Proof of Delivery (POD) is a receipt showing the handing over of goods at the specified location to its recipient. Usually, a freight transport service provides proof of delivery. The POD gets acknowledged by the recipient of goods, which further assures the delivery of goods as specified in the shipping agreement. POD ensures that the recipient has received the goods without any damage. Earlier, the delivery person collects the signature from the recipient of goods along with its date and time of receipt. Apart from these, POD includes the address of the recipient and the details of the goods inside the package.

Proof of delivery or delivery note forms a crucial part of the order management documentation process and censures delivery of packages in good condition. POD acts as a delivery document on which recipients acknowledge that they have received all the goods without any damage. On the other hand, it serves as the documentation proof for order fulfilment and verifies the payments.

Today, several technology solutions help the freight forwarding industry to stay ahead of customer needs. As a result, digital POD has replaced paper-based proof of delivery and made way for paperless or electronic proof of delivery (ePOD). The ePOD software collects the digital signatures of recipients of goods once the delivery driver hands over packages to the respective addresses. ePOD software benefits both freight transport companies and customers.

It takes the burden off the delivery drivers as they don’t need to reconcile the paper POD at the end of the day. POD bridges the gap between last-mile delivery tracking and visibility while optimising order management and invoice processing. The ePOD system is much better than ordinary paper-based proof of delivery. It ensures customer satisfaction in the first place and enhances productivity, helps meet the ever-increasing customer demands and reduces costs. We discuss a few significant benefits of POD in this article, particularly ePOD, for the smooth freight shipment process. Let us see the advantages one by one.

1. Keeps tabs on Delivery Process

Often, electronic proof of delivery optimises the last-mile delivery process and keeps tabs on the implementation of goods delivery by the drivers. The order management process starts from the warehouse and completes with the delivery of packages. Once efulfilment gets done, the goods get loaded to carriers and freight transport companies have to ensure that the delivery drivers halt to hand over the goods. Also, they need to track the date and time of delivery along with the condition of goods delivered. Here, ePOD serves as proof of delivery while ensuring the packages handed over are free from damages and customers are happy about the delivery performance.

2. Sharing of Real-Time Data

Having an ePOD system in place implies that it gets integrated with every department. Therefore, every responsible personnel can access the data in real time and improve performance to a great extent. For instance, storage facilities can handle stock levels or manage returns, if any, effortlessly. And also helps the finance department to create invoices much faster. When it comes to the customer service department, they get information in real time regarding any delivery issues. Also, based on this, they take proactive decisions and communicate them with customers before they complain, particularly when there is any change in delivery. Ultimately, ePOD eases freight transport operations and ensures the utmost customer satisfaction. Long story short, ePOD offers enhanced efficiency and customer experience during order management and delivery services. 

3. Enhances Employee Productivity

One of the most significant ways to enhance workforce productivity both off-field and on-field in the freight transport business, real-time data sharing by the ePOD tool has become indispensable today. Compared to paper-based POD, time savings in the ePOD system helps drivers to implement more deliveries every single day. As real-time data visibility is available, freight transport companies effortlessly implement the review and analysis of key performance indicators (KPI). Further, it helps them to fathom their daily performance against the standards. Also, when ePOD takes over, manual data entry becomes a thing of the past. Also, office staff can utilise the time saved for other important tasks that directly influence customer satisfaction. The ePOD software sends information regarding successful delivery, customer feedback, failed delivery attempts and so on as and when it happens.

4. Improves Delivery Performance

Today, consumers enjoy a plethora of options in shipping, thus making way for high expectations. Indeed, freight transport and logistic companies who offer reliable and customised services only stay in this highly competitive industry. Here comes the significance of electronic proof of delivery. The ePOD system ensures customer retention and provides personalised services. EPOD software allows customer engagement by sending notifications regarding order tracking, delivery, changes in delivery, and all communication after order delivery. It can handle all possible delivery issues and make proactive decisions to avoid customer attrition resulting from poor delivery service. Customers get notified of order delivery information; they find their freight transport and logistics services partner reliable and trustworthy.

Therefore, ePODs time savers, eliminate manual errors in KPI reporting, bring down carbon footprints, enhance the productivity of on-field and off-field staff and operational efficiency.

Freight Transport Services from Ianis Cargo Rely on Ianis Cargo freight transport service for moving your cargo anytime, anywhere in Europe. Get instant quotes, compare quotes, live tracking, 24/7 customer support and many more. Ianis Cargo also offers eCommerce delivery solutions for businesses. Apart from express transport, full truckload, and less-than-truckload (groupage) services, the company also provides air shipping for time-critical goods. Suitable for same-day, one-day delivery services, air shipping would help businesses to implement the fast movement of cargo, freight and parcels. Partnering with several reputable European couriers, Ianis Cargo focuses on reducing freight transport rates and helps its customers move cargo hassle-free!