Logistics software for small business helps you to smoothly run the logistics function of the company. When selecting logistics software for small business, it is essential to consider the size of your business, the kind of products you are handling, the location of your customers and vendors, etc so that an appropriate software can be bought.
If you’re in a mad hurry to find out the cheapest options for logistics software for small business, let me cut to the chase. If you have a clear idea what your business needs, there are plenty of solutions available to you. Logistics can be a highly technical process, and account for a significant part of costs involved in running your small business.
Towbook
Towbook is a web-based towing management software with native iOS and Android apps.
It offers,
- dispatching,
- impounding,
- invoicing,
- private property, and
- accounting functions.
Companies serving individuals, private properties, body shops, motor clubs, police departments, and more can use this system.
Key features
- Integration with,
- QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online,
- Agero,
- Allstate,
- GEICO,
- Road America,
- Quest,
- NSD,
- Allied Dispatch.
2. 24/7 customer support center that offers help with sales inquiries and technical support.
3. Suitable for small and medium-sized business
ShipStation
ShipStation is designed to facilitate shipping and fulfillment processes for online retailers. It’s a large scale, multi-carrier, multi-channel shipping solution. It powers thousands of stores and processes millions of shipping labels every month. ShipStation aims to save the merchant’s time and money by maximizing efficiencies.
Key features
- Retrieval and consolidation of order information from over 40 sales channels.
- Based on your specification, it applies a preconfigured set of shipping preferences to each order.
- It processes and prints customized shipping labels and packing slips.
- It integrates with Fulfillment by Amazon.
Logitude World
Logitude World is a cloud-based freight forwarding solution for small to medium, local or international, air, ocean, and land freight forwarders. The platform covers the entire freight forwarding lifecycle from quotes and shipments to billing and collection.
Logitude World incorporates several freight forwarder modules and business tools. It features wizards and a personalized workspace so that it can be tailored for your requirements.
Key features
- End-to-end shipping management.
- Users can access dashboards, documents, email templates, and template notifications.
- Seamless migration from quote to order.
- Enhanced features include;
- shared logistics (track & trace),
- access to CRM,
- mobile access for customers,
- customization and personalization.
Fleet Manager
Fleet Manager’s Vehicle Status feature means you can view the live status of every vehicle in your fleet. This tool provides a convenient list view of all your vehicles, showing their current location, the time of the most recent update, and the last event that was recorded.
Key Features
- Backed by live support, mobile access, and online collaboration, this system empowers your fleet with cutting-edge technology, customizable features, and 24/7 visibility.
- A fully interactive, dynamic map display powered by Google Maps helps you keep track of vehicle locations and more.
Whip Around
Whip Around is a mobile inspection platform. It is designed to help transport businesses perform Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports quickly, efficiently, and while on the move. On top of inspection reports, Whip Around aims to ensure smooth business management as well as team safety and compliance.
Key features
- The fleet management dashboard allows users to oversee and directly control the activity in depots, with drivers, and vehicles. Users can access dashboard analytics to review business performance and manage faults.
- All recorded data can be exported easily to send to relevant parties.
- Real-time data syncing
PeopleSoft by Oracle
Oracle’s PeopleSoft software comprises of a host of features that were developed to provide actionable insights to help warehouses, manufacturers, and retailers. The system uses fully customizable software that can be tailor-made to fit your specific industry. PeopleSoft is user-friendly and easy to master.
Key features
- Provides on-demand, simplified analytics.
- Formal training available through Oracle.
- App strategy support.
SHIPPO
Shippo provides a dashboard and an API for a simplified order and shipment management. For it, merchants can create shipment labels, easily synchronize order and tracking information, validate address, and more. They benefit from different options, e.g., partial fulfillment and global delivery.
Users can compare carrier rates. Additionally, Shippo promises best shipment rates from major carriers such as USPS, DHL, and UPS.
Shippo is available as a SaaS product; no installation is required. Hippo API can be integrated to a merchant’s system for process automation.
Shippo drawbacks? Lack of mobile apps and an unresponsive support team.
Both free and free-trial versions are available.
ARCGIS
When it comes to mapping and location intelligence, ArcGIS is an industry leader. It can be used for asset tracking and driver management helping with optimize routes and workflows. It also makes it possible to coordinate field teams.
Comprehensive analytics system and data visualization tools are available.
Users can creating mapping and location intelligence solutions. Software is available as a Web-based service, Windows desktop software, and mobile apps.
ArcGIS drawback? It has a steep learning curve. Prior training is practical for making the best use of available functionality.
ASCENDTMS
AscendTMS is a supply chain management software for easy freight management. Users can retrieve essential information via dashboard such as order tracking, delivery dates, and even real-time carrier location. They can manage payments and analyze profitability.
AscendTMS targets customers of any sizes, from small businesses to enterprises. Constant updates are a part of company’s routine.
Pricing depends on the number of features. Users benefit from both free software and a free-trial period.
AscendTMS is available as a Web app and as mobile apps on both Android and iOS.
AscendsTMS drawbacks? Often website lags causing problems for businesses and mobile apps not quite suited to complex activities.
OPTIMOROUTE
This software helps logistics companies schedule deliveries and plan optimal routes. The program imports orders and calculates schedule. Program algorithm factors in working hours to avoid overtimes. It selects vehicles specifically to balance loads. Routes are tracked in real time. They can be modified when needed. Companies instantly receive proof of delivery.
Detailed analytics and reports are accessible from dashboard. Different mapping solutions can be integrated easily.
Users can use a Web-based solution or download a mobile app. OptimoRoute provides API to help logistics company integrate their solution into their own system.
There is no free plan but it does offer a 30-day trial.
Among drawbacks, users mention issues with tracking drivers and switching orders from one driver to another. Also, users cannot avoid tolls automatically when planning a route.
LOGITUDE WORLD
Logitude World ensures hassle-free freight forwarding management for companies of different sizes. Software functionality supports the entire freight forwarding lifecycle. Logitude World covers such aspects as documentation, costs and profit analysis, invoicing, quotes adjustment, and more. Everything needed to build and maintain a robust digital system is available across software modules. Users benefit from templates, timely notifications, and extensive logs.
Both free version and free trial are available. Pricing depends on the number of modules a business accesses.
Software is available as a SaaS, desktop programs, and mobile apps.
As Longitude World’s drawbacks, users notice unresponsive support and possible issues when integrating with big CRMs such as Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics.
Road Trip – MPG, Mileage and Fuel Economy
Especially effective in tracking your fuel economy and costs, this app will even monitor and compare how much you spend on your vacations and trips. When it’s time, it will remind you that your regular maintenance is due because it keeps a service and repair log. All key statistics such as cost per day, per mile and maximum distance per tank along with the interactive graphs are displayed on a single page, so the user gets oriented easily. The app is easy to sync between iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Canvas Route Plan Form Mobile App
An ideal feature for drivers and dispatchers to be used with Motorola Solutions devices, including ES400 and ET1. The app consists of five basic screens: for the outline of the route plan; for route details; driver’s personal details; his/her signature as well as other necessary signatures. A lot of information can be stored here such as vehicle registration, route plan specifics; destination and distance; travel and arrival time; name and signature of the manager in charge.
Product Delivery Confirmation
Yes, there is even an application for product delivery confirmation. Everyone in the transporting goods business can take advantage of the app. Most importantly, it can be customized to fit the requirements of any company. It registers the company details, package details and customer signature. It’s quite easy to use.
Conclusion
Logistics software for small business is an important part of a company’s sales and supply chain management. A good logistics solution will simplify the ways in which companies manage the logistics aspects of their business. By automating certain processes, logistics software can help minimize costs, increase efficiency and productivity, all while ensuring secure data.
Logistics software is implemented so that business owners can get more efficient in their daily operations. However, there are several types of logistics software systems that offer different types of solutions. Small business owners should understand the different types of logistics software systems before they make a decision on which one to use for their business.