When delivery drivers have over 50 deliveries to make each in a day, it gets tedious to manually enter all the addresses into a GPS tracking app, being redirected as new orders come through. Technology has advanced to make it easier for fleet managers and drivers. But how do you find the best GPS app for delivery drivers?
GPS technology is indispensable for modern delivery drivers. It provides accurate navigation, helps with route planning, and ensures timely deliveries.
A good GPS app goes beyond basic navigation, getting the driver from point A to B. It includes real-time tracking and vehicle tracking systems, which are vital for maintaining efficiency and keeping customers happy.
Where do we start when researching for the best GPS software? Let’s discuss what you have to look out for when making your decision.
What GPS Apps Do Delivery Drivers Use?
Managing multiple delivery routes used by a number of drivers is not hard to find. Making the right choice that suits your company’s needs can be tricky.
Here are a few suggestions for GPS apps:
Here’s how some of the best GPS for delivery drivers are focusing on helping businesses improve delivery time, safety, efficiency, and cut costs.
Locate2u
Locate2u simplifies the data reading process. A manager has various options to send booking data to Locate2u: via API, Excel Import, Zapier, and our Shopify Interface.
For enterprise customers, dedicated interfaces can be built to suit the needs of the business.
Zeo Route Planner
It is compatible with more than 40+ languages. It also allows businesses to schedule routes in advance. This helps them view each driver’s workload and plan their day-to-day operations.
Routific
With this GPS technology, businesses are able to reduce cost per delivery by 25%. While optimizing the routes, it also considers historical traffic patterns and avoids what it calls messy “spaghetti routes.”
Timeero
Timeero is more focused on the delivery driver’s whereabouts on the day. For certain businesses, like carpet cleaners, this is a priority, focusing on employee hours, mileage, and location at any given time.
What makes this app different is that it allows fleet managers to get alerts for out-of-bounds locations, while the location tracking comes with timestamps.
Key Features of The Best GPS Apps
One of the most important trademarks of an advanced GPS app is its ability to allow multiple pickups and drop-offs.
When selecting a GPS for delivery drivers, consider features such as real-time tracking, route optimization, and fuel usage monitoring. These features help fleet managers reduce operational costs and improve driver performance.
Why Do You Need Vehicle Tracking?
With GPS tracking, fleet managers can access drivers’ live locations. They can even send customers a live tracking link to see when a parcel is due to arrive.
It’s also valuable to monitor a driver’s behavior. This way, fleet managers can easily detect idle time and when certain drivers can’t handle long drives.
Can GPS Enhance Customer Satisfaction?
Who doesn’t want to have a timely and accurate delivery? We all live in a busy society, and it’s crucial to be able to plan your day.
A good GPS system enables precise delivery location tracking and efficient route planning. This ensures that the customer’s orders are on time.
GPS technology: Why a business needs it
When deciding on the best navigating app for delivery drivers, remember that it must make life easier and be able to automate repetitive tasks.
This will save time and money. Let’s look at those options.
Integrating Navigating Apps With Your Transport Management System
The book Intelligent Transportation System and Advanced Technology, co-authored by Dr Richa Verma, notes the importance of effective management.
“[It] ensures accurate vehicle positioning and tracking, efficient route planning, timely dispatching, and effective resource allocation.”
A robust transport management system (TMS) integrated with a navigating app helps the overall performance of your fleet. It allows for seamless data sharing, improved route planning, and real-time tracking of delivery vehicles.
Why Fleet Managers Rely on GPS Technology
When technology can accurately monitor driver performance, optimize routes, and keep the fleet road-worthy, it makes life easier for fleet managers. It saves time and allows the staff to focus on other, more important areas of the business.
With GPS technology, managers can also add and remove bookings from certain drivers’ schedules.
Benefits of Using GPS Technology
Costs, fuel consumption, and time are the three key areas where companies will see huge differences after using better GPS software.
Reducing Operational Costs with GPS Apps
Navigating technology for drivers helps reduce operational costs by optimizing fuel usage. Fuel is one of the most expensive costs associated with delivery.
However, it can be reduced drastically by improving route planning and reducing idle time. These cost savings contribute to the overall efficiency of fleet operations.
Optimizing Fuel Usage through Route Planning
Identifying the most effective route reduces fuel costs. With navigating software, fleet managers can adjust the day’s routes automatically when new bookings are made throughout the day.
Analyzing GPS Apps Data Is Important
What does it help when you have the right navigating software but drivers are not adhering to route planning outlined by the technology? That’s where analysis plays a pivotal role. Receiving a report at the end of a month’s review can help fleet managers make some crucial adjustments.
Analysing Driver Behaviour With GPS Apps
A more conscious driver knowing he or she is being tracked by the employer could already have a significant outcome.
Tracking systems equipped with driver behavior analysis help monitor and improve driver performance. Adjustments can only be made once a manager is aware of the specific problem, allowing for specific training to resolve it.
Addressing Driver Performance Using GPS apps
Some of these GPS systems have real-time features that help address problems as and when they occur. The fleet manager can call or contact the driver on the spot to address the problem, avoid confusion, and ensure the fleet operates optimally.
4 After-Purchase Details to Look Out For
Choosing a more expensive GPS is not necessarily going to address all the needs that your business may require from it. Here are three key things to look out for for the after-purchase experience:
- Installation: Who will be installing the tracking devices, and who will be assisting with any questions?
- Training: Is the software easy to use, and does it include on-the-job training?
- Accuracy: How will the system respond when the locations are not accurately captured?
- Operating Costs: Will it be able to save you money?
Choosing Professionally Installed GPS Devices
Professionally installed GPS devices in the fleet increase the reliability and performance of the drivers. GPS devices are integrated with vehicle tracking systems, providing complete visibility of fleet operations.
But if you are not familiar with this type of technology, it’s important to have on-boarding support. Nothing can be more frustrating than having the right tools but using them incorrectly.
Training Staff
Drivers can operate more optimally if there is no confusion about how the system works. When choosing a provider, make sure they offer comprehensive training as well as live on-demand assistance.
Ensuring Accurate Delivery Locations
Accurate delivery locations are essential for timely deliveries. GPS systems provide precise location tracking, ensuring that delivery drivers reach the correct destinations without delay.
Managing Operating Costs with Advanced GPS Features
Advanced GPS features such as fuel usage monitoring and route optimization help in managing operating costs.
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About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.