How to Develop Shipment Tracking Software?

Many businesses, especially those engaged in import and export, rely heavily on shipping. Due to the growth of eCommerce and international trade, effective shipment tracking software is now essential. Such digital transformation services enable businesses to simplify operations, boost customer happiness, and increase overall efficiency by giving them real-time information about the status and location of their shipments.  

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In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits, must-have features, and essential steps involved in shipment tracking software development.  

So, let’s get started!  

Shipment Tracking Software: What & How it Works?

A specific tool built for monitoring the flow of goods along the supply chain is shipment tracking software. It uses technology to deliver precise and current information on the whereabouts and status of shipments, including barcode scanning, GPS tracking, and integration with shipping companies. You can monitor your items with a shipment tracking application from when they leave your warehouse until they reach their destination.  

It tracks packages and provides thorough information using cutting-edge technology like GPS and RFID. With the shipment tracking application, you can get real-time shipment data through a user-friendly interface thanks to the software’s communication with sensors and devices mounted on shipping containers or vehicles.  

The Benefits of Shipment Tracking Software

Imagine having something that enables you to organize your processes more effectively, boost your productivity, and raise customer satisfaction. A shipping tracking software gives just that. Here are some main advantages:  

Enhance Operational Efficiency

Your company’s operational efficiency will improve through shipment tracking software. Thanks to the real-time tracking tool, you can preemptively handle any difficulties that may develop during travel. Whether there is a delay, damage, or another unanticipated event, you can react immediately to lessen the effect on your clients and business.  

Improve Customer Satisfaction

Customer happiness is crucial in today’s cutthroat business environment. Using a shipment tracking application, you can provide your customers with precise and timely information about their shipments. You establish trust with your consumers by giving visibility and openness. They can monitor their orders themselves, which lessens the need for repeated questions and raises general customer satisfaction.  

Streamline Supply Chain Management

Any import and export business must successfully manage its supply chain. You can indeed streamline your supply chain by using shipment tracking software, which offers real-time visibility into the flow of items. This increases the effectiveness of your supply chain, minimizes stockouts, and optimizes inventory management.  

Minimize Risks and Prevent Losses

There are inherent risks associated with shipping products, such as theft, damage, or loss. Shipping tracking software, which sends you prompt warnings and alerts in the event of any exceptions or detours from the intended path, helps reduce these risks. You can react immediately, work with key stakeholders, and lessen the effects of such situations.  

Enable Data-Driven Decision-Making

The massive volumes of data about your shipping operations are collected and analyzed by cargo tracking software. You can discover a lot about your logistics procedures by using this data. The software’s analytics and reporting features let you locate bottlenecks, modify your route options, and boost operational effectiveness. Thanks to this data-driven strategy, you can make wise judgments and maintain an advantage over the competition.  

You can also enjoy our free 30-minute consultation, complimentary market and competitor analysis services, and a no-obligation quote for your project by partnering with us. Simply fill out our form to get started!

Top Key Features of Shipment Tracking Software

Features are critical as they help you launch a business-focused and user-centric solution. Apart from resolving common concerns, having advanced features lets you win the competition curve and stand apart from other brands. Hence, as a leading logistics software development company, we have listed the top features you can consider incorporating into your software solution.   

Multi-Carrier Support

It’s essential to incorporate several carrier features into your tracking software to meet the requirements of your import and export operations. This feature gives you a thorough understanding of your logistics operations and enables you to trace shipments across several carriers easily.  

Data Analytics and Reporting

Reporting and data analytics features must be available in shipping tracking software. To further simplify your operations, you can use this to examine previous shipping data, spot patterns, improve routes, and make data-driven choices.  

Real-Time Tracking

It is crucial to have real-time tracking available for shipments. The location, status, and anticipated arrival timeframes of each cargo should be current information provided by your program. By including this feature, you’ll be able to anticipate and deal with any problems or delays that could occur while in transportation.  

Integration Capabilities

Your shipment tracking software must easily interact with your existing enterprise solutions for smooth operations. Smooth data transmission across various systems, whether your inventory management program or your customer relationship management (CRM) platform, can greatly expedite your business processes.  

Customizable Notifications

With the customizable notifications feature, you’ll always remain informed. You get notifications when shipments achieve predetermined milestones or experience unforeseen circumstances. You probably get these notifications via emails, SMS, or even push notifications on your mobile devices.  

Geofencing

Geofencing features are among the most crucial features of shipment tracking applications. You can establish virtual borders for your items; if they depart from those bounds, you’ll get immediate warnings. Increase security measures and make sure your priceless cargo stays on course.  

Route Optimization

With this feature, you’ll be able to identify the most effective path for your shipments with the help of capabilities for route optimization. Lessen the amount of time spent traveling, use less fuel, and operate more efficiently. Improve your logistics to save time and money.

Read More: A Comprehensive Guide on AI Route Optimization Software Development

Mobile Accessibility

Flexibility is essential in today’s mobile-driven society. This advanced feature of cargo tracking software offers mobile accessibility and recognizes this. Stay connected to your shipments at all times from any location. Stay informed, track progress, and swiftly resolve any issues. Stay on top of things, even on the go, and never miss a beat.  

Exception Management

Unexpected problems might occasionally occur throughout the shipping procedure. Utilizing this sophisticated functionality of shipping tracking software, you can effectively handle exceptions. Obtain notifications for irregularities, such as rerouting, damage, or delays. Resolve issues quickly to keep your shipments on schedule.  

Document Management

Cutting-edge shipping tracking software’s functionality makes effective document management possible. Shipping labels, customs paperwork, and other crucial data linked to your shipments may all be uploaded, arranged, and accessed.   

Historical Data

Knowledge is power, and this feature of the shipment tracking application gives you that power by providing you with past data. Make data-driven decisions for the future by analyzing historical performance, identifying potential improvement areas, and so on by using this feature. Gain knowledge from your triumphs and mistakes to continually improve your logistics operations.  

Integration with E-commerce Platforms

If your company uses eCommerce platforms to do business, your shipment tracking software’s integration with these platforms might be a game-changer. Products are synced without a hitch, tracking numbers are generated automatically, and you can update your customers on the order status anytime.  

Multi-Language Support

In international trade, linguistic difficulties may be a major impediment. To serve a worldwide audience and promote smooth communication, ensure your shipment tracking software supports several languages’ functionality.  

Barcode and QR Code Scanning

Manual data entering takes a huge amount of time and be prone to mistakes. By enabling you to swiftly scan and record crucial shipping information, barcode and QR code scanning functionality streamline the tracking process while saving you time and minimizing human error.  

Secure Data Encryption

Security is crucial since your tracking software handles sensitive data. Include this functionality to enable safe data encryption to shield your sensitive information from illegal access, preserving the privacy and compliance of your company.

How to Develop Shipment Tracking Software?

Shipment tracking software development is a complex task. It requires in-depth knowledge of the latest market trends, technical terms, programming, testing, and whatnot. Hence, it’s always suitable to have a professional and reliable custom software development company by your side before proceeding with software product development. Following are the key steps that you indeed need to consider during shipment tracking software development: –  

Step 1 Understanding the Needs of Your Business

Before you develop a shipment tracking application, gaining a deep understanding of your business requirements is crucial. Each import/export enterprise or business has unique needs and workflows. By analyzing your existing processes, you can identify the pain points and inefficiencies a tracking software can address.  

Start by asking yourself the following questions:  

• How many shipments do you handle daily?  
• What specific information do you need to track each shipment?  
• Do you require integration with other systems, such as your inventory or customer relationship management (CRM) software?  
• What level of customization do you expect regarding the user interface and reporting?  

By answering these questions, you can outline the key features and functionalities your shipment tracking software should possess, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your business requirements.  

Step 2 Designing the User Interface (UI)

The UI is a critical component of any software application, and a shipment tracking system is no exception. The UI should be intuitive, visually appealing, and provide a seamless user experience. Consider the following aspects while designing the UI:  

• Keep it simple – Avoid clutter and unnecessary elements that overwhelm the user.  
• Use a consistent layout – Maintain uniformity across different screens and sections.  
• Prioritize essential information – Display relevant shipment details prominently.  
• Incorporate visual cues – Utilize icons, colors, and graphs to convey information effectively.  
• Enable customization – Allow users to personalize their dashboard based on their preferences.  
• Implement responsive design – Ensure the software is accessible across various devices and screen sizes. 

Step 3 Developing the Backend and Database

The backend development involves building the core functionalities and logic of the shipment tracking software. This includes integrating with external APIs of logistics partners, designing algorithms for real-time tracking, and establishing a robust database infrastructure. Consider the following tech stack during the development process:  

• Programming Languages & Frameworks – Java, Python, Ruby, Node.js (JavaScript), Django, Ruby on Rails, Express.js, React, Angular, Vue.js 
• Databases – PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis 

Step 4 Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance

To ensure that the software functions as desired and meets the required specifications, thorough testing is essential. It entails several testing processes, including user acceptability, integration, and unit testing. Fixing any defects or issues found throughout the testing process is necessary. The program can be used in the production environment if deemed stable. Continuous maintenance is essential to manage upcoming upgrades, security fixes, and improvements. To improve the functioning and usability of the product, it is crucial to routinely collect user input and take it into account during subsequent revisions. 

Conclusion

After reading this blog, you have an in-depth knowledge of shipment tracking software and some tips for optimizing your logistics procedures to grow your import and export business. 

But if you’re seeking a reliable enterprise software development company to guide you through the software development process, Matellio is here to assist. We can indeed provide customized solutions tailored to your specific needs, thanks to our experience with shipment tracking software. The Matellio team will ensure that every aspect of your software solution, from real-time tracking updates to seamless interaction with existing systems, perfectly aligns with the objectives of your business. 

So, why wait? Take the next step in optimizing your logistics operations and boosting your business growth by partnering with Matellio.