We live in an age when almost everything can be bought online from almost anywhere. This is mostly due to the growth of the internet.
This situation has necessitated solid fleet and delivery management software to manage the ensuing logistics of delivery.
Let us discuss e-commerce fleet management and how Cartrack is the best partner for this job.
The impact of online shopping on delivery operations has been profound. This convenience is made possible by efficient and timely deliveries, a vital component for any e-commerce business.
Fleet management helps this sector by providing solutions for companies looking to simplify the process between ordering and last-mile delivery of products. This means aligning, drivers, route planning, time management and proof of receipt, by doing this e-commerce business can have hassle-free movement of goods.
Here are some key points to know about the growing demand for e-commerce logistics:
The number of e-commerce users in South Africa is forecasted to grow “from 11.7 million in 2025 to 21.52 million by 2029”, according to Statista’s Digital Market Outlook. Many logistical challenges beset e-commerce businesses, most of them concerning last-mile delivery.
Effective order and delivery management will require a solid fleet management system, which will therefore help mitigate some of the hurdles that may arise in handling delivery. With more consumers shopping online, e-commerce businesses face growing challenges, including delivery instructions, duty fees, and shipment disputes.
Let us take a closer look at some challenges an e-commerce business can face.
Deliveries are the backbone of an e-commerce business. They make up an important part of the business model that allows this type of venture to thrive. Therefore, delays threaten this kind of business the most. These delays are often caused by poor route planning and traffic congestion. Such inefficiencies break down the flow of work and result in a snowball of delays.
Some e-commerce businesses have vehicles that do deliveries exclusively for the business. These can range from motorbikes, cars, vans and even large cargo trucks. Managing fuel costs for a delivery fleet, regardless of size, needs tight financial management and precise reporting.
Security of both the vehicle and the items in delivery can be a major headache for many businesses involved in deliveries. Here are some insights to be aware of:
Most of the challenges that e-commerce businesses face can be resolved by implementing a comprehensive e-commerce fleet management system. This will assist in managing and even addressing some of the pain points that come from having to deal with deliveries from an online customer base along with general fleet maintenance.
The benefits that come from having such a system are many, let’s explore what you should get when installing one.
Getting deliveries done on time and in the most efficient manner is crucial for a business that functions entirely online. One of the best ways to enhance this is by getting delivery fleet management software that comes with route optimisation and GPS tracking.
These functions will ensure that both the vendor and the customer are always updated on the progress of the delivery and that it is being done in the most efficient way possible. Real-time tracking ultimately optimises fleet performance and leads to faster and more organised workflow.
Knowing where deliveries are as they are happening allows for more security measures to be put in place. These security measures protect both the cargo and the drivers, as both can be located and retrieved early when a theft occurs.
Some e-commerce fleet management systems include camera systems that monitor driver behaviour with telematics technology and dashcams to record footage of the journey. The telematics component of the fleet management system allows for the additional monitoring of driver behaviour.
Vehicle recovery solutions reduce financial losses and give both drivers and business owners peace of mind.
Automation and telematics technology cut the costs of many e-commerce businesses in varying ways. With telematics, a business owner can receive alerts on when a vehicle in the fleet needs to be serviced through the use of predictive maintenance technology in the fleet management system. This will save costs in the long run as it reduces wear and tear and costs associated with repairs.
Cartrack is an industry leader in fleet solutions and has some of the most comprehensive product offerings out on the market that can manage commercial vehicles effortlessly. These solutions cater to a variety of industries, of which e-commerce is one.
For an e-commerce business owner looking to take their business to the next level, few other service providers compare to Cartrack. The fleet management system offered, called MiFleet, has technology that enhances delivery operations and keeps the fleet safe and functioning optimally.
Here is what you get when you choose Cartrack as a partner:
Cartrack’s delivery fleet management software offers live tracking of vehicles allowing for full visibility and route efficiency. This GPS fleet management solution is available for all vehicle types and can function in all terrains, locales and environments without significant disruption.
The movement of your drivers and packages can be seen on the Cartrack Mobile App along with a view of the journey courtesy of our Vision camera solutions. Not only do you follow where they are geographically, but you also get a detailed look at what is happening on the journey.
These cameras can be installed in up to eight different locations on the vehicle to monitor all the happenings while delivery is underway. This offering from Cartrack caters well to e-commerce businesses that do long-distance deliveries, even across borders.
MiFleet offers AI-driven smart routing to reduce transportation times and fuel costs, this technology optimises all deliveries and keeps delays at a minimum. The ability to optimise delivery routes based on distance, time sensitivity, volume and driver availability is all possible with Cartrack’s system. All these features make the management of deliveries an easy process, one that can be done from the comfort of your own home thanks to the Cartrack Mobile App.
For an e-commerce business with an in-house set of vehicles for deliveries, driver behaviour is important. It is this factor that often plays a role in how deliveries are and the condition the packages arrive in. Monitoring speeding, harsh braking, and idling are just a few of the many metrics that can be monitored and reported with a telematics unit from Cartrack.
Monitoring these driving habits not only keeps the deliveries arriving safely but the drivers as well. Fatigue, smoking, an obstructed view and yawning are all recorded and flagged as bad habits. These are sent as alerts to the fleet manager, allowing them the chance to directly contact the driver to intervene. This intervention can be a direct call as the journey is underway or coaching provided later on once the footage has been downloaded.
Cartrack’s fleet management system has tools to track and control fuel consumption, these tools can measure mileage, fuel consumption and fuel flow. Fuel is one of the largest expenses for a business that delivers directly to consumers. Curbing the fuel wastage on all fronts saves on this expense and will give the business some financial leeway.
With a 90% stolen vehicle recovery rate, Cartrack stands in a lane of its own with no other competitor providing such certainty. This high recovery rate comes courtesy of our audited financials and is proof of the success of our recovery teams.
When delivering goods rapid response solutions to recover stolen vehicles and cargo are paramount. This is why getting a fleet management system that comes with this service is essential.
E-commerce is an industry that is growing globally as more and more territories adopt internet use and fintech solutions. This only means that the delivery systems and logistics in place need to be robust and carefully considered.
Camera solutions are a necessary component of fleet management in e-commerce, especially if the business is in charge of its own deliveries. Fortunately, Cartrack has AI-powered camera solutions that can be placed in up to eight different locations on a vehicle. These cameras keep your drivers safe with preventative in-cabin voice alerts that let them know about potential safety violations so they can correct them immediately.
Cartrack’s fleet management system has a unique value-added service that caters specifically to deliveries. It allows for the allocation of drivers, vehicles, jobs and work shifts all on one platform.
These features make it manageable to delegate work, keep track of multiple deliveries and verify when deliveries have been made. There is even a feature that allows for photographic evidence of delivery along with the signature of receipt. This is ideal for any online business that needs to manage stock and customer expectations.
As it currently stands Cartrack’s solutions are some of the best suited for this transition. If you are interested in hearing more about our offering call us to BOOK A DEMO AND GET A QUOTE TODAY.
Boost your e-commerce deliveries with fleet management solutions. Learn how to improve efficiency, cut costs, and enhance security with real-time tracking and smart routing.
