What is courier delivery? Couriers are different from everyday mail services because they provide an expedited service that can be called upon when and if your business requires them. They often utilize features such as tracking, signature, photos, security, speed, specialization, and customization of express services. This upgraded service usually means an elevated cost so a courier’s use is usually limited to priority customers where an expedited delivery is worth the additional cost.
In today’s delivery environment we no longer have to rely on delivery by foot, horse, or carrier pigeon. We now utilize everything from bike messengers to over the road truck drivers. How does a company keep track of these courier drivers and their deliveries?
Elite EXTRA is a web-based order and dispatch management tool that couriers across North America are using to streamline their delivery operations. User feedback is the primary driver for monthly free feature updates. From quote and order creation to highly flexible dispatching and optimized routing, real-time GPS tracking, essential mobile functionality, and robust reporting, you won’t find a more cost-effective tool to streamline your dispatch and delivery operations. Elite EXTRA’s advanced and intuitive web application can be accessed anywhere through an internet connection and a web browser. Integrated directly with your ordering platform, EXTRA continually ingests orders, automatically optimizes routes, and allows you to easily dispatch to your drivers or Delivery Network in your area. After dispatching, your drivers will receive all pertinent order information in EXTRA’s free mobile application where they can collect signatures, photos, and enter notes at the point of delivery or service. Communicate with your drivers in real-time while tracking their route progress on an interactive map in EXTRA’s web application.
Features You Can Use
Here are a few key features that can be used in heavy parts deliveries (see our Features page for additional features):
Optimized Route Sequencing
Optimized routes are the first step in ensuring efficiency in your delivery or service operations. By utilizing EXTRA’s optimization engine, your routes will be built according to customer time windows, traffic, proximity, customer preferences, and much more. Optimization happens in seconds, allowing you to get your drivers on the road as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Auto-routing
Auto-Route allows you to select a group of orders and automatically optimize routes for a specific number of drivers or vehicles. Or, select a group of orders and allow the system to build routes that fulfill your time windows with the least amount of drivers. Select any order and Auto-Suggest will run a full audit of all your drivers’ locations to find the best driver to complete that order.
Recurring routes
For your routes that occur daily, weekly, or even monthly, allow EXTRA to automatically generate those routes according to the schedule you set. Additionally, set up your delivery or service zones in EXTRA to have the system build routes automatically throughout the day – saving time for your dispatchers.
Real-time GPS tracking
Full visibility of your drivers and routes is the key to making informed decisions on the fly. See your drivers’ locations, speed, and route ETA’s on a live map in EXTRA. Easily change routes on the fly, which are pushed out to the drivers’ devices. Additionally, communicate with the driver in real-time with the built-in EXTRA messaging tool.
Signature capture and photo capture
Your drivers, equipped with the EXTRA driver mobile application, can gather electronic signatures or take photos at the point of delivery or service. All signatures and photos are automatically uploaded to the web where they are attached to a proof of delivery or service document in EXTRA. Those documents can then be set to automatically email to your customers or your team.
Email and text ETA alerts
Keep your customers’ informed with automatic email and text alerts. When the driver leaves for the route, email and text notifications will be sent to your customers with their order information and the driver’s estimated time of arrival. Your customers can then follow along utilizing a tracking link as the driver arrives at their location.
Reports
Informed decision-making is powered by information. With EXTRA’s 80+ reports, you will be able to access the information that you need at any time. Additionally, set up auto-reports to send to your email automatically whenever you need them.
Testimonial
“…With the on-screen GPS and in-app chat feature we can find our delivery points faster and communicate with our dispatchers without calling… With EXTRA’s software and customer support we enjoy being able to provide our customers with the latest features they expect and deserve, while keeping their costs down and profits up.”
-Dave Wilmont Driver Solutions Inc.
