Dispatch Tracking: Benefits And Challenges In The Modern World

With modern technology paving its way through every industry, the logistics sector could not stay behind.

12:07 01 April 2021

Gone are the days when customers had to wait desperately for the arrival of their awaited orders, and invest time and energy into calling the delivery companies for regular updates. 

 

Seeking an improvisation in supply chain management, avoidance of costly errors, and a replacement of this age-old way of tracking, the industry shifted to dispatch tracking, leading to an overall transformation of the entire process. 

 

What is dispatch tracking? 

 

Dispatch tracking refers to the process of tracking the location of resources- whether people or vehicles to ensure that the process of transportation of goods is performed efficiently.

 

In today’s time, organizations need to provide a stellar delivery experience that will resonate with customers and keep them coming back. The challenge begins the moment an order is placed, however, the challenge is present on two different fronts. 

 

The first one is on the customer’s end and the second is how goods can be tracked within the organization. Both the ends are equally important, however, they require completely different tools to ensure the job is done.

To facilitate this process, dispatch tracking systems are utilized to help automate routing and scheduling processes to provide a simpler way to coordinate routes and deliveries efficiently. This cuts the time the organizations take to make products, and deliver them to customers and allows them to oversee the overall transportation. Dispatch tracking systems also assist you to ensure that you do not lose revenue due to poor delivery metrics. 

 

Key Challenges in Executing Dispatching Operations

In the current scenario, dispatch tracking being a relatively newer concept faces its own set of challenges in the industry. 

 

Pricing 

 

Since automated dispatch tracking is new to the market, unlike conventional dispatch tracking, it might put a load of expenses on new entrants as they have to manage their fundings across every facet of their business. However, for giants, the situation might be on the contrary but it still is a central deciding factor for organizations at all levels.

 

Lack of connectivity 

 

Internet Shutdowns or lack of proper internet connectivity might be another challenge for modern-day dispatch tracking. Internet shutdowns in any area might result in a low consumer experience because of an issue faced while tracking a product. 

 

Instant deliveries

 

Demand for instant deliveries also poses a threat to the overall customer experience. Some consumers expect their product to be delivered as early as possible. This might interrupt the curation of timely delivery of products to all customers, which can de-elevate customer experience.

 

Poor Inventory management 

 

Poor inventory management is the biggest challenge when it comes to dispatching tracking. 

 

Organizations, to maintain and improve customer satisfaction, must pay a lot of attention to inventory management. If not taken seriously this might divert your customers to other dealers, no matter for how long you have been dealing with them.

 

Pandemic

 

The ongoing pandemic has also challenged the dispatch system. The coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in the delivery time of parcels from all over the world. The norms of social distancing and minimal physical contact pose a major challenge to the dispatch of deliveries and also require extra effort on the part of the organizations to take precautionary measures, to effectively deal with the health issues that are related to the pandemic. 

 

Benefits of Dispatch Tracking

 

Owing to the plethora of benefits that dispatch tracking offers, it has become essential for organizations to provide this service.

 

Real-Time Location Data

 

Each driver’s real-time data about his/her location and status allows you to immediately spot the problem and then make the necessary adjustments to ensure the quality of service doesn’t suffer. 

 

Dispatch software also allows complete control of every transportation process. Track locations and statuses with GPS and interactive maps give you complete control over when and where to dispatch your drivers. 

 

Scheduling

Dispatch tracking allows your organization to run effectively. Dispatch scheduling software lets you handle the growth of the business while ensuring that all tasks are scheduled properly. Such software provides partially or even fully-automated scheduling, and assigns drivers to planned loads.

 

Enhanced efficiency

 

The ability to identify the right driver for a job ensures increased productivity as well as customer satisfaction. Dispatch tracking allows you to make informed decisions, thereby, allowing more resources to be utilized for other strategic tasks. 

 

Mobile Accessibility

 

Constant communication is essential for all stakeholders involved in the process. Mobile applications give your dispatchers and drivers information on-the-go, making it easier for them to communicate and check-in. 

 

Furthermore, the app allows drivers to be in control of their trips, providing relevant information about routes, while collecting and storing data about their progress throughout. This ensures that the time required for manually performed paperwork is reduced. And also ensures that managers have instant access to this data, cutting down on the chance for errors. With two-way communication established between all stakeholders, it enhances the reliability of the organization and helps in correcting any issues that might arise during the process. 

 

Enhanced customer Experience

 

With dispatch tracking, organizations can plan the fastest and the safest route for early delivery of the products to the customers. This can be a successful accomplishment for organizations in achieving a high customer experience as deliveries are fulfilled on time. 

 

Automated Notifications

 

Tracking all shipments in real-time becomes easier with automated notifications. Dispatch systems vendors have started providing tools that automatically notify dispatchers about trips that may miss their scheduled delivery. Some can even spot scheduling issues days in advance.

 

With the software, automatically tracking the performance of each driver, Dispatch Tracking enables insights into areas where you need to improve performance.

 

Billing

 

The management of the billing process can be complicated. Through dispatch tracking software, billing support can also be provided to organizations and consumers, saving up a lot of time. It can quickly calculate transportation costs for businesses and accurately bill customers.