Comprehensive Guide To Streamline Transportation With Logistics App

Transportation is important because it facilitates trade, exchange, and travel.

Indeed, it is difficult to imagine our lives without access to transportation. People have always found ways to move around rather than be stagnant in one spot.

On the other hand, as the world becomes increasingly connected and globalized, the demand for fast and reliable transportation services continues to grow. 

And this is where Logistic app development has turned into a major breakthrough.

A report by ResearchAndMarkets.com projects that the global transportation and logistics market will expand at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2022 to 2027, reaching a value of $13,326 billion by 2025.

It clearly states that the logistics or transportation industry is unquestionably large and makes significant economic contributions. Thus, it presents a valuable opportunity for transportation firms to invest in a mobile application.

Are you ready to be a part of this innovative hustle?

Then you are in the right place!

In this post, we are going to share insights about the various aspects of transportation app development, and how they can help your business amplify its presence.

Also read- Impact of IoT on Manufacturing, Energy and Logistics Industries

Why Should a Transport Business Consider a Logistic App Solution?

Transportation and logistics go hand-in-hand!

The logistics and trucking segment, which accounts for around 35% of the overall market share, dominates the market in terms of various means of transportation.

It is a ubiquitous fact that either of these sectors needs support from the other to thrive, as both of these industries rely heavily on inventories, which are either in the warehouse or on the move. 

Indeed, there are a multitude of reasons which support the idea of crafting a logistic app solution for the transport business. 

To help you fathom it better, we have compiled a few irresistible reasons to consider a logistics app solution for the transport business.

Logistic App Development Benefits

Improved Communication and Coordination

For operations to run smoothly, there must be clear communication between all parties involved, including consumers, dispatchers, and drivers. And this is where a logistic app can offer real-time communication and cooperation from every angle.

Incredible Customer Service

Customers need to be informed about the status of their shipments and the delivery time frame. With an app, customer service can be exceptional and tailored to stay in control and informed about their orders.

Increased Visibility

For better decision-making and performance monitoring, a logistic app can offer real-time visibility into operations.

In parallel, it enables managers to stay in control, get a bird’s-eye view of the current situation, and address any issue immediately.

Reduced Cost

Well, it goes without saying, the automation and real-time monitoring ensure offering every bit of detail about the overall performance of the logistics operation. It helps pinpoint areas where cost reductions can be achieved. 

It is possible to monitor and optimize factors like labour expenses and fuel use. Furthermore, it can be utilised to guarantee that the fastest route is used and that deliveries are made on schedule. Consequently, customer satisfaction rises, and this can help lower the overall cost of logistics operations.

Data & Analytics

Data is a goldmine for every industry and logistics and transport business is no exception. Since data is the core of any operation and improves decision-making and management, a logistics app can provide an incredible amount of data to managers to analyze trends, patterns, and metrics to improve performance and reduce operational costs.

Vehicle Monitoring

With a logistic app, it becomes easier to track vehicles and drivers, while keeping an eye on security, safety and fuel efficiency. It goes without saying that it improves supply chain efficiency and delivery operations.

Industry Regulations and Standards

There are different regulatory requirements and security needs for different industries, and so it is for the transportation business as well.

A mobile app solution helps with real-time monitoring and reporting to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations. It further reduces the fines or penalties associated with non-compliance and improves the credibility of the company in the market.

Must read- Emerging Technologies and the Future of the Logistics Industry

Easy Integration With Other Systems

An inventory management system, GPS, or financial system can all be simply integrated with a logistics mobile app. This gives a thorough and comprehensive perspective of logistical operations, making it simpler to control performance and increase overall effectiveness.

Must-Have Logistic App Development Features

User Panel

• Real-time Tracking -Customers are able to track their packages in real-time while they are on route, allowing them to know exactly where they are. Managers can also keep an eye on drivers to make sure they are keeping their schedules. 
• Order Management– provides customers with the ability to place orders, monitor their status, and receive notifications when their packages have been sent or delivered. 
• Delivery Scheduling- Customers can select from a variety of delivery options, including same-day, next-day, and planned deliveries, and deliveries can be booked for a specific time and day. 
• Payment Integration- Customers can pay for their orders in a variety of ways, including with credit cards, debit cards, and online payment portals. 
• Push Notifications– It gives customers the ability to receive notifications on their mobile devices. 
• Ratings and Reviews– Users can rate and review services using this tool, as well as add remarks that will help other consumers.

Driver Panel

• Login/Register– Drivers can sign up using their social media or email accounts using this feature. 
• Manage requests– Drivers have the option to accept or reject orders at their leisure thanks to this function. 
• Make available or busy–  This feature allows drivers to indicate their availability for services. 
• Navigation– This feature lets the driver ensure the fastest route between the customer’s location and their address to ensure on-time delivery.

Admin Panel

• Dashboard– Dashboard feature gives real-time information to administrators regarding both active and closed orders. 
• Transportation Management– Using this feature, administrators can add new vehicles for transportation and update the ones that are already there with fresh information, images, etc. 
• Manage Invoices and Payments– With the help of this feature, administrators can keep tabs on invoicing management and generate and amend invoices. 
• Driver Monitoring– With the help of this feature, tasks may be allocated to drivers and dispatchers while also keeping track of their activity, unanswered requests, and hours invested in driving.

Steps to Develop Logistics App Development

Identify the Need

The need that the app is meant to fill must be first identified in order to design a successful logistics app. This entails discovering and comprehending current trends in the logistics sector, figuring out what customers want, and reviewing the competition. 

Market Research

To understand how your app might fit into the current logistics ecosystem, conducting market research is imperative. You need to r Research on client demands, market trends, and competitor companies’ lines of business are all part of this. You may use this information to determine any market gaps that your app might be able to cover and then design it accordingly.

Define App’s Features & Functionalities

You should know that the features and functionality of the app should be specified based on market research. Here, it should be noted that all the core features as well as any supplemental features that consumers would find beneficial must be included.

Build a Wireframe

A wireframe gives a visual representation of the app’s layout and functionality and works as a blueprint.  This wireframe helps with testing the usability of the app and making any necessary adjustments before production starts.

Select the Right Technology

You must select the right technology stack for the app, such as programming languages, frameworks, and databases, that best fits the app’s needs and also helps in meeting users demands.

Good to read- How Logistics Companies can Benefit from Chatbots?

Development & Testing

Development and testing go hand-in-hand and are two crucial steps for a successful app. You must pay attention to every bit of detail that needs to be tested before the app is released into the market.

Deployment & Maintenance

Every store has its own requirements for deployment, and failing to follow them can result in app failure or rejection. Hence, a detailed plan for deployment and maintenance must be taken into consideration.

Robust Technologies for Transportation App

Programming Languages

Java, Python, and C# are some of the popular programming languages utilised for creating logistics apps. These languages are well-liked by sizable developer communities due to their adaptability.

Mobile Development Frameworks

The most popular frameworks, such as React Native, Xamarin, and Flutter are used by the developers to build cross-platform apps. That can run on both iOS and Android devices.

DMS

As we all know, a database management system is required to store, retrieve, and manipulate the data. And the most commonly used databases include MySQL, MongoDB, and PostgreSQL.

Cloud Computing

Real-time tracking and monitoring of shipments is frequently required by logistics apps, and this can be time- and resource-consuming. Scalable and affordable methods to manage this kind of workload are offered by cloud computing platforms like Amazon, Azure, and GCP.

Tips to Consider For Transportation App Development

Simplify Your App

It is sad but true that users are unlikely to use apps that are complex. The main aim behind every app’s usage is to render a satisfactory experience to the user. And if users get a cluttered experience or a complicated app, then they will not prefer to use the app again. Hence, you must design your app in a way that users enjoy and get all the information that they require easily.

Responsive Design

No doubt, an app’s success has a lot to do with the users preferences and eagerness to use it again and again. However, in this sprint, if you miss the app’s responsiveness, the app will never gain popularity. You should have a responsive design that works seamlessly on different screens and different devices.

Loading Time

It may sound a little horrific, but trust that the user engagement span on an app is less than 7 to 10 sec. 

Yes you heard it right.

Today’s users are highly demanding and look for solutions that address their needs in the blink of an eye. If your app takes longer than expected time, then they have no choice but switch to your competitors app, and you would lose a potential lead for your business.

You must ensure that your app’s loading time is optimized and does not make users yawn at first sight.

Budget Constraints

It is no big deal if you have budget constraints yet you want to build app for larger audience base. You can select the cross-platform app development frameworks and tools to save time, money and resources to build apps that work on various platforms.

Give EARS to feedback

Most of us think that once the app is deployed, the task is complete. But what they fail to understand is that after app deployment, another journey begins that largely deals with tricks and tips to make the app more effective and engaging. And here, feedback becomes your savior. You should listen to what issues and challenges users are facing and sharing as feedback, and work on them positively. This helps your business build a brand image and gain loyal users.

Social Media Integration

Social media is the key to success, and people love to share their views on these platforms. Your transport & logistics it solutions should have an integrated social media platform to gather and share feedback and keep the users engaged. This also helps in increasing app ranking on app store and accessing the app through easy means.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Logistic App?

Hmm, cost is one of the most asked about and defining factors in building a logistic app. Well, there is no fixed numerical that suggests the cost of development, because there is not just one but multiple aspects that influence the pricing.

Your choice of developer, features and functionalities, platforms, technologies, and much more determine the logistic app cost. Thus, if you want to get a proper estimate you need to share your project details and budget with your development company, and they will assess and provide a ballpark figure for your project.

However, just to give you an idea, the logistic app cost can vary from $ 20,000 to $10,000,000 or beyond depending upon the scope of the project.

Hidden Brains- Fostering a Seamless Development Experience

For the past two decades, Hidden Brains has been committed to developing ground-breaking business solutions. With the help of a team of experts, we can help you develop Transport & Logistics IT Solutions that will advance your logistics operations.

Our process is very simple; we start by learning about your specific needs and demands for the app. We’ll consider your business procedures, the type of fleet you control, and the features you require from the app. After the requirements are clear, we start designing the app and construct a wireframe or prototype that will show you how it will appear and function.

Our strategy is simple, we don’t work for you but work with you to design an app that is customized to your unique requirements and committed to improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and profitability of your logistics and transportation operations.

Incorporate cutting-edge technology into your logistics strategy with platforms like PropDispatch. Explore how this logistics app from Hidden Brains can streamline transportation processes seamlessly: PropDispatch Logistics App.

Frequently Asked Questions