Transport and Logistics App Development
In the transport business, it is all about planning, monitoring and execution. This is the key to running a successful transport business, and achieving it sounds a lot easier than it is. Transport businesses face loads of challenging factors such as planning, communication, maintenance, speed and reliability. Luckily, we live in a world where technology is available to help us overcome these challenges.
App development, specifically in the transport industry, has helped companies achieve greatness and become some of the top-performing companies in the world. With the apps you get these days to support your logistics business it has become much less labor-intensive and much easier to monitor. The cherry on top is that transport orientated development apps have also made a significant impact on costs, increasing profit margins and keeping businesses sustainable.
There are many apps available on the market today, which can be bought off the shelf to help you manage your transport business more efficiently, or you can team up with a transport and logistics app development company to develop a unique app tailored to suit your specific needs.
Choosing the correct app to suit your needs is an important factor though, as all of them have unique features. The types of Dynamics AX trade and logistics apps range from simple tracking applications to fleet management apps and then more complex ones which can also cover inventory management and other business functions.
The one you choose will depend on whether you want all these functions and of course your available budget. It is also worthwhile looking into getting a custom-built app for your business, as you can then determine the functions needed and the budget. Putting effort and budget towards building your own app will be worth it in the long run and benefit your business in ways you could not imagine.
The Benefits of Transport and Logistics Software
Historically it was extremely difficult to manage a transport business and with so many factors at play, a lot of money was lost due to simple things such as ineffective routes or delayed maintenance. Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits you can expect when investing in logistics app development services:
- Route planning and following
We all know that fuel is one of the biggest expenses in any transport business. This cost can be reduced by planning your routes more effectively and monitoring drivers closely to ensure they follow the best routes possible. Having an app installed on your drivers’ mobile phones which tracks and reports any deviance from these routes gives you peace of mind that your business is running as effectively as possible.
- Communication
The same app that tracks your fleet can be used for more effective communication between your controller and the driver. This simplifies communication between your staff and eliminates all those pesky calls while a driver should be focused on the road.
- Enhanced maintenance
These apps are smart enough to keep track of your fleet’s maintenance records and remind you when a vehicle is due for maintenance tyre changes, etc. The apps usually also include the option to execute and upload daily safety checks completed by the drivers to ensure your vehicles are roadworthy and safe on the road.
- Reduce paperwork
You can ask any driver out there, few things are as irritating as paperwork. Paperwork takes time to fill out and also tends to get lost. This leaves you without the necessary records to keep track of inventory, confirmation of deliveries as well as the inability to invoice. Most of these apps have this feature built-in and eliminate the need for any paperwork.
- Real-time information
Using technology like these apps ensure real-time information such as the location of vehicles, the status of vehicles, records needed for invoicing, and the list goes on. With this real-time info, you can invoice your clients faster and keep better control of your fleet and staff. All these factors working together also help you deliver a much more efficient service to your clients.
- Cost Reduction
All these benefits have a positive influence on the bottom line and make for a more profitable business, for example, if you do not have heaps of paperwork to sort through every time a driver returns from a trip, it means you do not have to appoint staff to perform this task. Sure, it does cost money to buy or develop an app for your transport business, but it is most certainly worth it at the end of the day.
Building Your Own Logistics App: Steps to Follow
Doing your own logistics tracking app development can be challenging, but when done right, it can also be rewarding. To ensure success, there are certain milestones or steps to follow in the process of custom logistics services app development, so let’s take a closer look at what you should be thinking of:
- Type of Application
As discussed earlier, different kinds of trucking and logistics app development solutions can be useful to your business, so the first step will be to determine what your needs are. If you are responsible for the inventory as well as the transport, it would be wise to include an inventory management option in the building of your app, for example.
- Cost Estimation
Once you have established what your needs are, make contact with various agencies or professionals and get an idea of the cost of custom logistics app development. Cost can range vastly depending on what size your business is, the specific needs you want to fulfill, etc.
- Paperwork
It is extremely important to ensure your ideas for custom logistics mobile app development do not get copied or sold to your competitors, so signing paperwork like NDAs, for example, is non-negotiable. You do not want to spend all this money developing the greatest app for your business, only to see it being used by your competition, plus you will be explaining your core business to the transportation app developers, so all your tricks and industry expertise will be out in the open.
- Development and Testing
Once you have accepted the cost estimate the developers will start working on your app. Throughout this process, you would meet with them and discuss progress as well as test certain aspects.
- Real-World Testing
Once the development is completed and everyone is happy, the rollout will begin. This normally consists of doing real-world runs of the app with a couple of vehicles and drivers. Once it has been tested in the real world and all the bugs, if any, have been fixed, your app will be ready for integration. During this testing phase, it is important to get input from your staff and ensure they are confident and on board with using this in the future.
- Training
When the app is fully developed, it is time to train all your staff. Once training is completed and everyone is comfortable to use the new application it can be fully integrated into the business. It is important to note that there should be open communication from everyone throughout the starting period on whether it is working flawlessly and where improvements could be made.
Challenges to Overcome When Building Your Own Logistics App
No on demand logistics app development comes without its challenges, and this process is no different. Some of the biggest challenges when developing a transport app without partnering with an app development company for logistics includes:
- User Adoption
Effective marketing, user-friendly interfaces and compelling features are necessary to convince users to download and use the app.
- Seamless Integration
Integrating a logistics app with established systems and technologies is complex. Maintaining data integrity and compatibility while integrating with warehouse management systems or ERP software requires careful planning.
- Real-Time Tracking
Overcoming challenges such as network connectivity and unforeseen events involves implementing robust tracking algorithms, reliable data sources and contingency plans.
- Scalability
Overcoming scalability and performance challenges requires a scalable architecture, efficient database management and server optimization strategies for a seamless user experience.
Considering these challenges, the best option is to put your trust in professionals offering logistics delivery app development service. Building an app takes up a lot of time, effort and expertise. Time is money in this industry and letting professional developers from a transport logistics mobile app development company develop your application is much more cost effective at the end of the day.
The Benefits of Partnering With a Reliable Developer
Logistics mobile app development often takes up time and resources you do not necessarily have, so partnering with professional developers or an agency will be the best route to take. There are many benefits to partnering with a reliable developer offering mobile app development for logistics company clients. Let’s explore why outsourcing logistics software development is advantageous:
- Expertise
Developers with experience in partnering with a logistics app development agency have often worked on various logistics and truck app development projects before and have the expertise to execute the ideas you have. They will have all the skills and experience to deliver the best app for your specific needs.
- Time-saving
Developers specializing in app development for logistics are experts in the field, so they can deliver your product much faster which will save you time and money.
- Perspective
A contracted developer working for logistics app development companies will have an outsider’s perspective on your ideas which makes it easier for them to come up with new and fresh ideas. Innovation is sometimes driven by people not directly involved in the business, as they can think independently from the day-to-day activities.
- Efficiency
Because they are not involved with the daily operations and only working on your project, this will be the developers’ only focus. This leads to much more efficient work and better results.
The Cost of Transport and Logistics App Development
All businesses have the end goal to keep their bottom line profitable and expenses such as app development can have a significant impact on this. There are several factors to consider when it comes to the logistics app development cost for your transport business, of which, the development team will most probably be the biggest.
Let’s take a look at what the cost of the logistics app development in USD on a monthly basis by comparing the average monthly salaries of different countries and for different roles in a development team:
| Project manager | DevOps | iOS Developer | Android Developer | QA Specialist | |
| USA | $6,720 | $10,400 | $9,835 | $9,200 | $6,080 |
| UK | $4,910 | $9,311 | $4,200 | $6,200 | $5,440 |
| Germany | $6,240 | $7,274 | $4,500 | $5,800 | $9,760 |
| Netherlands | $5,600 | $7,310 | $5,200 | $5,500 | $7,520 |
| Ukraine | $1500* | $2600* | $2500* | $2500* | $2200* |
*Ukrainian salaries are provided based on Mobilunity’s Recruitment Team research on the local job markets. All salaries are net and do not include the service fee (in case of hiring on a dedicated team model). The salaries are provided for comparison purposes and could be not entirely accurate. Contact us to know the exact cost of hiring a developer corresponding to the required parameters.
From the above table, one can immediately draw the conclusion that development teams from a logistics app development company in Ukraine are much more cost-effective than elsewhere. This is because Ukraine has a much lower cost of living compared to other European countries. As a result, businesses can get access to top skilled professionals from logistics companies app development in Ukraine at a much lower logistics mobile app development cost.
Mobilunity: a Reliable Provider of Transport and Logistics App Development Services
Mobilunity is a reputable provider of app development services, including transport and logistics app development solutions in Ukraine. We have a track record of delivering high-quality logistics app development solution services to clients around the world. With over ten years of experience, Mobilunity offers two flexible models of cooperation: dedicated teams of experts for large projects and part-time consultants for short-term projects or projects with a small workload.
For large-scale projects, Mobilunity provides dedicated teams who are specifically formed to meet the requirements of the client. These teams consist of highly skilled professionals who have extensive experience in transport and logistics app development. They work exclusively on the client’s project.
For short-term projects or projects with a smaller workload, Mobilunity offers the option of part-time consultants. These consultants are industry experts who provide their specialized knowledge and expertise to assist with specific aspects of the project.
We also offer time and task tracking app development services to enhance efficiency and productivity in logistics operations. To see more examples of Mobilunity’s work, including the shipping cost calculator UI design, please visit our portfolio page: Shipping Cost Calculator UI Design.
Our clients trust us because we offer comprehensive solutions for a variety of requirements. As a result, we have an impressive client portfolio. Some of our notable clients include Qrates from Japan, 42 Matters from Switzerland and FinExpert from Canada.
If you’re looking for transport and logistics app development services, talk to Mobilunity. Find the right candidates fast and efficiently!
All salaries and prices mentioned within the article are approximate NET numbers based on the research done by our in-house Recruitment Team. Please use these numbers as a guide for comparison purposes only and feel free to use the contact form to inquire on the specific cost of the talent according to your vacancy requirements and chosen model of engagement.
recruiter’s comment
Luckily we live in a connected world where it is possible to partner with developers from around the world, and not just in your local market. This may have a bigger impact on your custom logistics services mobile app development cost than what people assume.