5 Ways Drivers’ Tasks Get Easier with an Electronic Proof of Delivery App

Delivery drivers don’t just drive – the job would be a whole lot easier if that was the extent of their responsibilities. Instead, they are tasked with delivering excellent customer service under ever-increasing time pressures as well as being accountable for a range of operational and compliance data collection while they are out on the road. Keeping this part of the job streamlined, easy and even pleasant to perform goes a long way toward making life easier for your drivers.

Providing a happy working experience can help attract and retain workers–no small consideration with a massive shortage in skilled drivers. A happy driver, who feels comfortable with the processes they need to complete, is more likely to offer a relaxed, friendly, and professional service to your customers.

An electronic proof of delivery system offers significant advantages over a traditional, paper-based one. An advanced ePOD system, such as Aptean Proof of Delivery, replaces paperwork with a user-friendly mobile application, and configurable form functionality that allows you to tailor data capture tasks to suit your business protocols. As a result, field processes are streamlined from the moment your driver leaves the depot through the on-site customer encounter, until the end of their shift.

Here are five ways an electronic proof of delivery app can make daily tasks easier for your drivers.

1. Simplified Processes

Implemented on any Android device, the Aptean Proof of Delivery app guides drivers through a sequence of intuitive, user-friendly screens. The system is easy to learn and simple to use, making daily tasks easier for your drivers, including sub-contractors. Even better, it’s all electronic—removing the frustrations and delays caused by completing paper-based delivery forms.

2. Automated Guidance

Regardless of how standardized your procedures are, there’s always the possibility of non-standard delivery outcomes. You can configure the Aptean Proof of Delivery system to direct drivers’ actions in any of the scenarios your staff encounter - for example, in the case of an item being damaged or finding a delivery site inaccessible. Instead of calling the office to receive instructions, drivers are guided through pre-defined workflows, step-by-step. This means that workers don’t need to remember procedures they rarely need to use.

3. Multiple Data Capture Options

When they’re stuck with paper forms, delivery drivers tend to be restricted in the quantity and type of data they can collect. Whether that is with a delivery or any other task performed during their shift including equipment maintenance, packaging removal and on-site risk assessments. An electronic proof of delivery app allows drivers to capture notes, signatures, photos, quantitative readings (such as temperatures) and any other information that is important or useful to your business. The ease of gathering and transmitting this data makes the on-site encounter both quicker and easier for drivers.

4. Variety of Device Choices

The Aptean Proof of Delivery app is designed to work with an Android operating system, making it compatible with a wide variety of mobile device options. This means you can provide your drivers with familiar, simple-to-use smartphones or devices with additional functionality that make performing their daily duties easier, such as built-in barcode scanners or SatNav systems.

5. On-the-Day Flexibility

Even the best planned routes get disrupted out in the field, and there’s an urgent need to be able to respond to changes as they occur. With the Aptean Proof of Delivery app, you can allow drivers to alter their delivery schedules to respond to unforeseen circumstances on the day -amending the time of their break(s) or skipping a job to avoid dead time in the schedule. While doing so, drivers can capture all the relevant details for reviewing and justifying the changes to customer services or to the customer. Let’s say a customer isn’t there to accept the delivery. In this instance, the app allows the driver to capture an image of the delivery point to prove that they were there. If appropriate, they can be directed to return later in the day to complete the delivery, avoiding the need for a future redelivery.

Implementing a proof of delivery app removes the hassle of delivery paperwork for your drivers, simplifies their daily tasks and helps them deliver better customer service. All without requiring large amounts of training or disruption to your operation and current processes. Add to this, the range of other benefits that proof of delivery software offers for your office-based staff, management team and customers, then surely the choice is simple.

Are you ready to find out how Aptean Proof of Delivery can simplify tasks while making delivery operations more streamlined and efficient? Get in touch to find out how, now.