speed of the delivery.
This feature allows the user to access historical data of all the shipments booked by him and their individual logistics data as well as status.
This is a common feature for any mobile app that allows the users to rate the logistics service app in the respective app market and publish reviews.
Every logistics app also has a dispatcher panel which is basically meant for the enterprise or the logistics company who are responsible for dispatching the shipment to the users.
The dispatchers need to create their own account either by providing fresh account information or by using their social data and use the credential every time for login.
This is the feature that allows the product dispatcher to accept or reject any shipping orders based on some criteria.
This feature allows them to show as available or busy right through the app screen.
This allows the dispatcher to get a clear view of the details of the consignment to be shipped to the customers.
This feature allows the dispatchers to manage their individual profile information from time to time.
This feature allows the driver to take the best suitable and easily reachable route to deliver the shipment in time.
This feature allows the drivers or the dispatchers to mark a shipment as delivered when the delivery is completed.
This feature helps remaining informed about all the detailed information about freight including goods, fuel consumption, covered distance, toll charges as well as shipping details such as the name, address, contact number and destination of the user to whom the goods are going to be delivered.
This feature helps the drivers or the dispatchers to keep track of the historical report of all shipments and deliveries.
Finally, there is an admin panel which is meant for the logistics business admin to take control and manage to run their business along with delivery and shipment processes. Let us have a brief look at the basic admin panel features.
The dashboard is the basic control panel that helps the admin to keep track of all necessary information and the processes with an easy interface.
This feature helps the admin to keep track of the vehicles besides introducing new vehicles and dropping older vehicles.
This feature helps the admin to keep teaching the invoices and the payment processing for the logistics services.
This feature allows the admin to monitor the on-road vehicles in real-time and remain informed about their whereabouts and movement.
Read More: How To Develop On-Demand Uber Pickup and Delivery App
Apart from all the above-mentioned features, a logistics app can also have several additional or value-added features. These features help to add more value to the user experience of the app.
This feature allows the logistics customers to request a quote based on the deals and services available.
This is a popular feature in today’s apps as users instead of calling can easily get in touch with a service provider through chat messages.
This is a localisation feature to help apps communicate using multiple languages.
This feature allows the users and the drivers to upload required documents for certain needs such as authentication.
We have almost explained all the major features that make a logistics app. Well, while some of these features are must-have and elementary ones, there are others that can add value to a logistics app user experience. For any iOS or Android app development service provider, these features are primary for logistics app development.
WRITTEN BY: Atman Rathod
Atman Rathod is the Founding Director at CMARIX Technolabs Pvt. Ltd., a leading web and mobile app development company with 17+ years of experience. Having…
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