Introduction
Do you know that the logistics market is anticipated to grow by 287.1 million dollars from 2020 to 2024? This growth is the equivalent of the increment CAGR of 5 percent. These numbers show that on-demand logistics app development has a positive future, and those dabbling in this industry will earn profits. Moreover, the transport and logistics industry statistics show that trucking or logistics possesses the highest market share of 35 percent. Thus, those interested in stepping into logistics apps need not worry about how lucrative the industry will be. However, they are in dire need of one thing. Do you know what that is? The thing that they require is this Logistics app development tutorial! This logistics app development tutorial aims to help people like you know the various logistics apps and how to develop one! To acquaint you with the logistics apps, you can decide what you intend to create and which features to include! So, get ready and start reading this Logistics app development tutorial.
What are Logistics Apps, and How do they Work?
The most critical and intricate part of any business is logistics management, as it requires 24/7 monitoring for the following activities:
1. Order Delivery
2. Tracking
3. Scheduling However, logistics management is challenging for enterprises as it requires a lot of paperwork.
Therefore, logistics apps have entered the scene to simplify this process. Logistics apps' development is a sigh of relief for the retail industry as logistics apps let them run their day-to-day business effectively and efficiently. In a nutshell, logistics apps aid industries in performing their business operations smoothly and optimally by managing the following things:
1. Transportation
2. Fleet tracking
3. Shipment management
4. Analysis
5. Real-time monitoring
Let us now see the types of logistics apps below.
What are the types of Logistics Apps?
The first thing to do before commencing logistics apps development is to decide what type of app you intend to develop. Several logistics apps differ in purpose, feature list, and end-user. Thus, different logistics apps require other logistics app development. We list the types of logistics apps below:
Fleet management logistics apps
Those with a massive fleet of trucks can employ fleet management logistics apps to manage their work. A fleet management system lets users register, store and manage their truck data. This way, you can track all the crucial metrics such as vehicle maintenance, cost histories, and fuel consumption, thus giving users a deeper understanding of their overall expenditure. Usually, fleet management logistics apps comprise a driver app and a web admin app. The former lets users update vehicle information while the latter permits users to assign a user role, schedule reminders, track their fleet statistics, etc.
Logistics on-demand apps
There are times when vehicle drivers need to connect with shippers to deliver goods. At this time, on-demand delivery logistics apps play a pivotal role in connecting them. Thus, such logistics apps include the following:
1. The operator application
2. The sender application
3. The admin panels
If you are curious to know how on-demand logistics apps work, we briefly describe them below: A shipper sends a delivery request to the platform. Subsequently, the platform notifies the nearest free driver. Once the driver collects goods, shippers can keep tabs on the location of the vehicles with the help of GPS. When the delivery is completed, the app informs the sender of the successful delivery completion and sends an invoice.
Warehouse logistics Apps
People also develop barcode scanning apps to ensure the packages are delivered to the right place within the time frame. Several third-party APIs let such warehouse logistics apps define various barcodes and integrate them with users' stores' databases to obtain real-time updates. Thus, barcode scanning improves the efficiency of warehouse workers by reducing the cost of barcode scanners and minimizing the number of human-induced errors.
Tracking and shipping applications
The last type of logistics app is Tracking and shipping applications. These logistics apps provide real-time route and shipping information and display drivers' current locations.
The Must-Have Features and Functionalities of Logistics Apps
This logistics app development tutorial also discusses the must-have features and functionalities of logistics apps.
GPS-Enabled Tracking of Vehicles and Their Drivers
This feature enables managers to supervise whether a particular vehicle operates harmoniously with the schedule. It also lets them see whether a driver is running late or on time. Thus, GPS tracking enforces efficient time management by making managers know about drivers' exact arrival time, based on which managers can assign the next tasks to drivers.
Prior Planning of Routes
Imagine a scenario where drivers do not receive a pre-decided route map. In such a circumstance, they might use the longer route, delaying arrival and rising fuel costs. However, you can keep this situation at bay by adding the feature that determines the shortest path and assigns a pre-decided route to a particular travel. And to get better results, you can also sync this functionality with digital maps. Doing so provides drivers with accurate directions to reach their destinations quickly, save time, and reduce fuel costs. In addition, you can combine this feature with first Tracking to monitor whether drivers comply with the desired routes.
Drivers' Daily Log Schedule
You can also acquire your drivers' daily log information with the help of logistics apps. This information contains the following:
1. Number of road trips on which a driver went
2. A driver's working hours
3. The distance traveled
4. The number of deliveries and pick-ups made in a day Such deets help drivers and employers equally.
Notifications regarding The Nearest Support Center During Emergencies
Logistics app development also demands a feature that helps drivers deal with emergencies. Emergencies can be anything from a shortage of fuel to vehicle breakdowns. Therefore, as a fleet owner, you must plan how to help drivers in such scenarios. You can add this feature to your logistics apps to notify drivers of the nearest fuel stations, towing services, and vehicle repair garages. Also, logistics apps can warn them of the low fuel level by sending them notifications regarding the current fuel level.
Offline Support
There are instances where logistics apps might face connectivity woes or loss of connectivity ultimately. Such a situation calls for measures for the proper working of logistics apps involved in supply chain management as tracking the following things is mandatory:
1. Drivers' information
2. Traveling routes
3. Vehicles' information
The step to take is the incorporation of offline support to let drivers perform the given tasks even in the areas with no connectivity:
1. Using GPS
2. Entering Data
3. Updating assignment status as and when required
Support For Multiple Languages
This feature heavily concerns drivers' convenience. Usually, drivers come from diverse backgrounds and are comfortable using their respective local languages. Therefore, developing logistics apps they can use in their languages will let them use the app entirely and optimally. It also reduces the number of challenges they encounter while working and traveling.
Other Impressive Features
So far, we have read about the features without which your logistics apps will not be able to sustain. You can also add other features you desire according to the type of your logistics app. A few other impressive logistics apps' features are as follows:
1. You can add features regarding booking appointments to save your clients' time and efforts by letting them have a look at your calendar and selecting the free slots available.
2. You can also think about adding a chat function to let users communicate with the fleet via text and image messages.
3. Another set of features you can include is cloud-based features to optimize inventory.
These cloud-based features can also detect excessive and obsolete stock levels.
How to Build Logistics Apps?
The logistics apps' development goes as follows:
Determine the Type of Logistics App You Need
We have already listed the logistics apps above, and you need to determine whether you want to commence logistics app development for fleet management, supply chain management, warehouse management, or a comprehensive solution. It is crucial to decide on the type of app you want to create, as the type of logistics app dictates the cost of app development.
Conduct Market Research
It is advisable to create in-depth market research as you will receive numerous valuable insights. Take time to carefully study and analyze your competitors who have launched logistics apps and note down the features they possess. Apart from focusing on your rivals; features, examine their user interface and other aspects of logistic apps. Thus, you will need to observe your competitors' apps in their workflows and how these benefit them.
Make a list of your requirements.
After you have decided the type of app you want to launch and studied your rivals' logistics apps, it is time to list the features you would like to include in your logistics apps. If we pick a typical on-demand logistics app, you will see three panels: the admin panel, the dispatcher panel, and the user panel. All these three panels have specific functionalities and features. At this stage, you need to determine the panels you intend to include in your logistics apps, with a complete list of features and functionalities for each.
Set a Budget
Logistics app development can cost between $1000 to $100000 depending on your feature-laden logistics apps and the mobile app development company you select. Thus, at this stage, you must first determine the amount of money you are willing to spend on Logistics app development. After that, you can start your search for a mobile app development company.
Find the Right Mobile App Development Company
The last step requires you to hunt down an apt and competent mobile app development company for your logistics apps. Since there are thousands of app development companies, it will be better to conduct proper research and check out portfolios of numerous competent companies before making a decision. Your aim should be to find a company that suits your business requirements.
Conclusion
It does not matter which logistics app development you want to go for: storage management, fleets, or on-demand logistics; you will undoubtedly encounter a few obstacles. It is an uphill task to develop logistics apps as there are various things to take care of, such as your business requirements, intended functionalities of your logistics apps, your app's user interface, the technology stack of interest, etc. Apart from these things, you must also choose a mobile app development company. However, there is good news; you do not need to search for a mobile apps development company, as AppsRhino is sufficient to turn your vision into a reality.
