Logistics service now available for Wialon Local

Logistics is a multifunctional service designed to manage and control the operating processes of courier and delivery services. Within a year the service has already been successfully tested and implemented by a great number of businesses. Closely cooperating with our partners and constantly updating Logistics we managed to extend the functionality of the service now available in Wialon Local 1704. 

The module helps to manage a wide range of tasks for delivery services, such as:

• transportation arrangements;
• optimization of delivery processes;
• cost saving.

Logistics service comprises a web-based version for dispatchers and operators and a mobile app (iOS/Android versions) for couriers and drivers.

Web version is an effective management tool designed for order placement and editing, distribution processes control, route planning and optimization, delivery progress control, notification on the events on the route, and service configuration. 

iOS/Android app for delivery personnel features a user-friendly interface where your couriers and drivers get detailed information on each order, planned routes and sequences of delivery points, a built-in chat for courier-dispatcher communication, and a status-based system for quick updates on delivery progress.Sounds promising, right? Well, we deliver on that promise – and this is how.

Web interface

Starting with the web-version for dispatchers.

Orders

The quality of services rendered directly depends on the completeness and accuracy of order-relevant information. So we’ve made the process of order placement both detailed and comprehensive. The basic information for order processing is the following:

• order name;
• type (“single” or “permanent”);
• address;
• time interval (date and time).

In addition, you can add order characteristics (type, weight, volume, etc.), select preferable vehicle type, specify unloading time, set order priority level, and add custom comments/tags (for precise filtration, e.g. by the type of goods). 

Orders may be assigned to a particular warehouse by specifying the corresponding tags in their properties. This simplifies orders search for their distribution with respect to warehouses. 

Optionally, files (digital bills, images, text files. etc.) can be attached to orders and will be available at any given time. Clients’ contact details are also available – both in web and mobile applications – and are used to send notifications or, if needed, for direct contact. 

Handy modal dialog for order creation allows you to view both text information and order locations, radiuses, and addresses on the map. This helps to ensure the correctness of input information. 

To quickly create multiple similar orders you can set default characteristics in "Settings" tab or create order copies with one click. 

That’s not all either: got used to third-party services to create order lists? You can simply import data on multiple orders to Logistics from .csv, .xlsx files or in JSON format to save time and efforts for other tasks. 

The system reads and analyses data on orders for you to get the preliminary order list with precise information available on each making it readily available right in Logistics service. 

At this, dispatchers can use flexible templates to organize import tables in a proper way or apply multiple editing to save time on adjustments. 

Extended import opportunities not only promote the integration of Logistics service into internal business processes but also help to significantly save time when working with dozens of new orders from third-party services. 

Logistics service can also be integrated with either third-party services or ERP systems via special API for convenient import of data on orders and routes. Moving on!

Route planning

This stage includes several steps:

1. Order selection;
2. Vehicle selection;
3. Route building.

Logistics allows you to do all of the above with the help of simple, yet effective tools: 

• informative tables containing created orders, transport, and routes;
• a map to visualize data on the orders and routes;
• an information block.

Here’s how it looks like: 

The table on top contains information on orders and – depending on the stage of planning – available transport and generated routes. By clicking on an item in a table you visualize it on the map. For more convenient data handling we also implemented an option to change column order by using drag&drop approach. 

Simultaneously, the information on the selected element – be it an order, a vehicle or a route point – is displayed in the information block – along with "edit", "delete", and "copy" buttons.   

To dynamically search through various elements and filter tags use the search field in the left part of the screen.

After selecting orders and vehicles for delivery, click “Distribute” to generate a route. For optimal route building, the proprietary algorithm may consider delivery interval, weight, and volume of goods in the order, as well as warehouse working hours (if the unit is bound to a warehouse) and unloading time. Upon route-building, the algorithm also considers requirements for the minimization of distance and time required for a delivery. 

The criteria above make it possible to rationally allocate company resources which helps to optimize mileage, cut fuel costs, and ensure on-time delivery. 

Until the route is saved, if needed, the dispatcher can manually edit the sequence of delivery points, exclude an order or assign it to another vehicle. If everything is OK, the distribution is applied and the system creates the route for delivery tracking. 

Moreover, routes can be exported in .pdf and .xlsx.

Route control

In this mode, a dispatcher operates the order table and the map. Both these blocks contain perceptible visual elements that allow to quickly determine delivery progress and promptly react to a variety of situations (delays, advances, missed, rejected, visited). 

We’ve also provided an option to visually compare planned and actual routes both being shown on the map.

If there’s a point or a correction needed, a dispatcher can call or send messages to a driver via the built-in chat.

Notifications

In Logistics we implemented a notification system for clients, dispatchers, and couriers with flexible templates and tags for notification text. 

Clients will always be notified of the forthcoming delivery and can track couriers via Locator links. 

Dispatchers will stay current on any changes on the route and will be able to promptly react on any event due to rapid switch to chat with a driver or the corresponding order in "Routes". 

Drivers will become aware of dispatcher activity (order creation, order parameters adjustments, etc.).

Reporting

After execution, orders are moved to history. Based on data from fulfilled routes in history, various reports can be generated for analysis and future delivery route optimization. 

Reports can be generated on the basis of data from either a singular unit/driver or groups of units/drivers. The latter can help facilitate report generation for multiple vehicles and considerably save the time of office workers. 

Want to download or preview files attached to an order? Just hover over that order in the table and then use pop-up buttons to do so. 

Need a waybill? Create it by selecting the needed route in the table and then saving the .pdf or .xlsx file. 

And now let's have a look at the mobile version.

Logistics mobile application

Logistics Local app is designed for couriers and delivery drivers. Making your smartphone a fully fledged working tool is easy – just create a driver in Wialon, bind him to a unit, install the app from App Store/Google Play, authorize via the driver’s phone number, and you’re ready to go.

So how does Logistics mobile app assist the delivery process? Through the app, drivers receive detailed information on orders, as well as their pick up locations and planned routes on the map. All additional details – attached files, clients’ contact data, etc. – are present as well. The inbuilt chat function allows to communicate with an operator through text messages and send images.

While performing a route a driver can center the map on unit position or view the whole route, go over orders for a specified period or switch between routes. Thus, a driver always knows his current location, the exact distance to an order, and route performance status. It should be noted that external navigators if installed may be used for route generation.

During delivery execution, a driver can set order statuses (confirmation/rejection), attach client’s electronic signature or add new photos to an order. 

The app effectively turns drivers’ smartphones into GPS trackers allowing operators and dispatchers to track units even without specialized tracking devices on board.

The automated alert system allows couriers and drivers to receive push notifications of several types. There are text templates available for each type of courier push notifications, as well as flexible settings for them. Same is true for client notifications. 

Logistics mobile app enables real-time order management, simple communication with dispatchers during and after order execution.

Сontact your regional manager to learn more about how to connect Logistics module to your server-based solution (financial and technical terms) and start using the advanced order management solution! 

As always, you can leave your feedback and suggestions on Logistics on our forum. Till the next update!