Do you agree with the recent finding that over 45% of companies in the supply chain management industry feel that automation is a key feature? If so, you likely already use logistics software to help you run your operations.
However, generic software can only take you so far. In most cases, custom logistics software development is the best way to create custom solutions for your logistics team. Cont on tailored technology, incredible levels of automation, and improved accuracy. Plus, custom-developed software can increase efficiency while allowing businesses more room for customization.
Follow along as we explore why investing in specialized logistic software development can help transform your business. We’re about to lay out all the wonders that come with making the leap into using custom software. Stay tuned until the end, though, to learn how to get started building your software.
What is Logistics Software Development?
Logistics software development is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s the process of creating software that helps optimize logistics operations. This means it can include everything from forecasting demand and purchasing materials to managing inventory.
The result is pretty versatile. You can use it in several industries, including:
- Manufacturing
- eCommerce
- Healthcare
The main goal of logistics software is to streamline all logistics-related activities. Great software will lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. Not sure what kind of Some examples of logistics software include:
- Transportation management systems
- Warehouse management systems
- Enterprise resource planning systems
- Supply chain management software
However, that’s definitely not an exhaustive list. If you’re interested in seeing our work, we suggest you check out our case studies. Not all of the projects there are logistics software projects. However, they should give you a good idea of what to expect.
Features of Logistics Software
Logistics software has many features to help your business stay organized and efficient. If you’re unfamiliar with those features, explore a few of them below (we’ll get into the benefits below).
Analytics
This feature helps analyze logistics performance by recording data and providing insights for decision-making. Utilizing this feature might assist your company in the following ways:
- Identifying weak links
- Enhancing productivity
- Streamlining supply chain operations
With the aid of logistics analytics, companies of all types and sizes can:
- Predict and prepare for future trends
- Monitor key performance indicators
- Analyze shipment costs
- Optimize logistics routes
The bottom line? Analytics should be a key feature of your logistics software. They should be custom set to capture and report the information you need to optimize your logistics operations.
Inventory
You likely need to track and manage inventory, right? As part of custom logistics software development, inventory features allow you to:
- Track inventory levels
- Monitor stock movement
- Forecast demand to optimize their supply chain
Regardless of how the feature looks, you can expect to have real-time visibility into:
- Inventory levels
- Reorder points
- Stock rotation
This can help you avoid stockouts, overstocking, and product obsolescence. As a result, you can reduce your carrying costs, increase your efficiency, and improve your customer service.
Suppliers
Want to track supplier performance, view supplier inventory, and check delivery schedules? You can do this when you develop logistics software customized to your business needs.
This might look like logistics managers communicating with their suppliers in real time. As they do, they help minimize supply chain disruptions and fulfill orders correctly and on time. However, that’s not all. This feature and the data it collects and reports allow you to
- Measure supplier efficiency
- Identify underperforming vendors
- Adjust orders or inventory levels as needed
A feature like this is critical in improving operating efficiency and boosting your bottom line.
Warehouse
Warehouse management is a critical feature of logistics software. It’s similar to inventory management. However, it enables businesses to manage inventory and optimize their supply chains. With this feature, you can do things like:
- Keep track of the items in your warehouses
- Monitor stock levels
- Receive alerts when supplies are running low
Additionally, warehouse management software can help businesses reduce errors, streamline operations, and improve efficiency. It’s possible with features like automated inventory tracking, order fulfillment, and shipping tasks.
Dashboard
All of these features should be housed on an easy-to-navigate dashboard. Custom logistics software development professionals provide an intuitive and user-friendly interface displaying relevant information based on real-time data.
You should be able to have one central place where you can access an overview of important information, such as:
- Delivery lead times
- Inventory levels
- Shipment status
- More
The dashboard might look different depending on the logistics software developers you use and your business and inventory needs. However, here are a few essential sub-features it should include.
Reporting
With reporting, you can get real-time insights into your logistics performance. This might include:
- On-time delivery rates
- Carrier performance
- Inventory trends
You can expect to receive detailed and customizable reports that enable you to identify patterns and make data-driven decisions to optimize your logistics processes.
Tracking
Tracking is a vital feature of logistics software that allows you to monitor and trace your shipments’ status in real time. With this feature, logistics managers can track the location of their goods, delivery details, and expected delivery times.
This information is crucial in managing your logistics operations effectively. You can anticipate the arrival of your shipment and inform clients of any delays or problems that may arise. High-quality tracking allows you to keep control of your cargo, minimize losses, and ensure timely delivery.
Alerts
Want to set up customized notifications based on predefined events? Custom logistics software allows you to do that. This feature enables you to receive real-time updates on potential issues such as delays, missed deliveries, and route deviations.
You can also usually configure alerts for other tasks, such as:
- Inventory management
- Order processing
- Shipment tracking
Like the other features, this helps provide you with a holistic view of the supply chain.
Vehicle Management
Finally, you should hopefully be able to manage your vehicles from your software. This would include things like tracking each vehicle’s:
- Status
- Fuel consumption
- Maintenance issues
- Repair schedules
- Efficiency
Additionally, vehicle management allows logistics managers to schedule vehicle routes. This can help improve delivery times. However, over time, it can help increase your business’s efficiency and productivity rates.
Benefits of Logistics Software
Ready to invest in the best logistics software development? Already sold on the benefits? Great! However, we suggest walking through them one more time. You might find something you didn’t know. Or you might simply gain a deeper understanding of the investment you’re about to make and how it will help you boost your business.
Improves Customer Experience
Custom logistics software can significantly improve the customer experience by meeting their specific needs. Why? When a company builds custom logistics software, it can tailor it to accommodate unique demands. It’s also easy to customize it to fit the preferences of your customers. This includes the ability to:
- Provide real-time delivery updates if your users request that feature
- Enable easy communication with the delivery team
- Offer more up-to-date inventory options to ensure satisfaction
Additionally, custom logistics software can integrate with other systems. For example, inventory management or ordering system. This means customers can track their orders from start to finish.
Imagine being able to receive accurate delivery dates and times. This is possible with third-party software, sure. However, when it’s baked into your own software, you can manage it for more accurate times.
Having this type of software, in this context, increases transparency in the delivery process. This builds trust and confidence with customers. They know exactly where their order is and when it will arrive. Not only is this something customers deserve, but it’s also something they want and expect.
Manages Digital Assets Easier
Custom logistics software can help improve the management of digital assets by streamlining inventory, order tracking, and data analysis. With custom software, businesses can tailor their logistics systems to fit specific needs, making it easier to manage digital assets across the supply chain.
However, it’s not just about your core logistics team. By integrating software with automated equipment, employees can efficiently input data. This can help reduce errors and improve overall accuracy.
Isn’t this the case with all types of logistics software? It can be, yeah. However, it’s especially beneficial when you invest in custom software design. Instead of relying on off-the-shelf solutions that may not fit your unique workflows and needs, custom software is designed with your company’s unique needs in mind.
Enhances Fleet Efficiency
Managers can input information regarding delivery schedules, fuel consumption, and other important data by having a software system custom-built for a specific fleet. You can request specific metrics or a specific design that makes it easy to view the software to track and optimize routes.
This can lead to better route planning, more efficient vehicle usage, and reduced vehicle wear and tear. Additionally, with custom logistics software, managers can receive real-time updates on driver locations and weather conditions. The result is that it’s so much easier to adjust delivery schedules.
It’s not only about what you need, though. It’s also about what you don’t need. Standard, generic software often includes lots of things you never use. Custom software can include the necessary features, eliminating unnecessary clutter.
Reduces Business Costs
What happens when you optimize the entire supply chain process, including transportation, warehousing, and inventory management? You save money by improving the efficiency of your business’s logistics operations. Custom software solutions can also help companies automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. This reduces the need for manual labor and minimizes errors.
That’s not all, though. These types of software come with tons of cost-saving benefits. For example, custom logistics software can help you make more informed decisions about where to allocate money or scale back.
Improves Supply Chain Management
When companies use off-the-shelf software or manual methods, they often spend more time and money managing inventory, tracking shipments, and fulfilling orders. However, with custom logistics software built specifically for a company’s individual needs, you can quickly complete these tasks.
Using custom logistics software, companies can integrate their supply chain process from end to end, including everything from raw material procurement to delivery of finished goods to customers. This helps reduce manual work and administrative costs and increase the accuracy of:
- Inventory tracking
- Shipment scheduling
- On-time delivery rates
All in all, you’re making your logistics life easier. You can access helpful tools that improve efficiency and reduce costs. That frees up more time and energy to invest back into other areas of the business.
Why Hire Logistics Software Developers
Ready to start exploring logistics software development? You’ll find tons of options online. Some of those are even done-for-you solutions or third-party platforms. However, we suggest entrusting your software to experts.
Trying to do it yourself can be overwhelming and time-consuming. If you learn how to develop logistics software on your own, there’s a high probability of errors or inefficiencies. By hiring logistics software developers, you can ensure that you have a team that is well-versed in the intricacies of logistics and software development.
They can leverage their knowledge to create a comprehensive and efficient system customized to your needs. This will save you time and money in the long run. They can handle any bugs or issues that arise and can provide ongoing support to keep your system running.
Additionally, professional developers stay current on the latest technologies and best practices. They can deliver a higher quality product faster than someone trying to learn on the job. At least, that’s what we do.
Get Custom Logistics Software Development Services from Synaptech
Looking to streamline your business processes and improve efficiency? At Synaptech, our software developers specialize in creating custom solutions. We offer software tailored to your business’s unique needs.
From design to deployment, we handle every aspect of the development process. Our goal is to ensure your software meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. And with ongoing support and maintenance, you can be confident that your software will continue to perform at its best.
Whether you want to optimize your supply chain or improve logistics planning, our custom logistics software development services can help you achieve your business goals.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you create high-quality logistics software. We’re ready to help you take your business to the next level.
