Finding the right courier software isn’t easy.
You want a product that offers good performance and a smorgasbord of useful features, of course… but you also need to keep cost in mind. Your choices are limited by your budget.
Another thing to consider is flexibility. You should look for a software company that lets you sign on to a month-to-month contract, so that you can get out quickly if you ever decide you’re not satisfied.
Before you invest in courier software, ask yourself the following questions first:
#1 How Secure Is The Software?
Your clients trust you to protect their sensitive information.
If there’s a privacy breach with the software you use and it affects one of your clients, you’re going to be in trouble. You’ll lose some business, and there might even be legal consequences.
It doesn’t matter if it’s not directly your fault. It’s up to you to vet your third-party software solutions and confirm that they have what it takes to protect the data you give them.
Does the courier software provider have encryption and other security features? If they don’t, you should move on and find a software provider that does.
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#2 How Well Does It Integrate?
This isn’t the first piece of software you’re adopting, right?
Of course not. You probably use several different programs to keep track of your finances, manage customer relationships, etc.
You can’t replace your entire IT infrastructure just to accommodate your courier software. That’s just not cost-effective. Instead, you need software that integrates with the programs you already have.
For example, some route planners have a plugin that allows you to connect to your eCommerce platform, such as Shopify or WooCommerce. That way, you can automate the process of transferring customer data, which’ll save you a lot of time and eliminate the risk of data entry errors.
Your courier software must be compatible with your driver’s mobile devices, too. Otherwise, you won’t be able to take advantage of geofencing, GPS tracking, and many other advanced features of courier software.
#3 Is It Easy To Use?
Courier software won’t do you much good if your drivers can’t figure out how to use it. The whole point of giving your drivers optimized routes is to save them time, but if your software has a confusing interface, it’ll end up slowing them down. They might get the hang of it after enough training, but protracted training sessions will cost you a fortune.
So, the software you choose must be easy to use.
But how are you supposed to know if software is easy to use before you buy it?
That’s what makes the free trail so important. It lets you see if the program is intuitive or not.
A free trial also gives you a chance to test out your courier software’s support system. Even if you don’t actually run into a problem, give their support line a call anyway. Did they pick up, or did you need to leave a message? Send them an email, too. How long did it take them to get back to you? Do they have online resources, such as FAQs and how-to guides, that might help you find the answer to a problem on your own?
You don’t want to be left hanging when you’re in need of support.
If a courier software provider isn’t confident enough in their product to let you try it out for free, they’re not worth your time. Move on to the next option.
#4 What Are The Terms And Conditions?
Even if everything goes fine during the trial period, you might run into an issue a month or two down the line.
If you signed up for a long-term contract, you’d be screwed in this scenario. Make sure you don’t do that.
Also, watch out for hidden fees. A courier software provider might lure you in with a low upfront cost, only to hit you with a barrage of hidden fees once you’ve committed to a contract. They’ll charge you for basic things like setup, licensing, training, etc. Those services should be included in the base price.
#5 How Experienced Is The Company?
Designing an effective route optimization algorithm is incredibly complicated. It takes a long time to get just right.
Frankly, you shouldn’t trust a courier software provider that’s only been around for a year or two. They’ll probably need a little more time to get everything figured out. A more experienced company will be able to offer you a better product.
Do you have any questions about courier software? Let us know in the comments section below.
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