Features that an Intelligent Dispatch Software Should Possess!
What is a Dispatch Software?
A dispatch software is a digital tool that helps dispatchers or businesses choose which driver or fleet will be delivering an order. It can be anything ranging from simple apps to paper spreadsheets to digitize pen to platforms that connect the entire supply chain which includes integrations with external fleets, retail systems and other logistics systems.
What is Intelligent dispatch software?
An intelligent dispatch software is a multi-fleet advanced technology which has multiple capabilities for identifying and dispatching the best possible driver and route for every delivery, for the best fleet and route choice, at the most favourable price point for the end user and the company carrying out the dispatch. An intelligent dispatch software is not just about having access to multiple fleets but also about sending the best driver, fleet and vehicle for each order based on the unique business considerations.
What are the primary features you should look for in an intelligent dispatch software?
The primary features of an intelligent dispatch software are as follows:
- Mechanized/Automated Scheduling Software
A common question that a dispatch software and a scheduling software deal with is when an order can reach the customer. Many white glove services and deliveries like installation and assembly requires the end customer to be at home for the delivery and they may need to be contacted in order to schedule the delivery or service. In this process scheduling and dispatching go hand in hand as delivery windows, dates and pricing vary based on the real time capacity of a fleet.
For accuracy scheduling should be a part of the dispatching solution that bases scheduling on the availability of the fleets and inventory. Not everyone will schedule online at the same time and orders cannot be dispatched without any delivery window! In such scenarios an intelligent dispatch software helps by differentiating planned orders that have been scheduled from those that have not yet been scheduled and alerts the respective teams as per the requirement.
- Customized Dispatching As Per the Operational Logic and Business Priorities
Different businesses require different dispatch solutions as per their specific business goals. For example,
- Retailers selling big and bulky products may want to schedule and dispatch based on the fleets already delivering to the same area.
- Logistics providers may take different service levels into consideration provided to each shipper and then match each order with the relevant service type.
- Restaurants may require to prioritize fleets by price, speed or distance and look for the fleet that offers the lowest price point for a specific delivery.
- Grocery stores and convenience stores may require to dispatch alcohol deliveries and look for the fleet that meets regulatory requirements for delivering alcohol.
- Route Planning and Optimization for Trucks
For outsized deliveries and certain services, dispatching trucks and timing delivery routes need to take loading and unloading time into consideration. Dispatchers often look for the things like whether the recipient has a dedicated space for loading and unloading or not. Generally, dispatchers opt for using smaller delivery vehicles for recipients who do not possess a dedicated loading / unloading area, as such vehicles are easier to park closer to the recipient. But, in case where a larger vehicle is used for these deliveries, the time on site will need to be adjusted for parking and unloading time. The best trucking dispatch software is the one that has the ability to optimize truck loading and dispatching on the vehicle level. These capabilities help in saving time as well as ensuring that you are utilizing the best possible vehicle for every delivery or service.
Besides these three there are many other features that a dispatch software must possess, but these three are the most important features that the software should have.
Conclusion:
Aurora Software, Inc. offer a transportation management system (TMS) that allows our customers to complete all of the tedious pen and paper tasks quickly and efficiently in one dispatch software package called NOVA. To know about their exclusive dispatch software visit https://www.aurorasoftware.com/