The number of apps in our smartphones has been continuously increasing. Naturally, the way we do our work and run the businesses has also been transformed by mobile technologies. No wonder that logistics, which is the industry on-the-go, has undergone more significant changes as compared to many other business areas.

In this blog post, we’ll explain why it’s high time for any company from the logistics sector to consider mobile app development and outline the main advantages a logistics service provider may get if it decides to go mobile.

Global factors contributing to mobility in logistics

According to Statista, there are more than 13 billion mobile phones worldwide and this number is forecast to grow to 16.8 billion in the next four years. As a result, more and more businesses choose to develop a mobile application either for internal purposes or for customer usage and logistics companies just couldn’t stay aside from this huge mobility trend.

mobile device statistics

Advanced capabilities of mobile devices and expanded Internet coverage also play an important role in the growing popularity of logistics mobile app development. Nowadays, only a few areas in the world are not yet covered by 4G/LTE. 5G is also emerging on the horizon, having been launched for commercial use across some territories of South Korea, the US, the UK, and several other countries.

Finally, there is a demand for mobile applications from customers and companies’ employees. Studies show that an average user spends nearly 3 hours per day in mobile applications. No wonder that about 65 percent of logistics hourly employees prefer to use personal mobile phones in order to access work-related information.

Mobile apps for logistics: types and features

The logistics industry comprises a wide range of different businesses, all having their specific focuses. The adoption of mobile technologies creates new opportunities for all companies operating in this arena.

Mobile apps for transportation

There are many types of transportation apps a logistics company may want to develop. In general, most of them are aimed at facilitating effective fleet management and optimizing the delivery process. For instance, a mobile app for logistics managers may:

  • track vehicles and cargo
  • collect real-time data on routes and deviations
  • track fuel consumption
  • send notifications on delays, etc.

On the other end, drivers may use a mobile application to have all the important information near at hand, instantly contact managers if some issues occur on the road, find nearest gas stations, track transportation time, mileage, and many more.

Warehouse management mobile apps

Mobile applications of this kind allow warehouse managers to have better control over storage spaces and goods. They are usually integrated with a warehouse management system so you can always know what’s happening at every corner of the warehouse no matter how big it is. The function-set of a warehousing app may include:

  • overview of the storage spaces
  • tracking of goods
  • planning and task assignment
  • history of item transfers within a warehouse
logistics

In addition, a mobile app for warehouse workers may contain a built-in barcode or QR code scanner. By automating some routine tasks like picking and packaging, such a scanner will streamline the workflow and improve the worker’s productivity.

Mobile app for customers

Customers are at the heart of any business and logistics is not an exception. Depending on the nature of the services your company provides, you may consider building one of the following mobile applications:

  • On-demand logistics app. It will help you connect with potential customers just like Uber does with drivers and passengers.
  • Tracking app. It will let your customers track their shipments and receive notifications on updates.
  • Customer service app. It will allow your customers to book services online as well as get assistance and leave feedback.
logistics

Unlike the previous two types of applications which may be predominantly used by freight forwarders and storage service providers, a mobile app for customers will bring positive results to any logistics company regardless of its main activity.

Benefits of logistics mobile app development

It’s hard to argue that building a mobile app may improve the overall quality of services provided by any logistics company. But let’s take a closer look at some main benefits.

Efficiency. Real-time updates, reduction of manual tasks, instant messaging — all these things enabled by mobile technologies save employees’ time and help them work more efficiently.

Visibility. A tracking feature is a must-have element of most logistics mobile apps. Not only does it give you more control over vehicles, assets, and inventories but it also enhances customer service.

Flexibility. With all the data captured in real-time, logistics managers can make informed decisions and adjust them to the current circumstances.

Speed. Mobile technologies may significantly increase the speed of the delivery by improving connectivity among different employees no matter how far they are from each other.

Wrapping-up

Logistics businesses are on the constant move. That’s why adoption of mobile technologies is essential for any organization operating in this sector. Whether you want to enhance the performance of a warehouse or take your fleet management to the next level, a custom mobile app integrating advanced logistics route planning can significantly streamline operations. a custom mobile app will help you achieve your goal faster and gain a competitive edge over other logistics service providers.