What is last mile delivery tracking?

We can all relate to the frustration of experiencing a delay when a requested delivery or service doesn’t match its expected arrival time. With technology advancing, customer expectations are also rising. Fortunately, whether you run a fleet of delivery trucks or on-demand drivers, last mile tracking makes sure that you give customers accurate ETAs and your fleets operate safely.

Why you should care about last mile delivery tracking

Last mile delivery refers to the final stage of delivery, where a package moves from one location to its final destination and recipient. The package would traditionally move from a distribution center or warehouse. However, with the advent of on-demand mobility apps, packages often travel directly from a retail center or grocery store. To keep up with customer orders and get them delivered as quickly as possible, companies must optimize their route planning.

According to the Capgemini Research Insitute, 45% of customers won’t recommend delivery services of grocery retailers if the delivery arrives late. With e-commerce booming and same-day delivery becoming the norm, efficient last mile delivery is one of the most critical differentiators among competitors. As a result, delivery companies are investing in this field with needs for route optimization and precise ETAs.

With proper last mile delivery implementation, customers are updated with the latest tracking information.

How location technology helps last mile fleet tracking

Customers expect more and more visibility of the last mile. With the increasing amount of online orders, customers want to be able to monitor their packages at any time – all the way from the grocery store to their doorstep, for example. Fleets thus need to provide efficient delivery services and accurate ETAs. Fleets need to make sure that up-to-date tracking information is communicated to the customers, including when there are unexpected changes.

GPS plays a huge role in location technology for fleet tracking – whether the fleet is composed of trucks, cars or bikes. Using tracking and routing APIs as well as logistics datasets, carrier applications help improve last mile deliveries within the planned expected time of arrival. Fleet managers can pinpoint the location of their fleet with precision, obtaining information on each vehicle's destination and estimated time of arrival, as well as trip data such as mileage, speed of the vehicle and timestamps.

How tracking APIs create visibility to improve last mile deliveries

Tracking APIs bring an added layer of valuable information to make sure the successful route takes place according to the scheduled ETAs. Using TomTom’s award-winning APIs, fleet managers can easily assist drivers and manage last-minute route updates if needed.

The following TomTom APIs play an essential role in creating asset-tracking apps.

• Reverse geocoding allows you to understand where drivers are by converting coordinates into readable addresses.

• Geofencing defines virtual geofences around locations and checks whether the assets you are tracking are inside or outside of them as well as detect transitions.

• Location history safely stores and retrieves the locations and movements of devices you are tracking. It allows to retrace the steps of the drivers and display it on the map in real time.

• Notifications allow you to receive alerts whenever an asset passes through a geofence. Alerts are configured in one place, which you can send via email or webhook.

Delivering the best experience from the beginning to the end

Being able to track a parcel’s every move makes customers feel more comfortable and in control. Delivering on their promise and meeting ETAs are vital in showing that businesses know what they’re doing and are efficient. This impacts customer satisfaction and helps create more consistent route planning for happier customers in the long term.

However, getting a package delivered to a customer can be much more complex than getting it from point A to point B. Using tools such as tracking and geocoding APIs are therefore essential for fleet management. With constantly evolving technology, TomTom aims to improve fleet operations by incorporating location technology with both businesses and customers in mind.