How a mobile app simplifies the work of transport companies

14-02-23

The activities of transport companies involve the processing of large amounts of data. Routes, freight, passengers, orders, customers, contractors, reservations, prices, bonuses, fines – all these and many other indicators need to be strictly controlled and recorded. This task can be solved in two ways: by using universal software tools and adapting their functionality, or by ordering your own branded mobile application that takes into account the specifics of a particular company’s work.

The field of transport is very wide – it includes freight and passenger transport, delivery services, logistics centres, postal services, taxis and other areas. Each transport company has its own specifics, differs in size, structure and list of services. To use universal software in this niche is to put the management of business processes in a narrow framework, when you have to limit yourself to the functionality offered and overpay for unnecessary options.

The second option offers much more freedom and possibilities – developing your own mobile application with an optimised set of functions. The company gets an effective tool that solves specific practical problems. There is no need for adaptation, compromise or inconvenience. The mobile application is created according to an individual project and takes into account all the needs of the customer’s business. And if the transport company already uses some kind of software, there is no need to start from scratch: you can synchronise data with the application via an API.

Functionality of the application for a transport company

When planning the development of an application for transportation, we do a lot of preparatory work. We communicate with the client, analyze the niche and the specifics of services, and study similar products. We delve into the chain of operational actions from request to implementation, and together with the customer we find areas that need to be automated. We select and optimize the functionality to make the application simple and convenient. This results in a requirements specification for the development of a mobile application. The terms of reference specify the structure, functionality, logic, and design of the product.

The list of features varies according to the needs of the organisation. Each side of the workflow has its own interface, functionality and level of access.

For the customer:

• Search and filter services, drivers, cars;
• Calculation of the price of the service according to various parameters: the route, the volume of cargo, the number of passengers, the time, the destination, etc;
• Application processing;
• Order cancellation;
• Online payment;
• Real-time GPS positioning of the vehicle;
• Track vehicle parameters – refuelling time, mileage, average consumption, maintenance needs;
• Personal cabinet with saved order history;
• Bonus accumulation;
• Service evaluation;
• Push notifications;
• Chats with the driver, manager, consultant, etc.

For the driver:

• Acceptance of applications;
• Route building;
• Travel conditions;
• Price calculation;
• Data on income, bonuses, fines;
• Statistics and reporting;
• Communication with the administrator, the client, the passenger;
• Push notifications;

For the administrator, manager, dispatcher:

• unprocessed and accepted applications;
• Data on drivers, passengers, cargo, carriers;
• customer base;
• Create routes and timetables;
• Track and control the movement of goods;
• Warehouse management;
• Paperwork;
• Autofill waybills and invoices;
• Vehicle maintenance data;
• Accounting of fines, fuel consumption, bonuses, etc;
• GPS route tracking;
• History of completed orders;
• Vehicle base;
• Determination of prices and transport conditions;
• Statistics on customers, revenue, routes and other parameters;
• Push notifications;
• Communicating with clients, customers, passengers, drivers.

How a mobile app can help transport companies

Let’s talk about the real practical benefits a mobile app can bring to your transport business.

All activities on one platform

A single application ensures that all departments work in a coordinated way and allows for feedback from customers, drivers and passengers. There is no need to have several different programmes and services, the application works on a common basis. Each employee uses the application according to his or her role. A single platform is used to create:

• The profile of the client – the passenger, the customer;
• Driver’s office;
• Admin Panel;
• Employee profiles with different levels of access.

Accuracy and speed of operation

The application automates routine tasks for operators, managers, administrators and dispatchers. It eliminates the risk of human error and speeds up manual operations. The company can reduce the workload of operators or even reduce the number of employees without affecting the overall productivity of the team.

Control, Accounting and Planning

The mobile application collects data on journeys, consignments and transports, generates reports and calculates statistical indicators. This functionality makes it easy to monitor the company’s work, evaluate the effectiveness of each department or individual employee, plan, set realistic goals and adjust the development strategy based on realistic figures.

Mobility and flexible control

The app is always at the fingertips of employees, managers and customers. You don’t need to be in the office at your computer to access data and make decisions. The mobile app downloads to any iOS or Android smartphone, has an easy-to-use interface and is fast, so you can effectively manage processes in the field.

Building customer confidence

The mobile application can be used not only for internal company administration, but also for customer service. The user interface includes all the necessary functions to consult, search and pay for services. By providing customers with such a tool, the transport organisation demonstrates its progressiveness, responsibility and concern for the customer. This increases the level of trust in the company, which is very important for the development and promotion of business in general.

Improving competitiveness

A quality mobile app becomes a significant competitive advantage because it helps:

• Be more productive, get more work done faster and more efficiently;
• To provide customers with the best service in their niche;
• Become more reliable – minimise errors, force majeure and abnormal situations;
• Bring back former customers and build a loyal, engaged audience.

Does your transport company need a mobile application? Undoubtedly, if you want to reap the benefits described above. What this product will be depends on your budget and needs. It can be a simple programme for internal use or a large-scale service based on the CRM system with separate interfaces for administrators, drivers, passengers, customers, dispatchers, etc.

It should also be noted that from 1 February 2023 in Ukraine will begin testing e-TTN – electronic waybills. And from August, electronic waybills will be mandatory. This innovation is intended to make the market more transparent and open. Using a mobile application, a transport company will be able to switch to e-TTN without the slightest technical problems, difficulties or inconveniences.

We suggest that you think together, KitApp specialists are always in contact and ready to start implementing your project.

We suggest that you think together, KitApp experts are always in touch and ready to start implementing your project.