How to use delivery management software: A guide

Delivery management software is more than just a tool—it’s your logistics game-changer.

Whether you’re a restaurant owner juggling dozens of food orders, a delivery company operator managing hundreds of packages, then you need delivery software.

It is designed to streamline operations and is your ticket to smoother, faster, and more efficient operations.

Why?

Because, in today’s world, customers expect their orders to arrive faster than ever. And that’s where this software shines: it brings order to chaos, cuts down on delivery times, and improves customer satisfaction—all while saving you precious time and money.

So, how can you tap into this powerful tool? Let’s explore how you can use this technology to stay ahead.

What is delivery management software?

Delivery management software (DMS) is a digital platform that automates and optimizes the entire delivery process, from order creation and route planning to tracking and returns.

With a robust DMS, you have visibility over your deliveries, real-time updates, and data that help streamline and improve every aspect of logistics.

Additionally, the software excels in dispatch management, ensuring that each delivery is efficiently assigned and monitored.

Picture this: You own a busy urban restaurant. With DMS, the moment a customer places an order, the software assigns it to the nearest available driver, maps out the best route, and even factors in traffic conditions, ensuring that the food arrives hot and on time.

Think of it as your logistics assistant, working tirelessly to keep everything in motion.

Why your business needs delivery management software

In today’s competitive market, businesses need to ensure that their delivery operations are efficient, reliable, and customer-centric. 

Delivery management software is a crucial tool that helps businesses: 

• Streamline their delivery processes. 
• Reduce costs.
• Improve customer satisfaction. 

With the right delivery management software, businesses can: 

• Optimize their route planning.
• Track deliveries in real-time.
• Provide customers with accurate delivery notifications. 

This not only enhances the overall customer experience but also helps businesses to stay ahead of the competition.

Picture this: You run a bustling e-commerce store. With delivery management software, you can automate route planning, ensuring your drivers take the most efficient paths. 

This not only saves on fuel costs but also ensures timely deliveries, keeping your customers happy and loyal. 

Real-time tracking allows you to monitor each delivery, making it easy to address any issues that arise promptly. Plus, with automated delivery notifications, your customers are always in the loop, reducing anxiety and increasing satisfaction.

How can delivery management software help my business?

1. Improve delivery efficiency

Time is money—especially in logistics. With delivery management software, you don’t have to worry about bottlenecks or missed deliveries. 

The software’s automated route optimization ensures that drivers are always on the fastest path, saving fuel, time, and reducing wear and tear on vehicles.

With features like driver tracking, you can monitor each driver’s location in real time, ensuring that deliveries are on schedule and any issues are promptly addressed.

Here’s a scenario: You’re a delivery fleet manager, and it’s a busy Monday morning. Instead of manually assigning routes to each driver, DMS does it for you, creating the most efficient route based on current traffic and delivery locations.

With optimized routes, your drivers cover more ground in less time, meeting tight delivery windows while keeping costs low.

2. Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty

Today’s customer expects fast, reliable delivery—anything less is unacceptable. With DMS, you can offer accurate delivery estimates, live tracking, and real-time updates, which keeps customers informed every step of the way. 

The bigger picture: Customers know exactly where their order is, it builds trust, reduces complaints, and improves overall satisfaction. 

With features like delivery confirmation, customers receive reliable proof of delivery, including geotags, timestamps, and signatures, which enhances trust and satisfaction.

Let’s say you’re running a bakery that delivers freshly made treats: A customer places an order and, thanks to your DMS, receives a tracking link showing the exact status of their delivery.

By the time the warm pastries arrive, they’re thrilled—not just because they’re delicious, but because they feel involved in the journey from oven to doorstep.

How to use delivery management software effectively

So, you’ve invested in delivery management software. Great move! Now it’s time to make sure you’re squeezing every drop of potential out of it. 

Think of DMS as a tool that works best when it’s customized to fit your specific needs—whether you’re handling hundreds of restaurant orders, overseeing a complex delivery fleet, or running a small business with high delivery demands. 

This section will walk you through actionable steps to help you get the most out of your DMS, from setting up workflows and tracking deliveries in real-time to analyzing data that can boost your bottom line.

Let’s dive into some practical ways to turn this software into a true productivity powerhouse for your business.

1. Set up user-friendly workflows

Implementing DMS starts with setting up clear workflows that align with your business needs. Most DMS platforms are customizable, allowing you to define processes, set delivery zones, and organize routes based on delivery priorities.

Field service businesses, which rely on vehicle fleets, can greatly benefit from customizable workflows that align with their specific delivery needs.

Here is a tip: Make sure to set parameters based on peak hours or special needs, like temperature-controlled deliveries.

For example, if you own a pizzeria, you could customize routes for peak Friday night orders, ensuring your delivery drivers don’t waste time in traffic hotspots.

2. Take advantage of real-time tracking

Real-time tracking isn’t just for customers—it’s for you, too. By monitoring each driver’s location, you can make adjustments on the fly, reroute as necessary, and avoid costly delays.

Here’s a scenario: Say you run a fleet of furniture delivery trucks. Mid-delivery, a driver gets stuck in traffic. With DMS, you can quickly reroute them or assign a nearby driver to handle an urgent delivery, ensuring that no one is left waiting—and frustrated.

3. Use data analytics to continuously improve

Your DMS provides valuable data, such as delivery times, driver performance, and fuel usage. Use this information to tweak routes, identify inefficiencies, and make informed decisions that improve future deliveries.

Here is a tip: Schedule weekly reviews of your DMS reports. By analyzing data trends, you can make small changes—like adjusting start times or assigning specific zones to certain drivers—that add up to major improvements over time.

What are the benefits of delivery management software? 

Let’s take a look at how DMS can benefit industries. 

Restaurants can serve up faster deliveries

For restaurants, on-time delivery is the backbone of customer satisfaction. DMS helps you assign drivers quickly, map the fastest routes, and ensure that your food arrives fresh.

Why it’s great for you: Delivery management software can mean the difference between a hot meal and a lukewarm disappointment. 

For a pizzeria or sushi bar, the ability to track your deliveries in real-time gives you confidence—and gives customers peace of mind.

Fleet managers can optimize with DMS

For fleet managers, the ability to control multiple vehicles in different locations can feel like managing an orchestra. 

DMS offers a bird’s-eye view of each driver’s progress, helping you coordinate routes and reduce downtime. 

Effective management of logistics operations is crucial for fleet managers, and DMS provides the tools needed to optimize routes and reduce downtime.

Why it’s great for you: With DMS, you can optimize routes and save on fuel costs while maximizing vehicle utilization. It’s about getting more done with less hassle—and fewer angry calls from clients.

Maximize your delivery operations with DMS

Managing a delivery company can be intense, especially with so many moving parts. DMS streamlines operations by handling everything from dispatch to tracking to customer communication, all in one platform. 

DMS is designed to streamline the entire delivery business, from dispatch to tracking to customer communication, ensuring efficient and reliable operations.

Why it’s great for you: No more scrambling to find where a package is or why a driver is delayed. DMS puts the information at your fingertips, allowing you to keep customers updated and stay organized.

How does delivery management software help with returns? 

The online returns process has become a critical component of e-commerce logistics, and delivery management software plays a key role in making it efficient and seamless.

Logistics companies can benefit from DMS by streamlining the returns process, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction.

With features like real-time tracking, automated notifications, and route optimization, these platforms help delivery companies streamline returns, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

From coordinating pickups to providing customers with transparent tracking, the right software ensures that both merchants and customers experience a hassle-free process.

In an era where online shopping continues to grow, delivery management software is essential for handling the complexities of reverse logistics effectively.

Here’s a scenario: Your customer needs to return an item to your online store. Instead of a complicated back-and-forth, DMS streamlines the return by notifying a driver to pick up the item, while updating you on the item’s journey back to your warehouse.

How delivery management software helps last mile delivery 

The “last mile” is the final stretch, where your product moves from a hub to the customer’s doorstep. For business owners, the last mile is often the most challenging—yet with DMS, you can streamline it effortlessly.

Why it matters: A delayed or mishandled last mile delivery can break trust with your customers. DMS automates and optimizes the last mile, ensuring deliveries are not only on time but also efficient and reliable.

Here’s a scenario: You own a gourmet meal-kit company. When your drivers use DMS to handle the last-mile delivery, the customer’s doorbell rings right on time—and with all ingredients intact. It’s a small touch, but it reinforces your brand’s reliability and builds long-term loyalty.

Software like Locate2u can help your business optimize the final stage of the delivery process. 

How drivers use delivery software

How drivers use delivery software

Let’s put the software into action with a step-by-step guide. 

1. Log in to the delivery app

The driver opens the app and logs in with their credentials to access their scheduled deliveries for the day.

2. View assigned orders

The app shows a list of assigned delivery orders with details like customer name, address, order items, and delivery time window.

3. Select an order to begin

The driver selects the first order from the list, and the app provides detailed instructions, including a delivery route.

4. Optimize route

If multiple deliveries are scheduled, the app automatically optimizes the route to reduce travel time, considering factors like traffic and delivery priority.

5. Mark order as ‘in transit’

Once the driver starts the delivery, they mark the order as ‘In Transit’ on the app, updating both the restaurant and the customer in real time.

6. Navigate to delivery location

The app offers GPS navigation, guiding the driver to the customer’s address with turn-by-turn directions.

7. Notify customer of arrival

When close to the delivery location, the app sends an automatic notification to the customer, informing them of the estimated arrival time.

8. Complete the delivery

Upon arrival, the driver marks the order as ‘Delivered’ in the app. If required, they can collect proof of delivery, like a photo or a digital signature.

9. Update delivery status

The software automatically updates the restaurant on the completion of the delivery and records the time, ensuring all stakeholders are informed.

10. Move to the next delivery

After completing the order, the app prompts the driver to move on to the next delivery on the list or return to the restaurant.

How do you know if your package has been delivered?

Now, let’s talk about that “delivery anxiety” and the software tool that can help you have peace of mind. 

Proof of delivery (POD) software often integrates with delivery management software.  

Imagine you own a thriving logistics company responsible for delivering cargo all over the country. At any given moment, your fleet of 10 to 15 trucks is on the road, transporting high-value goods to customers who depend on your reliability.

In an industry where trust and accountability are everything, ensuring each delivery is successfully completed and documented is crucial.

POD software comes in—it’s the tool that provides concrete evidence that shipments have been delivered as promised, protecting your business from disputes, loss, and inefficiencies. 

The role of delivery management software in sustainable logistics

In a world that’s increasingly focused on sustainability, delivery management software isn’t just a tool for efficiency—it’s also a powerful way to reduce your environmental impact. 

With features like route optimization and efficient load management, DMS helps reduce fuel consumption, cutting down on carbon emissions and lowering your business’s overall footprint.

Reduce carbon emissions with optimized routes

By finding the shortest, least congested routes, DMS reduces the time vehicles spend on the road. 

This means fewer emissions per delivery, helping your business contribute to cleaner air and a healthier planet.

Less paper usage for you, more digital

Many DMS platforms replace traditional paperwork with digital forms and tracking, minimizing waste and saving trees. 

Digital proof of delivery and electronic records are efficient, easy to access, and better for the environment.

Improve your fuel efficiency

By managing routes and loads more effectively, DMS helps ensure that drivers aren’t making unnecessary trips or carrying half-empty loads. This increased fuel efficiency lowers operating costs and boosts sustainability.

Embracing delivery management software is not only a smart business move—it’s a commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.

5 Key takeaways for mastering delivery management software

1. Invest in a system with real-time tracking and data analytics.
2. Make training a priority for everyone in your team.
3. Use DMS to optimize your last-mile deliveries for better customer satisfaction.
4. Regularly review DMS reports to spot trends and improve efficiency.
5. Don’t overlook customer feedback—it’s the best way to keep evolving.

About the author