Blog > Last mile delivery
Blog > Last mile delivery
Published on 5 November 2024 • Reading time: 9 min read
Customers want to be sure that their parcel has been delivered safely, and it is essential for you to be able to refer to reliable proof in the event of a dispute. This is precisely where a proof of delivery application becomes necessary.
These solutions enable your drivers to capture an electronic signature from the recipient, take photos of the parcel if necessary and record the delivery location. In this way, every stage of the process is carefully documented.
Let’s take a look at these solutions straight away! We’ll take a close look at the advantages and disadvantages of each, so that you can choose the one that best meets your company’s needs.
Table of contents:
Proof of delivery applications ensure the traceability and security of each parcel. They enable drivers to document every stage of the delivery process to prevent any disputes. By adopting these tools, companies can improve the efficiency of their deliveries.
Before going into detail, it’s essential to understand that proof of delivery (POD) applications are not limited to this function alone. These tools go much further, often being part of a more comprehensive delivery management system. Each solution allows you to capture proofs while simplifying your drivers’ work with additional tools.
These applications allow you to check the when and where of a delivery, providing tangible proof that an order has been successfully delivered or received by a customer.
But that’s not all! In addition to this confirmation, many solutions integrate features such as route optimisation, real-time driver tracking and customer notifications. This creates a complete approach to managing your deliveries efficiently.
Proof of delivery can save you from many tricky situations, where it’s hard to know who to trust: your delivery driver or your customer. As well as simplifying the management of deliveries, proof of delivery serves several purposes:
To find the right app, here are the key features to consider:
AntsRoute stands out for its comprehensive and intuitive solution, integrating route optimisation and delivery tracking. Unlike other applications, AntsRoute incorporates advanced, automated features that simplify work in the field while reducing the risk of disputes. As soon as a stage is validated, all the proofs of service are automatically transmitted to the web interface. This includes :
AntsRoute goes far beyond basic proof of delivery features. Its intuitive interface and customisation options are designed to optimise the user experience. Where some applications may seem complicated, AntsRoute makes it quick and easy to start using its functions, even for delivery drivers who are less comfortable with technology.
What users are saying about AntsRoute
The pros:
“I highly recommend this software, which is easy to set up, pleasant to use and very effective. […] Thanks to the mobile application, our delivery drivers can view their routes and validate each stage, taking photos, adding comments and even capturing the customer signature. Our customers particularly appreciate the notification system offered by AntsRoute.” – Review from Capterra
“AntsRoute has enabled me to save an enormous amount of time and money when planning work orders.” – Review from Capterra
‘’The import of data, whether customers or delivery routes, is very practical.” – Review from Capterra
The cons:
“There are a few small bugs from time to time, but they’re not blocking the use.” – Review from Capterra
“Although the tool seems simple to use, it takes some time to learn all the features and acquire sufficient dexterity for optimal use.” – Review from Capterra
Pricing: From €17 for the first month, then €34 per month. Free 7-day trial with no commitment.
Route4Me stands out for its robust proof-of-delivery features. Drivers can easily attach electronic signatures, photos and notes.
Route4Me’s flexibility lies in its modular approach, allowing businesses to customise the application to suit their needs. While this modularity is an asset, some important features, such as customer notifications and geolocation, are available as chargeable add-ons.
What users are saying about Route4me
The pros:
“The team is very quick and efficient in resolving any issues.” – Review from G2
“Very simple to use, daily routing, easy to set up and adjust routes once configured.” – Review from Capterra
“The ease with which I can rearrange and move stops between routes.” – Review from Capterra
The cons:
“No option/function to add notes to a route.” – Review from Capterra
“Sometimes the display of uploaded photos is slow, which slows down my reporting process.” – Review from Capterra
Pricing: From €180 per month for 5 users, and includes route optimisation from €270 per month. A free trial is available.
Nomadia offers an all-in-one platform for optimising deliveries. Drivers can capture proof of delivery via electronic signatures, photos and comments, while geolocation ensures detailed traceability. With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, Nomadia stands out for its smart route optimisation. To take things even further, premium options allow you to integrate third-party software and access detailed reports.
What users are saying about Nomadia
The pros:
“It’s a very powerful and comprehensive tool that manages planning with accuracy and can be adapted to several businesses and several specialities.” – Review from Capterra
“Easy to make appointments and view schedules.” – Review from Capterra
“Simple and intuitive to use.” – Review from Capterra
The cons:
“The configuration and implementation of optimisations are complicated.” – Review from Capterra
“Assistance not responsive enough.” – Review from Capterra
Pricing: From €28 per month per user, with a free trial.
Track-Pod offers dedicated tools for tracking deliveries, enabling drivers to capture electronic signatures and take up to 10 photos per delivery. Integrated geotags and time stamps keep track of exactly where and when each stage is validated. The system also generates a customisable PDF of the proof of delivery.
Although the application is intuitive, it does have some limitations, including complex driver time tracking and additional costs for key functionality.
What users are saying about Track-Pod
The pros:
“The platform is intuitive and easy to use, which has enabled our team to adopt and use it effectively.” – Review from Capterra
“It allows deliveries to be properly tracked.” – Review from Capterra
“As a manager, this not only frees up my time, but allows me to keep an eye on my drivers while knowing that they are getting where they need to go in the most efficient way possible.” – Review from Capterra
The cons:
“The total number of hours a driver works is difficult to track.” – Review from Capterra
“My least favourite part of this app is that route optimisation is not available in the basic version. You need to get the premium version to enable optimisation.” – Review from G2
Pricing: From €29 per month per driver. A free trial is available.
One of the major advantages of Portatour is its ability to adapt to the priorities and frequency of delivery. This enables drivers not only to reduce the time they spend on the road, but also to increase the number of customers they meet each day. Although Portatour is easy to use, some advanced features are only available in advanced versions.
What users are saying about Portatour
The pros:
“Easy to use and responds flexible to any kind of change in my schedule.” – Review from Capterra
“This system answers almost all the questions you ask. Works very well for travelling salespeople.” – Review from Capterra
The cons:
“It’s complicated to set up, the customer service isn’t the friendliest and it’s too expensive.” – Review from G2
Pricing: From €40 per month per user, with a free trial.
Application | Key features | Pricing | The pros | The cons |
AntsRoute | Signature capture Photo proof Real-time tracking Custom fields Route optimisation |
From €17/month. | Intuitive interface Customisation Advanced statistics |
Occasional bugs |
Route4Me | Electronic signature Photos and notes Real-time tracking |
From €180/month. | Efficient customer support Ease of use |
Additional costs for advanced modules |
Nomadia | Electronic signature Photos Geolocation Route optimisation |
From €28/month. | User-friendly interface Analysis of statistics |
Complex to configure Insufficient support |
Track-Pod | Electronic signature Up to 10 photos Customisable PDF |
From €30/month/driver. | Intuitive interface Customer notifications |
High cost per driver Less suitable for small structures |
Portatour | Journey management Real-time route optimisation |
From €40/month. | Planning of tasks Ease of use Flexibility |
Not very customisable |
Comparative table of the best proof-of-delivery apps.
Proof of delivery applications have become essential tools in the logistics sector. They provide reliable, efficient and digital solutions for optimising the management of your deliveries. So whether you’re looking for a simple solution or a complete management tool, you are sure to find an option to suit your needs.
Among them, AntsRoute stands out for its advanced features and competitive prices. It’s the perfect choice for companies looking to optimise their delivery operations and increase efficiency. Why not try AntsRoute free for 7 days and discover all its benefits by yourself?
WRITTEN BY
Florine Martin
Florine has been a freelance web copywriter since 2021, writing for a variety of clients in a range of sectors. Since the beginning of 2024, she has been writing articles about logistics for our company, AntsRoute.
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