Mobile Applications or Apps as commonly referred to have made an aggressive entry into the business space. This has been due to the increasing availability of affordable smartphones coupled with cheaper and faster access to internet. These innovations are due to the growing demand for real time information on the go. People no longer want to be restricted to their desk they want to carry their office in their pocket. In this information age people require 24X7 access to their data which should be available to them when they are traveling or they are at home or at a client’s place and that too through a comfortable device with an easy to use interface. Millions of mobile apps right from doing simple tasks to handling complicated situations have flooded the market. Majority of them are designed for being used by direct consumers but lately a small percentage of Apps have been specially designed for business use have started mushrooming. Logistics industry is always a slow starter when it comes to embracing latest technology and Mobile Apps are not an exception to this but slowly logistics industry is realizing the benefits the Apps can bring to this dynamic industry.
Requirement of Mobile Apps for the Logistics Industry
Mobile apps can revolutionize the way the Logistics Industry works. Shippers can access the information & communicate more effectively with their logistics partners in non-traditional business settings. Logistics industry professionals will have the information on their fingertips which will help them take decisions from anywhere.
Advantages that Advanced Mobile Applications can give to LSPs
- A Mobile App can give a shipper a bird's eye view of his consignment from the palm of his hand. He can have a dashboard of his own in which can track his consignment from pick up till delivery. The shipper can check his exact location in real time position on a map. He can also get his queries resolved and can get an alert for any delay in his shipment.
- Logistic professionals can increase their productivity since they can manage shipments on the go. They can have access to shipping information from anywhere without having to speak to an intermediary.
- Sales executives can query rates, give quotes to customers, get online quote approvals & send online booking to operations when they are on the field.
- The management can make online approvals and generate reports & communicate with different branches via information accessed through easy to use apps.
- Customer Satisfaction is a huge added benefit since the apps can be used by the shippers to remain updated on the progress of the shipments and get notified on completion of a milestone in real time.
- Customer support will not be restricted by location. Support executives can provide support to customers from anywhere as they can access the shipment status from anywhere via their smartphone.
- Logistics is a highly dynamic industry and access to information in real time from anywhere helps in taking informed decisions. This is possible with the availability of graphical MIS reports on the user's smartphone.
In short, mobile apps will provide huge benefits to LSPs and enhance their ability to manage their operations more efficiently.
Mobile Apps will gain further popularity as they are convenient and easy to use. Players in the logistics industry should invest in this new technology to give their customers & themselves access to 24X7 mechanisms to manage their shipments.
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