The global logistics industry is predicted to be worth $12 bn by 2027. With so much stock moving between retailers and customers, you need to be sure your shipping is working well.
Choosing the right shipping software is one way to help managed costs and your logistics. But with different options available, how do you choose the right software for your business?
Read on to learn what questions to ask when choosing shipping logistics software.
Does the Shipping Software Do the Basics Well?
At its most basic, logistics software needs to improve your productivity and efficiency. It’s designed to save money and keep your customers satisfied.
It’ll perform plenty of functions, such as warehouse functions like picking, and even transportation.
So ask yourself these questions when you’re looking at software.
Can you process costs and invoices in real-time?
Does it send and receive shipping data?
Does it offer support for mobile tech?
Don’t be afraid to look at a package of solutions, rather than a single model you use for every client.
Can It Provide Analytics of Data?
More data passing through electronic systems give better opportunities to analyse such information. Having software that uses analytic tools gives you better insights through regular reports.
It’s all part of the ‘Big Data’ revolution. 90% of the world’s data was generated in the last two years.
Your software can harness the power of Big Data to help you grow your business. The software can spot patterns faster than human operators. So your reports might start providing solutions to problems instead of just highlighting the issue.
These recommendations can help your business make better, and faster, decisions about the entire business process.
Does It Offer Integration?
You can choose between plenty of stand-alone software solutions. But because of the moving parts involved with shipping logistics, you may need more.
You’ll need either one suite that covers all functions. Or you’ll need a series of stand-alone solutions that integrate. Alternatively, you’ll need your solution to integrate with those of your partners.
The software needs to extract data from the process in order to make decisions. Maybe it needs to change the warehouse dispatches to keep stock levels up. Or it might slow down to build stock levels / speed up to reduce stock?
Will This Software Address Pain Points?
Introducing new software can introduce its own problems. You don’t want to cause issues if it’s not necessary.
So you need to be sure that you know exactly what problems the software is going to solve. By evaluating where your current pain points are, you’ll be better able to choose the right solution for you.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship, you need software that excels at that. But if stock management is more of an issue, that’s where your new software needs to place its focus.
Now You Can Choose the Best Shipping Logistics Software
The world of shipping logistics doesn’t need to produce headaches. By evaluating exactly what problems you need to solve, you can find the right software for you.
If you’re looking for a partner to help solve your shipping problems, then why not get in touch? We can discuss how to get you moving today.
SmartConsign integrates with all major carriers and sales platforms: