Is logistics a barrier to the growth of your organization? Small businesses need to become masters of logistics if they are to remain competitive. Manual processes and haphazard systems invariably lead to delays and disgruntled customers. This article will, therefore, deliberate on subjects covered regarding logistic software for small business in optimizing delivery operations, reducing cost, and saving time.
We’ll also dive into how last-mile delivery software can take your business to the next level.
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What is Logistic Software for Small Business?
Logistic software for small business is an automated application through which businesses of all sizes perform route planning, route optimization, warehousing automation, shipping, transportation management, and more.
More importantly, implementing this logistics software into a given company usually predicts increased performance efficiency as goods are shipped from origin to end customer.
Best Logistics Software for Small Businesses at Each Step of the Supply Chain
The software solutions take a general approach to logistics that simplifies everything, promoting efficiency and accuracy and lessening the amount of manual work that has to be done.
Step 1: Procurement
Procurement logistics involves transferring raw materials to warehouses, logistics centers, production plants, or stores for production, distribution, or sale. Procurement and supply are two essential facets of this operation. Warehouse procurement can also be defined as reorder point triggers, which occur when a specific SKU pops below the level of a figure computed generally from EOQ formulation. Proper procurement management prevents stockouts, improves efficiency in businesses, and releases growth through the availability of continuous good levels of stock.
Best Software Solutions for Procurement: The First Step in Logistic Software for Small Business
1.1 Precoro
Precoro is a recommended logistic software for small business in procurement step that provides cloud-based procurement and accounts payable automation, enhancing efficiency, reducing errors, and centralizing processes across industries.
Features of Precoro
- Cloud-based procurement control software.
- Centralized view of procurement operations.
- Facilitates communication between requesters, approvers, procurement managers, and accounting teams.
- Management of requests and approval tracking.
- Control over company spending.
- Seamless integration with accounting and ERP systems.
- Flexible pricing packages.
- Dedicated customer success manager.
- 24/5 support.
- Lifetime product updates.
- Adaptable to business growth stages.
Price: $499/Month
1.2 Procurify
Procurify has emerged as the frontrunner in Intelligent Spend Management. It allows businesses to enjoy fuller visibility and control and huge savings through end-to-end procure-to-pay solutions.
Features of Procurify
- Clarity and controlling the actual spending.
- All the spending under one solution for procure-to-pay.
- Provide the customers with single pooled spend-generated data.
- Saves a lot of time and money.
- Compatibility with major ERP accounting solutions such as NetSuite and QuickBooks Online.
- Give a complete view and control over the spending patterns.
Price: In the pricing tier of Procurify, the first zero-cost added to the system consumes everything from the new card fee (excluding shipping) for certain features, allowing a small business to properly spend and dictate bills with little available hassle. For the use of some more precise features, such as ACH or wire transfers, a minimum transaction charge of $0.60 USD is charged.
Step 2. Order Processing
The processing of orders plays a significant role in logistics management by facilitating fast and accurate data flow toward the initiation of transportation operations. These could be done either through a Shopify store or an ERP. They better improve operational flows and on-time deliveries. However, integration is the key to efficient order-processing networks. For instance, customer platforms must be integrated into the transportation management system (TMS) to meet the delivery standards.
Characteristics of order processing systems vary according to the complexity of logistics.
Best Software Solutions for Order Processing: The Second Step in Logistic Software for Small Business
2.1 WooCommerce
WooCommerce is used to sync final orders with the TMS for immediate importing. Connecting CRM and Delivery Systems Using Zapier or Appy Pie Connect. ERP and TMS Integration through API for more technical needs. This kind of thing affects logistics, including warehousing, distribution, and shipment analytics.
Pro Tip: Use Zapier to link any input order program, such as Google Sheets, to the delivery software for total automation in the process.
Price: Free to use
Step3: Inventory Management
Inventory management provides complete, finished goods stock-papering and ensures the recording, safety, demand forecasting, and stock replenishment transportation- all incorporated into delivery.
Inventory logistics segregates inbound and outbound logistics supplier relation management from order fulfillment. Supplier relations are usually under the supply chain, which puts a premium on effective inventory management in its operations, having its relevant data-driven assortment planning and timed restocking.
Best Software Solutions for Inventory Management: The Third Step in Logistic Software for Small Business
3.1 Zoho Inventory
Many applications comprise 55 software products launched by a private enterprise called Zoho Corporation for various business functions such as sales, marketing, support, collaboration, finance, etc. Out of 100 million users worldwide, Zoho’s services have attracted consumers without running even a single advertisement for the free services, explaining privacy for such users to use logistic software for small business. The company has established its headquarters in Austin, Texas, and offices in places like Chennai and several other global locations. Zoho is mainly interested in building tools for enhancing a business’s growth and assuring safety in data.
Features of Zoho Inventory
- Inventory management with reporting and analysis
- Vendor managed inventory and lot traceability
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Shipment estimating, tracking, and delivery confirmation
- Purchase orders, backorders, and drop shipments
- Serial number and batch tracking
- Integration with e-commerce platforms (eBay, Etsy, Amazon)
- Part of Zoho Finance Suite
Price: Free for 50 Orders/Month
3.2 Inventoro
As a solution focused on enterprises that resolve to use AI technologies to optimize their inventory by lowering costs and increasing customer satisfaction, Inventoro has something for everyone, whether it is a considerable inventory or a place for improvement in availability. Hence, in every aspect, Inventoro can take one step forward to improving operations and profit.
Features of Inventoro
- Sales Forecasting
- Product Segmentation
- Replenishment Optimization
- AI-Driven Recommendations
Price: 49/Month
3.3 Ordoro
Its advanced functionality can make future stock forecasting for Ordoro users much simpler and more rapid. This integration of Ordoro and Inventory makes it possible to optimize inventories using features like sales forecasting, demand planning, and dead stock scouting. Automated purchase order lists and replenishment recommendations facilitate lower but better inventory levels, even for small and medium retailers, who efficiently operate self-managed cash flow when it saves stock up to 20% and gains better profitability without losing availability.
Features of Ordoro
- Auto-sync stock levels across sales channels
- Automated low-stock alerts
- Purchase orders and goods receipts
- Kitting and bundling
- Bill of materials and manufacturing orders
- Multi-warehouse management
- Track lead times by suppliers
- 3PL order management
- Open API for platform-agnostic integration
- Automatic inventory writeback
- Bulk inventory uploads
- Order routing and splitting
- Automatic order tagging
- Flash shipping and postage reporting
- Realtime P&L summaries
- Discounted shipping rates (up to 89% off)
- Sales and operation analytics
Price: 349/Month
Step 4: Transportation
The key components of the delivery process in supply chain logistics are listed below:
The First Mile
The first mile is the element of the delivery journey, where goods are picked up from the producers or manufacturers. Collection, packing, and first transportation of goods are all within the first stage of the logistics chain.
Best Software Solutions for First Mile: The Fourth Step in Logistic Software for Small Business
4.1 ShipHero
Incorporating into your shipping process is ShipHero‘s warehouse management system with first-mile’s delivery network. The joining of ShipHero’s inventory and order management functionalities with first-mile’s logistics streamlines operations and saves on shipping costs while improving the speed of yields and reliability for your customers.
Features of ShipHero
- Warehouse Management System
- FirstMile Delivery Services
- Tailored Solutions
- Smart Routing
- Extensive Shipping Network
- Platform Integrations
The Middle Mile
As such, mid-mile is accepted as an essential factor in local transport: the first and last mile combined usually form the long and sometimes international link. It also describes timely and effective delivery between the factory or port and the fulfillment center from which middle-mile delivery occurs.
Best Software Solutions for Middle Mile: The Fourth Step in Logistic Software for Small Business
4.2 Shipsy
Shipsy provides the best solutions in highly sophisticated transportation management and logistics software, which is critical for handling major logistical problems. Automatically, Shipsy optimizes operational procedures with the resolution of several logistical issues and boosts the entire business in upgrading supply chain functions with the help of AI/ML.
Features of Shipsy
- Auto dispatch
- End-to-end middle-mile tracking
- Dynamic route planning and optimization
- A single dashboard to manage all 3PLs
- Intelligent Hub Ops App
- Smart SLA management
Price: $7.99 (plus tax)
The Last Mile
If you want to know what last-mile delivery is, keep reading. The last mile, however, is commonly referred to as the last distance link in which goods travel from the local distribution to the consumer. The last mile creates the final link in the logistics chain and is key in determining customer satisfaction because it affects the end user’s experience.
Best Software Solutions for Last-Mile: The Fourth Step in Logistic Software for Small Business
4.3 Onro
Onro is an entirely specialized software solution for delivery and courier services, which takes care of the complete complexities of delivering with high precision, automation, and real-time tracking. It automates every critical key feature of a delivery management system to make all such tedious logistics operations simple and consistent.
Onro ensures that every step, from order initiation to final delivery, is efficient. This all-in-one software can enable every business to manage courier services completely, improving the coordination and overall productivity of the operations.
Features of Onro:
- Real-Time Monitoring: All operations are tracked in real-time updates received.
- Task Scheduling: Simplify the scheduling of freight and task shipments.
- Driver and Dispatch Management: Driver management, dispatch operation, driver ETA, and live location tracking.
- Barcode Scanning & Labeling: Make inventory simple and clear with barcode scanning and label printing.
- Delivery and Order Tracking: Provide real-time order and delivery tracking for customers.
- GPS & Geofencing: Provide location tracking and geofencing that help to optimize routes.
- Billing-Metering-Capture and Payment: Develop efficient billing and invoice generation processes and cash-on-delivery mechanisms.
- Customer Portal and Database: Advanced customer information management and self-service customer portal.
- Third-party Integrations: Integrated with internal and external systems for a unified experience.
Price: Free demo + $239/Month
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4.4 Track-POD
Track-POD stands for the state-of-the-art delivery management solution, which boasts an electronic proof of delivery app and mobile features for instantaneous monitoring of driver performance and delivery confirmation. It has been established to be a paperless delivery system and can be used as route planning software to arrange several deliveries in seconds for greater efficiency and accuracy.
Features of Track-POD:
- Proof of Delivery Method
- Digital Vehicle Inspections
- Reports & Analytics
- Customer Web Portal
- Live Tracking & ETA Notifications
- Auto Dispatching & Integrations
- Route Optimization
- Load Optimization & Manual Adjustments
Price: $29/Month
Step 5: Reverse Logistics
Reverse logistics refers to the process whereby a returned product is transferred from the end-user to the manufacturer or retailer through the supply chain. The receipt for a return might be the case when the customer does not want the item anymore, when it comes to the end of its life, or when it is found to be damaged or defective.
Returns are all business aspects, where reverse logistics ensures that things are done right around them. It will also apply at any point in time that you need to dispose of, recycle, refurbish, or resell products. The end-users are involved in renovating or disposing of it from a point of need, at some time.
Best Software Solutions for Reverse Logistics: The Fifth Step in Logistic Software for Small Business
5.1 Onro
Onro’s reverse logistics solution helps to bring about a straightforward process of managing failed deliveries and returns. The delivery fails when the driver switches the order status to failed delivery and records the reason with it.
The undelivered package is returned to the warehouse and scanned in as a warehouse. After that, depending on the reason for the failure, it will either be routed for another try or sent back to the sender. This would have filters for users in the management console to access some of the delivery attempts and, most importantly, failure reasons so management may be informed about further course steps. Very well organized in all aspects of returns and next delivery reattempts.
Price: Free demo + $239/Month
5.2 Outvio
Outvio is a high-consuming returns software that can automate all post-sales processes in an eCommerce store, from shipping and return management to communicating with customers and fulfilling orders. It has provisions for all national and international post-sale requirements; high efficiency achieves reverse logistics-related activities. Outvio processes complete return-related operations, provides automatic product recommendations and exchange processes, and again turns returns into new opportunities, so it becomes the most comprehensive system for an integrated end-to-end solution in the post-sale operations for eCommerce businesses.
Price: $125/Month
Conclusion
Using proper Software and tools can always lead to hassle-free delivery operations for small businesses using logistics software, reduced costs, and the highest satisfaction of customers.
Onro has just the right software solution that would meet your requirements: powerful for advanced users but easily understood by a novice. Whether it is route optimization or real-time tracking, Onro makes logistics work easy for you so that you can focus on the business’s growth. Sign up today with Onro and embark on this all-digital journey towards managing your logistics effortlessly.
Try Onro for Free
Get your free access to the Onro All-in-one Last Mile Delivery Software.
