It's happened to all of us: you know you have a package delivery coming up, but you have no idea when it's going to arrive. You may have received a tracking number, but you're not sure how to use it or what information you can get from it.
So you wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Truth be told, if you're an eCommerce business owner, you want to do everything in your power to avoid this kind of situation — and that is precisely where last mile delivery tracking comes into play.
What is last mile delivery tracking, what kind of impact can it have on your business — and maybe even more importantly, how to do it right?
This guide answers all your questions. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
Last mile delivery tracking refers to the process of monitoring the movement of goods from a transportation hub to the final delivery destination. The whole point of this type of delivery tracking is to ensure transparency and efficiency by providing real-time updates to both businesses and customers about the status of deliveries.
Last mile carrier tracking focuses specifically on the final leg of the delivery process, which is often the most complex and critical stage. Unlike other tracking methods that may monitor shipments across broader transit routes, last mile tracking provides granular updates about local delivery routes and times. This level of detail helps businesses optimize delivery operations and keeps customers informed about exactly when their packages will arrive.
Last mile delivery is crucial as it directly impacts customer satisfaction and the overall success of the supply chain. Here are some of the main reasons you should at least consider implementing a last mile delivery system for your business:
Transparency in last mile delivery enhances the customer experience by providing key features that build trust and convenience:
Last mile delivery tracking enhances the customer experience by providing transparency, reliability, and effective communication throughout the delivery process. By keeping customers informed and addressing concerns promptly, businesses can build trust and satisfaction, fostering loyalty.
Providing last mile delivery tracking reassures customers and demonstrates a company’s commitment to service excellence. When customers feel confident in the delivery process, they are more likely to return for future purchases, strengthening their loyalty. This transparency and reliability create lasting positive impressions, transforming one-time buyers into repeat customers.
By optimizing routes and providing real-time updates, last mile delivery tracking helps streamline the entire delivery process. This leads to faster deliveries, reduced operational costs, and a more efficient supply chain overall.
Last mile delivery tracking provides valuable data that enhances inventory management by offering insights into stock levels and delivery times. This ensures that businesses can maintain optimal stock, reducing instances of overstocking or stockouts. With accurate tracking, companies can align inventory replenishment more precisely with customer demand.
When your company uses last mile delivery tracking, customer service teams can access real-time updates on shipment statuses, enabling them to address customer inquiries quickly and accurately. This level of transparency fosters trust and improves overall customer satisfaction.
Implementing last mile delivery tracking allows your business to stay ahead of the competition by offering a superior customer experience. With the ability to provide accurate delivery estimates and timely updates, customers are more likely to choose your services over competitors.
Additionally, the insights gained from tracking data can help you identify inefficiencies and optimize routes, reducing costs and improving delivery times. Because it prioritizes transparency and efficiency, your company will build a reputation for reliability, ultimately attracting more customers and fostering long-term loyalty.
With real-time tracking, customers can monitor their deliveries every step of the way, reducing uncertainty and enhancing trust in your services. Simultaneously, businesses gain valuable operational insights, enabling them to address issues proactively and ensure smooth delivery processes.
The last mile tracking number is a unique identification number assigned to each package during the final leg of the delivery process. It is used for tracking purposes and allows businesses and customers to monitor the status of their deliveries in real time.
Most often, customers can track the last mile carrier using a tracking number provided by the company. This number can be entered on the carrier's website or app, where customers can view real-time updates on their package’s location and estimated time of arrival. Some companies may also offer SMS or email notifications to keep customers informed about delivery statuses.
There is a reason last mile delivery tracking hasn't been very widely adopted (for a long time): there are challenges associated with tracking the last bit of the delivery process. Some of the most notable ones include:
Limited visibility occurs when businesses lack clear insights into their operations, data, or supply chain, making it difficult to identify inefficiencies or potential risks.
Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and errors, especially in teams that rely on collaboration. This can result in decreased productivity and missed opportunities.
Technical problems, such as system failures or outdated software, can disrupt workflows, cause downtime, and hinder overall business operations. As such, these kinds of hurdles can make it difficult for customers (and businesses) to see the last mile status on
Security issues, such as data breaches or cyberattacks, pose significant risks to sensitive information, customer trust, and company reputation.
Rising costs from inefficiencies, unexpected delays, or resource mismanagement can strain budgets and hurt profitability—all of these issues are especially critical in last-mile delivery, where speed and precision are key to success.
Delays or poor service in last mile delivery can result in dissatisfied customers, loss of loyalty, and long-term damage to your brand's reputation. At the same time, as the eCommerce industry is growing, customer expectations are higher and higher, making it increasingly challenging for businesses to meet them on every front
The good news is none of the challenges discussed above are insurmountable. On the contrary, technology now provides an array of innovative solutions to tackle these hurdles, making last mile delivery tracking more accessible and efficient than ever before.
GPS tracking uses satellite networks to pinpoint the real-time location of vehicles, packages, or delivery personnel, playing a crucial role in last mile delivery. It helps businesses monitor routes, optimize schedules, and ensure timely deliveries while enhancing customer satisfaction with real-time updates. This transparency and efficiency streamline operations and address the challenges of last mile logistics.
Mobile apps are digital tools that allow businesses and customers to access real-time delivery information conveniently through their smartphones. For last mile delivery tracking, these apps streamline operations by providing features like route optimization, driver communication, and instant updates on package status. They enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and improve customer experience by making the entire delivery process more transparent and manageable.
Better communication refers to the seamless exchange of information between drivers, customers, and businesses during the delivery process. This is crucial for last mile delivery tracking as it ensures drivers receive real-time route updates, customers stay informed about their delivery status, and businesses can quickly address any issues. Improved communication minimizes errors, enhances delivery speed, and ultimately boosts customer satisfaction.
Smart lockers are secure, self-service storage units that allow customers to pick up their packages at convenient locations. They help with last mile delivery tracking by providing real-time updates on package status and reducing the need for repeated delivery attempts. This not only enhances efficiency but also ensures faster and more reliable delivery experiences for customers.
Barcodes are simple yet powerful tools used to encode information about a package, such as its origin, destination, and delivery status. By scanning barcodes at various checkpoints along the delivery route, carriers can update tracking systems in real time. This ensures accurate visibility into the package's progress, reduces errors, and enables better coordination in last mile delivery.
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected devices that communicate and share data in real time. In the context of last mile delivery tracking, IoT enables sensors and smart devices to monitor packages, vehicles, and delivery conditions. This technology helps optimize delivery routes, predict delays, and ensure efficient delivery by providing accurate, real-time updates to customers and logistics teams.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags are small electronic devices that use radio waves to transmit data about an item or package to a reader. Unlike traditional barcodes, these tags make it easier to track packages and inventory in real time without the need for direct visual scanning. For last-mile delivery tracking, RFID tags enhance accuracy and efficiency by providing instant updates on package locations, reducing errors, and streamlining the delivery process.
Postis is a cloud-based platform that optimizes last mile delivery operations by centralizing data and providing real-time visibility into the delivery process. By leveraging advanced analytics and automation, it helps businesses improve route planning, monitor package progress, and ensure faster, more accurate deliveries. This reduces operational inefficiencies and enhances customer satisfaction by offering transparency and timely updates.
For example, Postis is designed as a carrier-agnostic solution and it integrates with a wide network of logistics providers, allowing businesses to reduce operational inefficiencies and enhance customer satisfaction by offering transparency and timely updates.
Last mile delivery tracking can be a complete game-changer for pretty much any business working with deliveries. So, the answer to "should you" or "shouldn't you" implement last mile delivery tracking is pretty straightforward: yes.
Here's more about this:
84% of consumers say they'd reject a retailer that provides a bad delivery and returns experience. While you, the business owner, may not have control over the entire delivery chain, last-mile delivery tracking allows both you and your partners (e.g., delivery companies) to spot issues, intervene, and handle them swiftly. This results in improved customer experiences, which can help boost retention rates and brand loyalty.
By implementing last-mile delivery tracking, businesses can significantly enhance the efficiency of their operations. Real-time tracking systems enable businesses to monitor the progress of deliveries and provide accurate updates to customers regarding their orders.
Being transparent reduces the number of customer inquiries and ensures that logistics teams can proactively address potential delays or issues, such as incorrect addresses or unexpected traffic disruptions.
Last, but not least, last-mile tracking enables data collection on delivery performance, allowing businesses to identify inefficiencies and optimize routes, schedules, and resource allocation.
Over time, all these improvements can lower operational costs, reduce delivery times, and improve overall workflow, resulting in a streamlined process that benefits both the company and its customers.
Enhanced visibility in last-mile tracking reduces delivery errors by providing real-time updates and precise location details. Drivers get up-to-date navigation to avoid mistakes like delivering to the wrong address or missing stops, while automated notifications keep customers informed about delivery times. This helps ensure packages reach the right destination without confusion, improving reliability and reducing missed deliveries.
Last-mile tracking systems also minimize human errors like miscommunication or manual data entry mistakes. By replacing manual processes with digital solutions, these systems improve accuracy in record-keeping and logistics management. This reduces issues like duplicate deliveries or mishandled packages, creating a smoother delivery process that boosts customer satisfaction and reduces disruptions for businesses.
Efficient resource utilization is a key advantage of last-mile tracking systems, as they enable businesses to streamline delivery operations by optimizing routes, managing driver schedules, and reducing unnecessary fuel consumption. This not only cuts operational costs but also ensures that resources such as time, labor, and vehicles are used effectively, resulting in a more sustainable and productive delivery process.
Finally, implementing last-mile delivery tracking provides businesses with more supply chain visibility. By collecting data on various aspects of the delivery process - such as package locations, vehicle conditions, traffic patterns, and customer feedback - businesses can gain valuable insights into their operations. These insights can further enable proactive decision-making and strategic planning to improve efficiency and address potential issues before they become significant problems.
If you have decided to purchase last mile delivery tracking software, you may also want to know the specific features to look for. Here's a brief overview of the main elements to consider:
Real-time tracking is crucial as it allows both customers and businesses to monitor the exact location of deliveries at any given moment. For customers, this feature enhances transparency and provides accurate delivery updates, offering peace of mind. It helps businesses optimize routes, improve delivery efficiency, and proactively address potential delays, ensuring a smoother and more reliable delivery process.
Security is an essential feature in last mile delivery tracking software to ensure the safety of goods and customer information. Look for features such as end-to-end encryption, which protects data during transmission, and secure driver authentication to prevent unauthorized access.
Additionally, geofencing can enhance security by providing alerts if a delivery deviates from its expected route. These measures not only safeguard sensitive information but also build trust with customers by ensuring their deliveries are handled securely.
Reducing the CO₂ footprint in last mile delivery is crucial for promoting sustainable logistics operations. Businesses can significantly reduce emissions by leveraging route optimization, eco-friendly vehicles, and consolidated deliveries. These practices contribute to environmental preservation and align with consumer expectations for greener delivery solutions.
Of course, you also want to consider route optimization features when choosing a last-mile tracking software. These features use real-time data, such as traffic patterns and package locations, to optimize routes for maximum efficiency. This not only reduces delivery times but also lowers fuel consumption and operational costs. Look for options like automated routing and dispatching, which can help save time and reduce manual errors in route planning.
Last, but not least, look for a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for both you and your customers to access the information you need. A straightforward interface with clear navigation and customizable features can improve the overall user experience and ensure quick adoption of the software by all stakeholders.
Customized tracking templates allow businesses to tailor the tracking experience for their customers, ensuring that updates and notifications align with the company’s branding and customer preferences. These templates can include personalized messages, branded visuals, and specific data points that matter most to your audience, enhancing satisfaction and reinforcing brand identity.
Accurate forecasts on costs and cash collection provide businesses with valuable insights into their financial health and future performance. By analyzing trends and predicting potential expenses, as well as incoming payments, companies can make informed decisions, maintain a steady cash flow, and plan effectively for growth or contingency scenarios.
Intersport, a leading sports apparel retailer with over 5,400 stores in 42 countries partnered with Postis to optimize its fulfillment, distribution, and delivery processes in Romania.
Faced with challenges arising from long delivery times due to online orders being processed from a regional warehouse in Greece, Intersport implemented the Postis Platform to improve logistics efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction.
By leveraging Postis technologies, Intersport transformed its local physical stores into fulfillment centers for online orders. This new approach reduced delivery times from an average of five working days to next-day or even same-day delivery, ensuring a faster and more seamless shopping experience for customers.
Additionally, Postis streamlined stock transfers between locations, allowing stores to fulfill orders for products unavailable on-site with ease while providing real-time updates to all parties involved.
The Postis Platform enables Intersport to manage all delivery processes through a centralized control tower, offering full visibility, predictability, and real-time management. This integration supports new delivery experiences, such as online orders with in-store pickup and in-store purchases with home delivery.
"We chose Postis because they have the most complex solution for distribution and delivery management and optimization. For us, it was important to improve cost efficiency and process management, but it was crucial that the new technologies would allow us to simplify the customer journey, build new experiences for our customers, and set a solid ground for future development. The Postis Platform allows us to do all these, with full control and agile deployment."
- Eduard Sîrbu, Logistic & Administration Manager, Intersport
You can read more about Intersport's story here.
To track your last mile carrier, you can use Postis — simply access the Postis Platform and select the appropriate shipment. The platform provides real-time tracking visibility, offering updates on the shipment's status and location. With its advanced technology, Postis ensures transparency and control throughout the delivery process, making it easy to monitor and manage your last mile logistics effortlessly.
Last mile delivery tracking refers to monitoring the final stage of a shipment's journey, from the distribution hub to the end customer, ensuring transparency and timely delivery.
Yes, USPS handles last mile delivery as part of its services, often partnering with other carriers to complete the final leg of shipments.
Various carriers, including national postal services like USPS, specialized logistics companies, and third-party providers, carry out last mile delivery to ensure packages reach the end customer efficiently and on time.
